I never promised you.....

from w. A song has been bouncing in my head - as it often does - this time after reading a couple of news items from Fiji. Hmmm. I never promised you... about cancelling that dratted promise of an election next March. Sobosobo! The song is by Joe South.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.
When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live,
Or let go.
I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.

I could promise you things like big diamond rings,
But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover.
So you better think it over.
Well, if sweet-talkin' you could make it come true,
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter,
But what would it matter?
So smile for a while and let's be jolly:
Love shouldn't be so melancholy.
Come along and share the good times while we can.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

Instrumental break.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.

I could sing you a tune or promise you the moon,
But if that's what it takes to hold you,
I'd just as soon let you go, but there's one thing I want you to know.
You better look before you leap, still waters run deep,
And there won't always be someone there to pull you out,
And you know what I'm talkin' about.
So smile for a while and let's be jolly:
Love shouldn't be so melancholy.
Come along and share the good times while we can.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

To fade.

More about the Adelaide Fijian Conference

From Wendy

Friday at the Fijian Conference in Adelaide

The venue was a large complex next to our village, and I was right – it was a woolshed in design. The main hall became a Fijianised building with a massive kingpost decorated with barkcloth, and also church with a banner and barkcloth on the speaker’s stand. This Convention Complex was usually hired out for business conventions, even boxing, so perhaps Jovilisi Ragata was right in praying that the place be cleansed a bit!

The conference discussions and sessions were in various styles – academic, story telling, humorous or serious, and passionate preaching. As the sessions were 90% in the Fijian language I had to concentrate to get the gist of the meaning. I liked Jone Lotu’s presentation about where we have come from. It was very clear with his use of the data projector to show old historical photos of Fiji over the past two centuries. An Australian minister who headed the Mission arm of the Uniting Church, Dr Tony Floyd addressed the people, as did Rowan who gave a spiel about the upcoming National Christian Youth Convention. He told a good story about adults separate from the youth until they were instructed to be silent, listen to the youth noise, then go to the youth tent, put up the tent flaps and join them!

The chair of the conference, Dr Jovili Meo, gave a presentation comparing the structure of the Fijian Methodist Church and the Uniting Church in Australia, comparing democratic processes and where the power lay. Was it in the Presbyteries in Australia?

I was very happy that Esther King the gospel singer was part of our conference. She led a session in singing and got us standing and waving our arms and trying out some new and old gospel songs. Rev Inoke Nabulivou gave a session on Fijian church music and we sang, among other styles, a polotu, the Lauan style of singing – the best! My voice was starting to come back after bronchitis so I joined in lustily.



The Concert that evening was wonderful entertainment: choirs, gospel choruses, action songs, many kinds of seasea, even a meke wesi with young boys from Melbourne. I have written about the choirs in an earlier posting, but I was cheering along the Dandenong singers.

Afterwards in our little villa there was plenty of yarning past midnight and the guys went off to find a house where there was kava flowing. Yaqona was not part of the ceremonials at this conference, only informally late at night!

Saturday
Early morning, Peceli and I drove into the suburb of Glenelg for a look and to pick up a couple of things at the supermarket. It’s behind the church, a man in a newsagency told us. St Peters Anglican, a srong old church totally ringed/separated by a road. A bit symbolic I think.

Opening worship was led by the youth with an excellent keyboard player, words of wisdom and action songs. More parish reports included one from Peceli about Altona Meadows, and Rev Graeme Sutton from Dandenong.

The main session was led by Rev Jovilisi Ragata (who had been with Peceli on the Cuvu mission in January and again a few weeks ago) who confronted us with a need to be shaken from apathy, indifference, lack of commitment. Several people stood up after his call for commitment. This was another challenge to my anxiety about being tolerant of different styles and religious views.

After another lavish lunch I just had to sleep for an hour, then went to the last part of Lisa Meo’s presentation about the relationship between men and women. Some of the men’s views were seriously challenged. I thought we had got past this view of who was the boss and couldn’t believe the old views of some people! Good on you Lisa for raising the subject and getting to the nitty-gritty of power in relationships.


Though meals were available and abundant, the delegates were invited to fast during the day and some did so. A small formal meeting elected the incoming chair (again Dr Meo) secretary, treasurer and assistants. The next conference will be held in Darwin. We really thank Sitiveni and the small group of Adelaide and Darwin Fijians who worked tirelessly to make the Adelaide conference so successful.


Sunday
Tidy up, pack up, hand in keys of villas. I watched the sun rise about 7.30 and we had brekkie in the villa.

