Happy New Year

From Peceli
There was a big bang of half a million fire balls of crackers in the heart of the City of MELBOURNE just after midnight to bring in the yar 2010. What a waste?
Happy new Year to you all !!!!
This last year 2009 will be long remembered to us all.

From today’s Herald Sun:
Storms ushes in 2010 A SPECTACULAR fireworks show soaring from the tops of Melbourne skyscrapers made it all worthwhile for those who braved soaking rain, lightning and thunder to usher in 2010.

At one stage Mother Nature, with booming cracks of thunder and lightning, threatened to dwarf the man-made extravaganza, but like all things showbusiness, the show went on.

The anticipated 500,000 crowd for Melbourne's New Year's Eve celebrations did not eventuate because of the drenching rain that arrived with a cool change in the city just after 9pm (AEDT).

Organisers estimated 150,000 hardy souls ventured into the city for the fireworks and they received glowing praise from Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.

"The fireworks were not as mighty as they might have been on a clear night, but the crowd showed the resilience of Melbourne people," Mr Doyle said. He promised next year's show would be bigger and better.

The question I ask is how are we going to use the next twelve months. To spend unwisely like the big bang fireworks going up in smoke, or are we to think about what we do with our time and resources. To be a bit wiser.

Here are some photos taken last night at the Fijian celebration of the New Year. We went to Chadstone Uniting Church.

May God bless you in this New Year.

and from Wendy, (later - Friday)
A few more photos are here, taken last night at Chadstone Uniting Church for the vakatawase celebration. There were seven preachers last night and a few choirs singing, then we ate a nice supper and kava was flowing. I talked with several interesting people - some have been in Melbourne many years, but others are newer - only two years and one lovely woman only a few months. It's always good to talk one-to-one. We got home at 4 a.m. - a late night for two people who had got married on New Year's Eve, December 31st 1966 at Lautoka!

Happy birthday Rinieta

from w
Thank you for the lovely party at Hoppers Crossing to Lucy and her Mum, Rinieta. A birthday and a house blessing.

And more visitors for yaqona

from w
It's Boxing Day and more visitors have come down from Melbourne so the yaqona is flowing again, there are stories and singing 'Sai Levuka ga' and other songs. It's a nice cool day and this morning we did some gardening.

Christmas Day is nearly over

from w
We have had a lovely day in Geelong, waking up late though, after watching 'The Nativity Story' on TV last night. Santa had left some small gifts for a little girl visiting from Fiji which is a place where they don't make a big fuss of those strange stories of chimneys and men in red suits and so on. However my little grand-daughter played Santa's helper throughout the day by finding objects, wrapping them up and putting parcels into the letterbox! Mostly golf balls and candies! After church at 9 a.m. there were preparations for a delicious lunch of prawns, taro, fish in lolo for a household of five. Later in the day two carloads of friends arrived to share in drinking yaqona, or tea and cakes, with plenty of yarning and singing with three guitars - Christmas carols, Fijian folk songs, 'The Lord is my shepherd'. A Labasa family. Also remembering those who are missing. We then ate leftovers and watched a New Zealand movie. Now the day is nearly over. It has been a lovely Christmas.

The Christmas spirit, the Fiji spirit

From Peceli,
The Christmas spirit and the Fiji spirit

Here are two stories. – one a story from Footscray Melbourne and the other from Namara Labasa Fiji.

Akisi’s small shack in the mangroves of Namara in Labasa was the centre of a newspaper article this week. I know this place and one Christmas my famly and I spent the day there with a family. Well, Akisi wanted a stronger house. There was an interesting response to Akisi’s request. A Fiji-Indian man from Suva has offered to give her a furnished house in Suva. Has he ever met Akisi? I don’t think so. But this is the Fiji spirit, to look on people as your relatives, not strangers. Whether she takes up the offer I do not know as the shift from the independence of living in Namara Nasea Vakaviti is different from living in Suva. But the right spirit is in the offer.

Two weeks ago, at Footscray hospital a patient was being wheeled on a trolly down a passage, a Fiji Indian man with his wife and children trailing alongside. Suddenly he saw a middle-aged Fijian woman nearby so he called out to the nurses, ‘Stop! Stop! That lady is my relation.’ The nurses paused and Va came over to the patient. And they talked.
Where are you from?
I’m from Nausori. Where are you from?
From Labasa.
The patient said to the nurse. This is my relation from Fiji.
But, of course they had never met before, but the Fiji spirit is there, binding people together. Hamara palwaar.

Yes, we are all palwaar.

Living alone in Labasa

All alone ... Akisi Lobawai outside her home at the edge of mangrove patch in Namara, Labasa.
from w
Some people don't want to live in a community but in Fiji that's quite unusual. However here is a lady who built a shack in a mangrove area to get away from it all.
Lone Squatter
Theresa Ralogaivau
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
ALL alone in the world, Akisi Lobawai, 60, was the first person to start a squatter settlement in Labasa more than three decades ago. And though she calls it the most peaceful place on earth, post-Cyclone Mick Ms Lobawai said she desperately needs a new home. Ms Lobawai lives in a rundown shack, with a leaking roof and cardboard to cover the windows and keep out the wind. The floorboards of the small wooden house creak when she walks about while a small wooden extension outside is hazardous, missing several planks and with a roof that looks dangerously close to flying off.

Ms Lobawai said she moved about 30 years ago to the edge of the mangrove swamp because of sour relations in her village. "Here I am at peace with myself and the world," she said. When the strong winds of Cyclone Mick battered Labasa, Ms Lobawai's house shook so much she thought it would collapse on her. "I need a new home, but I made little from gathering qari (crabs), which I don't do anymore because of my weak knee," she said. "Leave me here, but I just need a new home and any help I can get is welcomed."

