Fiji wins 2009 IRB Hong Kong Sevens

Fiji won the 2009 IRB Hong Kong Sevens Tournament over South Africa, 26 to 24 today, Sunday, 29 March 2009. This was after Fiji downed Kenya, 24 to 7, in the Cup semi final and England, 12 to 10, in a quarter final match. Right now one can hear people cheering and cars tooting their horns on the streets. The win happens after a long drawn out lack lustre performance by teh Fiji Sevens Rugby team on the world IRB circuit. It is also new coach Iliesa Tanivula's first win after his appointment as coach of the team.

USP Graduation

The Graduation Ceremony of the University of the South Pacific will be held on Thursday, 9 April 2009, at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva.

2009 Kula Film and Dance Competition

The Kula Film and Dance Competition Awards Night will be held on Friday, 12 June, and Saturday, 13 June 2009 at the Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. Submissions for the competition are now open. For more information, pls email the Fiji Audio Visual Commission on fswamy@fijiaudiovisual.org.fj.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 27.3.09)

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

• Fiji National Rugby League - Fiji Residents, Overseas Tour, 2009;
• Sign Language Course, Monday, 16 February 2009, to Wednesday, 29 July 2009, 5.30pm to 7pm on each day, Vocation Centre, 3 Brown Street, Toorak, Suva;
• Digicel Cup Rugby match - Naitasiri vs Nadroga, Friday, 27 March 2009, 4pm, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• Digicel Cup Rugby match - Suva vs Tavua, Friday, 27 March 2009, 8pm, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Friday, 27 March, to Sunday, 29 March 2009, Hong Kong;
• Digicel Cup Rugby match - Tailevu vs Nadi, Saturday, 28 March 2009, 3pm, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• WWF's Earth Hour, Saturday, 28 March 2009, between 8.30pm to 9.30pm;
• Duathlon event, Sunday, 29 March 2009, from 7am, USP Marine Reserve, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Car Club - Quarter Mile Race, Sunday, 29 March 2009, starting at 8.30am, Nissan Race Track, Pacific Harbour;
• Suva Archery Club event, Sunday, 29 March 3009, from 8.30am, St Joseph's Secondary School grounds, Waimanu Road, Suva;
• Public Exhibition of Aboriginal Artwork from the Balgo Hills (organised by the Australian High Commission and the Fiji Museum), from Monday, 30 March, to Tuesday, 7 April 2009, Fiji Museum, Thurston Gardens, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 1 Competition, Wednesday, 1 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• House Jam MH Flood Sale, from Thursday, 2 April, to Sunday, 5 April 2009, from 11am to 7pm, MH City Homemaker Car Park, Rodwell Road, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 2 Competition, Friday, 3 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Friday, 3 April, to Sunday, 5 April 2009, Adelaide, Australia;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Triple N Zone Competition, Tuesday, 7 April, and Wednesday, 8 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Graduation Ceremony of the University of the South Pacific, Thursday, 9 April 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Tailevu Zone Competition, Thursday, 9 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International (Paddling Event), from Friday, 10 April, to Monday, 13 April 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Buksh Bodybuilding Competition, Saturday, 18 April 2009, Suva;
• Pacific Sun Swimming Long Course National Competition, from Thursday, 23 April, to Saturday, 25 April 2009, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Maritime Zone Competition, Tuesday, 28 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Fiji Secondary Schools Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition, Friday, 1 May, and Saturday, 2 May 2009, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 International School Fun Day, Saturday, 16 May 2009, International School Compound, Laucala Beach, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 23 May, and Sunday, 24 May 2009, London, England;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Saturday, 30 May, and Sunday, 31 May 2009, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• V6 and V1 marathon season (Paddling events), from May to October 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Pacific Nations (Rugby) Cup series, June 2009, venues around Fiji (except for one or two matches);
• Connect Fiji - Fiji Schools Swimming Finals, Friday, 11 June, and Saturday, 12 June 2009, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Kula Film and Dance Competition Awards Night, Friday, 12 June, and Saturday, 13 June 2009, Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Second Pacific Youth Festival, July 2009, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Primary Schools, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Secondary Schools, Thursday, 13 August, and Friday, 14 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Hibiscus Festival, 21 to 29 August 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific Pageant, 1 September 2009 (final dates to be posted), Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs England, Saturday, 28 November 2009.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tagimoucia Art Gallery (Fiji's first permanent and dedicated art gallery exhibiting art work of prison inmates), opens daily, 8am to 4pm, opposite Suva Prison;
• 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;
• Taekwondo Classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5.30pm on each day for Juniors and from 5.30pm to 7pm on each day for adults, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Toastmasters, every Tuesdays, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Fiji Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Annie Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 5pm, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Weekly Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Listen to soul, funk, disco and classics with with DJ Tora, every Fridays, from 8pm 'til late, Traps Lounge, Traps Bar, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva seawall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races every third Sunday of the month, Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Sunday English Church Services, 9am, Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva;
• Sunday Jazz, Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa, Pacific Harbour.

