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July 15 Class of 96 Weekend GetawayWeekend Getaway for Class of 96For those of you hearing for the first time, some of us have come up with a great idea for a weekend get together at the Tubakula Bungalows on the coral coast. Why Tubakula??? Because its central ... so the ppl in the west can come down and we can go up and no one can have any valid excuse on the distance factor.The idea is to have a no-kids+no-partners+lots of fun ... getawa together meda dredre mada! Since we in Suva are meeting on Tuesday, it will be an opportune time for u Suva ladies to confirm your attendance or at least your interest. "Tubakula offers a choice of self-contained (self-catering) beachfront, oceanview and poolside bungalows, all with kitchens, ceiling fans and covered verandahs, as well as budget-priced single and double/twin rooms with shared bathrooms, and dormitory beds for backpackers. Private Bungalow rates: F$94.00 to F$135.00 (double) Rooms with shared bathroom: F$47.00 to F$52.00 Dormitory rates: F$21.00 per person per night *** There is also a special package where ppl pay for 6 to a bungalow which brings the rates down considerably! Una, myself and TJ are working hard to get us the best possible rates and will let u all know of the details as they come to hand. But please think about this idea and the fun times we cld and shld have together. The idea is to catch up and have a break!! We need a confirmation of the numbers of interested people as soon as possible so West ppl, let Una know. Suva ppl, let TJ and I know via a response to an email sent out recently. At the bottom of that email is a list where u can pencil ur name in. The dates arent confirmed, suffice to say that we will not make it a last minute thing. It will either be end of this month or begginning of the next or sometime thereabouts. p.s other news:
Class of 95 DinnerInternational DinnerThe ACSOG class of 95 are having a fundraising dinner on July 29 at the Chinese Cuisine at Suva Central. Themed 'International Night', the event is this class's fundraising towards the Diamond Jubilee. You are all encouraged to come dressed in the attire of any country of your choosing. Entertainment will also be according to the theme. Tickets are $20 and available with luisa@fic.com.fj Your support towards this event wld be highly apprecaited. March 20 Upcoming eventsUpcoming events
1) Joint Afternoon tea with USP Staff This is planned to take place from 4.30 to 6.00pm on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 at the Orange Lounge. Guests of honour will be the former scholars appointed to the Senior Management Group at USP which includes; · Dr. Esther Williams as Deputy VC, · Dr. Eci Nabalarua as Pro-Vice Chancellor ( Academic) and · Dr. Akanisi Kedrayate as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Law. In addition to this we would like to recognise and congratulate our newest PhD addition, Dr. Alumita Durutalo and welcome the former scholars who have come into study at USP this semester. USP Staff branch members (except the Guests and students) are asked to contribute $10.00each towards the afternoon tea, Tima Qeranatabua (Purchasing Office) is collecting the $10 whilst Fulori is organising the menu...please assist where you can and please be there.
(2) Diamond Jubilee Soli and Public Awareness gathering
If you had filled in a Diamond Jubilee pledge, this will be the first soli towards that pledge, others who do not want to pledge or have not pledged, just give what you want to and can afford to give. The National Executive Committee had set up three subcommittees each focussing on areas of interest and benefit to members. One of these groups chaired by Dr. Kubuabola is organising the first Forum on Saturday 25 March 2006 to be held at Fiji College of Advanced Education. The topic will be the "Soqosoqo Vakamarama" and Adi Finau Tabakaucoro will be the Guest Speaker. The programme will start at 10 am, light lunch will be served and the Diamond Jubilee Soli will follow at 1.30pm. How can the ACSOG Association assist the Soqosoqo Vakamarama in the development of the Fijian/Rotuman women in Fiji is one of the main aims of having this forum. Your presence on Saturday is important and will be greatly appreciated.
(3) Sports Day and Annual General Meeting The Gone Turaga na Ka Levu had issued an Invitation to host this years AGM at the Fijian. The National Executive Committee reconsidered this offer and suggested that the AGM should be held in Suva and use the Fijian invitation to host the Sports Day in June. The other alternative Sports Day venue and host suggested was of course USP! If you’re a USP member, let your views on these two issues made known to Dr. Kubuabola, Fulori or Leba Mataitini by next week.
