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Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 28.9.08)

The following events are scheduled for Suva: One-off Events:

• Great Teitei Competition for primary and secondary schools in Fiji, 22 July to 21 October 2008;
• Term 3 - Learn French, Fijian or Hindi classes, from 1 September to 21 November 2008, Alliance Francaise, Suva;
• Third School Term, from Monday, 1 September, to Friday, 28 November 2008;
• Art and culture exhibition by the Pacific Women of Power, from Thursday, 25 September, to Saturday, 25 October 2008, Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Cancer Society - Bra Art Competition (part of Breast Cancer Awareness Programme), from Saturday, 25 October, to Sunday, 2 November 2008;
• 2008 Fiji Boxing Championship, from Tuesday, 30 September to Thursday, 2 October 2008, starting 10am, Raiwai Youth Hall, Suva;
• Fiji Council of Social Services - March for the Elderly, Wednesday, 1 October 2008, from 11.45am, in front of the Tanoa Plaza, Gordon Street, Suva;
• Launch of Fiji's bigger, better network, Digicel, with Fiji's biggest free concert, Wednesday, 1 October 2008, from 5pm to 9pm, Albert Park, Suva;
• 18th Joint Conference of the Fiji-New Zealand Business Council, Thursday, 2 October, and Friday, 3 October 2008, at the Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Advanced Project Management Workshop, Saturday, 4 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, The Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• "Tom Mawi" Benefit Glitz & Glamour Ball, Friday, 10 October 2008, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Building Better Teams Workshop, Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Negotiating for Better Results Workshop, Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, The Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• University of the South Pacific Open Day, Friday, 17 October 2008, from 9am to 4pm, University's Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Rugby League World Cup match - Fiji vs France, 1 November 2008, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia;
• Rugby League World Cup match - Fiji vs Scotland, 5 November 2008, Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast, Australia;
• Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Swimming Champs, 21 and 22 November 2008, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Vou Dance Classes, daily, from 3pm to 7.30pm, 30 Desvouex Road, Suva;
• Horse Riding, Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 5pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 7am to 4pm, Suva Pony Club, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles After Work Bike Rides, every Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starts 5pm, from Esquires Café, Dolphins Plaza, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Hapkido Self Defence Classes, every Mondays and Wednesdays, 6.45pm to 7.45pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre, National Sporting Complex, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Tsulu Face-to-Face Tour, every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 10.45am, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Capital Toastmasters, every Tuesday (beginning 29 January 2008), from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, JJ's Boardroom, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Karate classes, Tuesdays, 4pm to 5.30pm, Thursdays, 5.30pm to 7pm, and Saturdays, 2pm to 4pm, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido Self Defence Classes, every Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, China Club, Nasese, Suva;
• Weekly Scrumptious Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva sea wall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Bike Rides by Velocity Club, every Sundays, from 7am, ending with breakfast at Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Sunday English Church Services, 9am, Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva.

To list your events on this blog, pls call us on (679) 3342719 or e-mail info@gilbert.com.fj. Listing of events is free, however, we charge a small fee for advertising products and services on the blog. When you advertise with us, you reach our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

March for the Elderly

The Fiji Council of Social Services will be holding a March for the Elderly on Wednesday, 1 October 2008, from 11.45am, in front of the Tanoa Plaza, Gordon Street, Suva. Members of the public is invited to show solidarity and concern for the future and welfare of the elderly of Fiji. There will also be discussion forums organised in the Central Division. For more information and to participate, pls contact Fiosola or Neil on telephones (679) 3312649 or (679) 9928649. Participants will get a Certificate of Recognition, a free T-shirt, caps, bags, etc.

University of the South Pacific Open Day

The University of the South Pacific Open Day will be held on Friday, 17 October 2008, from 9am to 4pm at the University's Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva. There will be displays, demonstrations, cultural performances, books sales, food stalls and more.

Free Digicel Launch Concert

Come and celebrate the launch of Fiji's bigger, better network, Digicel, with Fiji's biggest free concert on Wednesday, 1 October 2008, from 5pm to 9pm at Albert Park, Suva. Performing artists will include Sean Kingston KatchaFire, Sammy G and Mr Grin and other local performers.

An aspiring vocallist? Try Fiji TV

Are you Fiji's next singing sensation? Fiji TV will be holding auditions for aspiring vocalists. 10 finalists will then go head to head for a shot at the F$5,000.00 first prize. For more information and entry forms, pls visit www.fijitv.com.fj.