To list your events on this blog, pls call us on (679) 3342719, (679) 3544897 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.

Aboriginal Art Exhibition

The Australian High Commission and the Fiji Museum is organising a Public Exhibition of Aboriginal Artwork from the Balgo Hills from Monday, 30 March, to Tuesday, 7 April 2009, at the Fiji Museum. No entry fees required. Art students can collect exhibition resource kits from the museum staff.

Digicel Cup Rugby

Digicel Cup Rugby events scheduled in and around Suva this weekend include the following :

1. Friday, 27 March 2009, 4pm, Naitasiri vs Nadroga, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
2. Friday, 27 March 2009, 8pm, Suva vs Tavua, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva; and
3. Saturday, 28 March 2009, 3pm, Tailevu vs Nadi, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.

Triathlon Event

A duathlon event will be held on Sunday, 29 March 2009, from 7am, at the USP Marine Reserve, Laucala Bay, Suva. Events will include those for men and women at the junior and senior grades.

Archery Event

The Suva Archery Club will hold an archery event on Sunday, 39 March 3009, from 8.30am at the St Joseph's Secondary School grounds, Waimanu Road, Suva.

Suva School Children having an early easter extended break

School children in Suva have been having an early Easter extended break due to circumstances beyond their control. First there was a tsunami warning last Friday morning after which they were sent home. The tsunami actually did not come about .... thank God! And then yesterday, there were water cuts affecting the greater Suva area due to a burst water main at the Laqere Bridge, at Nasinu 7 miles, Suva. Because kids are kids, it must have been enjoyable for them. Let us hope that there will be no more disruptions this week and that all kids are back at school and continuing with their studies.

Fiji Car Club Race

The Fiji Car Club is organising another Quarter Mile Race on Sunday, 29 March 2009, starting at 8.30am, Nissan Race Track, Pacific Harbour. Entry fees are F$30.00 per race participant with club membership fees of F$50.00. Drivers should have valid driving licences. For more information, pls call Jack Reddy on telephone (679) 9993550 or email fijicarclub@connect.com.fj.

IRB Hong Kong Sevens on this weekend

The IRB Hong Kong Sevens Tournament will be on this weekend from Friday, 27 March, to Sunday, 29 March 2009. The match schedules are :

• Friday, 27 March, from 8.30pm to Saturday, 28 March, 1am;
• Saturday, 28 March, from 2.30pm to 9.56pm; and
• Sunday, 29 March, from 1.45pm to 10.20pm.

Fiji's matches will be at the following times :

• Friday, 27 March, 8.52pm, Fiji vs Chinese Taipei;
• Saturday, 28 March, 5.04pm, Fiji vs Canada;
• Saturday, 28 March, 9.28pm, Fiji vs Samoa.

All matches will be screened on live on Fiji One Television.

