NEWSPAGE 06 November
2009

(Photos: Memea Bubsy Maaelopa)

NEW ZEALAND: Love Life Fono3 from a third gender perspective

(Photo: STAR Public Relations Ltd)

SAMOA: Little company makes big difference for Samoa
Source: STAR Public Relations Ltd Press Release

New Zealand owned travel company Mondo has shown that even a small organisation can make a big difference in people’s lives.

Through its 14 retail stores nationwide, the company has collected 36 pallets of food, bedding, clothing and medical supplies to send to the Islands.

“New Zealanders are still working tirelessly to help the people of Samoa and we’re just thrilled that we’ve been able to help to get the goods to the Islands we hold so close to our heart.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response from the various communities and with the support of Retko Specialist Transportation, Habitat for Humanity, Hudson Recruitment and the Samoa Consulate General we have now got a huge pile ready and waiting to go.”

The goods were picked up from Mondo’s 14 branches by specialist transportation company Retko who have given more than $30,000 worth of transportation.

With the help of Habitat for Humanity and the Samoa Disaster Relief Council the goods will be freighted and distributed to communities in need in Samoa.

Photo Caption:  (L-R) Apete Meredith - Trade Commissioner - Samoa - Consulate General, Warren Jack - Executive Director - Habitat of Humanity, Rup Sing - Sales Manager - Retko Specialist Transportation, Gordon Bayne - Group Marketing Manager - Mondo Travel, Rob Covich - General Manager Northern - Retko Specialist Transportation.
 

AUSTRALIA: Confusion in Brisbane over Tsunami Appeal Radiothon 2009 funds
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

On the 1st of October in Brisbane at Radio 4EB Station, Savea Levale Lio, Joyita Stanley-Slade, Tauiliili Pepe Patu and a few others brainstormed and focused on an idea, four days later all Brisbane Community Leaders and Members of the Community met in an overflowing 4EB conference room at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. The idea "was to run a Radiothon jointly with all Samoan Community Associations and groups with Brisbane radio stations, but "we needed a special committee which included one member from each Association and Radio Station to form this Committee," explained Savea Lio, Convener for Radio 4EB.

"On this day there were around 80 people, the new Queensland (Qld) Tsunami Appeal 2009 committee was elected and formed up of 12 members from different associations, businesses," said Elizabeth Hunt, member of the newly elected committee. The role of this new Qld Committee was "each project or idea that was formed by any member of the Community or Associations was taken by there representative to the Qld Tsunami Committee for discussions, feedback was reported by the elected member to their individual associations and brought back to the Qld Tsunami Committee for further discussions before any final decisions were made," said Faimalo Pale, President of 'Voice of Samoa Association' Brisbane. According to Mrs Sara Brunt, Secretary for the special committee, "this was not discussed at the meeting". It was discovered by this reporter that the secretary for the committee did not attend this particular meeting.

"Radio 4EB was pushed out of this Qld Committee and in the end we had no representation which was not very good because without Brisbane Radio stations there would be no Radiothon," stated Savea Lio. He added that the Queensland Tsunami Committee 2009 in the end was not under Radio 4EB, they became an individual Committee separated from the radio stations. In answer to this, Secretary for the Committee Sara Brunt explained that "Radio 4EB had an opportunity like all Associations and Radios stations present to put forth a representative but they did not on the day, Radio 4EB pushed the committee out and we became separated." Although there seems to be confusion or unhappiness in some community's response to the current decisions on whether this aid should go to the Samoan Government or other Aid bodies in Samoa, according to Mrs Sara Brunt " there is no division in the Samoan Community here in Brisbane, everybody is unanimous in this decision and there are just a few people who are making trouble."

