Public Lecture : Major Challenges of Governance in Developing Countries

A Public Lecture on the topic "Major Challenges of Governance in Developing Countries" by Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, will be held on Fri, 2 October 2009, from 11am to 12pm at the N111 Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Dr Siddiqui is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Management, Monash University, Australia. The speaker will review the concept and scope of good governance and try to delineate the major challenges faced by developing countries in tackling it. He then comes up with possible solutions in terms of "good enough governance" towards good governance.

Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program (Revised Dates)

A Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Workshop will be held from Thursday, 1 October, to Wednesday, 28 October 2009, at the Fiji Institute of Technology Raiwai Campus, 2 Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. Registration for the Workshop will be held on Wednesday, 30 September 2009, between 10am and 3pm. The workshop will be taught by a Professor from Indonesia.

Indian Film and Cultural Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission will hold another Indian Film & Cultural Nite on Friday, 2 October 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Sholay". A cultural performance by singer Jagdish Punja will also be on. No admission fees required.

Fiji Film Festival

The Fiji Film Festival will be held from Tuesday, 13 October, to Saturday, 24 October 2009 in Suva. It is organised by the Department of Film and Television, Fiji Institute of Technology. Expressions of Interest are invited from filmmakers of Fiji origin living in Fiji or abroad to submit films for screening during the Festival. Films can be in any of the following categories :

• Feature films;
• Short feature films;
• Documentaries;
• Commercial films;
• Music videos; and
• Promotional videos.

Each film maker is to submit a brief bio data and information including the category, length and a synopsis of their films. Films to be in DVD format. For more information, pls call Satish Rai or Vilisi on telephones (679) 3382035 or (679) 3387980 or email satish_r@fit.ac.fj.

Public Lecture : The Global Financial Crisis and Pacific Island Countries

A public lecture on "The Global Financial Crisis and Pacific Island Countries" will be held on Thursday, 1 October 2009, from 1pm to 2pm at the Fiji Institute of Technology's Raiwai Campus, 2 Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The presenter will be Paresh Narayan, Adjunct Professor of Economics, Fiji Institute of Technology. The presenter will discuss :

• how the global financial crisis affects Fiji and Pacific Island countries; and
• what the short- and long term effects are including implications on the functioning of the money and capital markets in Fiji and the region.

2009 Sustainable Energy Resources Workshop

The 2009 Sustainable Energy Resources Workshop will be held on Friday, 4 December 2009 at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Expressions of interest are invited from interested sectors for the inaugural workshop. The workshop will cover all aspects of bio-mass and bio-fuel energy resources, including techniques of assessment, data collation, utilisation, economics, policy issues, environmental issues and cross cutting issues. The Workshop will be hosted jointly by the University of the South Pacific, Fiji Government's Department of Energy and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Oceania Regional Office. For Expressions of Interest or Registration Forms, speakers and participants can email Dr Anirudh Singh on energy@usp.ac.fj or call Martha Volau on (679) 3232223.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 25.9.09)

