Looking back at history | Queen Mara celebrates her investiture

In 1995, the late President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was appointed Minister of the Order of Fiji in a formal investiture ceremony at Government House in Suva.

According to the Fiji Times on September 16 of the same year, he was appointed by the late Chief Justice Sir Timothy Tuivaga.

Speaking after taking office, Ratu Mala said there was a gap in Fiji’s corporate life before the establishment of the Order of Fiji.

“Fiji’s cession to Queen Victoria in 1874 enabled the British to recognise contributions to Fiji through a long established system of honours and decorations, however, this ability was lost when Fiji’s links with the British Crown were severed in 1987.”

He said the creation of the Order of Fiji filled a void created by the loss of the Order of Fiji. The Fijian government awarded Ratu Mara the highest honour after establishing the Order of Fiji earlier this year.

The Order of Fiji is awarded to honour Fijian citizens for outstanding achievements or commendable service.

The Order of Fiji has three grades and associated medals: Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF), Officer of the Order of Fiji (OF), Member of the Order of Fiji (MF) and Member of the Order of Fiji (MOF).

Ratu Mara said the names of all those who received the medal must be announced on Ratu Sukuna Day.

The ceremony will be held on Fiji Day. All nominees for the Order of Fiji in the general category are reviewed by the Honours College who then make a recommendation to the President.

Nominations for military branches are submitted to the President by the Secretary of the Interior.

The investiture ceremony at the Governor’s House was attended by members of Congress, business executives and members of the diplomatic corps.

Sir Leonard Usher proposed a toast to King Ratu Mara after he was inaugurated as Minister of the Order of Fiji.

Ratumala approved the Presidential Medal for Civilian Gallantry to the following persons: late Mani Lal, late Frederick Wise, Toloi Tara and Eliki Viliyaliyali.

He also approved the awarding of medals of bravery to Joeli Vuniduvi, Seru Volagotavuivui, Joeli Susu and Isaia Veitawa.

The Fijian coat of arms (and others) ordered by Ratu Sir Mara were designed and made by Christies, a famous jeweller in London.