Tom Mawi Benefit : Glitz & Glamour Ball

The "Tom Mawi" Benefit Glitz & Glamour Ball will be held on Friday, 10 October 2008 at the Holiday Inn, Suva. Live entertainment will be provided by Ken Janson & The Hearts, Annie & Sam Mawi. There will also be fabulous door prizes. For more information, pls contact Farha on telephones (679) 3302015 or Mika on (679) 9907454.

Pacific Fusion Dance Show

The Fiji Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre will be hosting a multi-cultural dance show on Sunday, 28 September 2008, starting 4pm at the Patel Samaj Hall, High Street, Toorak, Suva. The evening will feature a fusion of Indian and Fijian dance, Classical dance (Bharata Natyam and Kathak), Traditional Drama dance, Fijian Meke, Indian Contemporary and Bollywood Masti and Polynesian Island dances. The dances are choreographed and performed by renown teachers (Sharon Khelawan, Sidhorna Rao and Sharon Chandra) with students of the Cultural Centre, as well as some prominent guest artists. There will also be lucky door prizes up for grabs with refreshments. Admission is F$5.00 per person and will be available at the Suva Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre, 94 Waimanu Road, Suva. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3300050 or 3319314.

Degustation Dinner

The Mantarae Restaurant is hosting a Degustation Dinner on Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting 7pm at the Mantarae Restaurant, Pearl South Pacific Resort, Queens Road, Deuba, Pacific Harbour. Degustation (French for 'tasting') is the art of tasting food, specifically the tasting of the chefs signature dishes in small portions complemented with wines. Admission is F$120.00 per person. For more information and bookings, pls call on telephone (679) 3450022.

2008 World Heart Day Celebrations

The Fiji World Heart Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting with a morning walk at 7am from the Lighthouse, Queen Elizabeth Drive, to Sukuna Park, Suva. This will be followed by a free public heart health checkup at the Ratu Sukuna Park starting at 8:30am. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3319348.

2008 Fiji Boxing Championship

The 2008 Fiji Boxing Championship will be held from Tuesday, 30 September to Thursday, 2 October 2008, starting 10am at the Raiwai Youth Hall, Suva. This championship serves as trial to select the national team to the mini - games in the Cook Islands. For more information, pls call Paula Raqeukai on telephone (679) 3321946.

Five Princess Hotel: Buffet Lunch

The Five Princess Hotel will be serving a Delicious Hearty Lunch on Friday, 26 September 2008, starting 12pm. Menu includes Rolled Roast Pork with Crackling and White Wine Gravy (Slow roasted seasoned rolled pork loin served crackling and white wine gravy), Wahoo Tajine (Richly seasoned fresh fillets of wahoo grilled and oven finished in spicy glaze), Baked Octopus with Rourou (Nice and rich version of baked octopus palusami), Fresh Tuna Kokoda (Rich yet refreshing Fiji’s most popular entrée), Prawns Lumi Coko (an acquired taste of fresh seaweed blanched in spiced coconut milk and mixed with seared prawn meat), Warm Seafood & Pasta Mix (mix of seafood seared in olive oil and herbs and mixed with lasagna strips), Cauliflower/Broccoli/Pumpkin Glaze (Cauliflower/broccoli/pumpkin blanched and tossed in herbed glaze), Country Salad with Tangi Dressing (Crisp lettuce, watercress, market fresh tomatoes and French beans splashed with dressing), with Jabeni Dalo & Kumala. Charge is F$25.00 per person. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3381575 or email fiveprinceshotel@connect.com.fj.

'Researching Complex Constructs': Seminar

There will be a seminar on 'Researching Complex Constructs' on Friday, 26 September 2008, starting 1pm at the University of the South Pacific old MBA Building, Laucala Bay, Suva. Speaker will be Dr. Roland Shultz, the coordinator for the Division of Psychology in the School of Social Science, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. This seminar outlines two projects designed to investigate Mental Health and Quality of Life in Fiji with findings and implications. Admission is free. For more information, pls email Sera Tamani on tamani_se@usp.ac.fj.

"Bra Art": Competition

The Fiji Cancer Society has organised a "Bra Art Competition" as part of their Breast Cancer Awareness Programme from Saturday, 25 October to Sunday, 2 November 2008. There will be two categories and classifications of the competition. These are the 'Make a Bra' Category and the 'Decorate a Bra' Category and participants are classified as adults and juniors for those below 15 years of age. Admission are F$5.00 for adults and F$2.00 for juniors. Entries closes on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 and Judged on Friday, 24 October 2008. All bras will be displayed at the Suva Civic Centre on Saturday, 25 October 2008. For more information, pls contact the nearest Westpac Branch or MH Supermarket or the Fiji Cancer Society on telephone (679) 3342960 or email cancer@connect.com.fj or visit www.fijicancersociety.org.fj.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 21.9.08)

