NEWSPAGE 07 September
2009

(Photos: University of Auckland / Trinity Methodist Theological College)

NEW ZEALAND: Pacific scholars to gather at the University of Auckland

(Photo: Samoa Airport Authority)

SAMOA: Changes at Faleolo Airport for RHD switch
Source: Samoa Airport Authority Press Release

In line with the changes to the side of the road we drive on as mandated by Government, starting on Monday 7th September, a number of changes to the Faleolo International Airport will be in effect.

The major change is in the Entry and Exit to the airport.

The way that you enter the airport now, is where you will exit it on switch day. The way you are exiting the airport now, is the same way you will enter in come switch day.

If you are entering the airport from the Apia way, you should always stop and give way to oncoming traffic heading towards Apia. But if you are turning in from the Mulifanua wharf way, you should stop and give way to cars turning in from the Apia way.

Once inside the airport, drivers are urged to strictly adhere to the arrows that will be clearly visible on the road, as well as following road signs that are being put into place. Drivers are also advised to indicate every time they make a turn. The speed limit whilst inside the Airport will be 10 m per hour.

Other changes that have been implemented at the airport are as follows:

- The Payment of the airport fee which is usually done when you enter the Airport, will now be paid when you leave
- Once inside the airport, you can either turn right straight into the lower car park, or proceed on to the terminal
- For departures and offloading, cars are to use the outer lane, going around the existing island in front of terminal
- For arrivals, cars are to use the inner lane in front of island to terminal. Passengers can now be picked up easily as they exit the arrival terminal
- The current Exit from lower car park will be used for Entry to the lower car park coming from the terminal
- Once in the car park, there will be an Exit on the far right side, going down to the terminal and Exit
- Cars now Exit where they once entered
- Once at the exit on to the main road, you pay the airport fee before you drive out. Note that there will be 2 Exit outlets on to main road. One to drive out to town and the other to travel towards the wharf at Mulifanua. Ensure that all sides of the road are clear before proceeding to town or Mulifanua.

The Airport Authority is urging the travelling public to strictly observe these changes for their own safety.

The Authority has placed emphasis on the need to work in partnership with its stakeholders especially the general public. The Authority can only do its part, but the people also need to do theirs. The Public is urged to remember that the main changes to the airport would be the change in the entry and exit points.

Works are now put in place to facilitate these new changes.

The Airport Authority will be screening a special awareness programme and advertisements on local television regarding the changes.

Wishing the people of Samoa a smooth and safe transition.
 

(Photos: Riamoana Pasifika)

AUSTRALIA: Celebrating in Brisbane
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

The Samoa - Australia Catholic Youth and Community Inc (SACYCI) was blessed today (Septmber 06, 2009) by Father Epati Tamati at St Dympna's Church in Aspley, Brisbane.

The group was set up this year by members of the community on the North side of Brisbane to bring youth together to learn not only Catholic teachings but also to learn the Samoan Language and Siva (dance).

There was a good mix of age groups that attended the Mass. Father Epati mentioned in his sermon that in 2012 the next Samoa-World Youth Week will be held in Samoa and it would be a great success to get this Youth Group to start planning for the journey.

Youth members that read the Bible in Samoan for the first time in front of a big audience impressed the hundreds in attendance with their effort and bravery, not stopping or wavering focus.

This celebration also coincided with Fathers Day in Brisbane and all the Fathers that were present were recognized for their very important role in families. SACYCI will hold the Official Launch of their group in November.

"This day's celebrations will be very exciting for us and especially for our young members, this day will mark the culmination of many meetings and organising to get an Incorporation together and we will be very happy to finally hold our official opening in November," said Secretary to the SACYCI, Ms Filisita Lemana.

For information about SACYCI contact the Secretary on 33104739 or 0438334820.
 

(Photo: OceaniaRugby.com)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PNG qualify for IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

Fiji may have been crowned Oceania Under 19 champions following a 20-8 defeat of hosts Samoa at Apia Park, but Papua New Guinea also had cause to celebrate after qualifying for a second successive IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy with a 41-3 victory over Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea had beaten the same opponents at the regional championship in 2008 by a much greater margin - 84-0 - to secure a first appearance at the following year's IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy, where they finished sixth overall with their "run everything" game plan resulting in some breath-taking tries in Kenya.

Vanuatu had warmed up for this encounter with an 89-3 loss to Fiji a few days earlier and showed that they are closing the gap on their rivals by halving the number of points Papua New Guinea scored this time around, the extra size of the Pukpuks ultimately seeing them to the victory.

The match proved a fitting opener on a day of festival rugby, both sides playing an expansive game and itching to have a go at each other, every attack being greeted with respect and copybook defence. Papua New Guinea were slick, but each time the Vanuatu players proved equal to the task in defence.

Papua New Guinea number 8 Joshua Posu was a constant thorn in Vanuatu's side, charging hard at the defence and gaining hard yards on numerous occasions, his tireless work-rate matched by the rest of his teammates as they tried to overcome a team hungry to cause a big upset at Apia Park.

In the end, for all their efforts and the part they played in entertaining the crowds, it was Papua New Guinea who emerged victorious with fly half Joel Wimbi, prop Fairi Fairi and flanker Chris Memani crossing for first half tries to send the Pukpuks in leading 19-3 at half-time with Lawrence Kunro Kalo's penalty Vanuatu's only points.

Vanuatu held out for 16 minutes in the second half, but tries from replacement Joel Sawong, Posu and two more for Memani to complete his hat-trick saw Papua New Guinea to a victory and another chance to showcase their running rugby on the international stage in the Junior World Rugby Trophy.