Ms Lobawai is from Nasekula Village, which is less than 10 kilometres away from the mangrove patch. But she had no heart for living in the village after her parents and brothers died. "I'm all alone now in the world and sometimes it makes me sad," she said. "But my neighbours of all races are around. I was the first here, and then other people slowly moved here, all had gone through a tough time. Here with me are farmers whose leases have expired who have nowhere else to go. Single mothers who cannot afford to rent in town. There are villagers from Bua who want their children to receive a good education. And here we have managed to live with each in harmony. We don't fight because we all share the same challenges and so there is peace."

Cleaning up after the cyclone

from w
There are numerous stories in the Fiji media about the clean-up, the damage to crops, and now flooding. These stories don't get into the international media. I am thinking of my friends from Navua - at the hospital and the nearby Timothy Church where downstairs was flooded once again!
from Radio Fiji website:
Navua and Wainibokasi Hospital closed
Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Ministry Of Health would like to advise members of the public that both Navua and Wainibokasi Hospital are still closed. Health spokesperson Iliesa Tora says Navua will be closed indefinitely until further notice as they are still cleaning up the facility. “We would like to advise members of the public in Navua that we have our medical team now operating at the Namosi Provincial Office building in Navua and we also have a our mobile dental clinic that is going to be run from there.” All emergencies cases and maternity cases for Navua, Wainibokasi and Nausori are being referred to CWM Hospital.
--------
Although many people in Fiji did not get up-to-date warnings which is not good enough)as a Suva writer on Fiji Exiles Board said there was a 5 hours time-lapse), the Fiji Times did give good updates. Fiji Sun - on-line - was absolutely silent! So I can't understand why the Fiji Times, a reliable newspaper, and Fiji TV, have been excluded from the Media conference. They both bend over backwards, while treading on eggshells, to get stories out to the public, even as a cyclone raged!

Times, TV to be excluded from Media Decree talks
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Statement on Media Decree consultations
Update: 1:57PM THE two largest media organisations in the country will be excluded from any consultation on a Media Decree expected to come into force early next year.
A statement, issued this hour by the Office of the Prime Minister, began by stating that consultations would be held with "all media organisations and other relevant stakeholders which recognise the Bainimarama government and who have an interest in moving Fiji forward for the benefit of all her citizens".

It went on to state that "the media organisations of Fiji Times and Fiji TV shall not be consulted since they have demonstrated through their perverse publication and broadcast respectively that they do not recognise the contemporary Fijian legal system, the status of the Bainimarama government, are partisan and not Fiji focused".

It continued: "However, should these two media organisations change their partisan editorial, publication and broadcast positions and policy, then they maybe invited to be part of the consultative process".

It said dates for the consultations would be publicised in the next few weeks.

All queries and additional information on this issue can be obtained from the OPM permanent secretary Colonel Pio Tikoduadua on phone 3211273 or email pspmoffice@connect.com.fj.

Times been nothing but pro-Fiji: Rika
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Update: 5:07PM THE Fiji Times has been nothing but pro-Fiji in its approach to editorial content. This according to Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika this afternoon.

"Look at our publications over the last 12 months. We have supported campaigns which raised funds for cancer awareness and care as well as major awareness of HIV/AIDS, violence against women, climate change and helping reform ex-prisoners," he said.
"We implemented an award system to recognise people whose individual efforts contributed to a better Fiji. We have been nothing but pro-Fiji.

"It is regretable that the Fiji Times along with Fiji TV has been banned from dialogue on the proposed media decree thus missing the opportunity for consultations with as wide a variety of interested parties as possible.

"We remain very supportive of responsible journalism which we believe includes presenting all sides of any issue so that the people of Fiji can consider issues affecting them armed with as much information as possible.

"We will continue to remain fully focused and supportive of the people of Fiji, their achievements and their challenges."

The Commodore didn't go to Copenhagen

from w
The Commodore didn't go to Copenhagen but instead will do the right thing and stand by the suffering people, cleaning up after Cyclone Mitch. There is lots to do on roads,rivers, buildings, water, and so on.

Certainly the Climate conference is very important and obviously there's a need to get the ethical and moral aspects right, rather than the priority of money-making. things stalled a bit when there was a walkout, but maybe they just have to keep moving on to hear all sides. One of our younger relatives is there, as a protester, and she had a point of view too, being passionate about the desire for a safe, clean world for her children.

Here's a small piece from one of the news items coming out of Copenhagen.

Dispatches from Copenhagen Climate Summit
Posted by: Mark Scott on December 14

The temperature in Denmark may be hovering around freezing, but negotiations at the Copenhagen climate change summit are heating up. On Dec. 14, delegates from African countries shut down proceedings for three hours after they complained the West was trying to shelve the Kyoto Protocol. Under the decade-old agreement, developed countries—with the notable exception of the U.S., which didn’t ratify the treaty—agreed to binding carbon reductions.

It’s not just delegates from the 192 countries that are feeling the pressure. My colleague John Carey caught up with Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, who’s overseeing the Copenhagen negotiations. How is de Boer holding up? “I’m not sure if I’m on a roller coaster ride or in the House of Horrors in a plastic pink elephant,” he said before adding “it’s really important that this conference delivers.”

That’s the message coming from many attending the conference. Gary Locke, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Commerce, sees a lot of enthusiasm coming from businesses to tackle climate change. In an interview with BusinessWeek, Locke reckons companies “want the U.S. to do something. From a business perspective, they want certainty. They want an energy policy and cannot make investments until they know what the rules are.”
etc. etc.