The following events are scheduled for Suva: One-off Events:

• Great Teitei Competition for primary and secondary schools in Fiji, 22 July to 21 October 2008;
• Vou Dance Group 6-week dance course, starting Monday, 11 August 2008, 3pm, Vou Dance Studio, 30 Desvouex Road, Suva;
• Term 3 - Learn French, Fijian or Hindi classes, from 1 September to 21 November 2008, Alliance Francaise, Suva;
• Third School Term, from Monday, 1 September, to Friday, 28 November 2008;
• 2008 Fiji Taekwondo National Championship, Saturday, 20 September 2008, starting 9am, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2008 Business House Snooker Championship, Tuesday, 23 September 2008, starting 8am, Merchant's Club, Butt Street, Suva;
• Art and culture exhibition by the Pacific Women of Power, from Thursday, 25 September, to Saturday, 25 October 2008, Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Floral Arrangement Workshop, Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting 9am, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Prawn Farming Workshop, Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting 9am, Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 18th Joint Conference of the Fiji-New Zealand Business Council, Thursday, 2 October, and Friday, 3 October 2008, at the Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Advanced Project Management Workshop, Saturday, 4 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, The Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Building Better Teams Workshop, Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Negotiating for Better Results Workshop, Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm, The Centre for Continuing & Community Education, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Rugby League World Cup match - Fiji vs France, 1 November 2008, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia;
• Rugby League World Cup match - Fiji vs Scotland, 5 November 2008, Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast, Australia;
• Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Swimming Champs, 21 and 22 November 2008, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Vou Dance Classes, daily, from 3pm to 7.30pm, 30 Desvouex Road, Suva;
• Horse Riding, Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 5pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 7am to 4pm, Suva Pony Club, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles After Work Bike Rides, every Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starts 5pm, from Esquires Café, Dolphins Plaza, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Hapkido Self Defence Classes, every Mondays and Wednesdays, 6.45pm to 7.45pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre, National Sporting Complex, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Tsulu Face-to-Face Tour, every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 10.45am, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Capital Toastmasters, every Tuesday (beginning 29 January 2008), from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, JJ's Boardroom, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Karate classes, Tuesdays, 4pm to 5.30pm, Thursdays, 5.30pm to 7pm, and Saturdays, 2pm to 4pm, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido Self Defence Classes, every Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, China Club, Nasese, Suva;
• Weekly Scrumptious Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva sea wall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Bike Rides by Velocity Club, every Sundays, from 7am, ending with breakfast at Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Sunday English Church Services, 9am, Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva.

To list your events on this blog, pls call us on (679) 3342719 or e-mail info@gilbert.com.fj. Listing of events is free, however, we charge a small fee for advertising products and services on the blog. When you advertise with us, you reach our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Fiji-New Zealand Business Council Conference

The 18th Joint Conference of the Fiji-New Zealand Business Council will be held on Thursday, 2 October, and Friday, 3 October 2008, at the Holiday Inn, Suva. The Conference will hold formal business sessions, which will involve addresses by innovative companies from a range of sectors including : The Fijian/Pacific Economy; Tourism Infrastructure; Investing in Fiji; and Marketing Innovations. Registration fees are :

• F$350.00 per person for Council members;
• F$450.00 per person for Non-Council members;
• F$150.00 per person for Partners; and
• F$120.00 per person for the Awards Dinner alone.

Register with the Secretariat by emailing fnzbc@kpmg.com.fj or call Salote on telephone (679) 3301155.

Building Better Teams Workshop

The Centre for Continuing & Community Education is organising a Building Better Teams Workshop on Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Fees are F$170.00 per person. For more information, pls e-mail mataluvu_l@usp.ac.fj or call telephone (679) 3232629.

Negotiating for Better Results Workshop

The Centre for Continuing & Community Education is organising a Negotiating for Better Results Workshop on Saturday, 11 October 2008, 9am to 4pm at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Fees are F$170.00 per person. For more information, pls e-mail mataluvu_l@usp.ac.fj or call telephone (679) 3232629.

Advanced Project Management Workshop

The Centre for Continuing & Community Education is organising an Advanced Project Management Workshop on Saturday, 4 October 2008, 9am to 4pm at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Fees are F$170.00 per person. For more information, pls e-mail mataluvu_l@usp.ac.fj or call telephone (679) 3232629.

No more 1 cent and 2 cents coins

There will be no more use of the Fiji 1 cent and 2 cents coins for trading with effect from 13 October 2008. All purchases and sales will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. This follows an announcement by the Reserve Bank of Fiji of the same over the last week. Visitors to Suva and Fiji might wish to take note of this.

