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From John Taito in Navua, Fiji (26 December 2010) Navua Rotuman Farmer's Foodshow Warm Greetings to all family and friends here in Fiji, Rotuma and all over the world from your Rotuman brothers residing in the beautiful eastern countryside town of Navua in the province of Serua/Namosi, Vitilevu. On Saturday 4 December, the farmers had their first foodcrop inspection/es vek ta for next year's food show/mane‘a tela‘a where they were able to gauge their food crops for the first time and also to figure out their chances and finalise bets to the different varieties. The garden visitation ended up at the Manueli residence with a lovo lunch prepared by the men, youths and womenfolks. A raffle ticket was drawn during the day with lots of ‘iom kao and serenading into the evening by Nataniela Kamilo who had recently returned from the island and the menfolks. The competitors have been holding their monthly ‘iom pani since August 2010 and funds collected channeled into their operating pool to assist in covering the financial expenses that would incur during the Foodshow. Background The Navua Rotuman Farmers Foodshow first began in 2003. The objectives of the foodshow were to:
The competition is amongst the individual farmers who must be of Rotuman descent or married to a Rotuman residing within the Navua area. The farmers compete in individual categories as well by ho‘aga. The ho‘aga is determined according to the location of the farmers within the Navua Area as follows:
Overall Champions
Foodshow Competition 2011 will be held on Saturday, 18 June at the Serua Provincial Complex, Navua at 8.00am. Competitors 2011
The competitors were handed letters seeking contributions from friends, family members and the business houses with a reply to the Secretary, Mr Jioje Fonmoa by 1 April 2011. Family members and friends who have not received the Association letter but wish to donate in kind to our Foodshow 2011 may contact:
Two faras, on Friday 17th and Thursday 23rd December 2010, were organized by our brothers and sisters from Pacific Harbour: Lili & Fonmanu Somone, Sarote Muaror, Akanisi, Luise, Luisa Deo, Veregtire and Pago of Lopta. Both faras sat at the Varea, Manueli, Konrote, Wesley and Teresia Paris residences. Lots of fun for everyone with the youths (Jione Kaitu'u grandsons) who made up the numbers and came up with their own contemporary island choreography. We read with a lot of interest about the Motusa menfolks Mane‘a Tel‘'a – well done to all the competitors for the awesome food crops on display. Hanisiof se Te' ne aus otomis kainag ne Noh e Rotuma, Fiti ma te ne 'ut tutu ne ren te - omus hunsiosig rotuam ne noh e Navua, Fiti.
From Mojito Mua in Rotuma (20 December 2010) A Manea' Tē la 'a was held at Motusa on 9 December. The point standings and category winners were as follows:
From Randolph Bentley in Nadi (13 December 2010) Pacific Sun has now added Rotuma as a destination on their website which means anyone worldwide can now logon to www.pacificsun.com.fj to book and pay for their e-tickets to/from Rotuma, using their credit card. From Fiji Times Online (7 December 2010) Promoting Fijian and Rotuman by Mary Rauto As part of the Fijian Language Development Program, four workshops were held simultaneously over five days at the Laucala Bay Secondary School in Suva. Organised by Fijians Trust Fund Board, the project officer, Unaisi Manulevu, said three workshops were aimed at creative writing, namely short stories and life writing, theatre and script writing, performance, poetry and song writing, while the fourth workshop was on learning the techniques of translation. "One of the reasons for the workshops was the lack of creative writing in the Fijian and Rotuman languages. "There are a lot done in English but not many in Fijian and Rotuman. "We would like to incorporate Fijian and Rotuman in creative writing and create a platform where these publications can be marketable and up to standard," she said. Ms Manulevu said they were overwhelmed at the number of applications they received. "We put out advertisements on the workshop," she said. "People applied to be part of the workshop and applications closed on December 1 when a shortlist was prepared. "We initially wanted 20 people per class but because of the growing interest we had to increase the numbers. The Board's Senior Culture and Heritage specialist, Dr Apolonia Tamata, said in performance and poetry, the aim was to encourage young people to take an interest in poetry but through the Fijian and Rotuman languages. "Translations can be tricky, especially if you have not had the proper training," she said. "Some Fijian books, especially for schools, are boring because they are translated from English. "Two novels in schools are translated and one is from King Solomon's Mines. "Although some themes are