Fiji Art and Design Competition on Cities

An Art and Design Competition is being organised by the Fiji Good Local Governance Campaign to promote its work on cities and towns. Any type of painting, drawing, computer graphics, photograph etc are eligible. The work will be used on posters and other promotional material for the Campaign across Fiji and the Pacific. The competition theme is "Potential - Partnership-Progress: Engaging with Cities & Towns". Prizes to be won include :

• $500 1st prize,
• $350 2nd prize,
• $150 3rd prize.

Entries are to be hand-delivered to : Fiji Good Local Governance Campaign, Department of Local Government Level 3, Fiji FA House, 4 Gladstone Road, Suva. Closing date of entries is Thursday, 9 August 2007, at 4pm. For more information, pls call Megan Praeger on telephone (679) 3304364 or email local.governance@govnet.gov.fj.

Semester 2 begins at University

Semester 2, 2007, begins at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay campus, this week. I was at the University earlier today and saw the eager faces of new students as they lined up to buy books or withdrawing money from the bank branch that operates next door to the USP Book Centre. Other students were just seating around talking and catching up with old friends or eyeing the new faces at the campus. I am sure the new semester will bring its challenges to the students and to the teachers. We wish them all well over the next few months of hard teaching and learning.

Looking for accommodation in Suva during the Hibiscus Festival?

Looking for accommodation in Suva during the Hibiscus Festival and the Term 2 school holidays? Try out our two bedroom rental home with sea views. The home is equipped with Sky TV, telephone, Personal Computer and a full kitchen. Internet access can also be arranged. Our rate per night for the entire home ranges between F$95.00 to F$115.00 depending on whether or not our guests want Internet access. Free local calls to telephone numbers starting 3xx xxxx can be provided for longer staying guests. For more details on amenities provided and photos of the home, pls click on the appropriate links at the right hand side of this blog. Also read comments left on our on-line rental home guestbook by our former guests. We currently have availability from Friday, 17 August 2007, for the duration of the Hibiscus Festival and the school holidays. For more information or to make a reservation, pls e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427.

Fiji School of Medicine Open Day Oratory Competition 2007

The Fiji School of Medicine is organising an Oratory Competition for its Open Day. The competition is open to all secondary school students who are invited to speak on any of the following topics :

• The role of the Fiji School of Medicine in building a healthier Pacific
• What the image of Pacific health workers of tomorrow would be?
• Some people say that we are eating and drinking ourselves to death

The presentations are to be between 5 and 7 minutes each.

Interest students are invited to register their interest by Friday, 3 August 2007.

Prizes to be won include :

• Category 1 for Students - 1st prize is F$500.00, 2nd prize is F$300.00 and the 3rd prize is F$150.00;
• Category 2 for School Supporting Winning Student - 1st prize is a brand new DualCore Pentium Windows Vista PC.

For more information, pls e-mail Marica Rovi on rovi.m@fsm.ac.fj.

Australian High Commission Annual Charity Ball 2007

The Australian High Commission to Fiji's Social Club is organising the Masquerade Annual Charity Ball 2007 on Saturday, 11 August 2007, from 7pm at the Tradewinds Convention Centre, Lami, near Suva. Dress code is Formal with a Masquerade theme. Tickets are F$100.00 per person and will cover a three course meal, complimentary drinks and dance. There will be a live band and lots of prizes. For more information, pls call the Australian High Commission in Suva on telephone (679) 3382211 extension 222 or e-mail john.read@dfat.gov.au.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 27.7.07)

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

• Hindi Short Story Contest organised by School of Language, Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts and Law of the University of the South Pacific, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, starts Saturday, 9 June 2007, closes Friday, 27 July 2007 (check other blog entry for details);
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Screen Printing Art Workshops, July 2007, Suva;
• Fiji School of Medicine Oratory Competition for Open Day - indications of interest open until Friday, 3 August 2007;
• Fiji Good Local Governance Campaign's Art and Design Competition open until Thursday, 9 August 2007, 4pm (check other blog entry for details);
• Save The Children - Photography Competition, from Friday, 13 July, to Friday, 24 August 2007, Save The Children Fund Office, Suva (check other blog entry for details);
• Fiji Cancer Society Bra Art Competition open until 17 September 2007 (check other blog entry for details);
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition - Receipt of artworks, Friday 27 July 2007, Suva;
• Photo Workshop on Women's Rugby in Fiji, Saturday, 28 July 2007, and Saturday, 4 August 2007, Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition, Monday, 30 July, to Sunday, 5 August 2007, The Playhouse, Fiji Arts Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations Ball, August;
• Alliance Francaise, 20th Anniversary, Photography Workshop and Exhibition, August 2007, Suva;
• International School Fun Day, Saturday, 4 August 2007, from 10am to 3pm, International School compound, Laucala Beach, Suva;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Semi-finals, Saturday, 4 August 2007, Suva;
• Australian High Commission's Masquerade Annual Charity Ball 2007, Saturday, 11 August 2007, from 7pm, Tradewinds Convention Centre, Lami, near Suva;
• Fiji Arts Club Choir Concert, Saturday, 11 August 2007, from 7.30pm at The Playhouse, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Sunday, 12 August 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament, Thursday, 16 August, to Saturday, 18 August 2007, Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour;
• Fiji Hibiscus Festival, 17 to 25 August 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Methodist Church of Fiji Annual Choir/Singing Competition, from Friday, 17 August 2007 to Saturday, 25 August 2007, Furnival Park, Toorak, Suva;
• Isa Lei Reunion (for former students of the International School in Suva), 17 to 19 August 2007, Suva;
• Hibiscus Festival 2007 - March of Youth, Saturday, 18 August 2007, from Suva Bus Terminal to Albert Park;
• National U-20 Championships, Saturday, 18 August 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Finals, Saturday, 18 August 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Tertiary Games Chess Championships, September 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, New Caledonia Circus Tour, September 2007, Suva;
• TPAF 2007 Management Development Program Module 2, Monday, 3 September, to Friday, 7 September 2007, TPAF Training House, Narere, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 28th Carlton Brewery Chess Grand Prix, Sunday, 16 September 2007;
• National Hindi Day Celebrations, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - fmf Grand Prix Swimming, Saturday, 22 September 2007, Suva;
• Opening of the new Morris Hedstrom's outlet, October, Thomson Street, Suva;
• World Invitational U18 Rugby League Championship, October 2007, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations, week long celebrations, October 2007;
• Fiji Day Open Chess Championships, Monday, 8 October 2007;
• 18th Hobie 16 World Championships, from 8 to 19 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Sunday, 28 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5pm, Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 7pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Tom Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design : Saturday Classes for Children (covering piano, art & craft, acting, choir), from Saturday, 3 March 2007, School of Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street (near Garden City), Raiwai, Suva;
• Kid’s Arts Classes with Kathy Oyagawa, Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm, The Homestay, Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, every Sundays, 6am to 6.3oam, from Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to 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 Arts Club Choir Concert