Seminar on the Global Financial Crisis

The Economics Association of Fiji is organising a seminar on the global financial crisis on Tuesday, 24 March 2009, from 5.30pm at the Lali Room, Holiday Inn, Suva. The speaker will be Dr Jerry L Jordan. Dr Jordan is a former Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and member of the US President's Council of Economic Advisors. He has a wide experience in the field of economics and finance. D Jordan is currently the President of the Pacific Academy for Advanced Studies in Los Angeles and an Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute in Washington. He has a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 20.3.09)

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

• Fiji National Rugby League - Fiji Residents, Overseas Tour, 2009;
• Sign Language Course, Monday, 16 February 2009, to Wednesday, 29 July 2009, 5.30pm to 7pm on each day, Vocation Centre, 3 Brown Street, Toorak, Suva;
• Opening of the National Youth Day Celebrations and launching of the Pacific Youth Festival logo, Friday, 20 March 2009, from 9.30am, Sukuna Park, Suva;
• Brijlal Open Chess Championship, Saturday, 21 March 2009, from 8am, Fiji Olympic House, Suva;
• Fiji Association of Women Graduates (FAWG) Film Night - Looking for Alibrandi, Thursday, 26 March 2009, Lecture Theatre 1, FIT Raiwai Campus, Carpenter Street, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Friday, 27 March, to Sunday, 29 March 2009, Hong Kong;
• WWF's Earth Hour, Saturday, 28 March 2009, between 8.30pm to 9.30pm;
• Fiji Car Club - Quarter Mile Race, Sunday, 29 March 2009, starting at 8.30am, Nissan Race Track, Pacific Harbour;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 1 Competition, Wednesday, 1 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 2 Competition, Friday, 3 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 4 April, and Sunday, 5 April 2009, Adelaide, Australia;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Triple N Zone Competition, Tuesday, 7 April, and Wednesday, 8 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Tailevu Zone Competition, Thursday, 9 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International (Paddling Event), from Friday, 10 April, to Monday, 13 April 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Buksh Bodybuilding Competition, Saturday, 18 April 2009, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Maritime Zone Competition, Tuesday, 28 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Fiji Secondary Schools Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition, Friday, 1 May, and Saturday, 2 May 2009, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 International School Fun Day, Saturday, 16 May 2009, International School Compound, Laucala Beach, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 23 May, and Sunday, 24 May 2009, London, England;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Saturday, 30 May, and Sunday, 31 May 2009, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• V6 and V1 marathon season (Paddling events), from May to October 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Pacific Nations (Rugby) Cup series, June 2009, venues around Fiji (except for one or two matches);
• Connect Fiji - Fiji Schools Swimming Finals, Friday, 11 June, and Saturday, 12 June 2009, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Second Pacific Youth Festival, July 2009, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Primary Schools, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Secondary Schools, Thursday, 13 August, and Friday, 14 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific Pageant, 1 September 2009 (final dates to be posted), Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs England, Saturday, 28 November 2009.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tagimoucia Art Gallery (Fiji's first permanent and dedicated art gallery exhibiting art work of prison inmates), opens daily, 8am to 4pm, opposite Suva Prison;
• 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;
• Taekwondo Classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5.30pm on each day for Juniors and from 5.30pm to 7pm on each day for adults, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Toastmasters, every Tuesdays, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Fiji Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Annie Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 5pm, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Weekly Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Listen to soul, funk, disco and classics with with DJ Tora, every Fridays, from 8pm 'til late, Traps Lounge, Traps Bar, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva seawall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races every third Sunday of the month, Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Sunday English Church Services, 9am, Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva;
• Sunday Jazz, Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa, Pacific Harbour.

To list your events on this blog, pls call us on (679) 3342719, (679) 3544897 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.

Cultural Entertainment and Music Fest

The National Youth Day Celebrations in Suva today, Friday, 20 March 2009, have the following events scheduled as part of the activities :

• Cultural Entertainment, from 10.45am to 3pm, Sukuna Park;
• Mini workshops, from 12.10pm, Lower Civic Auditorium;
• Music Fest, from 6.30pm, Civic Auditorium.

