ELIZABETH ALGAR

Chairwoman explains how she juggles multiple duties

Meet Elizabeth Algar. Ms Algar is a mother, strategic adviser, mentor, counselor and a farmer’s child by heart.

She is currently the Chairman of the Nasinu and Nausori Town Councils Special Administrators. Ms Algar developed her love for nature at a young age.

Now with the COVID-19 pandemic lock down, it presented opportunities to develop her love for it more through agriculture.

“I am a farmer’s child, so farming is deeply rooted in our family,” she said.

“It paid for my boarding and school fees and I know extremely well the struggles and accomplishments it can bring.

“In 2014, I reinvested in the family farm to enrich the lives of widows, single mothers and their children.

“This gave me a great deal of satisfaction to help those like me as a young single widow.

“We lost a great deal at our farm in Levuka after Cyclone Winston however, we would encourage those who are now unemployed to toil their land.

“Learning, discipline and endurance is a great part of this process.”

Backyard gardening venture:

She said: “The COVID19 lock down presented opportunities to do what I had been putting off for a while. “So with the help of my two children, we planted an array of vegetables and flowers, although my children reminded me that I can’t eat flowers.

“It’s a great stress reliever and keeps you rooted to mother earth.” She has planted cabbage, tomato, long bean, french bean, okra, cowpea, dhania, basil, mint, carrot, lettuce, spring onion, mustard cabbage and choy sum.

Materials used to plant the seedlings are used egg trays, plastic bottles, tyres, containers, milk cartons, coconut shells, old 20L oil drums and banana stems.

She bought the seedlings from Nausori market at around $1 - $3 per packet

“To be able to hold multiple positions, one has to be extremely selfdisciplined and multi-skilled so you can serve a diverse group of people. “Although I would say farming is the most rewarding. Live Simply Love Life!”

Below is an executive interview with Ms Algar.

Where are you from, and what has personally shaped you?

I am a child of the Tui Vatoa household, Vatoa – Lau and vasu i Qamea, Taveuni.

Born and bred in Levuka the first capital of Fiji, educated at Marist Convent and Levuka Public School. I did my Masters at University of the South Pacific and took a sabbatical for my second masters. My parents, Maraia and Saiasi

Etuate, are farmers.

However, I was brought up by Thomas and Judy Warbrooke and the Douglas family in Waidau. As you can see, I am a mix of a farmer’s child and business entrepreneurs.

My European foster parents owned a hardware shop and café in Levuka so I was exposed to business when I was six-years-old.

I also work the Viro village farm in Levuka when I get the opportunity to get back home.

This unique mix of hard work, humility and business ethos set the platform for my leadership journey. My upbringing allows me to be flexible and fit into any environment whether it’s a traditional village role or echelons of the corporate business world.

Explain a bit about family life, and what are your aspirations for them?

My husband Paul Algar passed on 13 years ago and so I have had to raise two very young children on my own.

It’s come with its own struggles and adversities but it gave me the greatest opportunity to be selfsufficient, fiercely independent, courageous and to rely on God for everything.

The kids know that I will support them in any field that they wish to take as long as it makes them happy.

How do you manage the demands of professional and personal commitments?

I have a very robust schedule in keeping a healthy body, mind, soul and spirit to manage the demanding diverse commitments.

Solitude in nature with God at the epicentre is a competitive advantage.

What are your responsibilities as the Chairperson of Special Administrators?

As the Chairman for Nasinu and Nausori Town Councils, I lead both Councils who look after half of Fiji’s population.

Korovou Town also comes under these two municipalities.

There are five special administrators and I am the only female on the Board.

My responsibilities include presiding over council meetings in accordance with local municipality laws, facilitate good governance processes, manage the performance of the Council, promote high standards of civic pride, support and engage with the community, and build strong relationships with all stakeholders.