(4) Coffee Table Book This project has been revived and will be spearheaded by the Diamond Jubilee Committee chaired by Rokobua Naiyaga. The stories of the life and achievements of former scholars need to be captured in print, suggest names of those we can start with. All stories should be told, where and who do we do we start with..Pioneers, or in decades etc? Mereani Rokotuibau, Ana Rokomokoti and Lice Movono are the 90s branch rep. on the Diamond Jubilee Committee whilst Laijipa Naulivou is the rep for USP staff Branch. Please submit your ideas and or state your interest in taking part in this project with your branch reps.
(5) ACSOG Newsletter and Website The first ACSOG Newsletter will be out next Saturday and available at FCAE. The administartors of the website need financial assistance to keep the website going. A tentaive budget will be presented at the next meeting and the Diamond Jubilee Committee would liaise with the operators to assist in keeping operations within manageable costs.
(6) Mentoring Programme The class of 90s requested assistance from more experienced and skilled members to act as Mentors for their members especially those studying at USP. In a previous meeting of the National Executive Committee it was agreed that ACSOG Association will assist the MFA/USP Mentoring & Monitoring Committee in providing Mentors for its programme. The National Executive has agreed that the Association should focus its efforts Mentoring our own former students. This would commence with the present students and link to to those coming out of ACS every year. Mentoring should not be confined only to academic matters but include professional mentoring also. The first introductory efforts will be made at the Afternoon Tea and the Saturday meet at FCAE. Send your name in to Fulori Sarai if you want to be a Mentor...qualification...a caring adult willing to help.
March 08 1st Meet - ACSOG 90s & Millenium ClassACSOG 90s & Millenium Class
First 2006 Meeting --- March 8 Meeting, Orange Lounge USP 5-7pm Host: Uni OGs Agenda: * Welcome * Apologies to be given to secretary 1. ACSOG important dates for 2006 - sports day - Reunion weekend in Nadroga - Annual General Meeting & School Birthday 2. Diamond Jubilee events for the year - 1st Collection Soli at FCAE on March 25th - Pledge distribution and collection 3. Club fundraisers and social functions - April 7th Barrel Night - in Aid of DJ contribution - Uni OGs gunu sede and soli at USP soon - in aid of Athletes 4. Report/Plans from the National Executives - Last years look back. review - Christmas Donation to Father Law Home - Branch Website involvement - more contribution welcome - DJ PR - branch responsible for this so more support needed - Mentoring Programme with USP OG 5. Other business November 23 MEETING90s decade meeting Nov 28
Holiday Inn, 5pm, Nov 28th
Ladies,
A meeting has been called by Ana Rokomokoti Daucakacaka (9300706 at Holiday Inn at 5pm next Monday, Nov 28th.
The meeting is to discuss some very important matters that concern all in the decade.
Punctuality and attendance would be much appreciated.
Vinaka, Lice Movono for President October 28 Vacancy - US Embassy
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VACANCY
The American Embassy has an immediate opening for a Visa Clerk in the Consular Section. Incumbent must be able to carry out a wide range of visa services, which include pre-screening applications and furnishing applicants with information regarding requirements and procedures; responding to inquiries from French-flag countries in the Pacific by telephone, letters and e-mails and translating between English and French as necessary. Incumbent acts as the Cashier in the Consular Section. Depending on qualifications and experience starting salary will range between FJ$16,000 – 20,000 per annum.
The successful applicant is required to have: successfully completed Secondary School; two years of progressively responsible experience performing office duties with demonstrated ability to deal effectively with the public; speaking/reading English fluency and a good working knowledge of French; a proven ability to handle cash and reconcile funds; proficiency in the use of computers including Windows NT and Microsoft Office, and the ability to type at a minimum of 40wpm. A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities may be obtained from the Human Resources Office, American Embassy, Suva.
Letter detailing qualifications and relevant experience along with current resume should be forwarded to the Human Resources Office, American Embassy, PO Box 218, Suva by close of business November 11, 2005.
NOTE: Only short listed applicants will be contacted regarding the next phase of the selection process. To those applicants not short listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the U.S. Government as a potential employer.
