Bula Force awarded Australian Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal

Bula Force awarded Australian Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal

By Rashika Kumar
Tuesday 25/08/2020
PM Voreqe Bainimarama, Minister For Defence Inia Seruiratu and Commander of the RFMF Viliame Naupoto were present at the ceremony.

The 54 officers from the RFMF, Navy and the National Fire Authority who were part of the Bula Force that assisted Australian communities during the bushfire crisis earlier this year have been given the Australian Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal.

The Commendation Award is given to defence personnel for outstanding or exceptional achievement, or specific acts of bravery.

They spent 6 weeks in Australia and helped open almost 170km of road, cleared blocked rivers and restored fences in Orbost Town.

Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, Minister For Defence, National Security and Policing Inia Seruiratu and the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Viliame Naupoto were present at the ceremony.

Navy Ordinary Seaman Epeli Bale says this was not normal for them and it was a new environment for the officers since they are not familiar to bushfires in Fiji.

Bale adds they have been in touch with families from the community who are eagerly awaiting to come to Fiji.

Australian Chief of Defence Force General Angus Campbell, in a video message says Bula Force's contribution to Operation Bushfire Assist marked a momentous occasion as it was the first time Fiji’s Military Force deployed troops to Australia.

He adds the soldiers of the Bula Force may have arrived as strangers but to the communities of Australia, they left as family.


Campbell adds Australia is deeply grateful to Fiji’s contribution to recovery efforts during the devastating 2020 bushfire season.

Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes says barely months after the Vuvale Partnership signed between the leaders of the country, Fiji demonstrated its commitment to the engagement and the deployment of the Bula Force was a demonstration of the spirit of this partnership.

Feakes adds they know the economic impact of COVID-19 on both the countries will be severe and just as Fiji stood with Australia in their Black Summer, Australia will stand by with Fiji now and in the future because they know that they are stronger when they stand together.

34 people lost their lives in the bushfire, while millions of hectares, thousands of homes and millions of wildlife were destroyed.

FEATURE NEWS
iTaukei community dominates 2024 HIV statistics in Fiji with 89%
The i-Taukei community is dominating the HIV statistics in Fiji with striking 89 percent, according to the latest data presented at the Global AIDS Mo...
50 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Police seek assistance in identifying the victim of fatal accident in Navua last Friday
Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the victim of a fatal accident that occurred in the Southern Division on the 1st of this ...
26 minutes ago

Mangal and Akauola to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7 tonight
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan ...
3 hours ago

Trump confident that he will win the US election as voting is underway
Voting has begun in the battleground states expected to decide who will be the next US president between Vice President Kamala Harris and former ...
4 hours ago

CID investigates the death of a man held in custody at Savusavu Police Station
Officers from the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters have been directed by the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew to ...
5 hours ago

Crowne Plaza named best New Resort in Pacific
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is the winner of the New Hotel - Pacific category and was awarded a Highly Commended for the Fijian ...
18 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sashi Kiran appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
24 hours ago

Pio Tikoduadua appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
1 day ago

Inia Seruiratu appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
2 days ago

TOP