Page 45 - IB December 2024

People People

The Australia Fiji Business Council Notable achievements
(AFBC) has announced the election of
Zane Yoshida, Founder of The Calmer A Tongan graduate who is pursuing a
Co (formerly known as Fiji Kava), as nursing degree has won the Supreme
the 15th President of the Australia Award at the Ara Institute of Canterbury
Fiji Business Council. As President, he end of year Pacific Achievement
will lead efforts to strengthen trade, Awards. Uinita Tapa’atoutai was quick
investment, and cultural ties between to thank her wider Pacific community.
Australia and Fiji. Emma Low, Managing Uinita began her study journey in 2022,
Director Pacific at Westpac Banking graduating with a Bachelor of Applied
Corporation; Greg Ingram, Managing Management from Otago Polytechnic,
Director of FNE Communications; but she soon found her calling in
and David Gibson, Managing Director nursing. She is just finishing up her
of Gibson Freight, were elected as second year in the Bachelor of Nursing
Vice-Presidents, with David Gibson programme.
also taking on the role of Treasurer. Samoan academic Dr Analosa
Other appointments to the Executive Veukiso-Ulugia has been awarded
Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu
Committee include Philip Bird of Marine the Health Research Council of New
and Civil Maintenance Pty Ltd, Jeremy Zealand Sir Thomas Davis Te Patu Kite
Federated States of Micronesia. Grennell of Pacific Trade Invest, and Rangi Ariki Health Research Fellowship.
Vosawale Toganivalu-Tamani of ANZ A senior lecturer and Health Research
In American Samoa, the new senator Banking Pacific. They join existing Council postdoctoral research fellow
for Manu’a District #2 is Lualemaga Executive Committee members: Allison at the University of Auckland, she said
Sofeni Lualemaga, who has been Haworth West, Steve Hillyard, Chanh the project will focus on safeguarding
appointed to fill the vacancy left Lovan, Dakshesh Patel, and Sam Pacific children and youth through
by former Senator Malaepule Saite Raciti. community education and big data.
Moliga’s resignation.
In PNG, Trudi Egi has been appointed In Fiji, Bula Boys and Rewa star Tevita
Barbara Elliston has been appointed CEO of MiBank, effective 1 January Waranivalu was named Fiji Footballer
as an engineering professional for 2024. She succeeds Tony Westaway, of the Year while Adi Litia Bakaniceva
Rarotonga’s power authority, Te Aponga who is retiring. took out the women’s award. Sterling
Uira (TAUU). Elliston brings extensive Vesconciloious and Elesi Tubunase
expertise from both the private and Veena Singh is the incoming Co-chair are the Young Footballers of the Year.
public sectors, particularly in the of AWID, the Association for Women’s Elite Player of the Year Awards went
electricity industry, with a Bachelor Rights in Development, a global to Maika Dau of Nasinu and Vilomena
of Electrical Engineering and a deep feminist, membership, movement- Batirerega.
understanding of power systems support organisation. Singh has worked
management, product development, for Fijian and regional organisations
and economic analysis. in human rights, gender equality and In memory
social inclusion for more than 20 years.
Filimone Waqabaca is the new Former Papua New Guinea MP,
Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Lani Young of Samoa’s Tri-Sports Michael Malabag has passed away.
Development Bank. Currently serving Samoa Association has been elected Malabag, a key member of the People’s
as Fiji’s Ambassador Extraordinary Vice President of Oceania Triathlon. The National Congress, served a term
and Plenipotentiary to Japan, he regional organisation is a Continental as member for Moresby North-West
previously held the position of Fiji’s Confederation of World Triathlon and its between 2012 and 2017.
High Commissioner to New Zealand, and mission is to develop multisports in the
has worked across national, regional, Pacific. Pete de Wet of New Zealand New Caledonia is mourning the death
and international financial institutions, was selected as President. Olympian of Great Chief William Boarat, from
including the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Manami Iijima of Guam will be the the district of Koumac. The 66-year-old
International Monetary Fund, Pacific Athlete Representative on the Board. leader allegedly died when he tried to
Islands Forum Secretariat, and Fiji’s intervene in an argument between two
Ministry of Finance. people in his community.

Islands Business, December 2024 45