NEWSPAGE 03 May
2010

(Photo: Waikato University)

(Photo: Samoa Tourism Authority)

SAMOA: Vessels cruise into Samoa
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

Two cruise ships visited Samoa’s shores last week, with the M/S Volendam arriving just a few days prior to the Dawn Princess.

The M/S Volendam which came in on Tuesday27th April 2010 docked from 7am - 6pm.

Betham Brothers Enterprises were the local agents for this vessel and had wisely arranged for various activities to take place for the locals during this Vessel’s call.

Some of these activities included:

- Practical experience tour for Polytech Students from NUS who are currently enrolled in the Tourism and Hospitality course (Food & Beverage / Front Office & Housekeeping). This is part of a continued effort by BBE/Holland America Line to assist students in experiencing what some of their courses could lead to (in regards to their career paths) and by witnessing firsthand the standard of service offered onboard a 5 star Cruise Ship. A similar group also toured this Vessel back in 2008.

- Tour for Primary School Students - Robert Louis Stevenson Primary were invited to send a group of Primary Students to tour the Vessel whilst in Port. It was considered good learning experience for these young minds and a once in a lifetime experience for most of them.

- Tour for National 7's Team. The Boys in Blue were the Special guests of Betham Brothers and Holland America Line who felt that the Team deserved an outing on the Vessel.

Similar activities were arranged for the arrival of the P&O cruise ship Dawn Princess also, while the common activities for both Vessels was the welcoming entertainment that was provided by the Samoa Tourism Authority as well as the Vendors on the Pier as was organized for both Vessels by Samoa Ports Authority.

Both Vessels brought more than 1000 passengers each on their journeys, not including the crewmembers.

From the port of Apia, the M/S Volendam continued out to sea, expecting to dock in Kauai, Hawaii some time today.

The P&O Dawn Princess which is on a 35 night return cruise from Sydney Australia is currently docked at the American Samoa Port for a similar shore excursion before heading on its return trip to Australia.

Photo Caption: Cruise Ship M/S Volendam, operated by Holland America Line.
 

(Photo: Australian High Commission)

AUSTRALIA: Two more Samoans win Australian Leadership Awards
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Two aspiring Samoan leaders who applied for post-graduate scholarships through the prestigious Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) program last year have just had their scholarships confirmed.

Prince Shuren, a product analyst for Samoatel, will study a Master of Business at Bond University in Queensland and Ane Moananu, the Coordinator of the Law and Justice Sector, will study a Master of Business Administration at Newcastle University in New South Wales.

The ALA scholarships, valued at around $180,000 (A$90,000) each and include travel, living allowances, tuition fees and university costs, as well as a special leadership program, are funded by the Australian Government through AusAID. Both Prince and Ane will commence their course mid year at the start of Semester Two.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said the ALA scholarship program began in 2007 and the latest winners take the total number of Samoans who have received ALA scholarships to 12.

“The awarding of these additional two ALA scholarships in 2010 means that five Samoans has won the honour this year - more than in any other year. It is a real credit to the winners as the scholarships are highly competitive, based on outstanding leadership qualities and academic achievement.”

“Through these leadership awards, the next group of Samoan leaders will be able to extend their education and participate in a unique development program to enhance their leadership skills, build networks and increase their understanding of regional development challenges,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson reminded people that ALA scholarship applications for next year close next month on 30 June 2010 and encouraged people thinking about applying for a scholarship to give themselves plenty of time to get their application together.

The study programs must relate to the Samoa-Australia aid program’s priority areas of economic growth, education, climate change, environment, food security, gender, disability, governance, law and justice, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation.

For more information on ALA scholarships, visit the AusAID website: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm or contact Pepe Leuelu at AusAID on 23411 or email [email protected]


Photo Caption: Australian Leadership Awards scholarship winners Ane Moananu and Prince Shuren with Australian High Commissioner, Matt Anderson.

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Hekari dedicate win to Pacific Islands
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

In a moving tribute, Papua New Guinea club champions Hekari United have dedicated their historic 2010 O-League title win to all Pacific Island nations striving to reach the top in football.

Despite a 2-1 loss to a Waitakere United at Fred Taylor Park in the return leg final this afternoon, Hekari claimed their first OFC Champions League title win with a 4-2 aggregate score over two legs and became the first team from outside New Zealand or Australia to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Two-time champions Waitakere showed early intent with a Neil Emblem goal in just the third minute but Kema Jack equalised from the penalty spot on 35 minutes after Alick Maemae was brought down by goalkeeper Danny Robinson.

On what was a perfect autumn day, the home side pushed for goals throughout but could only manage one more in the 84th minute when Brent Fisher converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Dakota Lucas.

Hekari manageress Vonnie Eteaki Kapi-Natto, who has been with the team since it was established in 2003, expressed just what it mean to the team following the match.

“I never dreamed to come this far. We’ve been working for it but I never thought we would come to this,” said Kapi-Natto.

“I want to dedicate our success to all the Pacific Island nations. I’m sure this will be good motivation for our children and young people because they’ve see that their brothers can compete and win at this level.”

Hekari got off to a poor start, conceding early when Martin Bullock’s corner was met with a powerful header from Waitakere player-coach Neil Emblen.

Waitakere should have doubled their lead on 14 minutes when Benjamin Totori rounded the keeper and played a ball across the six-yard box for the waiting Allan Pearce and Martin Bullock but scrambling defence from Hekari somehow kept the ball out.

Just after the half hour mark, Alick Maemae was brought down in the box by Waitakere goalkeeper Danny Robinson who received a yellow card for the late challenge. Kema Jack converted from the spot to give his side a crucial away goal on 35 minutes.