Weathering the storm in Suva

from a babasiga kid in Suva,
Dear Grandma

The cyclone is very rough and we are here watching movie and Lying
down with our blankets. When we are trying to watch news the satelite
distroupting. Uncle Bibi is here. He came on Sunday.

Tommorow the cyclone might be more rougher than the one today. It was
rainy and trees were falling down. Floods happening. Today an accident
happened when a boy was in a car and a tree fell on the car. We'll be okay
because we have our warm blankets.

Wedding in Melbourne

from w
Last night Peceli and I attended a wonderful wedding party at Williamstown Town Hall when Saj married Katherine. The hall looked magnificent with about 300 guests and the bride and groom both looked happy and relaxed. Thank you to Doreen and Sam Sen, parents of the bride, for the organising - there were dancers, mekes, a Christian ceremony officiated by Peceli, tasty food, lots of conversation - with many people saying - this is like being back in Fiji. One picture is of three older Fiji gentlemen - they had been yarning enthusiastically in Hindi until I interrupted them to request a photo, then they just lined up formally! Some more photos are on the Geelong Visual Diary blog.

Cyclone warning for Fiji

from w
Update from Fiji Times Monday morning:
Mick closes in on Yasawa
Monday, December 14, 2009
Update: 8:37AM TROPICAL Cyclone Mick lay off the northern end of Yasawa at 6am as it continued on a path towards Fiji. A tropical cyclone warning was issued for Yasawa and Mamanuca, Viti Levu, Beqa and smaller islands. Mick intensified overnight with winds of up to 8o km per hour, gusting to 100km per hour at times. Late yesterday the cyclone had winds of 65-75 kilometres per hour gusting to 90km per hour ast times.

Here is the latest special weather bulletin.
Special Weather Bulletin Number EIGHT for Fiji ON TROPICAL CYCLONE MICK
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 7:59am on Monday the 14th of December 2009
CORRECTION TO DISTANCE FROM SUVA AND TIMES..
TOPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.
A TROPICAL CYCLONE STORM WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR YASAWA AND
MAMANUCA, VITI LEVU, BEQA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.
A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI. TROPICAL CYCLONE MICK [987HPA] CENTRE CAT 1 WAS LOCATED NEAR 16
DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 6 EAST OR ABOUT 160 KM NORTHWEST OF NADI
OR 260 KM NORTHWEST OF SUVA OR ABOUT 300 KM WEST OF LABASA AT 8 AM
TODAY. THE CYCLONE IS INTENSIFYING. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE THE CYCLONE
IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS OF 85 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS
TO120 KM/HR AND WINDS OF 65 KM/HR TO 80 KM.HR WITH MONEMTARY GUSTS TO
100 KM/HR WITHIN 270 KM OF CENTRE. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING TOWARDS
THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT 15 KM/HR.ON THIS FORECAST TRACK THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 20
KM TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST OF NADI OR ABOUT 115 KM WEST-NORTHWEST OF
SUVA 7 PM TODAY AND ABOUT 145 KM TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST OF NADI OR
ABOUT 40 KM SOUTHEAST OF SUVA AT 7 AM TOMORROW MORNING. DESTRUCTIVE WINDS WILL BEGIN A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE CENTRE PASSES
OVERHEAD OR NEARBY. FOR YASAWA AND MAMANUCA, VITI LEVU, BEQA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS:
DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 85KM/HR WITH
MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 120 KM.HR.FOR THE REST OF FIJI :
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 65 TO 80 KM/HR WITH
GUSTS TO 100 KM/HR. FURTHER PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS.FOR ROTUMA: FRESH AND GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS. SOME RAIN AND SQUALLY
THUNDERTORMS MODERATE TO ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE NORTHWEST SWELL. The following information is provided especially for the mariners:
EXPECT WINDS OF 45 KNOTS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE INCREASING TO 55 KNOTS
IN THE NEXT 6 TO 12 HOURS. VERY HIGH SEAS.
WINDS ABOVE 33 KNOTS WITHIN 150 MILES OF CENTRE. HIGH SEAS.
DAMAGING HEAVY NORTHWEST SWELLS.
VERY POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 11.30 AM TODAY.
--------------------------


from w
From this afternoon's Fiji Tmes website:
Tropical Cyclone Mick triggers warning for Fiji
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tropical Cyclone Mick lies 450km northwest of Labasa
Update: 4:33PM A TROPICAL cyclone warning has been issued for the northern and eastern parts of Fiji

The National Weather Forecasting Centre says Tropical Cyclone Mick is about 450km northwest of Labasa with average winds of 65-75kilometres per hour. Cyclone Mick is traveling at 10-20kilometres per hour and is expected to lie 290km west-northwest of Labasa at 3am tomorrow. Forecasters say that on its present track Mick should be 100km north-northeast of Labasa by 3pm tomorrow.

The National Disaster Management Office has been activated and residents in low-lying areas in Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Viti Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca and Lomaiviti have been warned to take precautionary measures well in advance. Heavy rain and destructive winds are expected several hours before the cyclone passes.

