Dixon Seeto the Untold Story of A Humble Man, Son, Brother, Husband and Friend
This year, we lost a man of integrity and a dynamic team leader.
However, Dixon Raphael Seeto’s life is still celebrated and remembered by many.
Mr Seeto had died in Australia after being airlifted there after being badly injured in a road accident near Sigatoka in July.
About Dixon
Dixon as he was fondly known by many was born on July 14, 1951, the eldest child of Mrs Seeto Hui and the late Mr Seeto Hui.
He was followed by four brothers and three sisters.
A Suva born Fijian, Dixon’s life started at an apartment in Suva Hotel, then the family moved to Walu Bay and then settled at Saint Fort Street, Suva.
Dixon then moved to Tamavua iTaukei Land Subdivision where he was actively involved in the very successful neighbourhood watch scheme for his community.
Dixon’s, sister Lorraine reminisced her brother’s colourful life. “Our parents valued the importance of education,” Ms Seeto said. “Dixon started kindergarten at Lily’s School right next to his late Uncle and Aunt Harm Nam’s residence at a young age of three.” He went onto Fiji Chinese Primary School (now Yat Sen Primary School) and then Marist Brothers High School.
His years at both schools anchored him in the Catholic faith. Dixon is married to Jenny and they have a son, Gareth who studied and works in Brisbane. Jenny a former Senior Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers Fiji is one of the country’s most successful businesswomen. “Together, Dixon and Jenny are heavily involved with community work. Dixon loved fishing, gardening and his dogs and fish. “Before Dixon was medically evacuated to Brisbane, he told his housekeeper, Aseri, to look after his goldfish, plants and dogs. “He diarised when to give his dogs their tablets and Aseri found the diary and used the information accordingly.
“He loved photography and getting the perfect shot and he took his time about it too! – he recorded everything with photos.
“He always made a point of sharing his photos promptly. Unfortunately, his camera was stolen at the scene of the accident. “Many shopping trips with Dixon turned into hours – everyone knew him or knew of him. “People wanted to shake his hands and take selfies with him.
“He did not disappoint. He obliged and even assisted to get the best shot!
“Ever the dutiful son, Dixon had a special relationship with our 88-years-old mother.
“He made a point of taking his lunch packing lovingly by Jenny and having it with out mother at all hours whenever he could not have dinner with her.
“If he had no commitments in the evening, he always had dinner with our mother.
“He was also very protective of his sisters – on call to pick up after work, if not ready, another call after his dinner – that was his big brother duty.
He even made a trip to Nadi to check me out during the ADB Annual Meeting in May this year. That is probably why the sisters are all single!
“On the evening of his accident while at the Emergency Ward in Suva, Dixon kept apologising to Jenny for all the trouble he was putting everyone through.
“He also kept asking about our dear mother who was ill at the time. That was Dixon – no fuss about him but considerate of everyone else.” Together with Jenny, Fiji was always home for them.
“They never had residency elsewhere even though they qualified and Jenny’s family resided in Australia.
“While at Princess Alexandra
Hospital in Brisbane, Dixon was baptised surrounded by his loving Family. Over the years, Dixon and Jenny had discussed his baptism. “In fact, many thought that he was a Catholic as he attended masses with Jenny from time to time and led an honest life.
“We are eternally grateful for your kind messages during this difficult period. We will stay strong. “We will always do our best – that is what Dixon would have wanted. “At Princess Alexandra Hospital the burses were impressed with Dixon’s taste in music – Creedence Clearwater Revival, Neil Diamond, Eagles, Herman Hermits, Cat Stevens amongst other singers from Dixon’s era flooded his room with music.
“They were also amazed that our dear brother had so much hair for a man his age.
“The nurses googled his name and told the family that they were so privileged to be caring for Dixon. What a coincidence that the nurse caring for him on 19 July is also called Jenny.
“Well competition to the end! Nurses called him Dixon and also sweetie, darling, - that is so typical of Dixon, giving names for everyone – Godfather, honourable, Brother (everyone was!) and of course OB!”
Background
After high school, Dixon started his work career at Fiji Airways.
He was fortunate to be awarded a British Government scholarship to study airline management and was also attached to BOAC (now British Airways) in 1970.
That scholarship was part of the British Government’s independence gift to Fiji. Upon return to Fiji from the United Kingdom, he continued his career with Fiji Airways and rose through the ranks to senior management.