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

• 2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition is now open. Designs are to be sent in on paper with the size being 15 cm x 15 cm. Entries can be in any one theme : Diwali, Unity, Fiji or Abstract. For more information, call telephone (679) 3221691;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week - Model Search. Anyone interested can call telephone (679) 3576984 or email info@fijifashionweek.com;
• Submissions from exporters for the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) organised, and Telecom Fiji Limited sponsored, 2009 Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Awards now open. For more information, pls call the FTIB on telephone (679) 3315988 or email eya2009@ftib.org.fj;
• Fiji Chess Federation - Chess League 2009, Sunday, 19 July, to Sunday, 20 September;
• Learn French and Fijian with the Alliance Francaise - Term 3 starts, Monday, 7 September 2009, Alliance Francaise, 92 Ratu Sukuna Road, Nasese, Suva;
• University of the South Pacific - Annual Open Day, Friday, 25 September 2009, from 8am to 5pm, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva;
• Peace Unplugged Concert, Friday, 25 September 2009, University of the South Pacific Student Car Park, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea organised by the Fiji Cancer Society, Friday, 25 September 2009, offices in and around Suva (funds raised to be given to the Fiji Cancer Society);
• Walk for Health - organised by the Ministry of Health, Saturday, 26 September 2009, from 6am to 9am, Suva, Lautoka and Labasa;
• Farebrother Sullivan Rugby Trophy match - Suva vs Naitasiri, Saturday, 26 September 2009, starting 3pm, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf Challenge, Sunday, 27 September 2009, Pacific Harbour;
• Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program - organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Music and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology and sponsored by the Indonesia Embassy in Suva, from Monday, 28 September, to Thursday, 29 October 2009, FIT's Carpenter Street Raiwai Campus, Suva;
• Public lecture - "The Global Financial Crisis and Pacific Island Countries" by Professor Paresh Narayan, Thursday, 1 October 2009, from 1pm to 2pm, Fiji Institute of Technology's Raiwai Campus, 2 Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Workshop, from Thursday, 1 October, to Wednesday, 28 October 2009, Fiji Institute of Technology Raiwai Campus, 2 Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Public Lecture on "Major Challenges of Governance in Developing Countries" by Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui (Senior Lecturer, Department of Management, Monash University), Friday, 2 October 2009, from 11am to 12pm, N111 Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Indian Film & Cultural Nite organised by the The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 2 October 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Annual General Meeting of the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG), Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 2pm to 4pm, Adi Cakobau School Lower Hall, Sawani, Nausori;
• Lautoka to challenge Naitasiri in a Farebrother Sullivan Rugby Trophy match, Saturday, 3 October 2009, starting 3pm, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• Fiji National Rugby League - Fundraising Dinner and Awards Night, Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 6pm to 9pm, Central Cuisine, Suva Central Building, Suva;
• Watch the MIC Concert on Fiji One Television, Saturday, 3 October 2009, starting 7.30pm;
• Mai TV Dance Invasion - the Biggest Krumping Competition, Friday, 9 October, and Saturday, 10 October 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Ocean Swim Festival, from Friday, 9 October, to Sunday, 11 October 2009, Plantation Resort, Mamanuca Group, Yasawa;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 2, 10 October 2009, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Fiji Chess Federation - 30th Carlton Brewery Open Chess Championships, Saturday, 10 October, to Monday, 12 October;
• Fiji Film Festival organised by the Department of Film and Television, Fiji Institute of Technology, from Tuesday, 13 October, to Saturday, 24 October 2009, Suva;
• Fiji Food Summit to promote healthy eating and with a theme of buying local vegetables, fruits and meat - organised by the Ministry of Health and other agencies, from Wednesday, 14 October, to Friday, 16 October 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Marathon Regatta 4, 17 October 2009, Beachcomber Island, Nadi;
• 2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition - finalists to transfer designs from paper onto a board, from Saturday, 31 October 2009, 10am, to Sunday, 1 November 2009, and 2pm, Suva;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 1, 7 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association's HOTEC 2009, from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2009, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 3, 14 November 2009, Suva Foreshore, Suva, Fiji - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 2, 21 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant, from Saturday, 21 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs US Eagles, Saturday, 28 November 2009, venue to be somewhere around the West Coast, USA;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week, from Wednesday, 2 December, to Sunday, 6 December 2009, Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji;
• 2009 Sustainable Energy Resources Workshop organised by the University of the South Pacific, Department of Energy and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Oceania Regional Office, Friday, 4 December 2009, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 4-5 December 2009, Dubai, UAE;
• Fiji Chess Federation - JR White National Championships, Friday, 4 December, to Monday, 7 December;
• Fiji Outrigger - Uprising Mixed V6 Changeover Race, 5 December 2009, Suva to Pacific Harbour;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 11-12 December 2009, George, South Africa;
• Suva Rugby Festival, from Monday, 18 January, to Saturday, 23 January 2010, tfl National Stadium and Albert Park, Suva;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 5-6 February 2010, Wellington, New Zealand;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 13-14 February 2010, USA;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 20-21 March 2010, Adelaide, Australia;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 26, 27, 28 March 2010, Hong Kong;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 22-23 May 2010, London, England;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 29-30 May 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team vs Australia, Sunday, 6 June 2010, venue to be advised;
• 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens Competition, on Tuesday, 5 October, and Wednesday, 6 October 2010, in Delhi, India.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Arts Council Art Gallery opens daily, including Saturdays, Procera House, opposite RB Patel, Waimanu Road, Suva;
• 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;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Jazz, every Mondays, from 5pm, Traps Nightclub, Suva;
• Leonard Aitcheson's Black Belt Special Intensive Program, training done every Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 8pm to 9pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre (former Rabuka Gym), Laucala Bay, 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 with Leonard Aitcheson are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Velocity Cycling Group Sunday Rides, Sundays, from 6am, venue to be advised weekly to participants;
• 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.

For accommodation in Suva, please check out our rental homes for short stays (which are self catering as well) by searching for 'Suva Accommodation' or 'Suva Short Stay Accommodation' on this blog. You can also click on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog.

Call us on the telephone numbers (679) 3396427, (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email 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 National Rugby League Fundraising Dinner

The Fiji National Rugby League is holding a Fundraising Dinner and Awards Night on Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 6pm to 9pm at the Central Cuisine, Suva Central Building, Suva. Tickets are selling at F$20.00 per person. For more information, pls call Tomu on telephone (679) 9905429 or Seru on telephone (679) 9905444.

Mai TV Dance Invasion

Mai TV is organising a Dance Invasion trumped as the Biggest Krumping Competition on Friday, 9 October, and Saturday, 10 October 2009 at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva. Admission fees are : F$3.00 per adult and F$1.00 per child. Registration forms are available from Mai TV's office at Garden City, Raiwai, or Xtreem Computer Entertainment, Terry Walk, Suva.

Teams for Naitasiri-Suva Farebrother Sullivan Trophy Challenge

Suva will challenge Naitasiri on Saturday, 26 September 2009, for the Farebrother Sullivan Rugby Trophy. The match starts 3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori. Here are the teams:

Naitaisiri :

• Jale Koroi,
• Vereniki Sauturaga,
• Vesi Rarawa,
• Apisai Rinamalo (Captain),
• Ben Sadrugu,
• Apisalome Ratuniyarawa,
• Jimilai Nakaidawa,
• Nikolai Baleitamavua,
• Waisale Vatuvoka,
• Kolinio Vunaki,
• Nasoni Roko,
• Leone Tabuarua,
• Paula Tiko,
• Sanaila Vitau,
• Joe Ravulovulo,
• Reserves - Aisea Rinakama, Senivalati Vunibola, Sireli Kaloucava, Inoke Tuisese, Jo Nakaira, Nemani Vecenayawa, Mosese Luveitasau.
  