This is the full weather bulletin issued at 3pm today:
Special Weather Bulletin Number THREE for Fiji ON TROPICAL CYCLONE MICK ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 3:33pm on Sunday the 13th of December 2009
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.
A TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI, VITI LEVU, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA, LOMAIVITI GROUP AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.
A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.
TROPICAL CYCLONE MICK [995HPA] CENTRE CAT 1 WAS LOCATED NEAR 14 DECIMAL 4 SOUTH 175 DECIMAL 7 EAST OR ABOUT 420 KM NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NADI OR ABOUT 450 KM NORTHWEST OF LABASA AT 3PM TODAY. THE CYCLONE IS INTENSIFYING. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 65 TO 75 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 90 KM/HR.
THE CYCLONE IS CURRENTLY MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 20 KM/HR.
ON THIS FORECAST TRACK THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 230 KM TO THE NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NADI OR ABOUT 290 KM WEST-NORTHWEST OF LABASA AT 3AM TOMORROW AND ABOUT 100 KM TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST OF NADI OR ABOUT 160 KM WEST-SOUTHWEST OF LABASA AT 3PM TOMORROW.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS WILL BEGIN A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE CENTRE PASSES OVERHEAD OR NEARBY.
FOR VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI, VITI LEVU, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA, LOMAIVITI GROUP AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS:
STRONG WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 65 TO 75 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 90 KM/HR FROM TOMORROW.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI:
STRONG WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 65 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 85 KM/HR FROM TOMORROW NIGHT AND INTO TUESDAY. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS.
FOR ROTUMA: NORTHERLY WINDS 35 TO 55 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 80 KM/HR.
FURTHER RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH SEAS. HEAVY NORTHWEST SWELL.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners:
EXPECT WINDS OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS WITHIN 150 MILES OF CENTRE.
HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY NORTHWEST SWELLS.
POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 7.30 PM TODAY.

History syllabus that should be history

from w
Are they serious that the current history syllabus taught in Fiji schools is the same as that of the 60s? Sobosobo, that was colonial! Before Independence, before coup culture! I once taught history in Fiji secondary schools and know now how biased it all was to a British colonial frame of reference, and it was then so limited in books and real understanding of the processes that create change. If the article is correct, then certainly there does need an update.
from radio Fiji:
History syllabus under review
Saturday, December 12, 2009

Members of the Fiji Islands History Association met to examine and review the Fiji School Leaving Certificate History syllabus that is currently being taught in schools. The team was made up of History academics from the University of the South Pacific, History teachers from various schools around the country and former graduates of the programme and a representative from the Education Ministry.

Senior Lecturer for History and Politics at USP Dr Morgan Tuimalealiifano says the current prescription taught in schools was prescribed in 1960 and 49 years later, teachers who are currently teaching the subject were also taught the same syllabus. He says the aim of the workshop is to revise, update as currently there is a mismatch between what is taught at University and what is taught in the classroom.

People don't like being preached at but...

from w.
There’s a good Letter to the editor in the Fiji Times today )Friday) and I heard on the radio that Rudd in Australia is taking a contingent of 113 people with him to Copenhagen. Hey, that’s just too many. Even a photographer and five bodyguards are going!
Climate change dream
IT'S certain the 192 contingents to the Copenhagen Conference will generate more greenhouse gases (carbon-dioxide) in one week than some of their individual countries generate in one year. They're using more than 1200 limos and 140 private planes to travel to the conference daily, to discuss how we can all limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change proponents are guaranteeing their success by making sure they'll dominate the discussions, so detractors and sceptics aren't able to make their opposing views heard.

I wonder how they'll deal with up to seven billion people living in the world today, not including animals and other living things that emit huge amounts of carbon-dioxide eternally; not including plants at night. Breathing is compulsory for us, isn't it? If we stopped breathing out this ubiquitous gas, emissions would fizzle out altogether for sure. In fact the Creator had considered the effects of carbon dioxide for all times, and he thought it was fine. He had declared "It is very good (see Genesis 2: 18, 21, 25)".

The conference is absurd. More can be achieved if climate change proponents just admit they've been wrong and let us direct our scarce resources to empirical things, away from ethereal things.

APENISA NAIGULEVU
Suva
-------------

I wonder about this conference going in in Copenhagen - will the final paper come out with something that is morally right, or just pragmatic and biased towards the countries that put the economy first. Already a leaked paper suggests that it's already over before the fat lady sings!

the mouse that roared - on behalf of Tuvalu at Copenhagen - story today:
You caused it, you fix it: Tuvalu takes off the glovesDecember 10, 2009 - 2:07PM
Activists hold a demonstration in support of the South Sea island of Tuvalu as delegates arrive for a meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen. Photo: Reuters

Tiny Tuvalu drove a wedge in the bloc of developing nations at UN climate talks on Wednesday by calling on China, India and other emerging giants to take on legally binding commitments to slash carbon dioxide pollution.

Through an arcane diplomatic manoeuvre, the Pacific archipelago cracked a diplomatic axiom that has prevailed since the UN climate convention came into being in 1992: rich countries caused global warming, and it was their responsibility to fix it.

On the third day of the December 7-18 negotiations, Tuvalu proposed opening discussions on a "legally binding amendment" to the Kyoto Protocol that would set targets for the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions for major emerging economies, starting in 2013.

But the move was blocked by China, India, Saudi Arabia and other large developing countries.

"The constraints would mostly remain on developed countries but also, partly, on big developing economies as well," Taukiei Kitara, head of Tuvalu's delegation, told AFP.

Kitara acknowledged that the proposal constituted the first serious breach in the up-to-now united front of the "G-77 plus China", a bloc of 130 developing nations.

"We know the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is not complete and we want to create an impulse for a stronger commitment," Kitara said, referring to the landmark treaty that imposes emissions cuts on rich nations up to 2012.

Today more than half of global carbon pollution comes from developing countries, led by emerging giants China, India and Brazil, and the proportion is set to rise as their high-population economies grow.

The 42-member Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), including Tuvalu, and the bloc of mainly African Least Developed Countries, have rejected the widely held goal of keeping global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius as inadequate.

Only a cap of 1.5 degrees compared with pre-industrial times would give these nations a chance of fighting off rising seas or crippling drought, they say.

