|
|
From Joe Atu in Brisbane (31 May 2016) Rotuma Day Celebration in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, 14 May 2016. This year our community decided to celebrate Rotuma Day with a kato'aga. Although we may live very far from Rotuma, our heritage will never be forgotten. The lyrics for the day was composed to celebrate our Rotuma when it was ceded to Great Britain. All the food preparations were done on Friday and the boys started the koua at 4.00am early Saturday morning. The day turned out to be perfect for our celebrations. Our thanks to our visitors from Fiji, New Zealand, Interstate, and Toowoomba. Program for the day: Sporting Activities Food Presentation Kato'aga Sunday Coming Events From Fiji Times Online (28 May 2016) Label releases new collection by Monika Singh In a statement yesterday, Bulalicious said it prides itself on designing "clothing with conscience", which was why their new line focused on those who truly needed their support, those affected by Severe TC Winston. Taveuni, along with several other areas across Fiji, was severely affected by the cyclone. Bulalicious teamed up with established Fiji-born graphic artist Sonam Sapra, who has family links to Taveuni, and her hand-drawn prints are a stunning feature of the new collection. Bulalicious also welcomed its new ambassador, Fijian-born surfer Hannah Bennett.
From Fiji Times Online (16 May 2016) Rotumans in Labasa celebrate by Luke Rawalai The small Rotuman community in Labasa together with their kinsmen residing in Savusavu took time off their busy schedules on Saturday to celebrate the day with feasting and merrymaking at the Holy Family Primary School. Community spokesman Alfred Wiliame said they celebrated the day annually as a time to get together and reflect on their achievements and contributions to the various communities that they had come to call their home away from home. "This year we decided to visit the Rotuman community in Savusavu and host them to a feast," he said.
From Fiji Sun Online (16 May 2016) Rotuma Blessed with Beauty By Shahani Mala Sunday school children of Churchward Chapel heard yesterday that the island of Rotuma was very beautiful. Church official Kelly Finiasi said: "There are many children who have not been to Rotuma and only have seen pictures and heard about Rotuma from their elders. "Rotuma is full of natural beauty.Our land is blessed with natural resources but it's changing due to the act of men," she said. Ms Finiasi said most of the 179 children in the classes were raised in Fiji and would like to visit their homeland, Rotuma, and experience what they have been told about the island in Sunday school. She is one of the 12 teachers who conduct Sunday school class for the church. Eight-year-old Darik Finiasi said: "I have never been to Rotuma and it's my dream to visit my homeland one day. "I have only seen pictures of Rotuma Island and heard about it from my parents." "Students learn about God and his sacrifices for his people and the good things he has done. "We also tell children stories of Rotuma and allow people to share their Rotuma experience with our students." Edited by Rusiate Mataika
From Fiji Times Online (16 May 2016) Rotumans give $12k in cyclone aid by Charlene Lanyon The funds were collected during the Rotuma Day celebrations held at Churchward Chapel in Suva on Saturday. Chief guest President Jioje Konrote said the funds was collected was part of their contribution to help Fijians rebuild their homes and lives. Mr Konrote reminded those present to maintain the values, beliefs and tradition of their culture because it was part of their heritage as a people who valued community. He said the theme, "Who is my neighbour? A Journey of Compassion", called on Rotumans to help out in any way they could in their family, community, city and nation. As the national ambassador for non-communicable diseases, Mr Konrote highlighted the importance of living a healthy life and following a balanced diet. Fiji Rotuman Association chairperson Paserio Furivai said the celebrations this year focused on raising funds to help cyclone-affected families. "Our theme makes us question ourselves, if people are affected around you, how do you reach out to them," Mr Furivai said. "We have gathered here today (Saturday) to celebrate our history, culture and heritage and also help our fellow brothers and sisters who were affected. "The money collected would be presented along with the farmers' food crops that are on display here today (Saturday)," he said. The seven districts of Noa'tau, Oinafa, Itu'ti'u, Malha'a, Juju, Pepjei and Itu'muta were represented at the celebrations. See Fiji Rotuma Association Press Release (19 May 2016) From Fijivillage.com (15 May 2016) Over $10,000 collected for PM's cyclone relief fund during Rotuma Day By Elizabeth Vasukilauvatu President Jioji Konrote at the Rotuma Day celebrations [Photo: Fijian Government] President Jioji Konrote acknowledged the kind spirit and goodwill among the Fijians of Rotuman descent while attending the celebration yesterday. Konrote says Rotuma Day celebrations in past years were always marked by cultural dances, agriculture and handicraft shows, and much feasting and merry‑making but this year is different as they have decided to observe Rotuma Day with a church service, agriculture and handicraft shows and fundraising towards the PM's Cyclone Relief fund. The Fiji‑Rotuman community donated root‑crops that were on display during the agriculture show, last month, to Commissioner Eastern for distribution towards those who are still struggling from the effect of Cyclone Winston.