  　 Suva :
  
  
• Alefoso Yalayalatabua,
• Aseri Buli,
• Jeke Lalai,
• Leone Nakarawa,
• Aminiasi Nava,
• Samu Kunanitu,
• Samu Bola,
• Dale Tonawai (Captain),
• Joeli Nabogikolo,
• Iliavi Satala,
• Timoci Saukuru,
• Manasa Nasilivata,
• Manueli Gade,
• Joseva Bole,
• William Saukuru,
• Reserves - Dan Ligairi, Sairusi Kadi, James Brown, Jo Levula, Apenisa Nasilasila, Pio Raitoni. Tikiko uluiviti

2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition

The 2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition is now open. Designs are to be sent in on paper with the size being 15 cm x 15 cm. Entries can be in any one theme : Diwali, Unity, Fiji or Abstract. Five finalists will be selected who then be asked to transfer their design from paper onto a board with sizes being 75 cm x 75 cm or 60 cm x 90 cm. Final designs are to be made using chalk powder, maroti powder or whole grain food. The designs are to be completed between 10am, Saturday, 31 October 2009, and 2pm, Sunday, 1 November 2009. Prizes are :

• F$500.00 for first prize;
• F$500.00 for first prize;
• F$500.00 for first prize.

For further information, pls call telephone (679) 3221691.

University of the South Pacific Open Day

The University of the South Pacific is organising its Annual Open Day on Friday, 25 September 2009, from 8am to 5pm, at its Laucala Bay Campus, Suva. Events scheduled will end with the Peace Unplugged Concert which will run from 6pm to 9pm at a site between the Student/Visitors Car Park and the USP Staff Club. For more information on the Concert, pls call Radio Pasifik on telephone (679) 3231980.

Message to friends of the late Dennis Boddy

"Dear Gilbert,

I saw a post you made on the subject of yaqona and laziness.

You mentioned my father Dennis Boddy. I'm not sure if you know but Dennis died in 1994 and his wife Pam died last October. I would be grateful if you could pass this information to anyone who knew Dennis and Pam from their time in Fiji. They both loved the Islands and my brother and I spent many hours listening to them talking about all the friends they made during the 20 odd years they lived there. Both my brother and I were born in Fiji and we also hold the people and the Islands in great affection.

Rod Boddy
Gibraltar"

Advertise on our blog

We rank very highly on the Internet, usually between numbers 1 to 3 on Page 1 of relevant searches, e.g. 'suva events', 'suva activities', 'suva art', 'suva shopping', etc. To enjoy our high search rankings, advertise your products and services on our blog. As we are trying to get advertising on our blog off the ground, you are most welcome to suggest what you wish to pay for advertising. Pls search our blog for our advertising rates before you suggest something. With the upcoming events on Fiji Day, Diwali, the Miss South Pacific pageant and the Suva Rugby Festival, you can enjoy targeting those events by advertising on this blog. We have build a reputation for being a one-stop shop for information on all upcoming activities and events scheduled for Suva, Fiji. For more information, pls call telephones (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email info@gilbert.com.fj.

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter by clicking on the relevant links at the right hand side of this blog. Do so to get our updates on activities and events in Suva, listing of properties on mortgagee sale in Fiji, our posts relating to what is happening in the Fiji financial sector and readings/updates on the major economies (USA and UK in particular) around the world as they go through the current global financial crisis. Our Twitter address is http://twitter.com/gilbertfiji.

Suva to challenge Naitasiri

Suva will be the first team to challenge Naitasiri in a Farebrother Sullivan Rugby Trophy match this Saturday, 26 September 2009. The match will start at 3pm and will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori. Naitasiri won the trophy from Nadi last Saturday after Nadi had held onto it for a year.

International Day of Peace

Celebrate the UN's International Day of Peace on Monday, 21 September 2009, together with the Citizen's Constitutional Forum (CCF). The CCF is organising sponsored T-shirts with a Peace theme for the Peace Unplugged Concert to be held on Friday, 25 September 2009, at the University of the South Pacific Student Car Park. T-shirts are being sold at F$7.00 each. There will also be sponsored peace messages airing on the two radio stations, FBCL and FM96.

Accommodation in Suva

Remember to check our homes for short stays in Suva by clicking on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog or searching for "Suva Short Stay Accommodation" using the search facility at the top of the blog. There are a number of major events coming up in Suva e.g. the 2009 Miss South Pacific Pageant and the 2010 Suva Rugby Carnival. Book early! For more information, pls email info@gilbert.com.fj or call telephones (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 18.9.09)

