Vatuadova children and their Christmas breakup

from w
One of the Ratawa girls posted many photos on facebook of their Christmas breakup at Vatuadova village and what a good time the children had.

A rugby win for Fiji

from Peceli
Excellent win for the Fiji team.

Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens: Fiji romp to maiden triumph in Dubai

Argentina win Plate, Australia Bowl and France Shield titles

By

• Staff

Published Saturday, November 30, 2013

Joe Webber of New Zealand is tackled by Ramiro Moyano of Argentina during the Emirates Dubai Sevens Cup quarter-final at The Sevens stadium on November 30, 2013 in UAE. (GETTY)

Fiji clinched the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens for the first time defeating South Africa 29-17 in a pulsating Cup final at The Sevens on Saturday night.
The Pacific Islanders turned on the style to give former England coach Ben Ryan his third triumph in Dubai.

It was a sweet triumph for the Fijians who have been five times runners-up since Dubai became an event in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Having swept aside England on Friday night, they were overwhelming favourites going into the final after handing New Zealand their heaviest defeat 44-0 in the semifinals.
Fiji were not only dazzling in attack but were superb in defence enjoying a 19-0 lead in the first half.

Benito Masilevu set them on the way by shrugging off a few tackles to race away from the halfway to score under the posts in the second minute.

Thereafter it was a dingdong battle with both sides committing a litany of errors before Fiji surged ahead a couple of tries in quick succession.

Masilevu touched down after strongman Pio Tuwai sold a couple of dummies on the left flank while Samisoni Viriviri sneaked across almost with the restart to score an unconverted try in the right corner.
Mulevoro scored a runaway try after Osea Koliniasu stole the ball from a South African scrum to give Fiji a 24-0 advantage.

South Africa staged a fightback of sorts with Fiji being down to six men scoring a couple of tries in quick succession.

Chelsin Kolble got South Africa on the scoreboard with an unconverted try in the left corneer while Sampie Mastriet added another soon after the restart.

But Fiji sealed victory with a minute remaining with Kolinisau jinxing his way through before Leo Naiksau put the finishing touches with Mulevoro adding the extra points.

New Deaconesses in Fiji

from w
Congratulations to all of the new deaconesses in Fiji on their graduation, especially Amaleini from Mali Island.

She writes on Facebook as follows:

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS OF COMMISSIONING AND GRADUATION OF AMALAINI ROKODOLO, ASENACA SIGABALAVU, MERENAISI MAOPA, SAINI ROGADI, UNAISI TUVOU. WE WERE GLAD THAT GOD PROVIDES THE WEATHER DURING THAT GREAT DAY. I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY MY THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO ME PHYSICALLY AND THE MOST TO MY SPIRITUAL UPBRINGING, IT WAS UNFORGETTABLE DAY IN MY LIFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD ALMIGHTY THAT GIVES ME POWER AND STRENGTH TO ENCOUNTER CHALLENGES IN MY 3 YEARS TRAINING. FOR ME IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO WALK WITH GOD AND TO SEE WHO HE IS IS IN MY LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD ALMIGHTY FOR HIS PROTECTION AND GUIDANCE IN 3 YRS OF TRAINING, THE MCIFR FOR ITS ACCEPTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE FOR MY 3 YRS. THE COLLEGE, METHODIST DEACONESS TRAINING AND DAVUILEVU THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE STAFFS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND TEACHINGS THAT HELPS ME TO LEARN GREAT THINGS IN LIFE, TO ALL MY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO MEET ME AND SUPPORT ME WHEN I AM IN NEED AND NOT FORGETTING THE NAULUVATU CIRCUIT CONGREGATIONS AND THE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP FOR PROVIDING REFRESHMENT DURING GRADUATION THEY WERE LIKE MOTHER TO US BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVING AND CARING, MY PRAYERS THAT ALL WILL BE RICHLY BLESSED BY OUR GOOD LORD THE ALMIGHTY IN OUR DAILY JOURNEY WITH CHRIST.

Judge overules assessors in Driti case

from w
Most peculiar, most strange. Three assessors found Driti not guilty, but the judge did whatever he wanted. News just in from the Fiji Times.

Driti trial: Judge overturns assessors' not guilty opinion

By TEVITA VUIBAU
Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Update: 1:01PM FORMER land force commander Pita Driti has been remanded in custody after High Court judge Justice Paul Madigan overturned the assessors not guilty opinion.