The Fiji Arts Club Choir will hold a concert on Saturday, 11 August 2007, from 7.30pm at The Playhouse, Selbourne Street, Suva. The Club Choir will sing items from Elgar, Mendelssohn and Vivaldi. There will also be performances by Carolin Yao and Will Guthrie (piano solos), Davui Ensemble and a bass solo by Robert Zraick. No entry fee required but a small collection will be organised at the end of the concert.

International School Fun Day

The International School in Suva is organising a Fun Day on Saturday, 4 August 2007, from 10am to 3pm at the school, Laucala Beach, Suva. There will be food stalls providing a variety of international cuisine. Other activities will include face painting, balloons, jumping castle, craft, a waterslide and more. For more information, pls contact Sara Duboudin on telephone (679) 9401325.

Public Lecture : Challenges that face Indigenous Leadership

The Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance and the QVSOB Centennial Celebrations Committee will present a public lecture on Wednesday, 25 July 2007. Details are as follows :

• Topic : "Challenges that face Indigenous Leadership - Which style is best for modern Fiji?"
• Facilitator : Professor Graham Hassall, Director, Governance Program, PIAS-DG, University of the South Pacific;
• Panelists : Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Dr Eci Nabalarua, Dr Wadan Narsey;
• Date : Wednesday, 25 July 2007;
• Time : 5.30pm to 7.15pm;
• Venue : Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, Lower Campus, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva.

No entry fees required. Refreshments to be served after the lecture.

For more information, pls contact Dolores Joseph on telephone (679) 3232764 or e-mail joseph_d@usp.ac.fj.

Center for Persons with Disabilities Open Day

The Fiji Vocational and Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities is organising an Open Day on Friday, 27 July 2007, from 9am to 4pm, at 3 Brown Street, Suva. There will be displays of the Centre's different sections including cooking, sewing, offset printing & book binding, agriculture, wood work, screen printing, art and craft, light metal work, sheltered workshop, computer centre and administration. Entry fees are F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls call Sumasafu on telephones (679) 3314556, (679) 3314177 or (679) 9332137.

Course - Knowing and Being in Oceania : Pacific Epistemology

A course, Knowing and Being in Oceania : Pacific Epistemology, is being organised by the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva during Semester 2, 2007. The course examines how knowledge is constructed within the context of Pacific societies and looks at several themes to help bridge the gap between Western-based views of understanding the world and how Pacific Islanders interpret their natural surroundings and social relationships. The course will be held on Wednesdays, between 5pm and 8pm. For more information, pls contact the Course Convenor, Dr Frank R Thomas on telephone (679) 3232478 or e-mail thomas_fr@usp.ac.fj.

Hibiscus Festival Star Quest Heat 3

Heat 3 of the Hibiscus Festival Star Quest will be held today, Saturday, 21 July 2007, from 5.30pm at the Lower Civic Auditorium. Tickets are on sale at the Village 6 Cinemas ticket booths in Suva or at the door at the time of the performance.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 20.7.07)

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

• Fiji Media Council invitation for entries for the Fiji Awards for Media Excellence, open up to 20 July 2007;
• Hindi Short Story Contest organised by School of Language, Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts and Law of the University of the South Pacific, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, starts Saturday, 9 June 2007, closes Friday, 27 July 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Screen Printing Art Workshops, July 2007, Suva;
• Save The Children - Photography Competition, from Friday, 13 July, to Friday, 24 August 2007, Save The Children Fund Office, Suva;
• Fiji Cancer Society Bra Art Competition open until 17 September 2007;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Squads Camp, Friday, 20 July, to Sunday, 22 July 2007, Suva;
• Geotech Drilling National 10s Bowling Competition, Saturday, 21 July, and Sunday, 22 July 2007, Suva Bowling Club;
• Fiji Open Darts Competition, Saturday, 21 July 2007, China Club, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nasese, Suva;
• Fiji Cancer Society's Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea, Thursday, 26 July 2007, Suva;
• Noumea based company, Pacifique et Compagnie's theatre play, "M", Thursday, 26 July 2007, from 6.30pm, FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition - Receipt of artworks, Friday 27 July 2007, Suva;
• Photo Workshop on Women's Rugby in Fiji, Saturday, 28 July 2007, and Saturday, 4 August 2007, Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition, Monday, 30 July, to Sunday, 5 August 2007, The Playhouse, Fiji Arts Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations Ball, August;
• Alliance Francaise, 20th Anniversary, Photography Workshop and Exhibition, August 2007, Suva;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Semi-finals, Saturday, 4 August 2007, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Saturday, 12 August 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament, Thursday, 16 August, to Saturday, 18 August 2007, Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour;
• Fiji Hibiscus Festival, 17 to 25 August 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Methodist Church of Fiji Annual Choir/Singing Competition, from Friday, 17 August 2007 to Saturday, 25 August 2007, Furnival Park, Toorak, Suva;
• Isa Lei Reunion (for former students of the International School in Suva), 17 to 19 August 2007, Suva;
• Hibiscus Festival 2007 - March of Youth, Saturday, 18 August 2007, from Suva Bus Terminal to Albert Park;
• National U-20 Championships, Saturday, 18 August 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Finals, Saturday, 18 August 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Tertiary Games Chess Championships, September 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, New Caledonia Circus Tour, September 2007, Suva;
• TPAF 2007 Management Development Program Module 2, Monday, 3 September, to Friday, 7 September 2007, TPAF Training House, Narere, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 28th Carlton Brewery Chess Grand Prix, Sunday, 16 September 2007;
• National Hindi Day Celebrations, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - fmf Grand Prix Swimming, Saturday, 22 September 2007, Suva;
• Opening of the new Morris Hedstrom's outlet, October, Thomson Street, Suva;
• World Invitational U18 Rugby League Championship, October 2007, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations, week long celebrations, October 2007;
• Fiji Day Open Chess Championships, Monday, 8 October 2007;
• 18th Hobie 16 World Championships, from 8 to 19 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Sunday, 28 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5pm, Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 7pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Tom Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design : Saturday Classes for Children (covering piano, art & craft, acting, choir), from Saturday, 3 March 2007, School of Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street (near Garden City), Raiwai, Suva;
• Kid’s Arts Classes with Kathy Oyagawa, Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm, The Homestay, Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, every Sundays, 6am to 6.3oam, from Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Theatre ‘M’