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

• 2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition is now open. Designs are to be sent in on paper with the size being 15 cm x 15 cm. Entries can be in any one theme : Diwali, Unity, Fiji or Abstract. For more information, call telephone (679) 3221691;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week - Model Search. Anyone interested can call telephone (679) 3576984 or email info@fijifashionweek.com;
• Submissions from exporters for the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) organised, and Telecom Fiji Limited sponsored, 2009 Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Awards now open. For more information, pls call the FTIB on telephone (679) 3315988 or email eya2009@ftib.org.fj;
• Fiji Chess Federation - Chess League 2009, Sunday, 19 July, to Sunday, 20 September;
• Learn French and Fijian with the Alliance Francaise - Term 3 starts, Monday, 7 September 2009, Alliance Francaise, 92 Ratu Sukuna Road, Nasese, Suva;
• "A Love for Life : Silence & HIV" - a Contemporary Dance and Drama event organised by the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Wednesday, 16 September, Thursday, 17 September, and Friday, 18 September 2009, starting at 7pm on each day, Suva Civic Centre;
• Indian Film Nite - organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), the Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 18 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• 2009 Courts Homecentres Open Chess Competition, Saturday, 19 September 2009, starting 8.30am, Fiji Olympic House, Suva;
• International Day of Peace, sponsored messages on radio by Citizen's Constitutional Forum;
• University of the South Pacific - Annual Open Day, Friday, 25 September 2009, from 8am to 5pm, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva;
• Peace Unplugged Concert, Friday, 25 September 2009, University of the South Pacific Student Car Park, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea organised by the Fiji Cancer Society, Friday, 25 September 2009, offices in and around Suva (funds raised to be given to the Fiji Cancer Society);
• Walk for Health - organised by the Ministry of Health, Saturday, 26 September 2009, from 6am to 9am, Suva, Lautoka and Labasa;
• Farebrother Sullivan Rugby Trophy match - Suva vs Naitasiri, Saturday, 26 September 2009, starting 3pm, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf Challenge, Sunday, 27 September 2009, Pacific Harbour;
• Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program - organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Music and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology and sponsored by the Indonesia Embassy in Suva, from Monday, 28 September, to Thursday, 29 October 2009, FIT's Carpenter Street Raiwai Campus, Suva;
• Annual General Meeting of the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG), Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 2pm to 4pm, Adi Cakobau School Lower Hall, Sawani, Nausori;
• Fiji National Rugby League - Fundraising Dinner and Awards Night, Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 6pm to 9pm, Central Cuisine, Suva Central Building, Suva;
• Mai TV Dance Invasion - the Biggest Krumping Competition, Friday, 9 October, and Saturday, 10 October 2009, Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Fiji Ocean Swim Festival, from Friday, 9 October, to Sunday, 11 October 2009, Plantation Resort, Mamanuca Group, Yasawa;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 2, 10 October 2009, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Fiji Chess Federation - 30th Carlton Brewery Open Chess Championships, Saturday, 10 October, to Monday, 12 October;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Marathon Regatta 4, 17 October 2009, Beachcomber Island, Nadi;
• 2009 Rangoli Indian Art Competition - finalists to transfer designs from paper onto a board, from Saturday, 31 October 2009, 10am, to Sunday, 1 November 2009, and 2pm, Suva;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 1, 7 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association's HOTEC 2009, from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2009, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 3, 14 November 2009, Suva Foreshore, Suva, Fiji - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 2, 21 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant, from Saturday, 21 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs US Eagles, Saturday, 28 November 2009, venue to be somewhere around the West Coast, USA;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week, from Wednesday, 2 December, to Sunday, 6 December 2009, Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 4-5 December 2009, Dubai, UAE;
• Fiji Chess Federation - JR White National Championships, Friday, 4 December, to Monday, 7 December;
• Fiji Outrigger - Uprising Mixed V6 Changeover Race, 5 December 2009, Suva to Pacific Harbour;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 11-12 December 2009, George, South Africa;
• Suva Rugby Festival, from Monday, 18 January, to Saturday, 23 January 2010, tfl National Stadium and Albert Park, Suva;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 5-6 February 2010, Wellington, New Zealand;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 13-14 February 2010, USA;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 20-21 March 2010, Adelaide, Australia;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 26, 27, 28 March 2010, Hong Kong;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 22-23 May 2010, London, England;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 29-30 May 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team vs Australia, Sunday, 6 June 2010, venue to be advised;
• 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens Competition, on Tuesday, 5 October, and Wednesday, 6 October 2010, in Delhi, India.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Arts Council Art Gallery opens daily, including Saturdays, Procera House, opposite RB Patel, Waimanu Road, Suva;
• 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;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Jazz, every Mondays, from 5pm, Traps Nightclub, Suva;
• Leonard Aitcheson's Black Belt Special Intensive Program, training done every Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 8pm to 9pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre (former Rabuka Gym), Laucala Bay, 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 with Leonard Aitcheson are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Velocity Cycling Group Sunday Rides, Sundays, from 6am, venue to be advised weekly to participants;
• 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.

For accommodation in Suva, please check out our rental homes for short stays (which are self catering as well) by searching for 'Suva Accommodation' or 'Suva Short Stay Accommodation' on this blog. You can also click on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog.

Call us on the telephone numbers (679) 3396427, (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email 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 team for first IRB Namibia Sevens

The Fiji team to the first IRB Namibia Sevens tournament has been selected. It includes :

• Asaeli Boko,
• Mosese Vatunitu,
• Epeli Natuikata,
• Ratu Nemani Keavali,
• Lepani Nabuliwaqa,
• William Ryder,
• Vima Tuidraki,
• Joeli Lutumailagi,
• Suliasi Ramasima,
• Masi Naoma, and
• Paula Karatu.

Open Chess Competition

The 2009 Courts Homecentres Open Chess Competition will be held on Saturday, 19 September 2009, starting 8.30am, at the Fiji Olympic House. For more information, pls call Krishneel Nair on telephone (679) 9297033.

Contemporary Dance and Drama : "A Love for Life : Silence & HIV"

A Contemporary Dance and Drama event is being held by the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific on Wednesday, 16 September, Thursday, 17 September, and Friday, 18 September 2009. "A Love for Life : Silence & HIV" starts at 7pm on each of those days at the Suva Civic Centre.

“A Love for Life” is an educational performance about silence and HIV. It is a story of love and crisis faced by Mere, a young Fijian woman and her daughters, Moana and Loloma. Integrating dance, song and drama, the performance captures their experiences and addresses the general lack of awareness and acceptance of those living with HIV or at risk of being infected by HIV in Fiji and the region.

