REINFORCES COMMITMENT AS BULA FORCE HONOURED
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said just as Fiji stood by Australia during its Black Summer, Australia would stand by Fiji now and in the future.
Mr Feakes made the comment as they hosted and honoured the 54 Republic of Fiji Military personnel, termed the Bula Force team, in a ceremony at his residence at Princes Road in Suva on Monday night. The personnel were deployed in
January to aid in the intense bushfires throughout Australia from late last year to early this year which saw 33 deaths, more than 3000 homes destroyed, loss of wild life, local economies devastated.
The Bula Force aided in opening Australia’s Snowy River Estuary, the construction of a nine-metre bridge at Buchan caves and clearing over 170 kilometres of fire affected roads which was almost the distance from Suva to Nadi.
Mr Feakes said the demonstration of agreement went beyond the bilateral ties and the Vuvale Partnership signed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his counterpart Scott Morrison last September.
“But the full impact of the Bula Force goes beyond roads cleared and bridges built,” Mr Feakes said.
“You were part of something bigger.
“Barely months after the ‘Vulvale’ Partnership was inked, Fiji demonstrated its commitment to the agreement.”
He also highlighted that on February 4, Prime Minister Morrison led a condolence motion in the Australian Parliament and made special mention of the Bula Force.
“He thanked all Fijians and told how when the Bula Force arrived in Melbourne, you placed your hands over your hearts and sang the hymn ‘angels watching over me’.
“Your service and willingness to help when we were in need was received with deep gratitude, and will not be forgotten.
“For our part, we stand ready to reciprocate Fiji’s commitment to the relationship.
“When Fiji was hit by COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold in March and April this year, Australia was proud to respond with health and humanitarian supplies, including budget support.”
Also at the event were Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu, Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Commander of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, Director General of the National Security and Defence Council Secretariat Brigadier-General Jone Kalouniwai.