The farewell Service held in a very crowded hall under the dining room led by Rev Vitinia Waqabaca from Parramatta church in Sydney. The youth presented a gospel song. The preacher was Rev Dr Jovili Meo, our Chairman who as usual spoke with clarity, intelligence, and humility. It was a long service, nearly three hours, and there was no time for the offering! Holy Communion was served to both adults and children. It was a very gracious and lovely worship service.

In summarising my view of the conference, I was impressed with the youth programs and their input, their enthusiasm, and there is hope for the future. Secondly we were challenged to be respectful of different styles of worship because usually Fijian Methodists are conservative in body language but this time we had some moments in the conference where there was charismatic speaking in tongues, hand-waving, American styles of songs. This was confronting to some people. However, what I valued most was the one to one conversations or in small groups, sometimes reminiscing, sometimes hearing painful stories, and making new friends. I think one of the functions of such a conference is for migrant Fijians in Australia to hear one anothers’ stories and to build one another up in the Christian faith and in how to live in this land.

We had lunch together and then said farewells, gave back cases and bags in our car to our villa housemates who were catching planes. The Melbourne bus was leaving at 2 p.m. and we left the Shores Village about the same time, driving to central Adelaide for a quick look, then searching for the turnoff for Murray Bridge and the freeway. After two hours Peceli decided it would be best to find a motel in a country town as an eight-hour drive would be just too long after all the late nights.

Monday
After staying in the little town of Keith for a night, we set off about 4.30 a.m. Geelong was a long way but once the sun was up it was a pleasant journey (apart from all the huge trucks) and nice landscapes around Stawell, the Grampians area. We stopped to look at the graffitied Sisters Rocks. We arrived back home by midday to have a good rest and to thank God for the lovely five days we had experienced meeting friends and engaging in stimulating discussions.

Arriving in Adelaide for Fijian Conference

from Wendy

If hibiscus blossoms were on the beds, we could have been in a Fijian tourist resort. There were the white fluffy dressing gowns, a fridge full of drinks and cheese. I thought these were ‘complimentary’ to the extreme until I noticed a flapping white paper. ‘You will be charged on your account for drinks and items consumed!’ I did think spirits, wines, and elite label beers were surprises for a Methodist Conference! WE DID NOT COMSUME!

We had an elite villa for six people – three from Geelong, two from Rakiraki (on holiday in Sydney and came with family friends) and a guy from Melbourne who slept on the couch who we barely saw.

The first view of the Shores village was how large it was with about 130 houses, a recreation hall, a dining-room up very steep steps with a small hall underneath and next door was a giant size convention centre (wallsof corrugated iron which made it look like a gigantic shearing shed) and attached was a silver service dining room for weddings (which we did not enter). The convention centre alone cost $1000 or $2000 a day. Next time, which will be in Darwin in two years time, maybe we should use a Uniting Church venue which would be free.

Though Peceli and I arrived in Adelaide at 2 p.m. Thursday the villa keys were not ready so there were a hundred suitcases and bags scattered on the grass and Fijian people sitting on rocks waiting. Some had been there many hours. Okay, lunch was ready – and a lavish smorgasbord lunch it was, then we got our keys. About 450 people were expected to join in the conference. The children were happy jumping on a blown up plastic thing and the youth were about exploring.

Below the dining room was a beach of sorts – lots of rocks, seaweed, a few boats, but then a shoreline for walking. A painting on the lounge wall of our villa was of a delightful palm beach – maybe Sydney – a bit different. Anyway it was winter and no-one was swimming in the sea. It was such a cold wintry grey day and the delegates from Darwin were noticing. Anyway we were not here to play, but to pray.

Peceli went to the Conference hall for the welcomes and opening worship, but I was still coughing a bit and so was my new friend from Totoya (now Rakiraki) so we just had a good yarn in the villa and plenty of tea. We were waiting for Ema to arrive on the 9 p.m. flight but it was delayed three hours! And, as always when meeting Fijian people, we found lots in common and we were related too.


View from our villa verandah of odd tree and communal laundry.

(More to come later about other days at the conference).

Gardening in Cuvu

from Peceli,
When I was in Cuvu recently I was shown a very large yam from the Vakatawa's plantation. I want to thank the Vakatawa,(pastor) my tauvu, and also the Vakatawa of Rukurukulevu, my tovata. They grew a lot of yams in their valevale and show a good example to the villagers. They are not only preaching the Word but in the early morning they go to their teitei to plant. This is what the Interim Minister of Agriculture Jo Cokanisiga was talking about - the need to work hard in using the land to grow vegetables and fruit.