AFP
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I liked the story of the weeping Fijian girl who is concerned about her children and grandchildren's future. Leah spoke passionately and her story was written up in a Sydney paper.

Clock TCKing for climate as young activist breaks down
MARIAN WILKINSON
December 8, 2009 - 1:22PM
Fijian Leah Wickham, an environmental activist of the TckTckTck group, tries to conceal her tears as she addresses the audience during a press conference at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Leah Wickham, a young Fijian student activist, was suddenly overcome with emotion as she stood on stage with the president of the UN climate conference, Danish Environment Minister, Connie Hedegaard, facing a room full of reporters and TV crews.

On the highly charged opening day of the Copenhagen conference, Leah had been chosen to lead 15 young climate activists up on stage to hand over to the UN the TCK TCK TCK petition signed online by 10 million people from around the world. The petition, organised by 226 environment, labour and community groups, is demanding that the world leaders at Copenhagen sign an ambitious climate agreement.

But when the moment came to exhort the leaders into action, Leah began sobbing as she talked about her children's future. "We [are] here in Copenhagen to fight for our identity, for our culture, and for our very right to exist," she said tearfully. "All the hopes and dreams of my generation rest on Copenhagen."

Embracing the moment, Hedegaard and the UN's chief climate official, Yvo de Boer, held up a candle donated by the youngsters, which they promised to put on the top table in the huge meeting hall to remind negotiators that time was running out to "seal the deal".

But just minutes after the students departed with Hedegaard, the top negotiators from the European Union took to the podium in a display of realpolitik to brutally lay out the deadlock facing this historic climate change conference.

Adreas Carlgren, the Swedish Environment Minister, said bluntly: "The US and China are not there yet."

He meant the European Union does not believe the cuts to greenhouse emissions promised by the US and China are enough for a deal on climate change that has a chance of stopping global temperatures from rising 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

"I am here to cut a deal", said Carlgren, stressing that the EU was ready to increase its cuts but only if others, specifically the US and China, did the same.
From day one of this conference, the familiar pattern of deadlock is already setting in. Winding up pressure on the US, Carlgren told reporters it would be "rather astounding" if President Barack Obama came to Copenhagen only to offer what was already on the table.

Less than an hour later, a senior US negotiator, Jonathan Pershing, hit back telling reporters: "What I would say is that the President has put a remarkable amount on the table." While leaving the door open just a little, Pershing stressed that Obama had to work with the US Congress and his long-term plan was steep cuts in greenhouse gases, but after 2020.

But despite the stand-off among the big players, there is still an optimistic buzz around these talks.

Australia's senior negotiator, Louise Hand, stressed in the opening sessions that its allies among the developed countries, including the US and Canada, were "committed to bold action".

And surprisingly, a new report by British economist Nicholas Stern and the UN Environment Programme said the conference was closer than many thought possible on getting the vital cuts in emissions that would achieve the target of avoiding dangerous climate change. But with the clock TCK TCK TCKing and the candle burning down in the main meeting hall, it is difficult to see this deal being realised in the remaining 11 days.

Marian Wilkinson is The Sydney Morning Herald's Environment Editor.
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Fijivillage summarises some of the points:

World is not cared for-PCC Publish date/time: 10/12/2009 [15:09]
The Pacific Conference of Churches said the issue of climate change today is due to the arrogant assumption that we own and control nature.

PCC's Climate Change Campaigner Peter Emberson said they are standing in solidarity with the World Council of Churches and its religious partners attending COP15 in Copenhagen, who are urging leaders of the world to decide prudently to seize this opportunity to secure and protect the future of all life on planet earth.

Emberson said the world is not well cared for and something has to be done.

Meanwhile, a major split has emerged between developing countries at the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen over the best way to help the most vulnerable countries.

The small island states and poor African nations, want any deal to contain stricter conditions that those agreed on in Kyoto in 1997. The group includes the Cook Islands, Barbados and Fiji as well as the poor African nations of Sierra Leone and Senegal.

Parliament of the World Religions

from w
Yesterday I received an email from the Multicultural Commission to say that the exhibition venue of the conference would be free for locals to visit. The conference is huge with about 8000 delegates. It was too expensive for me to participate in the lectures and seminars - about $180 a day! Anyway I took the train up - in the rain - and skipped over puddles to find the Exhibition Centre in Southbank near the Yarra River. It was a wonderful exhibition with about ninety display booths with animated people wanting to share their spiritual journey, give hand-outs, ask us to try meditation, and so on. Smiling, joyful people, many were Melbournites but attached to some world spiritual path. Most of the associations I had never heard of, but I was happy to see the Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Buddhists, indigenous women from Lappland, and others. I did some sketches and took photos so here are some of the photos. The themes of the conference were about the ecology, peace-making, human rights - but all with a spiritual basis. It was especially good to talk one to one with visitors and to observe people mixing with others from neighbouring display booths. Crossing cultures respectfully is certainly the way to go.

Only in Savusavu

from w
After I read this article in an old Fiji Times, October 31st, and told the guys in our household they made some crazy comments. Does it still smell of kava? When you wash it do you drink the water? And so on. Okay, 'High Tide' readers, this is really something!

Click on article to enlarge and ready more easily.

Boots and a Bible

from w
A friend who goes to Fiji every year always brings back a bundle of newspapers for our family and another Fiji family up the road, so I've got plenty of reading to do and there are some funny stories and good ones too. I liked this photo of a two-year-old with his large boots and his Bible at a function to do with the Methodist Indian Division renaming several churches to honour well-loved clergy such as Reverend Ramsey R Deoki in a church at Nasinu Four Miles. Rev Deokie was ordained in 1939. Peceli and I knew the family well, as Ramsey was associated with Davuilevu when Peceli was training at the Theological College and was interested in using his vernacular Hindi. I first met the family in December 1961 when we were on a work-camp in Fiji and we did tasks such as paint the fence at Dilkisha, take children's holiday programs and so on.