A Noumea based company, 'Pacifique et Compagnie' will hold a theatre play, "M", on Thursday, 26 July 2007, from 6.30pm at the FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva. ‘M’ is educational drama which focuses on teenagers problems in New Caledonia today. The play is full of dance and music and provides good entertainment. Tickets are selling at F$5.00 per adult and F$3.00 for anyone under 18 years old. For more information or to buy tickets, contact the Alliance Francaise at 14 McGregor Road, Suva. You can also call telephone (679) 3313802 or email allifra@connect.com.fj.

Beach Soccer Tournament

The Inaugural Fiji FA Beach Soccer Tournament will be held on Saturday, 4 August and Sunday, 5 August 2007 at the Beach Volleyball Courts, National Sporting Complex, Laucala Bay, Suva. The tournament is open to all clubs and business houses Fiji wide. Entry fees are F$50.00 per team with application forms available at Fiji FA Headquarters, Suva. Prize money for the tournament is F$1,200.00. For more information, pls call Y M Haniff or H R Naicker on telephone (679) 3300453.

2007 French Film Festival - Wednesday Program

Movies scheduled for Wednesday, 18 July 2007, at the 2007 French Film Festival currently on in Suva include :

• Raining Cats and Frogs (Animation, From 6 Years Old), 5pm, at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• The Ax (Thriller, R15+), 5.30pm, the FIT School of Arts, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai;
• Days of Glory (War Movie, R15+), 5.30pm, N111 Lecture Theatre, SPAF Building, University of the South Pacific, Suva;
• Brodeuses (Drama, R15+), 7.30pm, at Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• 36 Cop Movie (Outdoor, R15+), 7.30pm, at Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva.

Tickets are selling at F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Fiji Red Cross Appeal

The National Door Knock Appeal organised by the Fiji Red Cross will be held between Saturday, 21 July, to Saturday, 28 July 2007. During the appeal, volunteers will be on the streets or knocking on doors to solicit donations for the charitable organisations many programs. For more information or to give a donation, pls contact the National Office of the Fiji Red Cross at 22 Gorrie Street, Suva on telephones (679) 3314133 or (679) 3314138 or e-mail redcross@connect.com.fj. The organisation's website is http://www.redcross.com.fj/.

National 10s Bowling Competition

The Geotech Drilling National 10s Bowling Competition will be held on Saturday, 21 July, and Sunday, 22 July 2007, at the Suva Bowling Club. Entries for the competition are invited and will close at 1pm on Friday, 20 July 2007. For more information, pls call the Secretary/Manager of the Suva Bowling Club on telephone (679) 3302394.

Embassy of Japan Movie

The Embassy of Japan will screen the movie, "Osaka Story (PG)", on Thursday, 19 July 2007, from 5.30pm at the Embassy's office in Suva. No entry fee required.

Seminar : The Role and Challenges of Regional Fisheries Observers

The Faculty of Islands and Oceans, School of Marine Studies, University of the South Pacific, will be holding a Panel Discussion on Wednesday, 18 July 2007. Details are as follows :

• Topic : "Staking our Claim : The Role and Challenges of Regional Fisheries Observers";
• Panellists : Ambrose Orianihaa, Forum Fisheries Observer Program; Gisa Komangin, PNG National Fisheries Authority; Manasseh Avicks, RMI Observer Program;
• Venue : Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, USP Lower Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Date : Wednesday, 18 July 2007;
• Time : 6pm to 8pm.

Sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

2007 French Film Festival - Tuesday Program

Movies scheduled for Tuesday, 17 July 2007, at the 2007 French Film Festival currently on in Suva include :

• Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (Animation, From 6 Years Old), 5pm, at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• The Tripets of Belleville (Animation, from 10 Years Old), 5.30pm, the FIT School of Arts, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai;
• Look at me (Comedy, R12+), 5.30pm, N111 Lecture Theatre, SPAF Building, University of the South Pacific, Suva;
• Who Knows? (Comedy), 7.30pm, at Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• The Spanish Apartment, 7.30pm, at Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva.

Tickets are selling at F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Bra Art Competition starts

The Fiji Cancer Society has launched its Bra Art Competition. The competition will run until 17 September 2007 after which winners will be announced. Bra Art entries will then be displayed at various locations around Suva. Funds raised through donations and sponsors for this competition are all directed to the Society to help raise awareness against breast cancer. Note : Advertise on this blog and enjoy our high Internet search rankings. For more details, pls e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj.

Advertise on our blog

We currently enjoy very high Internet search rankings on Google, MSN and other search engines. You can take advantage of that by advertising your products and services on our blog. We offer very low rates compared to other advertising media. For more information, pls contact us by e-mailing gilbertv2@connect.com.fj.

