Va's photos from Fiji Day

from w
Va posted many photos on her facebook page of the Saturday program for Melbourne's Fiji Day so I have reposted them here. Okay? Our special guest, Ro Kepa, the chiefly lady from Rewa, is in some of the photos. Vinaka Va.

Two Aussies, dressed in matching costumes were sitting with the official guests and I thought they could be the sponsors - from Air Pacific or a bank or something. No, Peceli said they were just two people who go to Fiji occasionally as tourists but they give a lot of help to the villages they visit. Okay, that's democracy at work, ordinary people doing good things.

Fiji Day in Melbourne

from w
Yesterday was Fiji Day celebration in Melbourne at a rugby ground so despite the dark clouds in the sky we did have good weather and it was a nice time for greeting old friends, some going back twenty years or more! From various tents came the aroma of lovo food, roti and curry, vakalolo and other delicacies. Young men played sevens rugby and kids jumped on a castle of some sort. The main event was of course the traditional welcome to Ro Teimumu from Fiji, an intelligent and compassionate lady of high rank. The presentation of tabua, yaqona, magiti yards of colourful cloth and formal speeches were done very well and our guest's speech was in both Fijian and English and full of wisdom. Our Geelong Fiji group hired a minibus to go up to Melbourne for the day and it was really worthwhile as we remember Fiji today with all the difficulties for our friends over there. I took a few photos of the formal part of the day including one dance.