What Others Have Dreamt for Yacata in the Past is Within Reach

Yacata people today and those who have passed on have great plans for our island. Looking at those development plans developed over the years, it is clear that the dream remains the same. That is for Yacata and its people to develop their god given talents and resources to secure their future through social, cultural and economic development. A key plank of the plan is the formation of a commercial arm to engage in business for the benefit of the people of Yacata. In fact a company was duly registered some years back for that very purpose. It is towards the same direction that current efforts are being focussed and the current committee has begun this very important task in partnership with the management of Kaibu Island Resort.

It is no doubt something those who have led Yacata development leadership in past years have always dreamt of. With a partnership with Kaibu now in place it is well within reach once we can all come together. In line with that, it is for us to consider the set up of the following:

1. Yacata Island Trust with membership made up of all Yacata in Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) Members are the beneficiaries as in Nemani's proposed trust.

2. Yacata Development Holdings Limited (commercial arm to partner with Kaibu for development etc..) Yacata Trust to be major shareholder plus individual share holdings available.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSSIBLE GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENT FOR YACATA

Interestingly, Vanua Balavu is also on to it with Qarase's leadership.

Watch the You Tube video below on Vanua Balavu's progress:

Memorial in Honour of VC Hero Set in Stone on Home Soil

Fiji Times News

Yacata Village Pastor and Elders Bless the VC Memorial for Corporal Sukanaivalu 

THE people of Yacata in Cakaudrove have paid homage to the only Fijian to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, with the unveiling of a memorial on June 23.

The VC is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.

Sukanaivalu nephew, Umu Vulakoro, pays respect to Uncle's Memorial.

While the story of the late Cpl Sukanaivalu's bravery has been retold many times, a physical embodiment to honour his bravery has never existed in his village. All that changed when Vatuvara Limited and the people of his village and birthplace of Yacata erected a memorial and plaque in his honour.

Laisa Vulakoro beside the plaque on Yacata Island. Picture by: ROB MILLER

During the solemn ceremony at Yacata, a bugler sounded the Last Post and the memorial was blessed by elders of the church before it was unveiled.

Vatuvara Ltd general manager Rob Miller

Vatuvara Ltd general manager Rob Miller said the company decided to fund the memorial and plaque after realising the Fijian hero had no memorial to commemorate his ultimate sacrifice. He said the villagers of Yacata and Vatuvara Ltd would always celebrate Sukanaivalu Day on June 23 - the anniversary of Corporal Sukanaivalu's death.

Military & Police sound the Last Post

"We do a lot of work with the people of Yacata Island. Currently, Vatuvara Ltd is developing the neighbouring island of Kaibu, so we bring a lot of them across to work and they return at the end of the day," Mr Miller said. "So we thought it would be good for the people of Yacata to have some sort of memorial for Corporal Sukanaivalu," he said.

Laisa Vulakoro with brother, Etuate, with attendants at the unveiling of the MEMORIAL

The unveiling of the plaque was attended by police director of operations Senior Superintendent Rusiate Tudravu with Epineri Seibouma and members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force.

Laisa Vulakoro takes last pictures at Kaibu Island before boarding plane back to Suva

Cpl Sukanaivalu received the Victoria Cross after he sacrificed his life to save the men in his platoon who refused to leave him behind after he was seriously wounded.