Fiji Team to the 2007 Rugby World Cup

The Fiji team to the 2007 Rugby World Cup has been announced. The team includes :

1. Graham Dewes;
2. Alefoso Yalayalatabua;
3. Anare Qiodravu;
4. Jone Railomo;
5. Vereniki Sauturaga;
6. Sunia Koto;
7. Kele Leawere;
8. Ifereimi Rawaqa;
9. Isoa Domolailai;
10. Bill Gadolo;
11. Wame Lewaravu;
12. Jone Qovu;
13. Aca Ratuva;
14. Semisi Naevo;
15. Akapusi Qera;
16. Netani Talei;
17. Sisa Koyamaibole;
18. Mosese Rauluni;
19. Jone Daunivucu;
20. Nicky Little;
21. Waisea Luveniyali;
22. Seremaia Bai;
23. Seru Rabeni;
24. Kameli Ratuvou;
25. Maleli Kunavore;
26. Filimoni Delasau;
27. Filimone Bolavucu;
28. Isoa Neivua;
29. Norman Ligairi;
30. Gabiriele Lovobalavu.

The non-travelling reserves are :

1. Apisai Turukawa;
2. Samuela Kunanitu;
3. Dale Tonawai;
4. Navi Bolatagici;
5. Rupeni Nasiga;
6. Tiko Matawalu;
7. Alifereti Doviverata;
8. Seveci Taka;
9. Vesi Rauluni;
10. Jonetani Ralulu;
11. Dan Rawaqa;
12. Vereniki Goneva;
13. Marika Vakacegu; and
14. Sireli Bobo.

The team goes into camp from today, Monday, 16 July 2007.

Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea

The Fiji Cancer Society is organising the second Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday, 26 July 2007. Contributions made to the event all go to the Cancer Society. For more details, pls call the Society on telephones (679) 3324960, (679) 9990246, (679) 9373905 or e-mail cancer@connect.com.fj.

2007 French Film Festival - Monday Program

Movies scheduled for Monday, 16 July 2007, at the 2007 French Film Festival currently on in Suva include :

• The Triplets of Belleville (Animation, From 10 Years Old), 5pm, at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• 36 (Thriller, R15+), 5.30pm, at the FIT School of Arts, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai;
• The Spanish Apartment (Comedy, R15+), 5.30pm, N111 Lecture Theatre, SPAF Building, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Games of Love and Chance (Comedy), 7.30pm, at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• The Beat that my Heart Skipped (Drama), 7.30pm, at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva.

Tickets are selling at F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

2007 Fiji Showcase event starts today

The 2007 Fiji Showcase event starts today at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva. The event organisers have promised that this year's event will be bigger and better than the ones in previous years. The event has a carnival/festival like atmosphere and offers products from various companies for purchase at discounts, fun events for the whole family and food. The program runs daily from 10am to 8pm each day until Saturday, 21 July 2007. Note : Businesses that wish to advertise their products and services on this blog can e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427. We currently enjoy high Internet search rankings on Google, MSN and other search engines for keywords such as "Suva activities", "Suva events", "Suva shopping", "Suva sports", "Suva art", "Suva craft", etc.

2007 French Film Festival - Saturday Program

Movies scheduled for Saturday, 14 July 2007 at the 2007 French Film Festival currently on in Suva include :

• Games of Love and Chance (Comedy), at 2.30pm;
• Who Knows? (Comedy), at 4.30pm.

Screening will be at the Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva. Tickets are selling at F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 13.7.07)

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

• Hindi Short Story Contest organised by School of Language, Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts and Law of the University of the South Pacific, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, starts Saturday, 9 June 2007, closes Friday, 27 July 2007;
• Fiji Media Council invitation for entries for the Fiji Awards for Media Excellence, open up to 20 July 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Screen Printing Art Workshops, July 2007, Suva;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Thursday, 12 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2007, French Film Festival, Suva;
• Save The Children - Photography Competition, from Friday, 13 July, to Friday, 24 August 2007, Save The Children Fund Office, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 1pm, Sports Day - Golf, bowls, tennis, etc;
• Queen Victoria School (QVS) Book Drive - Fundraising Dinner, Friday, 13 July 2007, 7.30pm, Vineyard Restaurant, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7pm, Island Night;
• "Enrich Your Writing" Training Session, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7pm to 9pm, and Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 9am to 4.30pm, Siwatibau residence, 7 Nauluvatu Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Saturday, 14 July 2007, Pure Fiji Tour and shopping, United Apparel tour;
• Marist Brothers High School Old Boys Association - Annual General Meeting, Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 3pm, Lambert Hall, Marist Brothers High School, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Teams Chess Championship, Saturday, 14 July 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Heat 3, Saturday, 14 July 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Showcase 2007 (shopping event), Saturday, 14 July, to Saturday, 21 July 2007, Vodafone Arena (former FMF Dome), Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Sunday, 15 July 2007, Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and Yum Cha brunch at Chinatown;
• Workshop on stress - ‘Living the Peace of Paradise’, Sunday, 15 July 2007, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm, Siwatibau's residence, 7 Nauluvatu Road , Samabula, Suva;
• Fiji Cancer Society Bra Art Competition open until 17 September 2007;
• Seminar : "Staking our Claim : The Role and Challenges of Regional Fisheries Observers", Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 6pm to 8pm, Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, USP Lower Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Embassy of Japan movie, "Osaka Story (PG)", Thursday, 19 July 2007, from 5.30pm, Embassy's Office, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Squads Camp, Friday, 20 July, to Sunday, 22 July 2007, Suva;
• Geotech Drilling National 10s Bowling Competition, Saturday, 21 July, and Sunday, 22 July 2007, Suva Bowling Club;
• Fiji Open Darts Competition, Saturday, 21 July 2007, China Club, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nasese, Suva;
• Fiji Cancer Society's Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea, Thursday, 26 July 2007, Suva;
• Noumea based company, Pacifique et Compagnie's theatre play, "M", Thursday, 26 July 2007, from 6.30pm, FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design, Carpenter Street, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition - Receipt of artworks, Friday 27 July 2007, Suva;
• Photo Workshop on Women's Rugby in Fiji, Saturday, 28 July 2007, and Saturday, 4 August 2007, Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition, Monday, 30 July, to Sunday, 5 August 2007, The Playhouse, Fiji Arts Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations Ball, August;
• Alliance Francaise, 20th Anniversary, Photography Workshop and Exhibition, August 2007, Suva;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Semi-finals, Saturday, 4 August 2007, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Saturday, 12 August 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament, Thursday, 16 August, to Saturday, 18 August 2007, Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour;
• Fiji Hibiscus Festival, 17 to 25 August 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Methodist Church of Fiji Annual Choir/Singing Competition, from Friday, 17 August 2007 to Saturday, 25 August 2007, Furnival Park, Toorak, Suva;
• Isa Lei Reunion (for former students of the International School in Suva), 17 to 19 August 2007, Suva;
• Hibiscus Festival 2007 - March of Youth, Saturday, 18 August 2007, from Suva Bus Terminal to Albert Park;
• National U-20 Championships, Saturday, 18 August 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Finals, Saturday, 18 August 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Tertiary Games Chess Championships, September 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, New Caledonia Circus Tour, September 2007, Suva;
• TPAF 2007 Management Development Program Module 2, Monday, 3 September, to Friday, 7 September 2007, TPAF Training House, Narere, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 28th Carlton Brewery Chess Grand Prix, Sunday, 16 September 2007;
• National Hindi Day Celebrations, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - fmf Grand Prix Swimming, Saturday, 22 September 2007, Suva;
• Opening of the new Morris Hedstrom's outlet, October, Thomson Street, Suva;
• World Invitational U18 Rugby League Championship, October 2007, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations, week long celebrations, October 2007;
• Fiji Day Open Chess Championships, Monday, 8 October 2007;
• 18th Hobie 16 World Championships, from 8 to 19 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Sunday, 28 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5pm, Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 7pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Tom Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Rucksack Club Meeting, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6.45pm, St Andrew's Church Hall, Suva;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design : Saturday Classes for Children (covering piano, art & craft, acting, choir), from Saturday, 3 March 2007, School of Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street (near Garden City), Raiwai, Suva;
• Kid’s Arts Classes with Kathy Oyagawa, Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm, The Homestay, Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, every Sundays, 6am to 6.3oam, from Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Suva ROC Market