Fiji Association of Women Graduates Film Night - Looking for Alibrandi

As part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day and in conjunction with various High Commissions and Embassies based in Suva and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, the Fiji Association of Women Graduates (FAWG) has organised a series of FREE film screenings. The third of these films, ‘Looking for Alibrandi’, will be shown on Thursday, 26 March 2009, at Lecture Theatre 1, FIT Raiwai Campus, Carpenter Street, Suva. The screening is being sponsored by the Australian High Commission. Admission is free. For more information, pls email to fawg.members@gmail.com.

National Youth Day Celebrations

The opening of the National Youth Day Celebrations and the launching of the Pacific Youth Festival logo by the Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts, Youth & Sport, will be held on Friday, 20 March 2009, from 9.30am at Sukuna Park, Suva.

Open Chess Championship

The Fiji Chess Federation will hold the Brijlal Open Chess Championship on Saturday, 21 March 2009, from 8am at the Fiji Olympic House, Suva. Invitation extended to anyone interested. For more information, pls contact Jashnit Maharaj on telephone (679) 9279547 or Krishneel Nair on telephone (679) 9297033.

Sunday Jazz

The newly opened Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa at Pacific Harbour hosts the Tom Mawi Band who play jazz there every Sundays. The Resort is also offering some specials for locals ranging from FJD195.00 per night for a 1 bedroom beachfront villa to FJD695.00 per night for a 4 bedroom villa. For more information, pls call the Resort on telephone (679) 9992227 or email reservations@taunovobay.com. The Resort's website is www.taunovobay.com.

ROC Market has bigger plans for 2010

The ROC Market has bigger plans for 2010 when it celebrates its 10th Anniversary. The organisers are hoping to have more attractions for children and an outdoor pub. The ROC Market is held every third Sunday of the month in front of the FNPF Dolphins Plaza along Victoria Parade, Suva. The market allows local crafts people to sell their art and handicraft. It has grown from strength to strength with the latest count putting the number of traders at 45 with people visiting the market at over 1,000.

Miss South Pacific Pageant to be held in Suva

The Miss South Pacific Pageant will be held in Suva on 1 September 2009. The pageant first began in 1987 and has been hosted since in Samoa. The final dates of the event will be posted later.

Student Loan Band : Fiji Tour

The US Embassy in Suva has organised a free public concert by the US-based Student Loan Band. The performance will be held on Tuesday, 17 March 2009, from 7pm at the Suva Civic Centre.

2009 Coca Cola Light Games - New Dates

The 2009 Coca Cola Light Games will now be held on Friday, 1 May, and Saturday, 2 May 2009, at the TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva rather than on 24 and 25 April 2009 as earlier posted on this blog.

Fiji Schools Athletics Zone Meets in Suva

The following Fiji Schools Athletics Zone Meets are scheduled at the TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva :

• Suva Zone 1, Wednesday, 1 April 2009;
• Suva Zone 2, Friday, 3 April 2009;
• Triple N Zone, Tuesday, 7 April, and Wednesday, 8 April 2009;
• Tailevu Zone, Thursday, 9 April 2009; and
• Maritime Zone, Tuesday, 28 April 2009.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 13.3.09)

