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From Fiji Times Online (24 June 2012) 250K for arts festival team by Nasik Swami Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts Filipe Bole will head Fiji's delegation to the festival. In a government statement, Mr Bole said the Fiji Arts Council was in the process of finalising the selection of 100 participants under each category through its annual competitions such as Heritage Art Competitions to select winners from each category in weaving, carving, pottery, masi and jewellery making. He said the National Youth Band of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Itumuta Dance Group of Rotuma, and the VOU contemporary dance group will represent Fiji at the festival. Mr Bole said the inclusion of Fiji's Uto ni Yalo representing Fiji's voyaging society and the vilavilairevo (firewalking) group from Beqa, are the two significant events of the festival. And 15 high school students from Rabi will also be part of the contingent to the festival. From John Taito in Navua (18 June 2012) 10th Annual Navua Rotuman Farmers' Foodshow, Saturday, 9 June 2012 Its 3.45am and the lovo boys led by the Fonmoa brothers were already hard at work from the wee hours of the morning. The rain is pouring by the bucket loads and although not spoken out loud, one can almost hear all the prayers to the one above to please cease the heavenly showers. It is already 7.55am and with all the excitement in the air, time seems almost static. The 8.00am devotion was conducted by Pastor Robert Powell of the Pacific Harbour Wesley Church to bless the day. That was followed by a welcoming speech by the chairman of Foodshow 2012, Mr Freddy Wesley, who acknowledged all the guests who were present and introduced the chief guests, Mr William & Mrs Kafoa George Danford, who were representing Mr Lionel Danford (Senior) of Discover Fiji Tours. The chief guests, along with all the other guests, were taken on a tour to inspect all the food crops that were on display. Suspense was in the air as all the competitors awaited the drawing of the card by Mrs Kafoa George Danford that determined the Vudi (banana) variety that would start the competition at 8.35am. Despite the rain and cold, guests travelled from as far as Waila & Davuilevu in the Nausori, Suva – Nausori corridor, and even some who were passing through on their way to Nadi, Lautoka, Rotuma and Sydney. Notably present during the Foodshow were Messrs Paulo & Vamarasi Inoke (Navua), Pita & Rejieli Alfereti (Suva), Mareko & Vafo'ou Kuno‘u (Nadera), Rupeti & Varea Antrea (Davuilevu), Linda Antrea (Suva), Jioje Faga, Fiu & Tokoara (Waila), Mako Chute & family (Nausori), Maraea Wise (Navua), Fuata & Molly Fakraufon (Rotuma), Fatiaki & May Panapasa (Lautoka), Fesaitu Jioje (Nadi), Makireta Taito Lewavinaka (Nadi), Vaivao & Ramisese Solomone (Nadi), O‘ohon ta Mareta (Nadi), Susie David (Suva), Muarina Konrote (Sydney), Judith Panapasa (Suva), Tifanue Nataniela (Suva), Tevite Timote (Suva/Fapufa, Rotuma),David Fereti (Navua), Mani Epeli, Firipo Kamilo, Tausie Amoe & Jione Nofaga (Navua), Ada Seeto (Navua). The morning tea break at 10.00am had everyone treated to freshly baked homemade pastries from pies to cakes and puddings, muffins and an assortment of rolls. Whilst everyone warmed themselves with tea and pastries they were entertained with modern contemporary action chorus items, courtesy of the Kotobalavu Sisters of faith entertainers. At 10.15am it was back to the ring where the Master of Ceremony (John Taito), Scale Master (Malakai Kaitu'u), Ring Master & Crew (W.Konrote, Johnny Kaitu‘u, Pene Konrote, Roger Kaitu‘u & Mervin Wesley), Tag Team (Malakai Kaitu‘u Jnr, Rigamoto Taito, Maurea Konrote, Paula Toga, Netani Toga & Samuel Manueli), Judge (Fauoro Manueli) and Score Keepers (Aggie Manueli, Janice Manueli, Katarina Fonmoa and Josefa Wesley) were hard at work keeping accurate and timely tabs on the competition. The lunch break at 12.45pm saw everyone tuck into a hearty meal of Chinese, Indian dishes and koua. They were treated to variety of fekei such as her-here, mara ma a‘ana, fekei uhi & fakakai, all whilst being entertained by the ho‘aga youths basket weaving competition that was won by Mr Pene Konrote and the Navua Polynesian Dance Group. This was followed by an afternoon of lively Rotuman hits, courtesy of the Pro Am Live Band, which had Fesaitu from Nadi showcase her natural flair in the true island spirit. Amidst the dancing, the competition resumed at 2.00pm and by 3.30pm the score keeping team was ready announce the winners in all the crop categories. The competitors received envelopes from the normal prizes plus bets (monetary) to reward them of one year's hard work. Mr Sam George, the outgoing champion of 2011, congratulated his ho‘aga colleague, Mr Jioje Fonmoa, who was the taro and overall champion for 2012. Mr Fonmoa thanked all the guests for their support and acknowledged all the competitors for competing in the true spirit of the game. The yam category champion for 2012 was retained by Mr Wesley Konrote, and the temafa category by Mr Jione Kaitu‘u. The day drew to an end at 4.00pm after the singing of the Rotuman anthem "Atumotu Helava La Kele" and benediction. Financial Donations: Foodshow Results (a‘ana x 15 varieties, uhi x 9 varities, pari x 5 varieties, tapiko, kumara, merene & painapa):
Ho‘aga Groups:
Post Foodshow Meeting: The Navua Rotuman Farmers would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge all those who supported and contributed to the success of their 10th Annual Foodshow: Fai‘eksia e hanhanisit se kaumaneag te ma alalum on gagaja la ma aus. News From Sydney, Australia (10 June 2012) Rotumans in Sydney Now Have Their Own Church to Call Home It was truly a joyous and blessed occasion on Sunday 3 June 2012 as Methodist The Rotuman Congregation now have their very own church to call home. The Rotumans feel extremely privileged and fortunate to have Rev Dr Fesaitu Located at 33 College Street, Drummoyne – the Uniting Church has recently The theme of Fekau Marseu's sermon that Sunday was: Io sin: gou la re ta Check out photos from Sunday's event |