Driti has been found guilty of the inciting mutiny charges. 

He will sentenced on December 10.

Kava tablets on sale and are they any good?

from w
I think kavakava tablets have been around for some time but a new one is being promoted a lot on Ausralian TV at present. It is just called Kava tablets and I thought this was really funny because the 'real thing' is so different. I wondered how much kava is needed for just one bottle - which sells for about $26 on the TV I think.
They say that this one can do marvellous things!  Hmm I wonder or is the placebo effect - believe in it and it will work.

General Information

Promotes calmness and alleviates anxiety. Sedative and relaxant Helps to relieve symptoms of nervous tension Assists to relieve symptoms of stress Helps to manage and relieve symptoms of mild anxiety Helps to relieve anxiety associated with menopause Assists to produce physical and mental relaxation Aids to relieve sleeplessness"

Warnings

Use only as directed and always read the label. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner

Common Uses

Suitable for individuals who suffer from or prone to symptoms and feelings of nervous tension, stress and anxiety Suitable for those who have difficulty sleeping Suitable for women who may be experiencing symptoms of increased anxiety as a result of menopausal changes

Ingredients

Piper methysticum (kava) extract equivalent to dry root and rhizome 2.4g Standardised to contain Kavalactones 60mg

Directions

Adults - Take one tablet daily with food, or as professionally prescribed

Adi Senimili Dyer has passed away

from Peceli
Adi Senimili is the same age as me and I knew her during childhood years when she went to St Mary's School.  Some people are special in life, and to me she was one of them. and a helpful person to the community and the vanua of Macuata and Fiji as a whole. Our condolences go to the yavuso Namara and the family in Naduri.
from Fiji Times today:

Province prepares for chiefly burial

Serafina Silaitoga
Monday, November 18, 2013

+ Enlarge this image

The late Adi Seinimili Dyer, in blue, with Adi Samanunu Katonivere. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE condolence gathering for the late Adi Senimili Dyer will begin today in the village of Naduri in Macuata.

Her younger brother, Taukei Namara Ratu Peni Sogia, said the vanua of Caumatalevu would head the gathering.

He said the body of the late chief would arrive in the village on Thursday for burial on Friday.

Ratu Peni described his sister as a woman of great courage and determination.

"She only reached Class 8 at Saint Mary's Primary School but she was determined to achieve high goals which included becoming the interim Minister for Women in the interim Qarase government," Ratu Peni said.

"She always helped everybody and did not differentiate anyone.

"Whoever came to her for help, no matter their race, she always went out of her way to help.

"The women in this coastal area of Macuata have also been assisted by her with community work and she always made sure the women were happy at the end of the day."

Ratu Peni said Naduri would certainly miss the advice and guidance always given by Adi Senimili during traditional functions.

"Whenever there is a village function I will have to inform her because she lives away from the village and she always advises us what to do," he said.

"And when she comes to the village during the function, I step back and let her take over. We will surely miss her."

Adi Senimili died in Vatukoula after a short illness. She was in the West visiting her children.

Fiji plays Samoa

from w
The family woke me up about 3 a.m. with their cheers from the lounge room. Fiji was playing Samoa rugby. And the winners were.....  Sorry if this is a spoiler for some keen rugby fans!

Rugby League World Cup 2013: Fiji beat Samoa in quarter-finals

SAMOA (0) 4

• Tries: Winterstein

FIJI (14) 22

• Tries: Groom, W Naiqama, Rociqa
 
• Goals: W Naiqama 5

Fiji will meet Australia in the World Cup semi-finals at Wembley next Saturday after a battling win over Samoa in Warrington.

Aaron Groom and Wes Naiqama both scored first-half tries while Vitale Junior Roqica went over later in the game.

Naiqama converted all three tries and kicked two penalties for the Fijians, who played with greater composure.

Antonio Winterstein scored the only try for Samoa, who lost Penani Manumalealii to injury in a disappointing display.

Semi-final line-up

New Zealand v England

Australia v Fiji

Ties to be played on 23 November

Fiji will now hope to do better than the 54-0 drubbing they received from the Kangaroos in the 2008 semi-finals.

Akuila Uate played a key role in the opening try, breaking through the Samoa line and passing inside for the supporting Groom to cross. Naiqama converted and added a penalty three minutes later.