Judging a Fijian choir competition

from w

On the Saturday night of the Fijian Conference at the Shores village in Adelaide there were many performances, skits, cultural dances, action songs, modern gospel songs and four choirs performed anthems to be judged in a choir competition: Sydney/Canterbury, Melbourne/Chadstone, Parramatta, and Dandenong. The Conference was very fortunate to have such an esteemed and knowledgeable singer, Esther King, as judge. On the Sunday the results were announced and her informative explanation of her criteria will be helpful to choirs in the future. Here are her ten main points when selecting winners.

I. Choice of song – that it suits the singers that you have – good soloists, trios, older voices, younger voices.
II. Presentation of the song
III. Pitch is correct and not flat such as singing under the note
IV. Attire – costume and the appearance of the group
V. Dynamics – warm, sharp, movement, interesting shifts
VI. Musical technique – the song is put across to make you believe that the singers mean it
VII. Diction – the clarity of words
VIII. Balance of voices – what should be done – heart, mind, body, spirit. The Kingdom of God is believable
IX. Style – young crisp voices or older voices, high and low voices, all ages and tonality, the ability to project voices. Some experienced choirs have developed their own tonality and style.
X. Lyrics and arrangement – is it a set arrangement or newly composed by a member of the choir? The judge needs to see the score to check pitch and voice parts. Try and write your own music if possible.

So according to these ten points the judge decided upon a winner. All choirs were excellent, looked attractive and sang very well. However, the winners according to the criteria of the judge Esther King (Litia Daveta) were
First: Sydney with 95 points,
Second: Melbourne with 94 points,
and equal Third Parramatta and Dandenong (each 90 points).

Actually my favourite was Dandenong and the soaring soprano soloist Apesai Smith's wife) with the choir, lovely sweet song, very well done. Of course I usually like choirs such as the Choir of Hard Knocks as there is more to singing than perfect pitch!

Fijian Conference in Adelaide

from Peceli,
Ni sa bula vinaka. We just came back from Adelaide after four fruitful days and two long drives - more than eight hours each time and we stopped a few times on the way. Here are a few pictures I took during at the conference of Fijian congregations of the Uniting Church. The hosts were the Adelaide and Darwin Fijian communities and we especialky Jone Lotu and Talatala Siti and their committees. It was an excellent conference and Wendy and I will write more about it later. One photo is of Dr Jovili Meo presenting 2nd prize for the choir competition to the Melbourne choir leader. One is of Rev Alan Hatcher who was once a missionary in Fiji. Youth were full participants in the camp, showing their talents in singing, dancing, and action choruses.

Flowers for remembrance

from w
We were given a large bouquet of flowers the other day and it's special for the month of July - eight years on.

Changes in Labasa over thirty years

from today's Fiji Times

Michael notes changes
SERAFINA SILAITOGA
Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Michael Amal Deo ... major changes in Labasa

THE town of Labasa in the Northern Division had no housing area and not many shops in the 1970s and people depended on a small market for their vegetable supply. Michael Amal Deo remembers this vividly.

He started work as a cleaner for the Labasa Town Council in 1977. He still does that job today and says he has enjoyed every minute of it.He has done everything from cleaning drains, mowing the lawn on council property to attending to pot plants around the town area. Mr Deo said when he started work, his job involved cleaning around town, starting from as far as Naodamu where a residential housing area now sits. He says there was no such area before when he started work. "There was no housing area in Labasa and not many houses or shops like we have now except for a few houses in Naodamu and about 20 shops in town," he remembers. "There was a small market in town that sold vegetables and I remember there were not many buses and cars like we have today."

Labasa has developed into a major urban centre serving as a meeting place for people in the Northern Division. The township is the only major urban centre in the division alongside Savusavu.

Mr Deo has even noticed a big difference over the collection of rubbish in residential and town areas. "In the past when I first started, there was rubbish every where, scattered all over the place and we used to collect from different places in the residential areas. Today, it is better organised and people know where to pile their rubbish which are now kept in bins or garbage bags."

He says over the years the town has developed but despite this, business people have done a good job in keeping their rubbish stacked in proper places making it easier for collection. Money earned from his job, Mr Deo says, has helped support his family financially."I have been able to educate my three daughters, feed my family and pay for bills so I am enjoying my job," he says."Although people always tell me to look for better opportunities, I enjoy my work at the council and I will continue until I retire."

