After 70 years of serving the Queen Victoria School (QVS) passing-out parade, the old parade colour (flag) was decommissioned.
It was a historical moment for the school.
The old colour which was first presented by the late statesman, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was decommissioned by an alumnus of the school and Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka at Nukuvuto ground in Matavatucou, Tailevu.
Nukuvuto ground was where the old colour was presented 70 years ago and it was only fitting that it was decommissioned on the very same ground.
In front of students, teachers, parents, guardians and invited guests the old flag was removed by the school’s colour party, making way for the new colour which was given by the QVS old boys in the British Army in England.
“I congratulate the Queen Victoria School cadet unit on the presentation of its new colours,” Mr Rabuka said.
“We remember those that contributed towards the retired colour and those that will contribute to the new colour represented on parade.
“You have your new colour presented on parade today (June 1).
“What I use to tell my soldiers when I was commanding them was to be proud of those colours, be worthy of the trust put on you by those who have brought the colour here.
“It reflects the colours that our battalions have fought under over the years.”
The colour was changed at the start of the passing-out parade. The Prime Minister also had the honour of reviewing the QVS cadet unit for 2023.