The production engages the audience to reflect on cultural values and religious beliefs and to challenge social stigma. The production ends with a message of hope and a challenge to improve our lives and of those we love.

There will also be matinee performances for schools in the afternoon and public performances in the evening.

Tickets are F$10.00 per person and can be bought beforehand at USP Book Centre, Laucala Bay, Kawaha's at Suva Central Building and at the two Esquires Coffee House outlets in Suva. For more information, pls call Ann Tarte at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture on telephone (679) 3232832.

ACSOG Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG) will be held on Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 2pm to 4pm at the Adi Cakobau School Lower Hall, Sawani, Nausori.

Indian Film Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission will hold another Indian Film Nite on Friday, 18 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Oye Lucky Lucky One". No admission fees required.

Indonesian Film Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Indonesian Embassy will hold another Indonesian Film Nite on Wednesday, 16 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, at the FIT Theatre 1, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Mirror". The film follows the story of a high school girl, Kikan, who likes to play around with her friends. After an accident at her school, she starts seeing some strange and frightening images. She is also able to know that someone is going to die if she cannot see the person's reflection in the mirror. She only shares this with Donny, a boy she likes, until one day, she cannot see her own reflection in the mirror. No admission fees required.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 11.9.09)

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

• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week - Model Search. Anyone interested can call telephone (679) 3576984 or email info@fijifashionweek.com;
• Submissions from exporters for the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) organised, and Telecom Fiji Limited sponsored, 2009 Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Awards now open. For more information, pls call the FTIB on telephone (679) 3315988 or email eya2009@ftib.org.fj;
• Fiji Chess Federation - Chess League 2009, Sunday, 19 July, to Sunday, 20 September;
• Learn French and Fijian with the Alliance Francaise - Term 3 starts, Monday, 7 September 2009, Alliance Francaise, 92 Ratu Sukuna Road, Nasese, Suva;
• Fiji Regatta Week, from Monday, 7 September, to Saturday, 12 September 2009, Musket Cove, Yasawa;
• Fiji Institute of Technology - Open Day, Friday, 11 September 2009, from 9am to 3pm, Samabula, Labasa and Ba campuses;
• Indian Film Nite organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 11 September, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Bridal Fair including a pool side fashion show by local designers and showcasing a products from 21 exhibitors, Saturday, 12 September 2009, from 2pm to 7.30pm, Lali Rooms 1 & 2, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Indonesian Film Nite - organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Indonesian Embassy, Wednesday, 16 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 1, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• "A Love for Life : Silence & HIV" - a Contemporary Dance and Drama event organised by the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Wednesday, 16 September, Thursday, 17 September, and Friday, 18 September 2009, starting at 7pm on each day, Suva Civic Centre;
• Indian Film Nite - organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), the Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 18 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• 2009 Courts Homecentres Open Chess Competition, Saturday, 19 September 2009, starting 8.30am, Fiji Olympic House, Suva;
• Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea organised by the Fiji Cancer Society, Friday, 25 September 2009, offices in and around Suva (funds raised to be given to the Fiji Cancer Society);
• Walk for Health - organised by the Ministry of Health, Saturday, 26 September 2009, from 6am to 9am, Suva, Lautoka and Labasa;
• Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf Challenge, Sunday, 27 September 2009, Pacific Harbour;
• Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program - organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Music and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology and sponsored by the Indonesia Embassy in Suva, from Monday, 28 September, to Thursday, 29 October 2009, FIT's Carpenter Street Raiwai Campus, Suva;
• Annual General Meeting of the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG), Saturday, 3 October 2009, from 2pm to 4pm, Adi Cakobau School Lower Hall, Sawani, Nausori;
• Fiji Ocean Swim Festival, from Friday, 9 October, to Sunday, 11 October 2009, Plantation Resort, Mamanuca Group, Yasawa;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 2, 10 October 2009, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Fiji Chess Federation - 30th Carlton Brewery Open Chess Championships, Saturday, 10 October, to Monday, 12 October;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Marathon Regatta 4, 17 October 2009, Beachcomber Island, Nadi;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 1, 7 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association's HOTEC 2009, from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2009, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 3, 14 November 2009, Suva Foreshore, Suva, Fiji - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 2, 21 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant, from Saturday, 21 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs US Eagles, Saturday, 28 November 2009, venue to be somewhere around the West Coast, USA;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week, from Wednesday, 2 December, to Sunday, 6 December 2009, Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 4-5 December 2009, Dubai, UAE;
• Fiji Chess Federation - JR White National Championships, Friday, 4 December, to Monday, 7 December;
• Fiji Outrigger - Uprising Mixed V6 Changeover Race, 5 December 2009, Suva to Pacific Harbour;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 11-12 December 2009, George, South Africa;
• Suva Rugby Festival, from Monday, 18 January, to Saturday, 23 January 2010, tfl National Stadium and Albert Park, Suva;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 5-6 February 2010, Wellington, New Zealand;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 13-14 February 2010, USA;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 20-21 March 2010, Adelaide, Australia;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 26, 27, 28 March 2010, Hong Kong;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 22-23 May 2010, London, England;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 29-30 May 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team vs Australia, Sunday, 6 June 2010, venue to be advised;
• 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens Competition, on Tuesday, 5 October, and Wednesday, 6 October 2010, in Delhi, India.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Arts Council Art Gallery opens daily, including Saturdays, Procera House, opposite RB Patel, Waimanu Road, Suva;
• 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;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Jazz, every Mondays, from 5pm, Traps Nightclub, Suva;
• Leonard Aitcheson's Black Belt Special Intensive Program, training done every Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 8pm to 9pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre (former Rabuka Gym), Laucala Bay, 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 with Leonard Aitcheson are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Velocity Cycling Group Sunday Rides, Sundays, from 6am, venue to be advised weekly to participants;
• 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.