September 21 Soli & AGM updatesIMPORTANT
Annual General Meeting
* Starts at 5.30pm and YES - light dinner will be provided.
* Important motions are being made
- get a copy at the door and see the ones which will affect you, vote accordingly.
* Diamond Jubilee
- Fundraising events are moving ahead and the committee will tell us all about it.
* Elections
- Nominations should have already come in so come and vote for the leaders u want, exercise ur right!
Soli for Diamond Jubilee
* Venue changed to FMF Dome
* $20 per head - give to your branch president - Ana Rokomokoti at the AGM
* Our branch 'kala-vata' is BLUE. come in anything in that colour if you wish! no obligations!
* First fundraising effort following the soli so make an effort ladies.
* NZACSOG is also contributing .. so overseas 90s .. feel free to be a part of this ...!!
September 20 Programme for AGM and SoliADI CAKOBAU SCHOOL OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION
Annual General Meeting & ACSOG Soli 2005
AGM Lali Room, Holiday Inn 5:30pm, Friday 30th September Agenda Devotion
ACSOG Soli Suva Foreshore 10:00am, Saturday 1st October 10am Devotion 10:30am Veiqaravi vakavanua vei iratou na RKSOB RKSOB soli ACSOG soli Veiqaravi vakavanua vei iratou na QVSOB QVSOB soli 2:00pm Vakavinavinaka September 16 No pacific applications received yet for Indigenous Fellowship 2006 No pacific applications received yet for Indigenous Fellowship 2006
Hey everyone!!!
The Indigenous Project Team of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has just given us the bundle of all applications received so far for next year's OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship programme, and guess what??
THERE'S NO APPLICATIONS FROM THE PACIFIC!
Please, this is a great opportunity for people to learn about the UN and indigenous human rights, to network, to travel and to broaden your mind!
Somebody from the Pacific please apply! Deadline for the Indigenous Fellowship Programme for 2006 is 29 August 2005!
Note, however the criteria for applying - if you cant meet the criteria, fully complete the application form and send it in on time, dont apply this year. Apply next year.
But somebody please apply!!!
I've copied in some text below from the OHCHR website to get you started, but visit the website to download the application form and for more info: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/fellowship.htm The aim of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' Indigenous Fellowship Programme is to give indigenous women and men the opportunity to gain knowledge in the field of international human rights in general and on indigenous rights in particular in order to assist their organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the human rights of their people.
The Indigenous Fellowship Programme for 2006 will run from April to September. The Fellows will be based at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva , Switzerland for a period of five months. They will also have the opportunity to establish contacts with other inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.
After an introduction to relevant Geneva based bodies and human rights instruments and procedures, the Fellows have the opportunity to gain practical experience with OHCHR and its work with human rights through their practical work as part of the Indigenous Project Team.
It is expected that each Fellow at the end of the Programme will possess general knowledge about the overall United Nations system, and knowledge about the international human rights instruments and mechanisms, in particular those with relevance to indigenous peoples.
Furthermore, each Fellow should also at the end of the Programme be capable of giving training within their communities and organizations in the fields of international human rights in general, and on indigenous peoples rights in particular, and be able to disseminate the information and knowledge gained during the Fellowship Programme.
Five Fellowships will be awarded for 2006 including the following: 1. An economy class air ticket from the country of residence to Geneva (return). 2. Modest accommodation in Geneva for the duration of the Programme. 3. Health insurance for the duration of the Programme. 4. A monthly grant to cover other living expenses in Geneva .
Selection process and criteria : The final selection of successful candidates will be made by the consultative group for the Indigenous fellowship programme, which is composed of indigenous persons. In view of the large number of applications, we regret that only successful candidates will be contacted.
