1983... 1984...
The Monasavu hydro-electric scheme, designed to provide power to Fiji’s main island,
Viti Levu, was officially opened by Governor-general Ratu Penaia Ganilau on October 27, 1983.
The Australian government, through the Australian Development Assistance Bureau, had provided finance and technological expertise for the Monasavu project including cash grants of $10 million in Stage One and $6.4 million in Stages Two and Three.
This constitutes the largest Australian financial commitment to a development assistance project in the South Pacific.
The scheme, which will reduce by more than 60 per cent of Fiji’s reliance on imported diesel fuel for electricity generation, is the most ambitious engineering development scheme so far to be undertaken in Fiji.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:
Prince Edward visited Fiji. Commonwealth Games - 8 Oceania countries attended the Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane, Australia; hosts Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The 1983 South Pacific Games was held at Apia in Western Samoa from September 5 to 16 – the seventh edition of the South Pacific Games. Athletics competitions were held in Apia, Western Samoa, on September 8–15, 1983.
Eleven countries took part. Fiji took part in 38 events – 22 men and 16 women represented Fiji. Fiji finished third behind New Caledonia (first) 18 gold, 9 silver and 10 bronze, Papua New Guinea (second) 6 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze; and Fiji 5 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze.
Fiji competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States. Fiji returned to the Summer Games after participating in the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics.
Fourteen competitors, eleven men and three women, took part in twenty-two events in five sports. Fourteen competitors, eleven men and three women, took part in twenty-two events in five sports.
Some of athletes who represented Fiji – Joe Rodan, Albert Miller, Miriama Tuisorisori, Tony Philp, Kathlyn Ragg, Samuela Tupou, Warren Sorby and Sharon Pickering.
SIGNIFICANT EVENT:
National wage freeze.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji established.