Fiji’s High Commission in Australia has linked up with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in an effort to raise funds for Fiji’s Flood Relief Appeal.
The Acting Head of Mission of Fiji’s High Commission in Canberra Mrs. Cheryl Brown-Irava recently attended a Flood Appeal Fundraising Dinner organised by the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) of the ACT and the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Canberra. The Acting Head of Mission delivered a speech at the event to acknowledge the support of the organisers, the diaspora community and friends of Fiji. Close to A$20,000 was raised on the night.
The current Chief Executive Officer of the MARSS ACT is former Fiji National, Ms. Dewani Bakum (of Natabua, Lautoka), was the main organiser of the fundraiser.
MARRS is a vibrant service-oriented organization, incorporating assistance for all migrants to the ACT extending to language, welfare, employment, access and equity for people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In the past, the High Commission has referred requests from newly arrived migrants from Fiji to MARRS branches in Australian states and territories. The organisation has assisted many families in the various Fiji Communities transition to their new homes in Australia.
The event was significant in the sense that it was the first targeted ACT Government event associated with the Fiji High Commission since 2006. The fundraiser was supported by the Samoan, Maori and the African community groups in the ACT.
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