The Advisory Group of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People has adopted the following guidelines and general criteria pertaining to the selection of candidates for the Indigenous Fellowship
Programme: The individual candidate : 1. Age should not be a limitation to participation in the Fellowship Programme, although preference should be given to candidates in the age-bracket 25 - 35 years. 2. Formal education should not be a limitation to participation in the Fellowship Programme given the socio-economic barriers confronted by many indigenous peoples that limit access to formal educational institutions. 3. Candidates should have ability and willingness to train other indigenous persons after the return to their respective communities/organizations. 4. The candidate should be supported by their indigenous community or organization. 5. The Fellows should have a basic understanding of the English language. The sponsoring organization/community : 6. The overall goal of the Programme is to give indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the field of international human rights in order to assist their organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the human rights of their people. Therefore, it is important that the candidate is proposed and nominated by an indigenous organization or community. 7. It is desirable that the sponsoring organization has a firm constituency or membership and that it is representative. Other guidelines and criteria : 8. The selection of fellows should reflect a regional balance. 9. The general human rights situation in the respective regions/countries should be taken into consideration in the selection process. 10. In accordance with the general practice of the United Nations, selection of Fellows should reflect a gender balance. 11. Ten alternates should be selected in the event that any of the first five preferences will not be available for the Fellowship period. Five alternates should be selected as first, second, third, fourth and fifth preferences in the event that any of the five first preferences will not be available. The remaining five alternates could be ungrouped. Fellowship applications will only be taken into consideration if they are fully completed. Fellowship applications must be faxed or sent by regular post. E-mailed applications will not be taken into consideration. Fellowship applications or any questions pertaining to the Indigenous Fellowship Programme should be addressed to : Indigenous Project Team Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights UNOG-OHCHR CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Telefax number: (+41 22) 917 90.08 E-mail: fellowship@ohchr.org Deadline for the Indigenous Fellowship Programme for 2006 is 29 August 2005 For Help, email manu@ora.org.nz
September 15 Opportunities at USPExplore Today, Excel Tomorrow – USP prepares for Open Day
September 14 EVENTS
EVENTS TO COME TO
Meeting This Friday 16th September, at 6pm at Lot 14 Belinda Estate during the curry night. Please make an effort to attend as we will discuss the AGM and the Grand Soli.
Curry Night & Soli This Friday 16th September, at 6pm at Lot 14 Belinda Estate. Ana Rokomokotis residence. Curry is at $3.50 a plate. Soli of $50 a class from those of you who can contribute.
If you need help or information - contact
Lice Movono on 9235713/3232828 or liamovono@gmail.com
Mereani Rokotuibau 3384900/9274727 or mrokotuibau@govnet.gov.fj September 12 IQ ACTIVE SEMI FINALS - ACS 31 – MBHS 29STOP PRESS!!! STOP PRESS!!! STOP PRESS!!! STOP PRESS!!! IQ ACTIVE SEMI FINALS - ACS 31 – MBHS 29
Ladies .. it gives me so much pleasure and pride to say the school quiz team won a very close IQ Active match with Marist Brothers High School tonight 29-31. It was very close and there was at least one question that the girls answered right but the quizmaster didn’t seem to know the facts about ref/capital of Nauru. But all in all it was a match that should leave us happy in the end. It must be noted though that the team could do with some help with general knowledge … so OG’s that might be a project … constant supply of newspapers to be made available to the school. OG Journos.. maybe u might like to make it a personal project to make newspapers available in the dorms as well as the current – in the library? It might help. Otherwise …. The ACS IQ Active team and their teacher, Ms Naomi ‘Fuse’ Tukana have done really well getting to the finals with Xavier.