Check out our rental homes for short stays (which are self catering as well) by searching for 'Suva Accommodation' or 'Suva Short Stay Accommodation' on this blog. You can also click on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog.

Call us on the telephone numbers (679) 3396427, (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email 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's Biggest Morning Tea

The Fiji Cancer Society is organising the annual Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea on Friday, 25 September 2009. Contributions made to the event all go to the Cancer Society. For more details, pls call the Society on telephones (679) 3324960.

Bridal Fair

A Bridal Fair will be held on Saturday, 12 September 2009, from 2pm to 7.30pm at the Lali Rooms 1 & 2, Holiday Inn, Suva. Take advantage of an opportunity to browse through 21 exhibitors. See first hand unique table settings. There will also be body art demonstrations, entertainment as well as a pool side fashion show by local designers. Admission is F$10.00 per person and the dress code is Formal wear.

Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf

The Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf Challenge will be held on Sunday, 27 September 2009, at Pacific Harbour.

Indian Film Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission will hold another Indian Film Nite on Friday, 11 September, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Lage Raho Munna Bhai". No admission fees required.

Upcoming Outrigger Canoeing Events (Revised Schedule)

Fiji Outrigger has the following events scheduled later thsi year: Canoeing events are scheduled later this year :

• 10 October 2009, Business House Regatta 2, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• 17 October 2009, V6 Marathon Regatta 4, Beachcomber Island, Nadi;
• 7 November 2009, V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 1, USP Beach, Suva;
• 14 November 2009, Business House Regatta 3, Suva Foreshore, Suva, Fiji - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• 21 November 2009, V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 2, USP Beach, Suva;
• 5 December 2009, Uprising Mixed V6 Changeover Race, Suva to Pacific Harbour.

Note that this is a revised schedule to what was posted earlier on this blog.

For more information, you can visit www.fijioutrigger.com.

Upcoming Outrigger Canoeing Events

The following Outrigger Canoeing events are scheduled later this year :

• Saturday, 10 October 2009, Nadi;
• Saturday, 14 November 2009, Suva.

More details to be posted later.

Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program

The Department of Fine Arts, Music and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology, is holding a Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program from Monday, 28 September, to Thursday, 29 October 2009, at its Carpenter Street Raiwai Campus, Suva. The program is sponsored by the Indonesian Embassy in Suva. For more information, pls call Pasemaca or Vilisi on telephones (679) 3387980 or (679) 3382035.

Fiji Regatta Week currently on

The Fiji Regatta Week is being held this week from Monday, 7 September, to Saturday, 12 September 2009 at Musket Cove, Yasawa. One hundred yachts from around the world are participating. This is an offshore sailing and on-shore fun event.

HOTEC 2009

The Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association, HOTEC 2009, will be held from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2009, at the Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi. The annual event is an exhibition of products that support the hotel, dive and tourism industries in Fiji.

Fiji Rugby squad for end-of-year Northern tour

The Fiji Rugby squad for the end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour has been selected. The squad members are :

1. Alefoso Yalayalatabua,
2. Alipate Noilea,
3. Anthony Wise,
4. Apisai Nayabo,
5. Asaeli Boko,
6. Ben Sadrugu,
7. Iliesa Keresoni,
8. Isaia Nawaqa,
9. Isireli Ledua,
10. Jerry Burotu,
11. Joeli Lutumailagi,
12. Jonatani Ralulu,
13. Kini Murimurivalu,
14. Leone Nakarawa,
15. Maikeli Mocetadra,
16. Nemia Kenatale,
17. Ravai Fatiaki,
18. Samuela Bola,
19. Valerio Racika,
20. Viliame Seuseu,
21. Viliame Veikoso,
22. Vima Tuidraki,
23. Vuniani Bari,
24. Waisale Suka,
25. Waisale Vatuvoka,
26. Iosefo Bele,
27. Isake Katonibau,
28. Aloesi Qio,
29. Taniela Rawaqa,
30. David Bruce,
31. Nasoni Roko,
32. Aporosa Toroca,
33. Rupeni Nasiga,
34. Aca Ratuva,
35. Jonetani Ratu,
36. Vereniki Sauturaga,
37. Jo Sovau,
38. Kaliova Tani, and
39. Jo Ravueta.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 4.9.09)