A meeting that was held on the 24th of October was announced by the Secretary on 4EB Radio station on Wednesday 21st of October. "Because this meeting was only announced that one time, many people didn't know about it," said Joyita Slade. "We, the Qld Tsunami Samoa Appeal 2009 came to this meeting with a Plan which outlined a possible decision that 500 kits be bought for affected areas. These kits include everyday items such as knives; bowls; towels; tea towels; pots and this plan was unanimously agreed upon," said the Secretary. She added that around 80 percent of the Samoan Community in Brisbane agreed with the committee's idea to use the $68,000 dollars to purchase everyday items and the committee to take it personally to the most affected victims in Samoa.

"To the best of my knowledge there was no consensus, the meeting was told what was going to happen," said Seinafo Peter Virtue, General Manager for Radio Pasefika. "There are proper ways to do things and make decisions" said Faimalo Pale. He added, "There were only around 30 people in attendance at this meeting, most of the key decision makers were not there because they didn't know about it. I had just finished a meeting with 179 members of my Association 'Voice of Samoa' and we had decided that the money should go to the Government of Samoa as they know where the help is needed most, but when I got to the meeting a decision had already been made." said Faimalo Pale. This observation was agreed upon by Savea Lio who said, "This committee that we elected to help the community just came to the meeting on the day with their own final decision, they did not ask the Community."
 

According to the Secretary, " The Government of Samoa is busy working on the rebuilding and infrastructure in Samoa and None Government Organisations (NGO) and Red Cross have been doing a lot of work already, we thought it was a great decision to take these gifts as a 'Community to Community' project. "We are going to Samoa on our own expense and in addition to these 500 kits, we are taking 5 Containers loaded with all sorts of items like clothing; utensils; mattresses; pots; to sort out and give to the same areas. These containers are full because of the enormous generosity of the local community including Samoans and non Samoans here in Brisbane," she added.

According to another member of the Qld Tsunami Committee, Elizabeth Hunt " each kit will cost around AUS$150 dollars and they will be of very good and useful items that will cater to peoples everyday needs." She added that "everything was happening so fast and like anything else we learn over time but at the end of the day, every Leader and Community member was given the opportunity to voice their opinions at the meetings and the committee did do their own research via contacts in Samoa to find out what the needs are locally."

According to Mrs Sara Brunt, "the 5 containers will leave Brisbane on the 9th of November, some members of the committee will be going to Samoa to help sort out and distribute these materials to those that need them, the Committee will be documenting the trip which begins in Brisbane and throughout the trip to Samoa." She added that upon return to Brisbane, the committee will call a community meeting and report all expenses going toward the trip, each community member will receive a free documentary style DVD of the trip. At the end of the day whatever is happening here, the most important thing and focus of the Committee is for the families in the worst affected areas in Samoa to get this help."

"We don't want to be different, like everything the Committee has done so far, this trip is open to any member of the community to come with us, we are going to take this help to the Samoan Community back home from our Brisbane Community, explained Elizabeth Hunt.

This reporter called the President (Chair person) Afamasaga Feleti Mu'a of the Queensland Tsunami Appeal Committee 2009 and Treasurer, Ianeta Hadfield for comment but was told to talk with the Liaison officer, Patricia Slade-Sevele. From the beginning of the elected committee there has been no news release or update information for media from the Committee Liaison Officer.
 

(Photo: U.S. Army)

USA: LTC Leafaina Tavai-Yahn makes promotion list for Colonel
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has offered his personal congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Leafaina Olive Tavai-Yahn for her selection for promotion to Colonel in the U.S. Army. LTC Tavai-Yahn’s name made the Department of the Army FY09 Colonel (O-6) promotion list, Army Competitive Category. The Promotion Board Results were released on October 29, 2009.

“I want to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Leafaina Tavai-Yahn on this remarkable achievement. To my knowledge, I believe Leafaina is the first ever Samoan to become a full bird Colonel in the Active Army,” Faleomavaega said.

“I should note that it was only a year ago that Leafaina was also selected to attend the Senior Service College which prepares military officers and civilians for senior leadership responsibilities. She is scheduled to attend the Senior Service College next summer.”

“With her personal commitment to serve our country and taking major responsibilities throughout her military career, Leafaina is most deserving of this great honor and I am very proud of her achieving this new milestone in her military career.”