So .. next week at 7pm is the IQ Active finals with Xavier college – the defending champions! Way to go Sawani – from nowhere to the top of the charts! September 09 She never waivered - Adi Kuini Teimumu VuikabaAdi Kuini Teimumu Vuikaba Speed (23 December 1949 - 31 December 2004) was a Fijian politician, who served as Deputy Prime Minister in 1999 and 2000. Adi Kuini Speed, Fijian politician This work is copyrighted. ... December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The widow of Fiji Labour Party founder and former Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, Adi Kuini became the leader of the Labour Party after her husband's death in 1989, but was deposed in 1991 by Mahendra Chaudhry. In 1995 she left the Labour Party, objecting to the direction in which Chaudhry was taking it, and became the leader of the short lived Fiji Labour National Federation Party, but later that year joined the Fijian Association Party (FAP) of former Finance Minister Josefata Kamikamica. She served as vice-president of the FAP from 1995 to 1998, when she became the party leader. Under her leadership, the FAP won 11 seats in the 71-member House of Representatives in the election of 1999. Forming a coalition with her husband's old party, Adi Kuini became one of two Deputy Prime Ministers in the coalition government led by Mahendra Chaudhry. The Fiji Labour Party is a political party in Fiji. ... Fiji received its independence in 1970. ... Timoci Uluivunda Bavadra (September 22, 1934 - November 3, 1989) was a medical doctor who served for one month as the Prime Minister of Fiji in 1987 and who founded the Fiji Labour Party. ... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mahendra Pal Chaudhry (born 1942) is the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. ... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Fijian Association Party (FAP) is a former political party in Fiji. ... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Overview The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Fijis Parliament. ... The general election to the Fijian House of Representatives, held in May 1999, was historic. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Chaudhry government was deposed on 19 May 2000 in a coup organized by George Speight. After the coup had been put down, she refused to support the possible return of Chaudhry as Prime Minister, however, claiming that Fiji needed a less controversial leader to bring about reconciliation among Fiji's ethnic communities and repair fractured multiracial relations. In poor health following repeated brain tumor operations, she contested the elections held to restore democracy in September 2001, but she and all of her party's candidates were defeated as the ethnic Fijian community rallied around the United Fiji Party of Laisenia Qarase. May 19 is the 139th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (140th in leap years). ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Timeline (2000) May: 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30. ... George Speight George Speight was the principal instigator of the Fiji coup of 2000, in which he kidnapped thirty-six government officials and held them from May 19, 2000 to July 13, 2000. ... The Constitution of Fiji was restored by a Supreme Court decision, following the failure of the Fiji coup of 2000. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fijians are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands. ... Politics of Fiji Categories: Fiji-related stubs | Fijian political parties ... Laisenia Qarase (born February 4, 1941) is the Prime Minister of Fiji. ... Adi Kuini was the daughter of Ratu Aseri Qoro Latianara (1924-1998), whom she succeeded as Tui Noikoro Paramount Chief of Navosa, and of Lanieta Vuni; she herself is to be succeeded in these roles by her brother, Ratu Tomasi Latianara. She was the head girl at Adi Cakobau School in 1968, and went on to graduate from the University of the South Pacific and from the Australian National University in Canberra. She subsequently pursued a career in the Public Relations Office, which later became the Ministry of Information. On behalf of the Fiji Public Service Association, she lead several delegations to the United Nations. Ratu is a title inherited by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier provider of tertiary education in the Pacific Region, and an international centre of excellence for teaching and research on all aspects of Pacific culture and environment. ... The Australian National University (ANU), is a university located in Canberra, the national capital of Australia. ... Two of Canberras best-known landmarks, Parliament House and (foreground) Old Parliament House. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ... Adi Kuini was married three times and had four children and eleven step-children. By the end of 2004, when she lost a long battle with cancer, she was the grandmother of three. She is buried in Korolevu, a two-hour drive from Sigatoka. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... When normal cells are damaged or old they undergo apoptosis; cancer cells, however, avoid apoptosis. ... Politicians remembered Adi Kuini as a committed Christian and champion of racial tolerance, and as one who fought for reform of the chiefly system by insisting on standards of accountability for all chiefs.