The ROC Market is on this Sunday, 15 July 2007, from 10am to 3pm, at Loftus Street in front of the ROC Café beside Dolphin’s Foodcourt, FNPF Place, Suva. On sale will be arts, crafts and homeware. For more information, pls contact the Republic of Cappuccino on telephone (679) 3300828 or (679) 9267847.

Workshop on Stress

A workshop on stress, ‘Living the Peace of Paradise’, will be held on Sunday, 15 July 2007, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm at the Siwatibau's residence, 7 Nauluvatu Road , Samabula, Suva. The workshop will cover the causes of stress and how to interrupt your mind and body to deal with stress. You will also learn simple tools for dealing with stress. The workshop will be conducted jointly by Thom Cronkhite and Caroline Cottom, PhD. A F$10.00 donation is requested which will then be forwarded to the St Giles Hospital, Suva. For information, pls call telephones (679) 368 3302 or (679) 9927 204, or e-mail centerwithin@connect.com.fj. Note : For advertising your products and services on this blog, check out our low rates here. For more information, pls e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj.

Save The Children Photography Competition

A Photography Competition organised by the Save The Children Fund will be held from Friday, 13 July, to Friday, 24 August 2007 at the Save The Children Fund Office in Suva. The Fund has organised the competition with the intention that the people of Fiji will be the lighter side of life in today's environment. The focus is on children's lives with the theme ‘Children – The Way to Unity’. The Competition is open to both children up to the age of 18 yrs and adults. The various categories and prizes are :

• Professional Photographer with a prize of F$1,000.00 cash;
• Amateur Photographer with a digital camera as prize;
• and Budding Young Photographer with a digital camera as prize.

Entry fees are F$33.00 for adults and F$23.00 for children. For more information, pls contact Michele McConell-Wilson at Save The Children on telephones (679) 9377159, (679) 3313178 or (679) 3313938.

Photo Workshop on Women's Rugby in Fiji

A Photo Workshop on Women's Rugby in Fiji is being held on Saturday, 28 July 2007, and Saturday, 4 August 2007. The workshop will help improve your photographic skills and support women's rugby in Fiji. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

2007 French Film Festival - Friday Program

Movies scheduled for Friday, 13 July 2007 at the 2007 French Film Festival currently on in Suva include :

• Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (Animation, For 6 year olds), at 5pm;
• Brodeuses (Drama, R15+), at 6.30pm;
• The A (Thriller, R15+), at 9pm;
• Summer Things (Comedy, R18+), at 9pm.

Tickets are selling at F$1.00 per person. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Fiji Open Darts Competition

The Fiji Open Darts Competition will be held on Saturday, 21 July 2007, at the China Club, Nasese, Suva. Entry fees is F$10.00 per double with entries closing at 4pm on Wednesday, 18 July 2007. For more information, pls call Mahen Singh on telephones (679) 3304516 or (679) 9445507.

Queen Victoria School Fundraising Dinner

The Queen Victoria School (QVS) is organising a Book Drive fundraising dinner on Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7.30pm at the Vineyard Restaurant. Old boys, families and friends are invited to attend. Note : Businesses that wish to advertise their products and services on this blog to take advantage of our wide readership base can contact us on e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427. We have a good readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, Canada, UK and Europe and currently enjoy very high Internet search rankings on Google.

Marist Brothers High School Old Boys Reunion

The Marist Brothers High School Old Boys Reunion is currently going on in Suva this week. Check out the program that was posted earlier on this blog. The Reunion is for students that attended the school between 1961 and 1970.

Nukulau Island cruise

The Suva City Council has plans to introduce a Suva harbour cruise that will take in visits to Mosquito Island, Nukulau Island and nearby Makuluva Island. The Council has been having discussions with the owners of Nukulau and Makuluva Islands and is seeking approval from the necessary authorities in Fiji. The harbour cruises should provide a feature that will be enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike. Note : Advertise your products and services on our blog and take advantage of our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, Canada, UK and Europe. Overseas companies and businesses can also contact us to advertise their products to Fiji residents or to former Fiji residents living overseas. Check out our low advertising rates here.

Contemporary Pacific Art Course

The Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture, University of the South Pacific, is conducing an applied course in performance and/or visual arts. Work with artists-in-residence at the Centre, complemented by a series of short theoretical lectures. For more information, pls contact Dr Elise Huffer on telephone (679) 3232017 or e-mail huffer_e@usp.ac.fj.