Cool clear water

from w,
It's unbelievable that Fiji water has been targeted for fundraising for the government! Heaven's sake, when you are on a good thing, stick to it! It's a good industry and now becoming wrecked through an excessive tax and excise. If soft drink duty is o3%, why is water 20%?

from Fiji Village:
Bottled Water Industry Stops Production
Publish date/time: 04/07/2008 [19:12]

Stakeholders in the bottle water industry have announced that all production of bottled water will be ceased and over 700 employees will remain without work until a solution is found to their grievances against the new duty imposed on bottled water.

Speaking on behalf of the 10 water bottling companies Island Chill Director Jay Dayal confirms that all production of bottled water will cease until further notice.

Dayal confirms that all employees of Please Beverage, Fiji Water, VTY, Mr. Pure, Island Chill, Aqua Pacific, Diamond Aqua, Tapoo's Beverage, Fresh Spring Limited and Mineral Waters of Fiji have been sent home as the new tax structure makes it highly unprofitable for the industry to bottle water.

The Interim government has imposed a 20 cents per litre export duty on all the mineral water exports and a 20 cents per litre excise duty on mineral water sold locally.

Attempts to speak to Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry in the last hour proved futile. Join Fijivillage news tomorrow for developments on this story.

----------------------
And, from Fijilive:
Interim Minister for Finance, National Planning, Sugar Industry and Public Utilities (Water & Energy) submitted to Cabinet that the major reason for the new duties was to stimulate conservation of Fiji’s scarce natural resources.

“Mineral water is a scare (huh?) resource which will deplete and a fair share of returns has to be passed on to the nation,” Chaudhry said in his submission.

Chaudhry could not be reached on his mobile this afternoon when contacted for comments following the bottlers’ decision to immediately cease production.

The statement said that by way of comparison, the carbonated soft drink industry in Fiji was only subjected to a $0.03 cents per litre excise tax and no export duty.

Good on you Jo

- pic: Davidwall.
from w
The Fiji Times editorial (okay, I'm copying and pasting a few Fiji Times articles as usual - but only if I think they are relevant) today tells it straight. Use the land, grow more vegetables, develop dairy farms. It is not necessary to import so much food to Fiji with fertile land and labour available locally. Jo Cokanisiga speals out and so does the newspaper editorial. It ain't all about sugar!

A welcome honesty
Saturday, July 05, 2008

INTERIM Agriculture Minister Joketani Cokanasiga made a critical but honest and welcome analysis of his ministry yesterday. In a departure from the usual polite platitudes, Mr Cokanasiga pointed out to ministry staff how this integral cog in the machinery of national development had failed dismally in its duties. Instead of commending agriculture officers for a job well done, the interim minister has highlighted the fact that they must do much more to earn their salaries.

This newspaper has consistently raised the issue of the failure of the agriculture sector to meet the demands of the tourism industry for fresh vegetables, fruit, beef, mutton and dairy products. Close to four decades after independence, the nation continues to rely on New Zealand for milk, butter and cheese. That reliance has forced dairy prices up and put a huge burden on families across the country.

Little has been done to ensure that landowners or investors have the proper training or incentive to move into dairy and livestock farming. Yet vast tracts of land in Tailevu and Naitasiri remain idle as we continue to import dairy products. Our farmers have the capacity to provide quality fruit and vegetables for the hotel industry.

This can be done through traditional — or the new hydroponic method — yet not enough has been done to ensure that this sector is fully utilised.

And vast tracts of land remain idle in the Western Division, the North and in the Navua area. It appears that there is a reluctance to shift the focus of the Agriculture Ministry from its current stand.

Agriculture is not all about sugar cane. Indeed, the continued focus on this industry has contributed to the ministry's myopic view on development of other sectors.

Officers must get out of the office and into the fields where they can encourage landowners to use their birthright — the land. These officers must provide options — in line with national productivity goals and in consultation with the tourism industry — for farmers to produce quality fruit and vegetables.

Native landowners should be told that they need not fear migration from the typical dalo, yaqona and tavioka farms to vegetable and fruit production. At the same time, however, traditional leaders must take a pro-active role and lead their people into the fields.

For the Fijians the time has come to break out of the mould of receiving land leases and planting for subsistence needs. A market exists for quality dairy, livestock, fruit, vegetable and fisheries products. Land and marine resources are abundant.

It is for the Agriculture Ministry to help the people harness these resources and convert them to cash. This could be a new beginning for the indigenous people. The question is, are they ready to take on the challenge and remove the yoke of dependence and poverty?