2008 Fiji Taekwondo National Championship

The 2008 Fiji Taekwondo National Championship will be held on Saturday, 20 September 2008, starting 9am at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva. For more information, pls call Neelu Nand on telephone (679) 9998081 or email neelu.nand@vodafone.com.

2008 Bank of Baroda Business House Snooker Championship

The 2008 Bank of Baroda Business House Snooker Championship will be held on Tuesday, 23 September 2008, starting 8am at the Merchant's Club, Butt Street, Suva. Admission is F$80.00 per team plus F$10.00 per player registration. For more information, pls call Praneel on telephone (679) 3304256 or 9234461.

'Vasu': Exhibition

There will be a month long art and culture exhibition by the Pacific Women of Power from Thursday, 25 September to Saturday, 25 October 2008 at the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. This is Fiji’s first all women exhibition where a percentage of proceeds will be donated to charity organizations’ sponsoring women and children. Scheduled Activities are as follows:

• Artist talk by Filani Macassey on Thursday, 25 September 2008, starting 10:15am;
• Reading Night on Thursday, 25 September 2008, starting 7pm at Traps Back Bar, Admission is F$2.00 per person;
• Artist at Work with Margaret Aull on Friday, 26 September 2008, starting 10:15am;
• Interactive Session with Rowena Singh on Friday, 26 September 2008, starting 12:30pm;
• Museum Opening with fashion, music, film and dance on Wednesday, 1 October 2008, starting 7pm. Admission is F$5.00 per person;
• Daily Curator’s Museum Exhibition tour on Thursday, 2 October 2008, starting 12:15pm;
• Clay and Pottery Making Workshop with Vitalina Nabola on Saturday, 4 October 2008;
• Printmaking Workshop with Tui Clery on Saturday, 11 October 2008;
• Painting Workshop with Marita Brodie on Saturday, 18 October 2008;
• Prose and Poetry Workshop with Mary Daya and Frances Koya on Saturday, 25 October 2008.

For more information, pls email vasu.arts@gmail.com.

Floral Arrangement: Workshop

There will be a one day Floral Arrangement Workshop on Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting 9am at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. This workshop includes Garden Designing, Floral Decorating or Arrangement, and Colour and Design techniques. Admission is F$80.00 per person. For more information and registration details, pls call Liku Mataluvu on telephone (679) 3232257 or email mataluvu_l@usp.ac.fj or visit www.cce.cedt.usp.ac.fj.

Five Princess Hotel: Buffet Lunch

The Five Princess Hotel will be serving a Scrumptious Roast Pork and Seafood Buffet Lunch on Friday, 19 September 2008, starting 12pm. Menu also includes Orange Glazed Rolled Roast Pork with Crackling, Grilled Mahimahi Fillet with Dill Butter, Seafood Vakasakera, Oven Baked Kai Baked in Shell with Lolo, Nama or Dairo or Kaikoso or Vasua Combo, Fresh Tuna Kokoda, Rollini Salad with Feta, Garlic, Tomatoes and Olives, Blanched Watercress Salad with French Beans & Carrot, Country Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing, and Dalo. Charge is F$25.00 per person. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3381575 or email fiveprinceshotel@connect.com.fj.

Prawn Farming: Workshop

The Continuing & Community Education (CCE) will be conducting a one day workshop on Prawn Farming on Saturday, 27 September 2008, starting 9am at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus, Naduruloulou and a few other prawn farms. Admission is F$120.00 per person. For more information and registration, pls call Amitesh Kumar on telephone (679) 3231982 or email kumar_at@usp.ac.fj or visit website www.cce.cedt.usp.ac.fj.

2008 Fiji Awards for Media Excellence

The Fiji Awards for Media Excellence will be held on Saturday, 20 September 2008, starting 7pm at the Tradewinds Entertainment Centre, Lami. The awards covers all categories of mainstream media communication, provide for recognition of insight, analysis, creativity and entertainment. Admission is F$50.00. For more information and bookings, pls call the Fiji Media Council on telephone (679) 3317055.

IPS Publications' Triple Book Launch

The official launch of 'Red Wave', 'A Personal Perspective: The Speeches of Joni Madraiwiwi' and 'Legends, Traditions and Tales of Nauru' will be held on Wednesday, 17 September 2008, starting 6pm at the Oceania Centre for the Arts and Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. These books will also be sold at special launch night prices. Admission is free. For more information, pls call Sera on telephone (679) 3232332.