School of Marine Studies Lecture Series

The School of Marine Studies, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, University of the South Pacific, is holding a lecture series follows :

• Topic : Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing : South Pacific responses to a major global challenge;
• Speaker : Dr David Doulman, Senior Fishery Liaison Office, FAO, Rome;
• Date and Time : Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 6pm to 8pm;
• Venue : Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Lower Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva.

• Topic : Port State Measures - Coming to grips with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing;
• Speaker : Dr Judith Swan, International Law Consultant;
• Date and Time : Thursday, 12 July 2007, 6pm to 8pm;
• Venue : Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Lower Campus, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Open Chess Championships

The Fiji Chess Federation Open Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 8am at the Hoodless House, Suva. All interested players in teams of three are to contact Krishneel Nair on telephone (679) 9297033 or Dr De Asa on telephone (679) 3314450.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 6.7.07)

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

• Hindi Short Story Contest organised by School of Language, Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts and Law of the University of the South Pacific, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, starts Saturday, 9 June 2007, closes Friday, 27 July 2007;
• Fiji Media Council invitation for entries for the Fiji Awards for Media Excellence, open up to 20 July 2007;
• Kula Film Awards, July 2007, Suva;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Screen Printing Art Workshops, July 2007, Suva;
• Greenpeace (Golf) Stroke Event, Saturday, 7 July 2007, from 8am, Fiji Golf Club, Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Hibiscus Star Quest Heat 2, Saturday, 7 July 2007, from 5.30pm, Suva Civic Centre Auditorium;
• Beulah Brass Band Performance, Sunday, 8 July 2007, 9am to 10am, Sukuna Park, after a Suva environment clean up campaign;
• Beulah Brass Band Performance, Sunday, 8 July 2007, from 5pm, Salesi Health Centre, Kinoya, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Monday, 9 July 2007, 5pm, Welcome Cocktail at The Fiji Club, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, FREE DAY - Shopping, visit family, etc;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, Suva Sights and Venues - via Bus;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, Suva Nightlife pub crawl;
• 2007 French Film Festival, from Wednesday, 11 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2007, various venues in Suva;
• Fiji boxing team to the South Pacific Games 2007 vs a "Rest of Fiji" team boxing challenge, Thursday, 12 July 2007, at the Suva Civic Centre Lower Auditorium;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Thursday, 12 July 2007, 10am, MBHS school visit, Scholarship package presentation, and library computer workstation handover;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Thursday, 12 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2007, French Film Festival, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 1pm, Sports Day - Golf, bowls, tennis, etc;
• Queen Victoria School (QVS) Book Drive - Fundraising Dinner, Friday, 13 July 2007, 7.30pm, Vineyard Restaurant, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7pm, Island Night;
• "Enrich Your Writing" Training Session, Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7pm to 9pm, and Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 9am to 4.30pm, Siwatibau residence, 7 Nauluvatu Road, Samabula, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Saturday, 14 July 2007, Pure Fiji Tour and shopping, United Apparel tour;
• Marist Brothers High School Old Boys Association - Annual General Meeting, Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 3pm, Lambert Hall, Marist Brothers High School, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Teams Chess Championship, Saturday, 14 July 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Heat 3, Saturday, 14 July 2007, Suva;
• Marist Brothers High School Reunion, Sunday, 15 July 2007, Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and Yum Cha brunch at Chinatown;
• Fiji Showcase 2007 (shopping event), Saturday, 14 July, to Saturday, 21 July 2007, Vodafone Arena (former FMF Dome), Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Squads Camp, Friday, 20 July, to Sunday, 22 July 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Open Darts Competition, Saturday, 21 July 2007, China Club, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nasese, Suva;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, Wednesday, 25 July, to Friday, 27 July 2007, "M" Theatre, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition - Receipt of artworks, Friday 27 July 2007, Suva;
• ANZ-Fiji Arts Club Annual Art Exhibition and Competition, Monday, 30 July, to Sunday, 5 August 2007, The Playhouse, Fiji Arts Club, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations Ball, August;
• Alliance Francaise, 20th Anniversary, Photography Workshop and Exhibition, August 2007, Suva;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Semi-finals, Saturday, 4 August 2007, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Saturday, 12 August 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament, Thursday, 16 August, to Saturday, 18 August 2007, Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour;
• Fiji Hibiscus Festival, 17 to 25 August 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Methodist Church of Fiji Annual Choir/Singing Competition, from Friday, 17 August 2007 to Saturday, 25 August 2007, Furnival Park, Toorak, Suva;
• Isa Lei Reunion (for former students of the International School in Suva), 17 to 19 August 2007, Suva;
• Hibiscus Festival 2007 - March of Youth, Saturday, 18 August 2007, from Suva Bus Terminal to Albert Park;
• National U-20 Championships, Saturday, 18 August 2007;
• 2007 Suva Hibiscus Festival - Star Quest Competition, Finals, Saturday, 18 August 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Tertiary Games Chess Championships, September 2007;
• Alliance Francaise 20th Anniversary, New Caledonia Circus Tour, September 2007, Suva;
• TPAF 2007 Management Development Program Module 2, Monday, 3 September, to Friday, 7 September 2007, TPAF Training House, Narere, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 28th Carlton Brewery Chess Grand Prix, Sunday, 16 September 2007;
• National Hindi Day Celebrations, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - fmf Grand Prix Swimming, Saturday, 22 September 2007, Suva;
• Opening of the new Morris Hedstrom's outlet, October, Thomson Street, Suva;
• World Invitational U18 Rugby League Championship, October 2007, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School 100th Anniversary Celebrations, week long celebrations, October 2007;
• Fiji Day Open Chess Championships, Monday, 8 October 2007;
• 18th Hobie 16 World Championships, from 8 to 19 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon, Sunday, 28 October 2007, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Stormy Monday Blues Night, Mondays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade;
• Rasta Tuesday, from 9pm, Tuesdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 6pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Rucksack Club Meeting, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6.45pm, St Andrew's Church Hall, Suva;
• Alternate Rock, every Wednesdays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Music Workshop organised by the Fiji Arts Council and the Alliance Francaise, every Thursdays, from 5.30 to 9pm, Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) School of Arts , Culture and Design. Campus, Raiwai, Suva;
• Soul, funk, disco and classics DJ music, from 8pm, Fridays, Traps Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• FIT School of Arts, Culture and Design : Saturday Classes for Children (covering piano, art & craft, acting, choir), from Saturday, 3 March 2007, School of Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street (near Garden City), Raiwai, Suva;
• Kid’s Arts Classes with Kathy Oyagawa, Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm, The Homestay, Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• SideStep, every last Saturday of the month, 9pm to close, Traps Upstairs Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, starts 11am, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles Ride, every Sundays, from 6am, start at Wai Tui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbertv2@connect.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Fiji Showcase 2007 to start next week

