President inaugurated the Chancellor of Order of Fiji

His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today inaugurated the Chancellor of the Order of Fiji.

Chief Justice, Anthony Gates installed the President as Chancellor of the Order of Fiji and was later blessed by the President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Reverand Ame Tugaue.

Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, government ministers, the Commissioner of Police and military officers were present at the government house to witness the occasion.

The medal is made up of two gold chains, interspersed evenly with circular tagimaucia wreaths and the monogram of the initials of the Republic.

The central wreath is joined by ring clasps to a suspended monogram, also joined by ring clasps to the main eight pointed gold star with the basic Order insignia of a four quartered shield with a central red cross dividing the quarters, surrounded by a tagimaucia wreath.

In the top left quarter is a Fijian canoe signifying the traditional maritime nature of the islands, the top right contains sugar cane stalks signifying the importance of agriculture.

The bottom right quarter contains the 'dove of peace' that was a part of the flag of the short lived Kingdom of Fiji prior to Cession in 1874, and the bottom left contains a crossed pick and shovel reflecting the significance of mineral resources, particularly gold mining, in Fiji's history.