More precious than diamonds

frpm w
Thinking of the Global Warming meet in Denmark and wonder if the generalisations and soft talk will be enough.

Fiji bats

from w
Jenny on Vorovoro Island is tending to go batty with the screeching fruit bats keeping tribewanted folk up all night! I haven't tasted bat stew yet but Jenny seems to be game.
The story below is from the tribewanted website.
Bats, bats, bats!
Community → Jenny Cahill's blog By Jenny Cahill, ,
Posted 3 days agoWe are at war on the island with bats – enormous, screeching, mango stealing fruit bats. They flock by the dozens in the mango tree outside our window each night, gorge themselves on the fruit and keep us awake all night with screeching and squealing so loud that it makes me miss the dog back home that barks all night outside my bedroom window – it seems like a lullaby in comparison! Not only that, but they cause the hard, unripe mangoes to drop THUNK onto our tin roof – it sounds like softballs raining from the sky!

With no natural predators on the island, the bats are way overpopulated – they strip the papaya, banana, and mango trees of their fruit each night. So we have opened bat season on the island to cull them down to more reasonable numbers. Jimmy and Nemani were up till 2 am last night hunting – Jimmy with a slingshot, and Nemani with a sharpened stick that he throws with the skill of an Olympic javelin athlete. The fruits of their night’s work, two bats, were simmering in a pot in the kitchen when I left the island this morning. Yep, they are edible, and I hear, also quite tasty. After boiling, they are stripped of the meat on their hind end – that’s the meatiest part. So it is bat butt curry tonight – I sure hope they taste better than they smell, that’s for sure! I will let you know. And here’s to hoping that tonight’s hunting is far more successful, because at only 2 bats a night, we will be hunting for a looooong time before reducing the numbers enough to save some mangoes for us to eat.

Jimmy and the kids are with Tui Mali (the island chief) at the prize giving ceremony at the Mali school today – I believe that is the equivalent of awards day. It is the last week of school before their big break – 8 weeks. Looking forward to having more kids around the island!

Much love from our family to yours!

Mama Jenny

Climate change meeting

from w
Good to read that FIT held a meeting to talk about climate change and had speakers from the USA and Chinese embassies as their countries certainly are top of the list in polluting the atmosphere. Australia is up there too, if you count the population. The topic caused a reshuffle and a kerfuffle for the Australian Liberal Party with the new man, Abbot, once saying 'climate change' isn't happening! Oh yeah! However the Labour solution wasn't so good after all - giving huge sums of money to the polluters isn't the answer really. The article below doesn't say much about specifics of course, just 'dreaming on'. And who are going on Fiji's behalf and what will they say? Perhaps, 'We are planting a few mangroves!'From Fiji TV
One National News
FIT organises public lecture on climate change
3 Dec 2009 17:40:31

Representatives from two of the largest countries responsible for carbon emissions say they are committed to finding a solution to climate change.

The Fiji Institute of Technology last night organised a public lecture on climate change in the lead up to the Copenhagen Summit next week as a means to increase public awareness. Panelists included experts from the US and Chinese Embassy in Suva.

Leaders from over fifty countries have committed themselves to attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The summit is seen as the largest effort in history to reduce carbon emissions and find ways to assist small island states at risk from rising sea levels.

Dr. Norman Barth has been an environmental scientists for over 14 years...currently he is the Regional Environment Officer Pacific based at the US Embassy in Suva. At the public lecture last night, Dr. Barth outlined the US government's commitment in that they want an internationally recognised legally binding agreement. This he says would mean that those who sing up would be bound to make huge reductions in carbon emissions within a specific time-line. Dr. Barth adds that part of the problem is that people expect others to act but do little themselves.

While the Copenhagen Summit has skeptics, the US government says its commitment is evident with the attendance of President Barrack Obama.

China has a similar stance having already announced plans to cut back emissions pre- Copenhagen.

China also plans to enter into bilateral agreements with small island states aimed at helping them mitigate the impact of climate change.

A delegation from Fiji will be leaving for the UN meeting as well.
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And some comments about mangroves from Fiji Times. because there are small ways to help in conserving the environment and being part of climate change.
Mangroves motion
Monday, December 07, 2009

THERE is a lack of knowledge in our community about the importance of mangrove trees, says Pacific island biogeography expert Professor Randy Thaman. He said mangroves were being destroyed without people fully understanding their purpose at the seafront. He said mangroves offered protection from natural disasters like tsunamis, and provided medicine, food and a home for marine life. He said mangroves at Pacific Harbour and other places in Fiji had been destroyed to make way for new land to build homes and industrial settlements.

"The main message is there are different species of mangrove trees and the ones that are destroyed the most are the mangroves that grow on land," Professor Thaman said. "Mangrove species include the tiri, hybrid, togo, sagale. You also have the dabi, the cannonball tree, kedra ivi yalewa kalou (known as the looking glass tree).

"The mulomulo is very important medicinal plant. They are part of the mangrove structure and they are the ones that are being cleared the most. People push their houses destroying these plants. These are the ones we need to protect and replant them too." Professor Thaman was present on Saturday at the mangrove replanting program at the Nasese foreshore. He gave volunteers tips on mangrove plants.
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PS
Mangroves stripped from the sea edge and used for homely needs are not as bad as mangroves stripped for the infrastructure and pretty environment for tourist resorts - such as Denarau!

