Photos don’t lie!
POVERTY is a harsh reality today. If someone says that Fijians are not poor and are leading a rosy life, then he/ she is in dreamland.
I follow The Fiji Times and their stories of hardships faced by ordinary Fijians and I know this newspaper is not lying or fabricating stories to capture our attention.
Hedstrom property
I REFER Ian Chute’s interesting and historically accurate article in the FT May 28, 2022.
Following the purchase of the Hedstrom Property, (as it was then known), by the Australian Government I was appointed to design what is now the Australian High Commission Official Residence.
My appointment included not only the residence, but a master plan for the whole site, including the chancery, additional High Commission and local staff accommodation, and a staff recreation facility which included a swimming pool and tennis court.
A detailed survey of the flora on the site ensured that much of the original gardens were retained.
This was an important consideration as Sir Maynard Hedstrom opened the gardens to the public one day a year to raise money which was given to selected charities.
In the 1970s a double storey concrete block structure with a basement garage I also follow stories and photos from NGOs and humanitarian groups distributing food supplies and I can see the genuine appeal of the grassroots.
Times are tough. The shopping bill is increasing. The price of fuel is increasing. The cost of services is increasing.
I’m feeling the pinch and so are my was erected in front of the original home, obscuring it from Princes Rd.
Working with local engineer Shri Singh and the High Commission First Secretary Kevin Thornton, an engineering report was prepared which stated the structure was not compliant with the then current structural codes and would cost an excessive amount to upgrade.
We then prepared a report recommending demolishing this structure in preference to upgrading the original home which had considerable historical significance.
Fortunately, the numerous committees in Canberra which reviewed the report and architectural plans accepted our recommendations not only for the residence, but also the overall site development.
JS Hill and Associates Ltd won the tender to build the residence.
Work commenced in 1992.
The new residence reception areas, which formed the major part of the original residence, were meticulously restored. family and friends.
Blame it on COVID-19 or the war between Russia and Ukraine, the cost of living is greatly affecting people, and if we can’t accept that fact, then something is amiss. Families must brace for hard times. Save! Plant vegetables!
Cut down on expenses, entertainment
This included the vertical sliding sash windows, the timber ceiling linings, the fenestration over the larger openings and the oregon floors.
Some materials salvaged from the demolished structure were recycled and used in the renovated residence where appropriate.
Additions included the porte cochere, the entry hall, guest facilities, the verandah overlooking Suva harbour which replaced a semi circular landing, the High Commissioner’s accommodation and a landscaped swimming pool.
The timber lattice work panels added an Australian influence, perhaps more particularly found in Queensland.
And so with the foresight and cooperation of the Australian Government, one of Fiji’s oldest and historically significant homesteads was preserved along with the substantial gardens which to this day contain a large variety of indigenous and imported plant species.
The first resident was ambassador John and travelling expenses!
We must join hands to help fight the cost of living!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Trotter. (Fiji had left the Commonwealth and become a republic).
Of interest:
It was with some trepidation that I received a phone call from ambassador Trotter the morning after the official opening.
Could I inspect the floors of the residence reception areas.
Oregon is a soft timber and the stiletto heels worn by many of the women the previous evening had resulted in the floors being pitted with hundreds of indentations the size of a 5 cent coin.
Restoration of a slightly different nature commenced.
The floors were lightly sanded to remove the polished finish. A team of men working with irons and wet newspaper then “ironed” the floors.
This had the effect of raising the indentations to the point where we could again lightly sand the floors to a level surface and re-finish them.
Following this, invitations issued for functions at the residence requested that “ladies wear low heels or flat shoes”. ADRIAN B SOFIELD
Votualevu, Nadi