LTC Leafaina Tavai-Yahn is currently the Deputy Brigade Commander for the 120th Infantry Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas. The unit is responsible for training all mobilized Army Reserve and National Guard units deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

LTC Tavai-Yahn recently returned from Iraq where she was deployed for 14 months as the Battalion Commander for the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, part of the 41st Fires Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas.

Born and raised in American Samoa, Leafaina is the daughter of the late High Chief Atiumaletavai Kaleopa and Lauolive Toomalatai Tavai from the village of Gataivai. She is married to Chief Warrant Officer Four (retired) Rocky D. Yahn.

LTC Tavai-Yahn is a graduate of Samoana High School in American Samoa. She was then accepted to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point when she was nominated by former Congressman Fofo I.F. Sunia, and she became the first ever Samoan to graduate from the academy. She received her Bachelor of Science from West Point and was then commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in May, 1989. She is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

“It is my understanding that Leafaina was selected ahead of schedule from her class. This is a major feat worthy of recognition amongst her peers and fellow Samoans in the military and we must take this opportunity to celebrate a daughter of Samoa for her great accomplishments,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo Caption:  Lieutenant Colonel Leafaina Olive Tavai-Yahn.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: New President of Sanma Provincial Council elected
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

The biggest province in Vanuatu has witnessed for the first time in its history a smooth transition with the election of a new President yesterday morning.

Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) councillor Joel Paul who is also the Vice President of the past council was elected the new President of the Sanma Provincial Council at the Sanma Provincial headquarters.

The new president has been part of a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) in 2007 where the coalition partners agreed to share the presidency to complete their four-year term in council.

Councillor William Malon from UMP was elected Vice-President, Councillor Edward Titipaia was elected the second vice president and councillor Langi Tavue from Vanua’aku Pati was elected the third vice president.


Outgoing President Mr Sebastien Alguet thanked the council for their cooperation over the past two years and asked members to maintain the good working relationship to achieve their goals.


All councillors received a certificate of appreciation from Mr Alguet as a token gift of saying thank you to his councillors who supported him during his term as president.

Mr Alguet wished the new President all the success in his leadership and urged all councillors to work together with him to serve the people of Sanma.

Photo Caption: Former President Alguet (second from left) handed over the presidency title to Mr Paul (third from left with walking stick) by presenting him with a walking stick.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Agreement to protect Pacific wetlands under Ramsar Convention
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat on November 2, 2009.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands promotes the wise and sustainable use of wetlands, it is a convention for which five Pacific islands nations are signatories. SPREP works in partnership with the Ramsar convention secretariat to carry out activities in the Pacific region.

Through this partnership, SPREP has provided support to Pacific islands countries to protect their wetland areas through conducting training programmes on wetlands management, updating national wetland information and through raising awareness on why our wetlands are important.

“The aim of this cooperation is to enhance the application of the Ramsar Convention throughout the Pacific, it is a great honour to have Mr. Anada Tiega in Samoa to sign this very important document,” said the Director of SPREP, Mr. David Sheppard.

“We will identify a number of very focused and practical areas we can work on together, but largely around the identification and protection of the wetland areas as well as to raise awareness as to the importance of our wetlands.”

The Ramsar Convention celebrates the World Wetlands Day on 2 February every year. This coming year signifies the link between climate change and wetlands as an important focus however it is just one sector of wetlands importance. Mr. Tiega also outlines the value of sustainable and wise wetland use to strengthening tourism in small islands states.

“Tourism can provide livelihoods for people and wetlands also play an important role in this, if we look after our wetlands they can help make tourism stronger and at the same time ensure our livelihoods,” said Mr. Tiega.

The memorandum of cooperation is for the period 2009 - 2012. Mr. Tiega will be leaving Samoa on Wednesday morning, while in-country he will also be visiting Samoa’s first wetland of international importance, Lake Lanoto’o National Park.

Photo Caption: Mr. David Sheppard and Mr. Anada Tiega signing the Memorandum of Mooperation.