PS Experts should go to Copenhagen, not those with 'status' who talk in generalities, not specifics. Who is going from Fiji for the climate change summit? Those with expertise in the subject?

Cibi, i bole, meke wesi

from w, I am treading on eggshells here being a woman and not a rugby follower even, (though I guess rugby is a good way for men to let off steam!). The discussion about the Fiji team's use of the cibi is something to talk about. My expertise (questionable) was my Masters study on Labasa music so I have done some research about Fijian music and dance but now I know that I don't know much about it really. Just as the performance of the cibi, or i bole (challenge) or a meke wesi (spear dance) in the context of a tourist/resort entertainment is not to be taken too seriously, as it might be in a vanua (cultural) context, the cibi is a great way for Fijian rugby players to set up a challenge at the commencement of a match. It's entertainment and enjoyed by the crowd. The haka from New Zealand of course fits this. The performance is out of the context of the tribal past, but fits in very well with a new culture of 'fighting' in competitive sports.

Here are some of the articles from Fiji's media during the past weeks.
Fiji Times, etc.
God, cibi and satan
Alisi Daurewa
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
With on going discussions over whether our Fijian rugby players should perform the 'cibi' or not as a challenge, let us at least get the name right.

I recall some years back, one of the local newspapers quoted a Fijian gentleman who blamed rugby losses at that time to our confusion over the use of the word 'cibi' and the time of its performance before a rugby match. He claimed that the 'cibi' was a dance in celebration of an achievement, particularly when a battle is won. Dr Paul Geraghty recently wrote a letter to the Editor of one of our local newspapers with a similar view to the Fijian gentleman. Dr Geraghty referred his findings to documented evidence. That is, the 'cibi' comes after and not before the battle.

However, one of the descriptions of the 'cibi' by The Fijian Dictionary compiled by A. Capell, is "...to dance before going to war" I suspect the Fijian Dictionary may have based its version on the rugby 'cibi' as it is used today, as a challenge, and not a celebration. It would be interesting to find the Fijian Dictionary's source for this particular translation.

These differing views of the timing of the 'cibi' performance only add to what seems to be an already concocted story of Fijian origin and some tradition. So, did our forefathers challenge their enemy before a fight? Yes, if I can speak for my clan. 'I Bole' is a verbal challenge led by a warrior chief to his enemy and is usually accompanied by physical gestures which can even be sexual.

Some in the form of a dance as in the present day 'cibi', some otherwise. The 'I vakacaucau ni ravu' is a formal announcement in the form of a chant to confirm the actual kill.

For us, the words of our ancestral chant are not something we like to repeat. For it is believed that repeated use of the chant will not only summon the spirit of our ancestors but a whole legion of non-saintly spirits. As our forebears would have said when they accepted Christianity, "..biuji kera na bulu me ra bulu tu ga?"
Let the buried stay buried.

For the clan, the 'I bole' and 'I vakacaucau ni ravu' were strategies used to psyche them and to debase the enemy.

The 'I cibi' involved merry-making after the battle and devouring of the human meat which would have been tendered at Gagabokola, a place where our ancestors soaked their captured enemies.

It should also be noted that Fijians waged war differently. Dr Paul Geraghty I think alluded to this. Some were confrontational, similar to our Tongan cousins and some were subtle like our Melanesian heritage. If I may just digress, I do not know how many of us actually realise that our ancestors used strategic plans for their development whether in war or every day survival. Some of our customary practices confirm this.

Furthermore, the concept of the modern day strategic development plans were actually borrowed from war strategies. Wasn't it the Japanese who discovered this?

So, is the 'cibi' in the context of present day rugby match satanic? Of course not!
The problem is, we become so self-righteous, particularly with our Christianity that we insult God by bringing him down to our own level of ignorance and arrogance. I am certainly guilty of this.

I am not an expert in theology nor do I claim to be deeply religious but the book of Job in the Old Testament and the Gospels in the New Testament confirm that God is bigger than Satan. That He does allow evil to exist for His own purpose.

Just as the concept of the modern day strategic development plans was borrowed from war strategies of the past, the 'cibi' is a Fijian creation, initiated by one of our high chiefs in modern day Christian era.

For the very reasons expressed by rugby experts in the papers, we should..'wari nai karoh' because the words are far from satanic.

We might, however, like to confirm whether 'cibi' is the appropriate common Fijian terminology, and if not, may I suggest, 'I bole' which would harmonise with the spirit of our Charter for Building a Better Fiji in truth and peace.

* These are the personal views of the author and not of her clan nor the organisations she is involved with.
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Fiji to amend cibi: Gavoka
The Fiji Times - Friday, November 20, 2009 5:13 PM

The Fiji Rugby Union may be open to an amended form of cibi or the war cry its national rugby teams had become renowed for, often compared to the concept of 'haka' by the All Blacks.

FRU chairman Viliame Gavoka said that while the decision not to perform the cibi during this tour was a collective one taken by the players, he felt the issue did bring to the fore the need to discuss it. 'Going forward, we will need to relook at the cibi issue, mindful of the fact that the spiritual makeup of the boys today is different from their fathers, if you will,'' Gavoka told the Fiji Times. Gavoka described it as 'a delicate issue' that required a discussion at several different levels of both the FRU and even rugby fans. 'I don't rule out having a new cibi but we must talk about it,'' he said. 'We all care about our cultural practices but perhaps it is not in a context that is comfortable with the values that we have today. I appreciate how frank and honest the players have been and I agree we need to spend time on it, address it appropriately because we owe the players an honest consensus about it.'