universal, some are not related to Fiji and out of our country." From Fiji Times Online (4 December 2010) Dr Eric Rafai among six Fiji nationals chosen for Australian Leadership award scholarships by Monika Singh SIX Fiji nationals were chosen for Australian Leadership award scholarships from a field of 78 local and regional applicants to undertake postgraduate studies at Australian universities. The recipients are Doctor Eric Rafai, who will study for his masters in infectious diseases at the University of Western Australia; Jacinta Hesaie will do her master of arts (MA) in international economics and finance at the University of Queensland; Dr Neel Nitesh will do his MA in international public health and health management at the University of NSW; Preetika Singh will do her PhD (doctor in philosophy) in climate change at University of New England, Ravinesh Nand will be at the University of Technology Sydney to do his MSc (master of science) in Engineering Studies, Energy and Planning while Valentine Hazelman will undertake PhD studies in Education at the University of Wollongong. Acting Australian High Commissioner Judith Robinson said the candidates were selected for their potential to assume leadership roles that could influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in Fiji and the region. "These scholars can be truly proud of winning this prestigious award which will better equip them with the qualities to serve as future leaders in their area of expertise and I congratulate them all," she said. Ms Robinson said the recipients should make the most of the opportunity given to them through the scholarship and build their network in the respective fields. She said they should use the network they build to expand their studies and their work. The recipients will leave for their respective universities at the end of the year or early next year. At the completion of the studies they will be expected to return to Fiji and work for two years in the country before they can migrate or work in other overseas countries. From Fiji Times Online (4 December 2010) Rotuma prospers by Ioane Burese This after civil aviation director Joeli Koroikata's comments that the far-flung island had been neglected for too long. He said the Government was committed to creating more opportunities in rural areas, which would in turn generate revenue and income for the people. "As for Rotuma, the Government has developed infrastructure on the island to help in its trade with Tuvalu and other smaller island states," Mr Koroikata said in a Ministry of Information statement. "Rotuma has a lot of potential in terms of trading and exporting crops to Tuvalu and nearby islands." There is an allocation of $400,000 for the development of Rotuma airport in the 2011 National Budget. He said Rotuma had been declared a port of entry following Government's decision for the island to trade directly with Tuvalu. "Infrastructure development is important so Government is committed to the people of Rotuma and other rural areas as well. This helps people to be productive and will build a better Fiji for all." Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) chief executive Ratu Timoci Tuisawau said: "It is not an overnight thing and Government has been putting in money every year to develop rural areas." "All plans are done and we are now awaiting the next step." He said Government wants Rotuma to be able to cater for ATR 42s. From Fijiana Times (2 December 2010) Government wants Rotuma to prosper For too long the people of Rotuma have been neglected says Civil Aviation acting director Mr Joeli Koroikata. He said Government was committed to creating more opportunities in rural areas, which would in turn generate revenue and income for the people. "As for Rotuma, the Government has developed infrastructure on the island to help in its trade with Tuvalu and other smaller island states," Mr Koroikata said. "Rotuma has a lot of potential in terms of trading and exporting crops to Tuvalu and nearby islands." There is an allocation of $400,000 for the development of Rotuma airport in the 2011 National Budget. Mr Koroikata said Rotuma had been declared a port of entry following Government's decision for the island to trade directly with Tuvalu. "Infrastructure development on the island is important so Government is committed to the people of Rotuma and other rural areas as well," he said. "This helps people to be productive and will build a better Fiji for all." Chairman of Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) Ratu Timoci Tuisawau welcomed Government's initiative to develop Rotuma. "It is not an overnight thing and Government has been putting in money every year to develop rural areas," Ratu Timoci said. "All plans are done and we are now awaiting the next step." He said Government wants Rotuma to be able to cater for ATR 42s. |