The Fiji Showcase 2007 (a trade fair) will open in Suva on Saturday, 14 July 2007, at the Vodafone Arena, Laucala Bay, Suva. A turnout of 85,000 people is expected at this year's event. Companies that will have their products on show include :

1. Asco Motors,
2. Vodafone,
3. Telecom Fiji,
4. Unwired,
5. Quest,
6. Harcourts,
7. Fiji Electricity Authority,
8. Fiji National Provident Fund,
9. Goodman Fielder,
10. Vinod Patel,
11. United Apparel,
12. Comsol,
13. Hi Star Multimedia, and
14. Alumeci's Pearl Accessories.

For entertainment, there will be five groups from overseas and ten local groups performing throughout the week.

Opening hours are :

• 10am to 8pm, from Saturday, 14 July, to Tuesday, 17 July 2007;
• 10am to 9pm, from Wednesday, 18 July 2007, to Friday, 20 July 2007; and
• 10am to 6pm, on Saturday, 21 July 2007.

International School Isa Lei Reunion

The International School Isa Lei Reunion will be held from 17 to 19 August 2007 in Suva. The Alumni states that there are still places available. To register, pls e-mail your expression of interest to isalei.fiji@gmail.com. For more information, pls visit http://isalei.net/.

Greenpeace Golf Tournament

The Greenpeace (Golf) Stroke Event will be held on Saturday, 7 July 2007, from 8am at the Fiji Golf Club, Vatuwaqa, Suva.

2007 French Film Festival

The 2007 French Film Festival will be held from Wednesday, 11 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2007. Go and watch popular and awarded recent French movies. There will be screenings at Village 6 Cinemas, the Alliance Francaise, FIT School of Arts and Culture, Hall N111, SPAF Building, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Tickets are F$1.00 per person with wine and cheese at reasonable prices. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Hibiscus 2007 Star Quest

Tickets for Heat 2 of the Hibiscus Star Quest are on sale now at the Village 6 Cinemas in Suva. Tickets are selling at F$5.00 per person. Heat 2 will be held on Saturday, 7 July 2007, from 5.30pm at the Suva Civic Centre Auditorium.

Boxing Challenge

The Fiji boxing team to the South Pacific Games 2007 will meet a "Rest of Fiji" team in a boxing challenge on Thursday, 12 July 2007, at the Suva Civic Centre Lower Auditorium. Weigh in is from 7am to 9am while the program starts at 5.30pm on the day.

International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament

The International Game Fishing Invitational Tournament, in association with Riviera Yachts Fiji and Shimano, will be held from 16 August to 18 August 2007 at the Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour. For more information, pls contact Elle on telephones (679) 3450276 or (679) 9955368.

Marist Brothers High School Old Boys AGM

The Marist Brothers High School Old Boys Association will hold an Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 3pm at Lambert Hall, Marist Brothers High School, Flagstaff, Suva. A Barrel Night fundraising for Sekove Rokocakau will follow at 5pm at the Hall.

A Tourist's Experience in Fiji

Read an article reproduced from the Fiji Times, Tuesday, 3 July 2007, which notes a tourist's experience of the real Fiji over the past week.

• "Tourist meets 'friendly people', Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Christopher Kreutzer in Nadi yesterday.

• The people of Fiji are among the friendliest and kindest people in the world and those contemplating a visit to its shores should ignore negative travel advisories, says an American tourist who walked around Viti Levu. Christopher Kreutzer of California said he could not understand the negative travel advisories posted by foreign governments warning people not to visit Fiji. The 26-year-old who completed an 11-day walk around Fiji's largest islands Viti Levu on Sunday, said the people of Fiji were among the most friendly, kind and welcoming people he had ever met. Mr Kreutzer, a housekeeping supervisor of Stanford Hospital, said tourists who cancel their plans because of the advisories would miss out on a perfect holiday filled with "beautiful scenery and wonderful people". Mr Kreutzer, who returns to America on Thursday, arrived in Fiji on June 21. He decided the only way he would really get a true Fijian experience was if he walked around Viti Levu soaking in the sights and sounds of every day life. He set off on his journey from the Nadi International Airport in the West at about 6am, walking along the Queens Highway to Lautoka. From Lautoka, Mr Kreutzer walked to Ba before making his way to Suva along the Kings Highway. After two days of carrying all his belongings on his back, Mr Kreutzer stopped over in Ba where he bought two wheelbarrow wheels and metal frames for a makeshift cart. With the cart carrying his belongings, Mr Kreutzer went on determined to complete his journey within his two-week holiday in Fiji. "Even though two weeks is a short time to really take everything in, my journey around Viti Levu made me meet very friendly people," he said. "I arrived with no expectations but the response and friendliness I received from the locals was overwhelming. I just don't understand why these negative travel advisories are being posted about Fiji so the only advice for those having second thoughts is don't cancel. They will miss out on a very memorable holiday." Mr Kreutzer is on a tour that will see him spend a week in Australia before flying off to France then returning to the United States."