'Seasonal Workers for Australia': Seminar

There will be a public seminar titled 'Seasonal Workers for Australia' on Thursday, 11 September 2008, starting 6:30pm at the University of the South Pacific Lower Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva. Discussions will also include the seasonal worker programs in Australia and New Zealand, the role of remittances in development and the costs of regional labour mobility. Guest Speaker will be Mr. Nic McClellan, the Research Associate at the Institute for Social Research, Melbourne, Australia and moderator will be the Associate Professor Sandra Tarte, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. For more information, pls call Lavinia Hennings on telephone (679) 3232083 or email hennings_l@usp.ac.fj.

'Vendredi Soir': Film

The Alliance Francaise will be screening a French movie 'Vendredi Soir' with English subtitles on Wednesday, 17 September 2008, starting 7:30pm at the Alliance Francaise Office, 14 MacGregor Road, Suva. Admission is free. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3313802.

Creative Writing Workshop

The Pacific Writing Forum will be hosting a Creative Writing Workshop on Saturday, 13 September 2008, starting 10am at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. This workshop will be led by renowned Maori poet and creative writing teacher, Hinemoana Baker. Admission is F$50.00. For more information, pls call on telephone (679) 3231000.

Rucksack Club Meeting

The Rucksack Club Meeting will be held today Wednesday, 10 September 2008, starting 6:45pm at the Saint Andrews Church Hall, corner Gordon and Goodenough Street, Suva. Guest Speakers are Tony Weir and Jim McMaster.

'Anti Corruption': Seminar

A five session series seminar on 'Anti Corruption' will be held on Wednesday, 10, 17, 24 September and 1, 8, October 2008, starting 1pm at the University of the South Pacific Media Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. This seminar aims to understand the different interpretations people have of what counts as corruption in the region, different ways of assessing how much corruption there is, the role of culture in shaping how people react to corruption, and the politics behind anti-corruption institutes and campaigns. The sessions will go on to consider the implications for national, and international policy against corruption. Key presenter is Peter Larmour. For more information, pls email colata_s@usp.ac.fj or visit their website www.governance.usp.ac.fj.

'Sliding Through the Swamp Sources and Consequenes of Improverished Leadership': Seminar

The University of the South Pacific will be conducting a seminar titled 'Sliding through the Swamp Sources and Consequences of Impoverished Leadership' on Monday, 8 September 2008, starting 1pm at the University of the South Pacific H401 Lecture Room, Laucala Bay, Suva. The Seminar will be led by Professor Narottam Bhindi, who is the Director of the Australian Centre for Educational Leadership, University of Woolongong, Australia. In this seminar, Narottam Bhindi argues that the dark, shadowy side of leadership has often remained unacknowledged and swept under the carpet. Drawing on his personal experience in different workplaces, his observations of human drama, and relevant literature, Narottam identifies three types of leadership: Wimps, Thugs, and Show ponies as examples of destructive leadership which need understanding and resolution. For more information, pls email Jeremy Dorovolomo on dorovolomo_j@usp.ac.fj.

Assistance to the Victims of the Bus Fire

The victims and families of the bus fire that killed 10 people (now 11 as of yesterday) are being accommodated at the Soqosoqo Vakamarama Hall at Delainabua. I visited the victims yesterday with a small personal cash donation. It was sad to hear the stories of the victims. You can see the suffering in their eyes and feel it in their midst. While there yesterday, it was quite embarrassing to see that apart from myself, only another group made up of ladies from the Centenary Church in Suva, were the only Fijians to visit. As a Fijian, I just wonder what has happened to our culture of "veinanumi" and "veikauwaitaki". We were the only two Fijians (or groups of Fijians) not related to the victims that visited. In the meantime, I observed groups and groups of Indo-Fijians (businesses, groups and individuals) coming with items and cash donations for the victims. Can I make a general call to all Fijians to please visit the victims with whatever little you can take. Being in their midst to share with their grief is all they need. Nothing more, nothing less! Vinaka.

Storytelling at the Library

Renowned storytellers Livana Tabalala and Frances Koya will narrate a story targeted at both children and teenagers on Thursday, 4 September 2008, starting 4.30pm at the Suva City Library. Admission is free.

Quiz Contest

The Suva City Library, as part of its Centennial celebration, will be holding a quiz contest on Thursday, 4 September 2008, starting 3:30pm at the Suva City Library. Admission is free.

Suva City Library 100th Anniversary

The Suva City Library is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this week. The celebrations opened yesterday and will be on again today and Wednesday, 3 September 2008. The celebrations also showcases the newly renovated library. Pls visit the Library to check out the new decor and books.