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

• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week - Model Search. Anyone interested can call telephone (679) 3576984 or email info@fijifashionweek.com;
• Submissions from exporters for the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) organised, and Telecom Fiji Limited sponsored, 2009 Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Awards now open. For more information, pls call the FTIB on telephone (679) 3315988 or email eya2009@ftib.org.fj;
• Fiji Chess Federation - Chess League 2009, Sunday, 19 July, to Sunday, 20 September; 2009 Hibiscus Festival, 21 to 29 August 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Indian Film Nite organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 4 September, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 1, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• 2009 National Powerlifting Championship, Saturday, 5 September 2009, Charman's Gym, Gordon Street, Suva;
• Learn French and Fijian with the Alliance Francaise - Term 3 starts, Monday, 7 September 2009, Alliance Francaise, 92 Ratu Sukuna Road, Nasese, Suva;
• Fiji Regatta Week, from Monday, 7 September, to Saturday, 12 September 2009, Musket Cove, Yasawa;
• Indonesian Film Nite organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Indonesian Embassy, Wednesday, 9 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Fiji Institute of Technology - Open Day, Friday, 11 September 2009, from 9am to 3pm, Samabula, Labasa and Ba campuses;
• Indian Film Nite organised by the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission, Friday, 11 September, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva;
• Bridal Fair including a pool side fashion show by local designers and showcasing a products from 21 exhibitors, Saturday, 12 September 2009, from 2pm to 7.30pm, Lali Rooms 1 & 2, Holiday Inn, Suva;
• Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea organised by the Fiji Cancer Society, Friday, 25 September 2009, offices in and around Suva (funds raised to be given to the Fiji Cancer Society);
• Walk for Health - organised by the Ministry of Health, Saturday, 26 September 2009, from 6am to 9am, Suva, Lautoka and Labasa;
• Coca Cola Ambrose Corporate Golf Challenge, Sunday, 27 September 2009, Pacific Harbour;
• Batik Printing and Bamboo Weaving Program - organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Music and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology and sponsored by the Indonesia Embassy in Suva, from Monday, 28 September, to Thursday, 29 October 2009, FIT's Carpenter Street Raiwai Campus, Suva;
• Fiji Ocean Swim Festival, from Friday, 9 October, to Sunday, 11 October 2009, Plantation Resort, Mamanuca Group, Yasawa;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 2, 10 October 2009, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Fiji Chess Federation - 30th Carlton Brewery Open Chess Championships, Saturday, 10 October, to Monday, 12 October;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Marathon Regatta 4, 17 October 2009, Beachcomber Island, Nadi;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 1, 7 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association's HOTEC 2009, from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2009, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Scotland, Saturday, 14 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - Business House Regatta 3, 14 November 2009, Suva Foreshore, Suva, Fiji - Contact Person, Vuki Buadromo, Email vous_key@yahoo.co.uk, telephone (679) 9300887;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs Ireland, Saturday, 21 November 2009;
• Fiji Outrigger - V6 Mixed Inter-Club Marathon Regatta 2, 21 November 2009, USP Beach, Suva;
• Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant, from Saturday, 21 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2009, Albert Park, Suva;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team Northern Hemisphere Tour - Fiji vs US Eagles, Saturday, 28 November 2009, venue to be somewhere around the West Coast, USA;
• 2009 Fiji Fashion Week, from Wednesday, 2 December, to Sunday, 6 December 2009, Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 4-5 December 2009, Dubai, UAE;
• Fiji Chess Federation - JR White National Championships, Friday, 4 December, to Monday, 7 December;
• Fiji Outrigger - Uprising Mixed V6 Changeover Race, 5 December 2009, Suva to Pacific Harbour;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 11-12 December 2009, George, South Africa;
• Suva Rugby Festival, from Monday, 18 January, to Saturday, 23 January 2010, tfl National Stadium and Albert Park, Suva;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 5-6 February 2010, Wellington, New Zealand;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 13-14 February 2010, USA;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 20-21 March 2010, Adelaide, Australia;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 26, 27, 28 March 2010, Hong Kong;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 22-23 May 2010, London, England;
• 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series, 29-30 May 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• Flying Fijians Rugby team vs Australia, Sunday, 6 June 2010, venue to be advised;
• 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens Competition, on Tuesday, 5 October, and Wednesday, 6 October 2010, in Delhi, India.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Arts Council Art Gallery opens daily, including Saturdays, Procera House, opposite RB Patel, Waimanu Road, Suva;
• 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;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Jazz, every Mondays, from 5pm, Traps Nightclub, Suva;
• Leonard Aitcheson's Black Belt Special Intensive Program, training done every Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 8pm to 9pm, Hyundai Fitness Centre (former Rabuka Gym), Laucala Bay, 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 with Leonard Aitcheson are held every Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm at the Hyundai Fitness Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• The ROC Market, every third Sunday of the month, outside Dolphins Foodcourt, FNPF Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Velocity Cycling Group Sunday Rides, Sundays, from 6am, venue to be advised weekly to participants;
• 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.

Check out our rental homes for short stays (which are self catering as well) by searching for 'Suva Accommodation' or 'Suva Short Stay Accommodation' on this blog. You can also click on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog.

Call us on the telephone numbers (679) 3396427, (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email 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.

Blog Readership : August 2009 vs July 2009

We provide you with statistics on our blog readership. Here are the readership statistics for our Promoting Suva blog for the months of August and July 2009. Data for July is given first followed by data for August. July 2009

• total number of visits - 2,137;
• total number of page views - 3,148;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji , 840; Australia, 326; United States, 234; New Zealand, 198; United Kingdom, 107; Canada, 60; Ivory Coast, 40; Belgium, 25; Germany, 25; India, 22; Nigeria, 16; Japan, 15; Brazil, 15; South Africa, 14; Ghana, 12;
• top 10 referring source - google / organic, 1,649; (direct) / (none), 128; yahoo / organic, 91; blogger.com / referral, 30; bing / organic, 26; search / organic, 18; twitter.com / referral, 18; images.google.com / referral, 12; thebesthosting.org / referral, 12; google.com / referral, 10;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - courts homecentres online shopping, 16; tappoos, 15; domo ni karmen, 13; fiji centre for arts in suva, 13; kula films 2009, 12; rucksack club fiji, 12; commercial activities in fiji, 11; mhcc suva, 11; courts fiji online shopping, 10; hibiscus festival fiji 2009, 10; hibiscus festival suva, 10; promoting suva, 9; dance lessons in fiji playhouse ms white, 8; mhcc fiji, 7; natasha underwood fiji, 7; suva, 7; calvary temple fiji, 6; fiji activities, 6; fiji fashion week, 6; hibiscus festival fiji, 6;