Waitakere threw everything at the visitors in the second half, hitting the woodwork in the 54th and 55th minutes before Jack Pelter’s shot in the 57th minute was cleared off the goal line. But Brent Fisher’s penalty late in the game proved too little too late for the home side.

Speaking after the match, Emblen says he was surprised by Hekari’s choice to stick with a 4-4-2 formation and push numbers forward on attack.

“If we had gone to their place with a 3-0 lead we probably would’ve played with a sweeper and one up front with two wide ones. But I think they were very bold in what they did and they will feel it worked for them,” said Emblen.

“I thought after our goal after two minutes we were going to go on and do the job. From set plays and balls into the box they looked vulnerable but we just couldn’t capitalise.”

Hekari assistant coach Tommy Mana commended Solomon Islands international Alick Maemae for another outstanding performance and paid credit to his strikers Kema Jack and Tuimasi Manuca for their efforts.

“We had a mind to play attacking football. You could see that we weren’t holding our strikers back. That was part of the strategy and they did well.”

The Papua New Guinea side will now head to the FIFA Club World Cup in UAE this December which Mana admits it will be a tough challenge.

“That’s another step up. Here we know the standard but there it will be a lot higher. We know it’s not going to be easy but we will work hard.”

The FIFA tournament in Abu Dhabi will include a minimum payday of US$500,000 - a huge boost for Papua New Guinea football and motivation for other Pacific Islands clubs eager to achieve similar feats.
 

(Photos: Solomon Star / Douglas Marau)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Journey of Unity: students embraced as Queen’s Baton relay ends
Source: Solomon Star

The Queen’s Baton relay has ended on a high note after a three days journey around the capital, Honiara.

The last day yesterday (April 30, 2010) has again been a successful day as the Queens Baton visited children and students in different schools and also the Rove prison.

The Queen’s Baton relay started at Mbokonavera School yesterday then to Mbokona, St John, Bishop Epalle Catholic School, Red Cross handicap centre, White-River and ended at Tanagai School.

From Tanagai, it was accompanied down to Rove where it was met and handed over to the Police Commissioner Peter Marshall who took the baton through a police guard of honour to the Rove Correctional Services.

At the Rove prison, it was met by the Correctional Services Commissioner Francis Haisoma who took escorted the baton to visit the prisoners.

Haisoma during his short remarks said that the prisoners were truly grateful that the Queens Baton has visited them.

It was explained to the prisoners that the baton has a GPS that monitors its whereabouts, a video camera and audio recorder that captures everything that moves and makes a sound.

“We are very privileged that the Queen’s Baton is here with us and I want to thank the organizers that there are no discriminations or whatsoever in regards to the status of the prisoners and therefore although our prisoners are here they are thought of to have the chance to see and touch the baton”, Haisoma said.

The baton after leaving Rove police station was accompanied by Commissioner Marshall again to town ground to the awaiting Miss Solomon Rabobo Toma, British High Commissioner Timothy Smart and the NOCSI president Fred Maetoloa who accompanied the baton to the Honiara City Council.

At the HCC, it was met by the Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa.

The Baton ended its journey at the Government House with NOCSI presenting the baton back to the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui who then handed it back to the Oceania Commonwealth President Vui Tapasu Leung Wai.

The Queen’s Baton left the country this morning, on its way to Nauru.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - British High Commissioner, Timothy Smart on his way to the GG's house with the Queen's Baton.

Photo 2 - Kindergarten students of Bishop Epalle Catholic School recieve the Queen's Baton.
 

WORLDWIDE: Registrations for Pacific Quota now open
Source: Department of Labour Press Release

Registrations for the 2010 Samoa Quota (SQ) and Pacific Access Category (PAC) ballot are now open.

From Saturday 1 May until Monday 31 May 2010, eligible citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu can register their interest in becoming a resident of New Zealand under the SQ and PAC ballot.

To register, the principal registrant (the person who signs the registration form and who would be the principal applicant if invited to apply for residence) must meet the following requirements:

* Be a citizen of Samoa or any of the PAC countries;
* Have been born in Samoa or one of the PAC countries, or have been born overseas to a Samoan or PAC country citizen;
* Register for the ballot within the official registration period from 1-31 May 2010;
* Be aged between 18 and 45 when the application is lodged.

Head of Immigration New Zealand Nigel Bickle says citizens of Samoa and PAC countries can apply if they are in New Zealand at the time of the registration period but they must be in New Zealand lawfully to register.

“There is no charge to submit a registration under the Samoa Quota as a result of a treaty of friendship between Samoa and New Zealand governments. However, a first registration for the PAC ballot fee is NZ$50. If the applicant has registered before in the past, they will only need to pay a re-registration fee of NZ$20. These fees are not refundable if your registration is unsuccessful in the ballot”.

“We would like to remind those interested in registering that only one registration form is needed from each family, this needs to be fully completed and signed, and sent along with copies of birth certificates for everyone included in the registration form”, says Mr Bickle. The applicant should ensure they have met all necessary requirements to avoid any disappointment.

Each year, SQ and PAC citizens are invited to register for the quota and those chosen in a random ballot are invited to apply for residence if they can obtain a satisfactory offer of full-time employment in New Zealand.

To register for the quota, applicants need to complete and sign the ballot registration form which can be collected from a nearest Immigration New Zealand branch; or can be downloaded from the Immigration New Zealand website: www.immigration.govt.nz.

Fully completed registrations must be received by Immigration New Zealand by 31 May or they cannot be accepted.

The SQ and PAC ballot will be drawn on Friday 9 July 2010 (Thursday 8 July Samoan time).