FIJI: Adi Kuini’s Resolve Praised At Her Funeral Service January 13, 2005
The late Adi Kuini Speed was farewelled at a packed Centenary Methodist Church in Suva, Fiji this morning with a deluge of eulogies that spoke of her profound faith and courage in seeing that “her beloved country” recovered from its political tribulations. Seven presenters, representing the 55-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs’ chiefly connections, close families, friends, political affiliations and career, were one on her great belief and devotion to working hard for Fiji and getting everyone to live harmoniously with one another. Adi Kuini was admired for her general display of good manners so characteristic of chiefly etiquette and subsequent eloquence in expressing the need for chiefs and the people to treasure what Fiji and its significance as a nation stood for. She had fought, in her numerous speeches and criticisms of what Fiji went through during the political turmoil, for multiracialism and won many friends for her belief in extending the wealth of this nation to people who wanted a part of it. Vice President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, spoke of a niece, through her Bau connections to her paternal grandmother, Adi Teimumu Vuikaba, sister of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who once confronted him for speaking out against the appointment of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s as Prime Minister when Mara lost the elections in 1977 to the Indian-dominated National Federation Party. But who faced equal consequences when her late former husband, Dr Timoci Bavadra’s leadership was wrenched from him in a military coup in 1987. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, spoke of his admiration for “a lady” who had a devotion to her country and God in her life, of one who had a vision for leaders to excel and set good examples. “ She was an inspiration to Leba and me,” said an emotional PM. Former Minister for Education, Taufa Vakatale, spoke of a born leader when the late Adi Kuini became head girl of Adi Cakobau School, a government school for Fijian women, when through her leadership, the institution experienced one of its better days. Her ACS principal had even predicted that Adi Kuini would become Fiji’s first Fijian woman Prime Minister. Women Leaders in the South Pacific - Taufa VakataleWomen in Leaders in the Pacific From ABC Radio, Australia Worldwide, women make up more than half the population, but hold only 13 per cent of all parliamentary seats. In the Pacific, it's even worse - women are poorly represented in national parliaments around the region. Since the days of Queen Salote in Tonga, no woman has headed a government in the Pacific islands (with the exception of Aotearoa / New Zealand). However, there are many Pacific women who have taken senior positions in government around the region. In the Cook Islands, the House of Ariki is led by a woman - Pa Tepaeru Teariki Upokotini Ariki, while Madeline Bordallo, a former Senator, currently serves as Lieutenant-Governor of Guam.
Pacific women's organisations are campaigning to increase the involvement of women in national politics. In the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia, a new French law ensures that there are an equal number of men and women standing for Parliament. But for other Pacific countries, there is a long way to go before women are equally represented.
OGs with success storiesThe pressures and challenges of leading an organisation: Qoro
Sereana Qoro is wife, mother and deputy chair of Fiji Development Bank. She has also just been appointed chief executive for Basic Industries Ltd (BIL) and chief executive officer designate for Fiji Industries Ltd (FIL), a title she will hold until November when she will formally assume the post.
The thing that strikes anyone about this is that it is the first time the position has ever been held by a local.
Forget the part about being a woman. To her, it is not about gender but about one's ability to deliver. She presently serves on the Fiji Electricity Authority board and her finance and accounting background has seen her work her way up from an auditor with Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) to being chief accountant of the Native Land Trust Board in 1986, and financial controller and company secretary for Rewa Dairy Co. Ltd between 1991 and 1995. But those are only some of Qoro's past and present corporate incarnations. Her resume is littered with positions at board level as well as top managerial positions in some of the country's major corporations. She was the first woman to head the government-owned Housing Authority of Fiji, an entity set up to provide affordable housing to low income earners. That was almost 10 years ago, in 1996. “I remember when I was appointed CEO of Housing Authority, there was a lot of opposition because of the fact that I was a woman and there were some write-ups from men who thought women should not be above men,” Qoro says. At the time, she recalls, it was unusual and even awkward to see a woman assume a leadership position, less so as head of a company. “It was a very difficult time for me but I had to rise above it, look at it rationally. I reminded myself that I had work to do. "Housing Authority was deep in the red, it was making losses, it was oversized and the upper management level was reeking with corrupt practices." Qoro's job description dished out some tough tasks, among them, to head the restructure of the organisation, which meant she had to downsize the workforce. “It was a horrible experience,” she winces. “It is not always an easy thing to tell someone they don't have a job anymore. But I was there to manage change and I was so focussed on