Fiji avenge loss to Samoa

Samoa had beaten Fiji 34-22 on day one, but there was to be no repeat in a final played at full throttle despite the hot and humid condition in Apia. The encounter was a typical Pacific Islands battle with plenty of big hits and vibrant attacking, although the first half surprisingly ended without a try being scored with penalties from Karl Malielegaoi and Fiji captain Noa Nakaitaci cancelling each other out.

The tempo swung Fiji's way and they rode the wave all the way to the final whistle to be crowned Oceania Under 19 champions. Both sides lost players to the sin-bin before Nakaitaci's 50th minute penalty extended the advantage to 13-3.

Samoa started playing catch-up rugby and while their enforcing tactics up front continued, it was as if everything was done in a hurry. When they did slow down and think smart, the hosts - who had finished above Fiji and Tonga in this year's IRB TOSHIBA Junior World Championship in Japan - looked extremely dangerous.

Fiji, meanwhile, grew in confidence with their advantage on the scoreboard and played with more and more purpose. The killer blow came with 15 minutes left, when wing Filipe Tabu rounded off a move that had begun deep in Fiji's half and Nakaitaci kicked the conversion to take the visitors out to 20-3.

The game was all but beyond the Samoans, but the hosts did have the final say when number 8 Sopoiafa Tikeri set up a late try for his fellow back row Robert Gabriel. Fiji were the ones celebrating come the final whistle and will hope to build on this success when they travel to Argentina for next year's Junior World Championship.

Full results:

24 Aug 2009
3:00pm - Fiji 22-34 Samoa

28 Aug 2009
4:00pm - Tonga 8-9 Fiji

31 Aug 2009
2:00pm - Fiji 89-3 Vanuatu
4:00pm - Tonga 11-13 Samoa

4 Sep 2009
2:00pm - Papua New Guinea 41-3 Vanuatu
4:00pm - Samoa 8-20 Fiji

Photo Caption: Fairi Fairi scored PNG's first try against Vanuatu.
 

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Business training launch in Marau
Source: Solomon Star

Sixty local business trainees from East Guadalcanal were awarded certificates after completing a six days business training organized in the constituency.

The program was conducted by three business enterprises with the support from the ministry of commence.

The training was held in East Guadalcanal Makina catholic mission compound.

The aim is to improve business activities in the rural constituencies.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) for East Guadalcanal constituency, Joseph Toorumae said the training is very helpful that stages opportunity for villagers to engage in business.

This paves the way for beginners and existing business to improve and manage their own business, Mr Toorumae said.

He said if the initiative was conducted long time ago then locals would have develop their business skills.

However the training has shown much interests by participants which would lead them to starting off their business.

During the workshop articipants were introduced to opportunity areas in business, business principles and marketing where they take to the level of understanding.

Mr Toorumae said participants are happy that such training is an opportunity for rural communities to engage in business.

The training is also expected to be carried out in four constituencies in East Guadalcanal.
 

(Photos: Australian Government / Samoan Government)

WORLDWIDE: Australian partnership delivers ST$21 million boost this year for Samoa
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Samoa will receive ST$21 million (A$10.5 million) over the next 12 months under the new Samoa- Australia Partnership for Development.

This is part of the of more than ST$74 million (A$37 million) that Australia will provide in 2009/10 financial year.

Over the next three years, Australia’s total funding support to Samoa will be more than ST$220million (A$110 million).

The Samoa-Australia Partnership for Development was signed at the Pacific Island Forum in 2008 by the Prime Ministers of Samoa and Australia. Through the Partnership, Australia is providing more long term and effective aid to Samoa to make more rapid progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoli’ai Sailele Malielegaoi, thanked the Australian Government for their ongoing support.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa, I thank Australia for their continued support and friendship. Australia is one of our long standing and largest development partners and their support has played a major role in the development of the people of Samoa, especially the areas of health, education and law and justice.”

“As with all the arrangements that make up the close relations between the two countries, the development partnership with Australia is very important to Samoa. The enhanced cooperation and collaboration that underpins the new Partnership for Development has my full support and Samoa looks forward to working with Australia to successfully implement the agreement I signed with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.”

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said the Partnership priorities have now been agreed upon and implementation is already under way.

“Five priority areas of support have been agreed on by both Samoa and Australia. Central to the development of these priorities is mutual respect, mutual responsibility and mutual accountability to address Samoa’s economic and development challenges,” Mr Anderson said.

“Samoa is one of the first countries in the Pacific to start implementing activities under the Pacific Partnerships for Development and the flow on benefits from this over the coming years will help all Samoans.”

“The Partnership reinforces the very strong links between our governments, our businesses and our people, with the development assistance program a central, practical part of this wide-ranging engagement,” Mr Anderson said.

The five mutually agreed Samoa-Australia Partnership for Development priority areas will:

Promote private sector growth and employment with an emphasis on agriculture and fisheries, regional economic integration and trade liberalisation, economic infrastructure and lowering costs of doing business.

Improve health by supporting the reduction of non-communicable diseases and workforce development in the health sector.

Improve education by supporting equitable access to and quality of education including disability services.

Improve governance through public sector improvement, greater public financial management and strengthening statistics and data on development and governance indicators.

Provide climate change assistance to support Samoa monitor the impacts of climate change, provide adaptation measures for vulnerable communities and develop viable options for renewable energy.

A sixth priority area: Strengthening Law and Justice is currently being developed and will be finalised by December 2009.