Samoa were dealt a blow when half-back Manumalealii was forced off and they struggled with their shape thereafter.

Fiji enjoyed the better of the possession in a bruising encounter and extended their lead eight minutes before the break when Groom's kick was missed by the Samoa defence and Naiqama went in for a score he also converted.

Samoa found it hard to test the Fiji line but finally got their challenge up and running on 58 minutes when the ball was played across the line for Winterstein to dive in out wide, but Anthony Milford narrowly missed the touchline conversion.

The try lifted Samoa but Fiji inched further ahead 12 minutes from time when Tim Lafai was penalised and put on report for a high tackle on Jayson Bukuya and Naiqama kicked the penalty.

And Roqica ensured Fiji go into their semi-final on a positive note by crossing with two minutes remaining after a darting run from Akuila Uila and an offload from Apisai Koroisau.

A Fiji wedding in Melbourne

from w
Last night we attended a lovely wedding reception at Sunshine - (Melbourne) at St Bernadette's Hall for the son of our friends Sam and Doreen Naidu from near Werribee to a very nice young woman from Suva. They had their wedding in Nadi and now it was the turn to share with friends and relatives in Australia where they will be living. About 250 people were there, dressed in finery and saris and with lights flashing, and a smoke machine it was an interesting night. There were speeches, and Peceli, dressed in his alb, led some prayer and Christian words. The food of course was delicious even three kinds of pilau, puri, curries, chutneys and plenty of drinks. We shared a table with a woman who originally came from Labasa so there was plenty of talk, and three girls from Adelaide. Items such as an Indian girl dancing, and two groups of Fijian young men performed mekes, and invited some of the guests to join in a tuiboto which was entertaining. The music was very loud, but that's how it is with the DJ's running the shows these days. My photos weren't very good because of the flashing lights and smoke but here are a few.

Eseta's beautiful stole designs

from w
I had noticed these lovely stoles in photos taken at the time of the Methodist Conference. Now the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania magazine 'Crosslight' has highlighted this beautiful gift to Fiji. The upbeat story is rather different from the stories of the pathetic manner of dealing with church people byp the head office in Melbourne planning to sell of about 56 church properties in Victoria to repay a huge debt owed to Uniting Financial Services in Sydney because of mismanagement of a school building project.

Stoles for Fiji

BY CROSSLIGHT ⋅ NOVEMBER 3, 2013 ⋅ POST A COMMENT

Methodists gather in Fiji

One of the most striking images of the new look of the Methodist Church in Fiji are the elaborate stoles unveiled as part of the church’s first national gathering for seven years in August.

Designed and made by Uniting Church ministers Rev Chris and Rev Eseta Meneilly, the stoles were unveiled at the national conference’s induction service and will be worn by the President Dr Tuikilakila Waqairatu, Vice President Ratu Eroni Volavola, General Secretary Rev Tevita Banivanua and Assistant General Secretary Rev Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa.

Each stole is unique in design and the project took about four months to complete. The Meneillys have been designing stoles for several years including having some displayed in the Immigration Museum in Melbourne. They also have a long association with Fiji which is Eseta’s homeland and where Chris studied and was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Church in Fiji.

Both are currently in full-time ministry in Bendigo, about 150 km north of Melbourne.

During a visit to Australia earlier this year, Dr Waqairatu and Mr Banivanua were made aware of Eseta’s work and commissioned her to make the stoles for the office bearers.

The stoles incorporate a new logo as well as Christian and Fijian symbols in an artistic design and include a Fijian traditional tapa design which identifies with water, mountain, the sea, the ‘vanua’.

Coconut fibre sinnet (magimagi) encircles and binds everything together and also forms a Trinitarian representation. The red or blue yoke is a sign of office and the call to ‘carry the load’ of leadership. Symbols of Christian identity are balanced throughout the design with dove, cross, and Bible.

For Eseta, making liturgical stoles depicting Fijian and Christian symbols is the story of her faith journey.

It has been a journey formed primarily in the Methodist Church in Fiji then encouraged into ordained ministry in the Uniting Church.

The highlight of this work for Eseta is the recognition that the stoles are unique and now worn with appreciation by the leaders of the Methodist Church in Fiji.

Reconciliation was a key part of the Fijian conference as the Methodist Church seeks to forge a new direction in the country.