achieving policy targets set out by the government." When seen against that, her new role at the two partly-owned subsidiary companies of Fijian Holdings Ltd could well be plain sailing. Basic Industries and FIL are doing well financially and although the latter is a little oversized, they are positioned competitively in their respective markets. Basic Industries is the holding company for Standard Concrete Industries Ltd, with its core business in quarrying, concrete and masonary, and Hume Industries Ltd which specialises in pre-cast concrete materials, while FIL is the only local cement producer in Fiji. Again, Qoro is faced with having to downsize the operations of FIL from 50 to around 20 workers via voluntary redundancy as the company transits from manufacturing its own clinker to just grinding imported clinker. Implementing redundancies may as well be part of her resume because the experience is not new. In fact, she believes a CEO position has the same challenges. “In many ways, I think the challenges in any CEO position are basically the same. "You take a leadership position to ensure a company meets its targets to deliver value and returns to its shareholders. “The role of a CEO, I believe, is more visionary. It's about delivering profits by making sure you're able to sell the product, the company is able to compete and survive, and stay ahead of its competitors. “I see my job more as business planning and formulating strategies for taking the company forward. So it's 80 percent future and 20 percent present,” Qoro explains. Understanding the industry is certainly a given. But management experience, she cautions, does not happen overnight. One has to go through the process. Qoro's strength lies in her 13 years of board experience. Not only has it reinforced in her the importance of good corporate governance, it has also made her more aware of what is expected of her as a chief executive answering to a board of directors, and she is able to put her position as CEO in a better perspective. “In my experience, good corporate governance is the way the world is going. I think it puts a lot of pressure on boards and CEOs to be honest, open and accountable. "It's a good thing to see this happening slowly in Fiji and that people are taking it seriously. For instance, the organisations that I am involved in are placing more and more importance on good corporate governance. I think this is good for Fiji because it will put corrupt practices out of context,” she says. At 44 years old, Qoro believes she has gone through the mill and has also set a trend for more women to take on management positions and serve on boards of directors. “Women should be appointed because they have something to give and not put there just because they are women. It should not be a cosmetic thing. "I believe there are many women out there with the skills and experience to take on these challenges. They shouldn't set themselves limits to what they can achieve.” Her secret when moving in a corporate world made up mostly of men? “I see myself as their equal. When I go to a board meeting for instance, it becomes almost normal to find that I am the only woman there so I may as well get used to it. "At this stage, it has stopped becoming an issue and I see myself as just one of them.” But that, Qoro stresses, is as far as it goes because she is first a wife and mother before career woman. “Wifely duties don't change just because you are in a management position,” she smiles. By Dionisia Tabureguci, Islands Business International September 01 God remind me
AIM HIGH, ONLY THE BESTAIM HIGH, ONLY THE BEST
If you would rise above the throng And seek the crown of fame, You must do more than drift along And merely play the game.
Whatever path your feet may tread Whatever be your quest, The only way to get ahead IS STRIVING FOR THE BEST.
‘Tis not enough to wish to do A day’s toil fairly well; you would rise to glory you Must hunger to excel.
The man who has the proper stuff Goes into every test- Not seeking to be “good enough”, But eager to be “Best.”
Aim high! And though you fail today, And may tomorrow fail, Keep pounding steadily away- Some day you’ll hit the nail.
At no half-way mark ever pause In snug content to rest Who would win honor and applause Must want to be the best.
The best must be your aim in life: The best in sport or work; Success in any form or strife Falls never to the shirk
The crowns of leadership are few, The followers move in throngs; If you would be a leader, You must shun the “drift-alongs.”
Dont Give up on being perfect ...!"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." – Anna Quindlen About Anna Quindlen For more inspirational material like this one... mailto:acsog90s@mail.com Your Daily Dose of Fitness!!Your Daily Fitness Dose!
 What's your mental image of a "fit" person? A health nut? A model? Someone who spends hours in the gym? A natural athlete? Fitness isn't just for special people — it's for everybody! Start thinking of your workout as your "daily dose" of fitness and something that you're going to do for life — not just as another way to reach your goal weight! It's like taking a vitamin or brushing your teeth!
A mere 30 minutes of movement each day will pay off in countless ways. You'll not only look and feel better, you'll have more energy and enthusiasm for life! Plus, physical fitness reduces your risk of serious illness, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Hey, if a pill could promise that, you'd take it, right? So, go ahead and take your daily dose. The payoff will be a happier, healthier, longer life! Enjoy! To find more exercise tips on from "Denise Austin's Fit Forever!" mail acsog90s@mail.com The Golden Rules of Living!!
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