In 1987, Dixon then ventured to Tapa International Ltd, a company renown for its involvement in all facets of the travel and tourism industry and in particular, the then very successful Blue Lagoon Cruises.
He was the chief executive officer and executive director and the business was very profitable.
He joined the Warwick International Hotel Group in 1988 as the Vice President South Pacific and general manager of Naviti Resort. In 2004, Dixon joined the Hexagon group of Hotels as Group managing director. He managed their many hotels and was involved with the Group’s expansion programme. He was still with the Group at the time of his passing. Apart from his work, Dixon had time for everything and everyone. As many of his friends attributed. “he was a man of all seasons”.
This may have been due to the disciplined upbringing that he had, a cultured imparted by our parents. Always do your best. Dixon was a dutiful and respectful son and spent many of his school holidays working at Kwong Tiy to help supplement the family income.
“Our mother organised the job for him and all the money that he earned was given to her. He assisted the family in every respect and helped our parents pay for expenses and his siblings’ education.
“He did not shy away when the family assisted a family friend manage a stall in Suva market and a kiosk in the Suva Bus Stand. “Dixon was always assisting the Chinese community whenever they face difficulties. “Mind you, some of these tasks were assigned to him by our mother!
His contribution to the Chinese community was enormous as he served on the boards of the Chinese Association of Fiji, China Club, Chinese Education Society and Trustee of the Chinese Youth and Cultural Association.
The on the job leadership training from the Chinese Youth Social and Cultural Association paid off as evident by his contribution to the many national and community roles. “In his younger days, Dixon was a unionist – something he learnt from his days in the United Kingdom.
“He had the interests of the people, the workers at heart, so much so that a Minister once threatened to shoot him and his fellow union executives! Those were his hey days at Fiji Airways.”
She remebered that in 2006, Dixon was the Prime Minister’s nominee to Senate.
“This demonstrated the confidence and trust in his ability to serve the nation. “Dixon was not one to do a CV.
“We learnt of his involvement in different boards when research was carried out for an article on him in a book, The Chinese in Fiji 1855-2015.”
He was involved with: * Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji
* Air Terminal Services
* Fiji Broadcasting Commission
* National Bank of Fiji (where that was the only board that he resigned from)
* Society of Travel Associates
* Fiji Visitors Bureau
* Government’s Fiscal Review Committee, amongst others.
The current positions that he held until his demise were: *President of China Club
*Board Member and Immediate Past President of the Chinese Association of Fiji
*Vice President of the Fiji China Friendship Association
*Board member of the Chinese Education Society
*Chair of the Confucius Institute Training Programme Advisory Committee *Board member of the Fiji Chinese Federation of Trade and Industry
*Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
*President of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
*Board member of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation
* Board Member for Tourism Fiji *Member for the Advisory group for tourism studies at the University of the South Pacific
*Chairman of the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) Board
* Trustee of the Fiji College of Honour * Trustee of the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards
* South Pacific Tourism Organisation Board member representing the private sector.
“That is enough work to keep anyone very busy!
“Dixon always had the time and energy for service to the people, his community and his beloved country, Fiji.
“There were no boundaries or limits to what he did. No task was too big or too small – his words were just call me if you need anyone to talk to, any assistance or advice.
“His work and contribution to all facets of the tourism industry and Fiji did not go unnoticed.”
Tributes
A lot of tributes received attribute Dixon as a humble and down to earth person who never hesitates to greet everyone and a true Fijian at heart.
“Dixon was simple and considerate and never forgets his friends.
“Many considered him an excellent mentor, a person who inspired and they learnt a lot from him.
“He had that magic to just hold everyone together from family, community to national activities.
“One of the tributes acknowledged that he was instrumental in resurrecting the China Club.
“He mobilised funds, gathered everyone’s support and rebuilt the Club to what it is today.
Tributes call Dixon, a true son of Fiji. *From humble beginnings came great things.
* A simple man with discerning tastes.
* A man of integrity.
* A dynamic team leader.
* A people’s man!
* A humble and caring person.
* A man with real presence.
* Thank you for being an inspiration to us. * A great friend of the media, will never be forgotten!
* An honourable person who leaves behind a very big legacy.
* We will miss our old lion. (some referred to him as a young lion)
* Vinaka vakalevu for your loyal and faithful service to Viti, Dixon.
* Thank you Jenny for giving up your husband for the nation of Fiji.
* Will miss you during the board meetings. * Fiji has lost a great statesman.