Governor General visits Vanua Levu, gets warm welcome
THE Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley, and his wife Linda Hurley were given a warm welcome when they visited Naduri Village in Vanua Levu during the historic State visit last week.
The Governor-General was welcomed by the Fijian President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and accorded a traditional welcome ceremony at the village before enjoying a cultural performance by the people of Naduri.
In thanking the people of Naduri for their performance, Mrs Hurley sang a song and was joined in by Governor General Hurley.
They then opened the newly constructed Maramarua District Kindergarten in Vanua Levu, today.
The Governor General also toured the school and took time to meet the students before having lunch with the school reconstruction architects, Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) engineers, and school community.
Governor General Hurley said the school was a symbol of the “strength of this relationship” and an example that when our two nation work together “enormously good things can happen for the country”.
“We talk about Vuvaleour family and the family starts with the children and educating our children. It’s great to be part of this celebration here for the future of Fiji.”
Acting Minister for Education, Faiyaz Koya highlighted that the Vuvale partnership with the Government of Australia towards the education sector has increased people-topeople ties.
“The funding provided for the Maramarua District School Kindergarten is yet another example of the friendship between our two nations.”
“The Government of Australia continued its support, over the past two years, as the Fijian Government rolled out its strategies to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Minister Koya added that Australia has supported the Fijian education sector for over 30 years.