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

• Fiji National Rugby League - Fiji Residents, Overseas Tour, 2009;
• Sign Language Course, Monday, 16 February 2009, to Wednesday, 29 July 2009, 5.30pm to 7pm on each day, Vocation Centre, 3 Brown Street, Toorak, Suva;
• Symposium for the Composting of Organic Waste, Friday, 13 March 2009, from 10am to 1pm, Suva City Council Depot, Fulaga Street, Samabula, Suva;
• 2009 Festival of India Shopping Event (Last 3 days), Friday, 13 March, to Sunday, 15 March 2009, Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Toe-to-Toe Boxing Promotion, Saturday, 14 March 2009, from 5.30pm, Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races, Sunday, 15 March 2009, , from 7am, Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva;
• Free Public Concert by the US-based Student Loan Band organised by the US Embassy, Tuesday, 17 March 2009, from 7pm, Suva Civic Centre;
• Opening of the National Youth Day Celebrations and launching of the Pacific Youth Festival logo, Friday, 20 March 2009, from 9.30am, Sukuna Park, Suva;
• Brijlal Open Chess Championship, Saturday, 21 March 2009, from 8am, Fiji Olympic House, Suva;
• Fiji Association of Women Graduates (FAWG) Film Night - Looking for Alibrandi, Thursday, 26 March 2009, Lecture Theatre 1, FIT Raiwai Campus, Carpenter Street, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Friday, 27 March, to Sunday, 29 March 2009, Hong Kong;
• WWF's Earth Hour, Saturday, 28 March 2009, between 8.30pm to 9.30pm;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 1 Competition, Wednesday, 1 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Suva Zone 2 Competition, Friday, 3 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 4 April, and Sunday, 5 April 2009, Adelaide, Australia;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Triple N Zone Competition, Tuesday, 7 April, and Wednesday, 8 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Tailevu Zone Competition, Thursday, 9 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International (Paddling Event), from Friday, 10 April, to Monday, 13 April 2009, (venue to be advised); 2009 Buksh Bodybuilding Competition, Saturday, 18 April 2009, Suva;
• Fiji Schools Athletics Maritime Zone Competition, Tuesday, 28 April 2009, TFL National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Fiji Secondary Schools Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition, Friday, 1 May, and Saturday, 2 May 2009, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 International School Fun Day, Saturday, 16 May 2009, International School Compound, Laucala Beach, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 23 May, and Sunday, 24 May 2009, London, England;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Saturday, 30 May, and Sunday, 31 May 2009, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• V6 and V1 marathon season (Paddling events), from May to October 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Pacific Nations (Rugby) Cup series, June 2009, venues around Fiji (except for one or two matches);
• Connect Fiji - Fiji Schools Swimming Finals, Friday, 11 June, and Saturday, 12 June 2009, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Second Pacific Youth Festival, July 2009, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Primary Schools, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Secondary Schools, Thursday, 13 August, and Friday, 14 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific Pageant, 1 September 2009 (final dates to be posted), Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs England, Saturday, 28 November 2009.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tagimoucia Art Gallery (Fiji's first permanent and dedicated art gallery exhibiting art work of prison inmates), opens daily, 8am to 4pm, opposite Suva Prison;
• 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;
• Taekwondo Classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5.30pm on each day for Juniors and from 5.30pm to 7pm on each day for adults, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, 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;
• Toastmasters, every Tuesdays, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Fiji Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Annie Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 5pm, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Weekly Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Listen to soul, funk, disco and classics with with DJ Tora, every Fridays, from 8pm 'til late, Traps Lounge, Traps Bar, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva seawall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races every third Sunday of the month, Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Sunday English Church Services, 9am, Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva;
• Sunday Jazz, Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa, Pacific Harbour.

To list your events on this blog, pls call us on (679) 3342719, (679) 3544897 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. Ask for a discount.

Vodafone Fiji cuts rates for text messages

Vodafone Fiji has slashed rates for text messages for its Post Pay customers. The new rates compared to the old rates are as follows :

• text messages (per message), now 10 cents, from 20 cents;
• picture text messages (per message), now 38 cents, from 75 cents;
• video picture text messages (per message), now 50 cents, from 99 cents.

The rates apply to local and international person to person messages. It does not apply to premium texting, short codes for text, picture text or video picture text sent whilst roaming. The promotion runs until 31 May 2009.

Earth Hour

The WWF's Earth Hour will be held on Saturday, 28 March 2009, between 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. This is an initiative organised by WWF where switching off your lights is a vote for Earth and leaving them on is a vote for global warming. Fiji residents are encouraged to switch off their lights during that time to commemorate Earth Hour. For more information, pls visit www.earthhour.org.

2009 Festival of India - Last 3 days

The 2009 Festival of India shopping event continues its last three days from today, Friday, 13 March, to Sunday, 15 March 2009 at the Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. Items on sale from India include :

• bridal wear;
• musical instruments;
• home furnishings;
• skin care products;
• pearl and imitation jewellery;
• kids wear;
• sarees, etc.

