The Bilo Bar Club is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a fundraising reunion at Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji, bringing members, families and friends together from 1 to 6 November to support local community projects.
Founded in 1981, the Club is a registered Fijian charity, with 100% of funds raised banked by the Club and invested in the communities surrounding Shangri-La Yanuca Island. Generations of members have helped fund kindergarten facilities,healthcare improvements and educational opportunities through their ongoing generosity and annual fundraising activities.
This year’s anniversary programme combines social events with fundraising, including the Melbourne Cup Calcutta raffle and auction, sweepstakes, bingo, an Amazing Race and golf. The Club’s gambling activities are conducted under its approved gambling licence. The week also provides opportunities for members to connect with the communities benefiting from their support.
A major project currently underway is the refurbishment of the children’s ward at Sigatoka Hospital. The works continue the Club’s longstanding support for the hospital and its commitment to improving facilities for local children and their families.
The Club is also in discussions about supporting obstetric ultrasound training for doctors and nurses at Sigatoka Hospital through the Pacific Maternal Fetal Health Foundation. This initiative would build local clinical skills and support the care provided to expectant mothers and their babies.
This year, the Club completed significant upgrades and extensions to Nadroumai Kindergarten, improving its facilities and providing more space to support early childhood learning.
The Cuvu Community Learning Centre represents a significant investment by the Club in providing free tutoring and mentoring for students who need additional attention and support at school. The centre began operating in November 2025 and was officially opened in May 2026.
Club Chairperson, known as the Imperial Bilo, Andrew Neaves said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise the members, volunteers, donors and resort staff whose contributions have sustained the Club for 45 years.
The reunion celebrates the friendships formed through the Club while continuing the fundraising that makes its community work possible. Support ranges from purchasing raffle tickets and attending events to donating prizes and helping organise activities throughout the week.
Looking ahead to 2027, the Club is considering a request from Naidovi Primary School to help complete two partially constructed classrooms. Any commitment will be assessed alongside existing projects, available funds and ongoing maintenance needs.
As its 45th anniversary celebrations continue, The Bilo Bar Club remains focused on turning the generosity of its members and supporters into practical, lasting benefits for communities in Fiji.