August 2009

• total number of visits - 2,763;
• total number of page views - 4,075;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji, 1,135; Australia, 453; United States, 269; New Zealand, 261; United Kingdom, 102; Canada, 69; Germany, 52; India, 37; Nigeria, 35; Côte d’Ivoire, 35; Belgium, 29; South Africa, 19; France, 17; Japan, 16; Senegal, 15;
• top 10 referring source - google / organic, 2,225; (direct) / (none), 133; yahoo / organic, 131; blogger.com / referral, 32; search / organic, 30; bing / organic, 22; images.google.com / referral, 18; aol / organic, 15; twitter.com / referral, 12; images.google.com.fj / referral, 10;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - hibiscus festival fiji, 58; hibiscus festival suva, 40; courts fiji online shopping, 26; hibiscus festival fiji 2009, 15; courts homecentres online shopping, 14; commercial activities in fiji, 12; fiji hibiscus festival, 12; mhcc suva, 12; promoting suva, 12; laucala beach estate suva map, 10; suva events, 9; hibiscus festival 2009 fiji, 8; mhcc fiji, 8; calvary temple fiji, 7; fiji hapkido, 7; fred whippy from fiji, 7; hibiscus festival 2009, 7; tapoos, 7; tappoo city, 7; tappoos, 7;

Observations

1. Readership of the blog rose again over the month of August 2009 from the previous month.
2. Page views over a month was over 4,700 for the first time in August 2009.
3. Readers from Fiji, Australia, USA, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada continue to form our largest readership group being over 80% of our blog readers. Readers from these countries can best be targeted for marketing from this blog.
4. Our top referring site continues to be google.com. The high referrals from google.com indicates our continued strong and high visibility on google searches. Our site's search ranking on Google continues to do well with most searches, e.g. for 'Suva activities', 'Suva events', 'Suva Sports', 'Suva art', 'Suva craft', 'Suva tourist activities', 'Suva shopping', our site usually appears on Page 1.
5. Keyword searches indicate that readers are searching for a broad range of issues from individuals, to activities, to places and sights, to shopping and art. Most notable over the month of August were the searches for the Fiji Hibiscus Festival which took place during the month. Also notable is the sustained high searches for commercial/shopping companies e.g. Courts Homecentres, Tappoos, MHCC, etc. We note that there is now a move towards more online shopping rather than our readers merely searching for activities and events.
6. We have also noticed that readers are now spending more time going through our blog i.e. our blog's stickiness has risen.

Companies can utilise our wide readership base and high search rankings to market and advertise their products. For advertising to our wide readership base, check our advertising rates here.

If you wish to discuss how we you can advertise your products and services on our blog, e-mail us on info@gilbert.com.fj or call telephone (679) 3342719, (679) 3544897 or (679) 9921427.

Torika Bolatagici's new exhibition

We are posting this for a friend of ours although the event is not scheduled for Suva. Torika Bolatagici's SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE exhibition will be open from Tuesday, 1 September, to Friday, 18 September 2009, from 12pm to 6pm, at 117 Lt Lonsdale St, Melbourne, Australia. Remittances from Fijian workers overseas are the nation’s largest income – exceeding that of tourism and sugar. Fijian bodies have become a valuable export commodity in the increasingly privatised economy of war. Torika's new photographic and installation work asks where black and white bodies fit within this new economy of war…who is visible and who is invisible? Whose bodies are commodities and who embodies the spirit of enterprise? More information: http://busprojects.com.au/2009/08/28/the-dawn-of-r_a_m-sacred-predictions-spirit-of-enterprise/#more-349

Invitation from Dartplayers Australia to Fiji Darts Champions

Dartplayers Australia is inviting professional darts players from Fiji to take part in the Oceanic Masters tournament held annually in Australia. The Oceanic Masters is open to all players in our region and each year they receive a strong contingent from New Zealand and Australia. The winner of the Oceanic Masters is then sent over to the United Kingdom (with all expenses paid) to participate at the PDC World Darts Championship. The chairman or president of the Fiji Darts Association or any other darts players are requested to contact Mr Kevin Berlyn, Chairman, Dartplayers Australia by emailing kevinb@macrogroups.com.

Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant to be held in Suva

The Miss South Pacific 2009 Pageant will be held from Saturday, 21 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2009 at Albert Park, Suva. Sixteen Pacific Island countries will be sending their representatives to take part at the pageant. Fiji will be represented by 2009 Miss Hibiscus, the beautiful and eloquent Miss Merewalesi Nailatikau. Ms Nailatikau beat 19 other contestants to win the Miss Hibiscus title last Saturday, 29 August 2009. Visitors to Suva can book our Suva Short Stay Rental Homes. Pls check photos and details posted earlier on this blog. For information, call (679) 3342719 or (679) 9921427 or email info@gilbert.com.fj.

Indonesian Film Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Indonesian Embassy will hold an Indonesian Film Nite on Wednesday, 9 September 2009, starting 6.30pm, at the FIT Theatre 2, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Berbagi Suami (Love for Share). No admission fees required.

Indian Film Nite

The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian High Commission will hold another Indian Film Nite on Friday, 4 September, starting 6.30pm, FIT Theatre 1, Carpenter Street, Raiwai, Suva. The film to be screened is "Jodha Akbar". No admission fees required.