Marist Brothers High School Reunion - Program

The Marist Brothers High School Old Boys has organised a Reunion in Suva. Part of the program begins in Nadi and the Western Division. The events scheduled are as follows :

• Thursday and Friday, 5 and 6 July 2007, Arrival Nadi International and accommodation at West Motor Inn, Nadi;
• Thursday and Friday, 5 and 6 July 2007, Visit Koroipita, Nadi;
• Thursday and Friday, 5 and 6 July 2007, Function organised at the South Seas Club / Northern Club, Nadi/Lautoka;
• Saturday, 7 July 2007, Move to Momi and accommodation at Seashell Cove. No programs scheduled for the day. Options for the day include : a visit to the Momi Bay gun site, or; fishing;
• Sunday, 8 July 2007, Morning Mass at the Ashram with lunch at the Momi Bay Mango Farm. No other programs scheduled for the day;
• Monday, 9 July 2007, Travel to Suva via Natadola by Bus;
• Monday, 9 July 2007, 5pm, Welcome Cocktail at The Fiji Club, Suva;
• Tuesday, 10 July 2007, FREE DAY - Shopping, visit family, etc;
• Wednesday, 11 July 2007, Suva Sights and Venues - via Bus;
• Wednesday, 11 July 2007, Suva Nightlife pub crawl;
• Thursday, 12 July 2007, 10am, MBHS school visit, Scholarship package presentation, and library computer workstation handover;
• Friday, 13 July 2007, from 1pm, Sports Day - Golf, bowls, tennis, etc;
• Friday, 13 July 2007, from 7pm, Island Night;
• Saturday, 14 July 2007, Pure Fiji Tour and shopping, United Apparel tour;
• Sunday, 15 July 2007, Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and Yum Cha brunch at Chinatown.

For more information, pls contact Bernard Hong-Tiy on e-mail bernie@ssfl.com.fj.

Blog Readership : May 2007 vs June 2007

Here are some interesting readership statistics for our Promoting Suva blog for the months of May and June 2007. Data for May is given first followed by data for June. May 2007

• total number of visits (not page views, which would be higher) - 1,458;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji, 584; United States, 278; Australia, 216; New Zealand, 107; United Kingdom, 56; Canada, 45; Ivory Coast, 14; Germany, 13; India, 13; Nigeria, 12; France, 9; South Africa, 7; Cote D'Ivoire, 7; Japan, 6; Singapore, 6;
• top 10 referring source - google[organic], 916; (direct)[(none)], 245; blogger.com[referral], 56; yahoo[organic], 37; msn[organic], 22; www2.blogger.com[referral], 19; babasiga.blogspot.com[referral], 16; a-free-guestbook.com[referral], 10; search[organic], 9; globalvoicesonline.org[referral], 8;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - fijian recipes, 26; promoting suva, 10; adi cakobau school, 10; suva fiji, 8; fijiliving, 6; alliance francaise suva, 5; fiji diving royal suva yacht club, 5; fiji hibiscus 2007, 5; suva on sale, 4; fiji games 2007, 4; suva, fiji, 4; pro interim government fiji blogs, 4; fiji recipes, 4; tapoos, 3; rucksack club fiji, 3; graham dewes, 3; fiji tourist sights, 3; kidanet fiji, 3; traditional fiji games, 3; coffee shop suva, 3; fijian desserts, 3; jese mucunabitu, 3; traffic jam in suva, 3; promotingsuva, 3; tourist activities in fiji, 3; fiji-suva grammar school, 2; marist brothers reunion in fiji, 2; post fiji stadium 28 may, 2; traditional fijian masi wedding costumes, 2; suva secondary school music festival, 2; coca cola games fiji, 2; l'opera fiji nesi, 2; vitori buatava, 2; suva entertainment, 2; suva hibiscus, 2; coconut buns, 2; fijian bure, 2; ratu sukuna, 2; fiji activities and prices, 2; talei bari, 2; sumeet tappoo wedding, 2; "suva bowling club" "game" "message" "suva", 2; suva people, 2; damodar brothers suva, 2; pictures of shops in laucala bay, fiji, 2; vakalolo recipe, 2; morris hedstrom suva fiji, 2; jj's on the park suva, 2; blog readership promoting suva, 2; fijian dishes, 2.

June 2007

• total number of visits (not page views, which would be higher) - 1,421;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji, 424; Australia, 260; United States, 222; New Zealand, 103; Canada, 73; United Kingdom, 58; Ivory Coast, 58; Nigeria, 42; India, 18; South Africa, 13; Togo, 11; France, 9; Spain, 9; Ghana, 8; United Arab Emirates, 7;
• top 10 referring source - google[organic], 1,100; (direct)[(none)], 92; blogger.com[referral], 47; yahoo[organic], 30; msn[organic], 15; search[organic], 14; ivebeenthere.co.uk[referral], 12; a-free-guestbook.com[referral], 11; technorati.com[referral], 8; google.com.ng[referral], 8;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - dinesh lal yadav, 20; promoting suva, 10; adi cakobau school, 9; dinesh lal yadav songs, 6; tappoos sale, 6; battle of the giants 2007 fiji, 6; vitori buatava, 5; jimmy montu, 5; suva fiji, 5; battle of the giants soccer, 4; fiji vs australia a, 4; fiji music fest, 4; hibiscus 2007, 4; coconut buns, 4; suva, fiji, 4; ratu sukuna memorial school, 4; damodar brothers, 3; tadra kahani, 3; america opened embassy in suva, 3; 2007 contacts email address for churches in japan, 3.

Observations

• Page visits was slightly lower (by 37) during June 2007 compared to May 2007. Page views would be higher than the page visits data;
• Readers from Fiji, USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada make up over 80% of our blog readers. Readers from these countries can best be targeted for marketing from this blog;
• Top referring site is google.com with our search ranking and hits from google.com continuing to improve each month. 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', our site appears on Page 1;
• 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.

We are continuing to market our low rates for advertising on our blog. Merchants, traders and small businesses can best use our high Internet search rankings to market their products and services 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 gilbertv2@connect.com.fj or gilbertv2@gmail.com or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427.

Beulah Brass Band Events

The Beulah Brass Band will have performances in Suva on the following days :

• Monday, 2 July 2007, 12pm to 1pm, at Sukuna Park;
• Tuesday, 3 July 2007, from 7.30pm, Suva Civic Auditorium;
• Sunday, 8 July 2007, 9am to 10am, Sukuna Park, after a Suva environment clean up campaign; and
• Sunday, 8 July 2007, from 5pm, Salesi Health Centre, Kinoya, Suva.