1 Degree Cycle Races

The 1 Degree Cycle Races are held on the third Sunday each month. The following events are scheduled for Sunday, 15 March 2009 at Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva :

• Race 1, Men's Sprint, 1 circuit;
• Race 2, Women's Sprint, 1 circuit;
• Race 3, Beginner's Open, 2 circuits;
• Race 4, Juniors (Under 18), 2 circuits;
• Race 5, Women's Open, 3 circuits; and
• Race 6, Open, 10 circuits.

Free Registration begins at 7am with the first event to get underway at 7.15am. All welcome.

Any type of bike can be used.

Children under 18 years of age must have their parents signature on the registration form. Helmets must be worn at all times.

For more information, pls email dom@cyclingfiji.org or call (679) 9922123.

Symposium for Composting of Organic Waste

The University of the South Pacific's Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, together with the Suva City Council will hold a Symposium for the Composting of Organic Waste on Friday, 13 March 2009, from 10am to 1pm at the Suva City Council Depot, Fulaga Street, Samabula, Suva. Suva residents and interested persons are invited. To confirm attendance or further queries, pls call Taito Waqaiyavana at Suva City Council Head Office on telephone (679) 3313433 extension 403 or email taito@scc.org.fj.

Fiji 7s team goes into camp again

The Fiji 7s Rugby team has gone into camp again after failing miserably at the Rugby 7s World Cup held over the last weekend at Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The team will prepare for the next leg of the IRB 7s which will be held at Hong Kong, from 27 to 29 March 2009, and Adelaide, a week later. The team, which does not have any overseas based players, includes :

1. Peni Rokodiva;
2. Pio Tuwai;
3. Seremaia Burotu;
4. Waisale Suka;
5. Orisi Sareki;
6. Vereniki Goneva;
7. Apisai Naiyabo;
8. Watisoni Votu;
9. William Rasileka;
10. Waqabaca Kotobalavu;
11. Osea Kolinisau;
12. Niumaia Cakacaka;
13. Nasoni Roko; and
14. Emosi Vucago.

Toe-to-Toe Boxing Promotion

The Toe-to-Toe Boxing Promotion will be held on Saturday, 14 March 2009, from 5.30pm at the Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. The following boxing matches are scheduled :

• Joy Ali (Fiji) vs Faimasasa Tavui (Samoa), middleweight, 10 x 3;
• Temo Kolitapa vs Sakiasi Dakua, light heavyweight, 8 x 3;
• Jo Naleca vs Osea Nakanacagi, middleweight, 8 x 3;
• Opeti Tagi vs Waheed Khan, welterweight, 8 x 3;
• Pita Tabuarua vs Ulaiasi Qalomai, welterweight, 6 x 3;
• Krishneel Chand vs Junior Feroz;
• Krishneel Mudaliar vs Jeremaia Tiko; and
• Mitieli Lacalevu vs Matthew Michael.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 10.3.09)