Gavoka is also here to be part of the biannual International Rugby Board meeting where he hopes to 'network' and secure more opportunities like club collaborations. He believes that the Fiji brand of rugby is still unique, reflected in the continuing increase in requests for players and/or teams for participation in major rugby tournaments. Gavoka said on this tour alone, he has met people open to aligning their products or their clubs to Fiji rugby.

FRU technical director, Mike Brewer said he could not comment on the issue seeing that it was a very personal and 'Fijian thing'. 'The only thing I've said to them is that to never neglect or walk away from your history because that's where you've come from and it doesn't matter what that is, that is part of you as far as your ancestry is concerned,'' Brewer , who played for the All Blacks for ten years, said. 'If it was the All Blacks, I would have been very disappointed but that's a decision that they as a team and the FRU as a union have to decide on.'

The team will not perform the cibi in tomorrow's match; the decision stems from some of the players' reluctance to perform it anymore because it was a contradiction to aspects of their Christian faith.
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Cibi is a must
25-Nov-2009 09:03 AM

THE Romanian public feels that they have been let down with the Flying Fijians not performing the ‘cibi’ before the two test matches against Scotland and Ireland in the last two weeks.

They say that with no ‘cibi’ was like having food with no salt and pepper.

The Romanian Rugby Union is hoping the tourists will decide to bring back the war dance and perform the famous war cry before their match at Bucharest this weekend.

They feel it gives a stronger purpose and meaning to the occasion.

“Whenever any Pacific Island team runs on to the field, we are always prepared to see their various war cries. Our rugby spectators are very fond of the so-called ‘haka or cibi’ that is done before every match. It is one of the most used phrases of rugby spectators in our country lately,” quoted the RRU website.

“As the November 28th test match with Fiji approaches, we are disappointed with the news that Fiji did not perform it against Scotland and Ireland. It’s really sad for us because we feel that they will also not do it against us,” the website further adds.

Fiji dropped the 70-year old tradition after the team leadership and management currently on tour in Europe saw it fit to do so.

The scrapping of the cibi has brought about missed reactions and row in Fiji, many of the former Internationals disagreeing with the decision.

The Flying Fijians have lost both their opening two matches. The side lost to Scotland 10-23 before being thumped by Irish 6-41 last weekend. Initially Fiji was due to face the United States but was replaced with Romania.

Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer had earlier stated that Romania would be tough as they are quickly establishing themselves as a force in Europe.

“I’m sure they will be formidable as well.”

The match at the Arcul de Triumf Stadium, Bucharest is expected to kick-off at 4pm Fiji Time on Saturday.

Meanwhile His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on Friday told members of the Fiji Sevens Rugby Team who will be representing the nation at the International Rugby Board 7’s series in Dubai to perform the cibi. In giving his blessings to members of the sevens team who presented their itatau at Government House, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said that the cibi has been Fiji’s sporting challenge and identity for over 70 years of playing international rugby.

“When you come to present your i-tatau, tradition begins at Government House and the cibi must be performed.

“It is simply a challenge of you get me or I get you” he said. He told the team that their performance entirely depends on their teamwork and their preparation. “Fiji expects nothing less from you, you have the publics support but it expects you to perform your best and more so on behalf of all the people of Fiji, prepare yourself well and go forth to represent the nation.”

The IRB sevens series begins on December 4th.
(article by Maika Kasami.)
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Other questions can be raised such as - should young boys learn to do adult dances such as the meke wesi. I think so. I want my grandsons to be able to dance like this little tacker in the photo here! And I believe one of the grandsons was in a performance yesterday so I would have liked to see that!

Tauvu - Labasa and Lomaiviti

from w
Last Saturday we went to a lovely first birthday party for little Nanise, daughter of Christine, grand-daughter of Siteri from Levuka. They live in Geelong close to us in Newcomb. So here's one picture Christine sent us - 'Here's lookin' at you kid!'

A really wirrying (?) time in Cikobia

fromw
Okay, it's not funny about the lack of medical care on an island but the typo is a bit funny. And resorting to herbal medicine isn't always the best. Every village needs someone with a first-aid certificate perhaps, and some para-medical people in each small island.
Island has no nurse
Theresa Ralogaivau (from Fiji Times)
Wednesday, December 02, 2009

ISLANDERS of Cikobia are wirried about how they will cope with a medical emergency because they are without a nurse. Village elder Sanaila Cagituevei said the island had been without a nurse for the past two months since the serving nurse went on maternity leave. Mr Cagituevei said islanders had resorted to using herbal medicine.

"These are for illnesses that we can easily treat like fevers and common colds," Mr Cagituevei said. "There have been more serious cases that could be aggravated by a medical condition like like high blood pressure.

"Last month one of the village elders was really sick because she suffers from high blood pressure and it was a coincidence that a boat from Labasa was here at that time."

Cikobia is a six-hour boat ride from Labasa and Mr Cagituevei said most islanders could not afford the $60 for the fuel for a one-way trip to Labasa. "We worry when our young ones fall sick because all the medicine is locked up at the health centre," he said.

The health centre is at Vuninuku Village and serves the three other villages on the island Nautovatu, Vatulele and Nalele.

Divisional medical officer northern Dr Samuela Korovou said they were aware of the villagers' plight. "We have a nurse ready to go to the island and we are just waiting for a boat to take her across as soon as there is one available," Dr Korovou said.

A visitor from Navua

from w
Litia is staying with us in Geelong for a couple of days and she gave me some photos to post on the babasiga blog - not that she's from Labasa though but a Nadroga girl working in dental health area in Navua. She spent time this week with her old school colleague Kara and now Litia is in Geelong today and went to Donation in Kind depot and also found an ancient car to drive! One of the photos is of our tauvu friend from Gau with her gorgeous grandson.