HIS EXCELLENCY RATU EPELI NAILATIKAU
CF, LVO, OBE (Mil), OStJ, CSM, MSD
President of the Republic of Fiji
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ADDRESS AT THE ST JOHN ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL
SUMMIT, 2013
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Sofitel Resort Wednesday, 27th November, 2013
DENARAU 9.30a.m.
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The Sub Prior of the Order of St John, Dr John Mar
The Chairman of St John Fiji, Mr. Sakeasi Waqanivavalgi
Delegates from the Asia Pacific Countries
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning, ni sa bula vinaka, assalam alaykum, namaste.

It is indeed a great honour and a pleasant one for me as Patron of the Order here in Fiji, to officiate at this 2013 St John Asia Pacific Summit.

I welcome you all most warmly to Fiji and trust that you will not only have a successful summit but also an enjoyable time in our country. We are honoured to have you and to be your host.

Over the last 12 months, I have increased my participation in St John events as Patron. As some of you may know, I have been a member of this august body for the last 50 years beginning from my days as a soldier in the then Royal Fiji Military Forces.

I am inspired and am extremely proud to see that today St John Fiji is hosting a major international meeting of the Order of St John. Commendations for this achievement must go to the Chairman, the evergreen Mr. Sakeasi Waqanivavalagi, who has given many years of sterling service to this venerable order.

St John Fiji has come a long way since its establishment in Fiji in 1939. We now look forward with great keenness to next year to celebrate our diamond jubilee of 75 years. St John Fiji is well known in the schools for its cadet programs, in workplaces and in the fields of sports for its first aid program and service, and in the community for its ambulance services and community care programs.

St John Fiji covers the main islands. However, we are constrained in what we do, and we are located because of limited resources. But St John Fiji is at the doorstep of a new era. We are looking at expanding the network to other major centres in Fiji especially here in the west and in the second biggest island in Fiji - that of Vanua Levu.

St John Fiji, like your own, relies on the generosity of the public and corporations and it is encouraging to note – and for which we are indeed grateful - that several corporations and individuals have been supporting St John Fiji both financially and in kind for quite some time.

I am also informed of and duly acknowledge the excellent support being provided by our international St John network towards St John Fiji and the like organizations in the Pacific.

I should like to mention in particular firstly, the support from St John New Zealand for their assistance in helping to improve the standards and the level of care offered by St John Fiji first aiders and the ambulance staff and, secondly, St John Australia with their guidance and their assistance for other first aid products.

I am also thankful to government which had shown increased support towards St John Fiji, through the provision of grants to support the operations of our ambulance services and community care programs.

I am honoured to be the Patron of the Order in Fiji and I look forward to having fruitful discussions with you all over the next few days around the themes of strengthening partnerships and taking the lead and their related objectives.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have much pleasure in now declaring the 2013 St John Asia Pacific Regional Summit, officially open.

Thank you, vinaka vakalevu, sukria, bahoot dhanyavaad.

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