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

• Fiji National Rugby League - Fiji Residents, Overseas Tour, 2009;
• Sign Language Course, Monday, 16 February 2009, to Wednesday, 29 July 2009, 5.30pm to 7pm on each day, Vocation Centre, 3 Brown Street, Toorak, Suva;
• Symposium for the Composting of Organic Waste, Friday, 13 March 2009, from 10am to 1pm, Suva City Council Depot, Fulaga Street, Samabula, Suva;
• Toe-to-Toe Boxing Promotion, Saturday, 14 March 2009, from 5.30pm, Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races, Sunday, 15 March 2009, , from 7am, Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Friday, 27 March, to Sunday, 29 March 2009, Hong Kong;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 4 April, and Sunday, 5 April 2009, Adelaide, Australia;
• 2009 Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International (Paddling Event), from Friday, 10 April, to Monday, 13 April 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Buksh Bodybuilding Competition, Saturday, 18 April 2009, Suva;
• 2009 Fiji Secondary Schools Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition, Friday, 24 April, and Saturday, 25 April 2009, tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 International School Fun Day, Saturday, 16 May 2009, International School Compound, Laucala Beach, Suva;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, Saturday, 23 May, and Sunday, 24 May 2009, London, England;
• 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, from Saturday, 30 May, and Sunday, 31 May 2009, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• V6 and V1 marathon season (Paddling events), from May to October 2009, (venue to be advised);
• 2009 Pacific Nations (Rugby) Cup series, June 2009, venues around Fiji (except for one or two matches);
• Connect Fiji - Fiji Schools Swimming Finals, Friday, 11 June, and Saturday, 12 June 2009, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Second Pacific Youth Festival, July 2009, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Primary Schools, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009 Tadra Kahani for Fiji Secondary Schools, Thursday, 13 August, and Friday, 14 August 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs England, Saturday, 28 November 2009.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Oceania Centre Gallery, opens daily, at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tagimoucia Art Gallery (Fiji's first permanent and dedicated art gallery exhibiting art work of prison inmates), opens daily, 8am to 4pm, opposite Suva Prison;
• 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;
• Taekwondo Classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5.30pm on each day for Juniors and from 5.30pm to 7pm on each day for adults, Suva Civic Centre;
• Hapkido classes are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, 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;
• Toastmasters, every Tuesdays, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Fiji Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Fijian Mekes, Indian and Island Dances, every Tuesdays and Sundays, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Raintree Lodge, Colo-i-Suva, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Annie Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 5pm, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Weekly Buffet Lunch, Fridays, starting 12pm, Five Princess Hotel, Princess Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Listen to soul, funk, disco and classics with with DJ Tora, every Fridays, from 8pm 'til late, Traps Lounge, Traps Bar, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Esquires Coffee House Weekly Fun Cycle around the Suva seawall, Nasese and Muanikau, every Saturdays, starts 7am, from the Esquires Coffee House, Loftus Street, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• 1 Degree Cycle Races every third Sunday of the month, Vuya Road, Veiuto, 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, (679) 3544897 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. Ask for a discount for first-time customers and for returning ones.

2009 International School Fun Day

The 2009 International School Fun Day will be held on Saturday, 16 May 2009 at the International School Compound, Laucala Beach, Suva.

2009 Tadra Kahani

The 2009 Tadra Kahani will be held as follows :

• Wednesday, 12 August 2009, for Fiji Primary Schools; and
• Thursday, 13 August, and Friday, 14 August 2009, for Fiji Secondary Schools.

Events will be held at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Fiji Schools Swimming Finals

The Connect Fiji, Fiji Schools Swimming Finals, will be held on Friday, 11 June, and Saturday, 12 June 2009 at the National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva.

2009 Coca Cola Games

The 2009 Fiji Secondary Schools Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition will be held on Friday, 24 April, and Saturday, 25 April 2009, at the tfl National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Fiji's Games at IRB Sevens World Cup

The IRB 7s World Cup Rugby Tournament will be held from Friday, 6 March to Sunday, 8 March 2009 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Fiji's matches tournament are as follows :

• Friday, 6 March 2009, 4.16am, Fiji vs Georgia;
• Friday, 6 March 2009, 8.50am, Fiji vs USA;
• Saturday, 7 March 2009, 2.20am, Fiji vs France.

The quarterfinal, semifinal and finals draws are :

• Bowl Quarterfinals, Saturday, 7 March 2009, 6.30pm to 7.58pm;
• Plate Quarterfinals, Saturday, 7 March 2009, 7.58pm to 9.28pm;
• Cup Quarterfinals, Saturday, 7 March 2009, 9.28pm to 10.56pm;
• Bowl Semifinals, Saturday, 7 March 2009, 10.56pm to 11.40pm;
• Plate Semifinals, Saturday, 7 March 2009, 11.40pm to Sunday, 8 March 2009, 1.08am;
• Cup Semifinals, Sunday, 8 March 2009, 1.08am to 2.30am;
• Bowl Finals, Sunday, 8 March 2009, 2.30am;
• Plate Finals, Sunday, 8 March 2009, 3.30am;
• Cup Finals, Sunday, 8 March 2009, 4.35am.

All games will be aired live on Fiji One Television. Mai TV also has special broadcasts which will see Waisale Serevi in a team providing commentaries on the games.