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Lest We Forget by Henry Enasio Every year on 13 May, we Rotumans celebrate the Cession of Rotuma to Great Britain in 1881. Many news articles are written and broadcasts made about the different celebrations that occur in Fiji and other parts of the world, and of the entertainment and sumptuous feasts consumed. We do this in remembrance of a lot of things but (I guess) in particular, the foresight and wisdom of our chiefs who ceded the sovereignty of Rotuma to Queen Victoria to allow her Majesty to extend her protection over Rotuma. Like most celebrations, we tend to enjoy ourselves so much that we overlook the historic meaning of that auspicious occasion and what it encapsulates for us Rotumans, including the benefits we now enjoy. Occasionally we need to be reminded of that to enable us to foster that understanding in the minds of our children and future generations. At Motusa, and in front of the council building at Ahau, the names of all of our chiefs are listed from that historic day. These are enshrined in stone for subsequent generations, lest they forget them. Likewise, we should also take notice of those Rotumans who have distinguished themselves in various occupations and disciplines, and who have contributed to the promotion of our community and the development of Rotuma, lest we also forget them. I think it’s imperative for our collective historical consciousness to construct a list of such esteemed individuals. Such a list will enable us to remember our most accomplished Rotumans, and it will provide a set of role models for the younger generation to emulate. After reflecting on this issue, I composed a preliminary list based on two criteria: (1) those who were pioneers in their field (limited to the first four achievers), and (2) those whose achievements are well known (at least to me). Since some individuals achieved in more than one area their names are listed more than once. I invite others to reflect on this issue and to add others worthy of recognition to my list. 1. Academics
2. Arts
3. Authors
4. Aviation
5. Business
6. Civil Service
7. Education
8. Dental
9. Law
10. Company Heads or CEOs of Large Corporations in Fiji (that are successful)
11. Mariners
12. Medicine
13. Military
14. Music
15. Nursing
16. Politics
17. Property Millionaires
18. Orators (Best impromptus Speakers)
19. Religion
20. Sports
21. Workers
I list these especially the younger generation so that they shall remember these worthy Rotumans who can be good role models for them to emulate for their own future development. Submitted 13 September 2004 The first Rotuman to join the Marine Commandos was Roger Wale Afreti. The first Rotuman/Fijian to join the British Special Air Service
Regiment was Submitted by Hawah Marafono, 18 September 2004 I just thought I'd add these two people to the first Rotuman list . . . 1) Dr. Sela Panapasa - First Rotuman female to earn a Ph.D. -- from Brown University in Providence Rhode Island (in sociology). 2) Erone Tomasi -- First and only Rotuman/Fijian to join the US Army Special Forces. Submitted by Sefo Avaiki, 23 September 2004 If you really want to list who was first for this and that, you need to go way, way back. Many Rotumans have achieved goals in life that were a first at the time. Submitted by Mary Zemanek, 5 October 2004 There have been many Rotumans who were first in something, and it is good to know who they are. My suggestion is that a date (or the year) of their accomplishment be included if possible. I understand that it might be hard to remember the first Rotuman to achieve in every area, or the date of their accomplishments, but listing the date would avoid confusion with regard to who was the first. Submitted by Layne Lilino, 5 October 2004 Although Henry has entered Elizabeth Inia, one of our most esteemed elders, as an author, and although that is indeed something she has done, was she not also the first Rotuman woman to work as a teacher? [Yes, indeed she was! A.H.] Submitted by Matt Bray, 11 October 2004 I totally concur with Layne Lilino and others who have responded and hope to be able to produce a dated list in the future. Submitted by Henry Enasio, 23 October 2004 I wish to add to Enasio's List in Medicine. These graduates were the Rotuman pioneer doctors of the first half of the Twentieth Century :
Graduates of the Medical School known as :
The above list is by no means exhaustive but is nevertheless a humble effort to pay tribute to those early pioneers in Medicine who have contributed so much to Rotuma's Development. Source: FSM, Suva. Submitted by Rupeti P Mua, 17 November 2004 For a tribute to Rotumans who have contributed so much to Fiji see High Commissioner Jioje Konrote's Rotuma Day Speech at the National Stadium in Suva, 14 May 2005. --o0o-- Send responses to this document to Rotuman Forum for posting. Please include your full name and current home city. |