From Fiji Sun Online (15 May 2016) Fundraiser Focus On TC Winston Victims By Shahani Mala Fiji Rotuma Association had organised a fundraising yesterday to contribute towards the Prime Minister's Cyclone Appeal Fund. This was part of their Rotuma Day celebrations at Churchward Chapel Ground at Rewa Street in Suva, yesterday. Association chair Paserio Furivai said: "Today's Rotuma Day Celebration is very special to us. "It is focused on people affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston. "We have organised fundraise to help people affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston," he said. The theme for this year's Rotuma Day celebration is 'Who is My Neighbour? A Journey in Compassion.' The Rotuma Day is marked on May 13 but it was celebrated yesterday. "Rotuma Day celebration is all about all Rotumans to get together and reunite with their families. "There are relatives who are living apart but, this celebration reunites them," he said. Mr Furivai said they participated in cultural activities such as children dancing, women showcase their handicraft work and men displaying their root crops. "Today marks the day when Rotuma was ceded to Britain 135 years ago. "We also appreciate our ancestors for what they had done for us and pray for our younger generation to have a better future," he said. Edited by Paula Tuvuki From Fijivillage.com (15 May 2016) Rako Pasefika wins big at FPRA Music Awards By Meli Tavaga
"We can take Fijian music to the world if we all work together." Those are the words of Rako Pasefika group leader, Paul Dominiko while receiving their award for Best New Artist during the 2016 Fiji Performing Right Association Music Awards last night at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Dominiko says they are honored to be recognized in this year's awards. Rako Pasefika formed by a group of Rotuman and Polynesian artists won the awards in four categories which includes Best Composition, Best English Song, International Achievement Award and Best New Artist. From Fiji Times Online (12 May 2016) Rotumans to gather for annual event by Avinesh Gopal The Fiji Rotuman Association's annual gathering will be held at the Churchward Chapel on Rewa Street. The theme for the annual event is "Who is My Neighbour? A Journey in Compassion". All money raised by the seven district associations in Suva will be given to the Government for the Winston appeal, as the contribution of Rotumans in Fiji. From Otago University Press (11 May 2016 ) David Eggleton's 'The Conch Trumpet' wins Ockham New Zealand Book Award for poetry
Warmest congratulations to David Eggleton, whose book The Conch Trumpet has won the 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Award for poetry. The awards were presented on Tuesday 10 May as part of the Auckland Writers Festival, at a ceremony MC-ed by author and comedian Michelle A'Court. The judges of the poetry category – Elizabeth Caffin, Paul Millar and Selina Tusitala Marsh – said 'The choice of David Eggleton's The Conch Trumpet is in part a tribute to decades of resounding poetry with a distinctive Pacific voice and vision. Eggleton's extraordinary fluency and energy is unquenched in this substantial collection. Always vigorous and fluent, he evokes in song and incantation the ancient, the deep, the unspoken forces of myth and memory in Aotearoa.' You can read the full report, as well as the list of winners in all categories, here. David will also be appearing alongside the winners of the other three categories at another AWF event, 'The Winners' Podium', on Friday 13 May.
|
