Moce Julie

Julie Sutherland sadly passed away on the December 29, 2024 after having a severe stroke at her home in Delainavesi She was a social commentator, educator, art enthusiast, author, animal advocate and many more.

As a contributor to this newsaper, she was known for her innate ability to articulate issues close to her heart whether they were on the surge of drugs in Fiji, inadequate government policies, education (one of her favourite topics) or animal rights.

In January 2021, her letter titled “No Ribbons for Victims”, published in The Fiji Times on November 3, 2020, won her the Letter of the Year Award. This came as a surprise to her.

“I couldn’t believe that I was getting awarded and I’m excited to be considered for it as I write as often as I can which is probably a letter a week,” she told this newspaper.

Many of her fellow letter writers congratulated her, saying she was a befitting winner. Among them was scholar and author, Bhagwanji Bhindi.

“She certainly deserves the award. We have all benefited in some way from reading Julie’s articles as they are inspirational and motivational. Thank you to The Fiji Times for recognising and rewarding such wonderful writers. Keep writing Julie and wish you all the best,” Mr Bhindi wrote.

One of Julie’s last opinion pieces was one titled The Magic of Sight Words, an article published in October 19, 2024, based on how parents and early childhood educators could fast-track reading among pre-schoolers.

“Julie poured out her heart in her pieces because they addressed issues affecting the people of Fiji. She was always a champion of positive change and human rights.

“I enjoy perfecting a piece of writing and letter where I try to keep it as economical as I can to present it clearly and also through writing letters, I get to express myself,” she once said.

“To portray my messages effectively, I try to keep the language simple and make it interesting and entertaining by using different techniques.”

One of her best letters in The Fiji Times was a piece on human rights, which published on December 10, 2020. She said she was a fan and friend of this newspaper because it

gave her the platform to be the voice for the vulnerable and downtrodden in society.

To celebrate Julie’s life and service to Fiji, people close to her attended a memorial service held in her honour at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Suva, on Wednesday, January 15.

In his sermon, Rev. Dr Bruce Yeates, reflected on Julie’s faith journey.

“Her spiritual genius was evidenced through her physical presence as she contributed to our Sunday morning tea fellowship; read the Scriptures, joined in the Church’s fundraising campaign, advocated for the Church heritage status to be upgraded from Suva city category B to National heritage category A and vigorously sought grant funding for the organ and Church restoration.”

“Such was the ‘spiritual genius’ of Julianne Sutherland.”

Julie was born in Melbourne in 1956, the first child of Phyllis and Eric Sutherland. Her brother Colin was born two years later.

Julie attended Lowther Hall Church of England Girls Grammar School (Melbourne) from prep to Year 12. She painted a picture of her younger brother, Colin, which is still on display at the school.

After completing her secondary schooling, she went to La Trobe University in Bendigo Victoria for 3 years, boarding with her Auntie and would often return home on the train for the weekend.

She completed her Batchelor of Arts in Social Science and also a Graduate Diploma for Secondary Education, qualifying her as an English, Social Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies and French teacher.

In 1995 she moved to Fiji to live and got a job teaching at International School Suva. She was passionate about Fiji and it wasn’t long before she became a Fiji citizen.

Julie was the helper of the ‘underdog’ and this quality was evident in how she related to those she came into contact with.

“It was important to her that anywhere she worked had to be true and fair to all and above all transparent,” her brother Colin said.

She joined the Royal Suva Yacht Club, and crewed on a number of large boats, sailing around the Fiji Islands of a weekend, and was often seen with her scuba tanks on, cleaning the bottom of private yachts as a part time job.

She approached numerous large businesses in Suva to gain sponsorship which enabled a fleet of Laser Dinghies to be purchased by the RSYC and also volunteered her time to teach sailing to school groups and beginner sailors.

Julie went to live and work in Laos for two years, with her partner at the time, who was a U.N. speech writer and immediately found a teaching job at a local international school. She taught English and Arts and later became a Kindergarten teacher before returning to her beloved Fiji with her new dog Gus the Pug.

Gus became a certified ‘therapy dog’ and Julie would take him to various hospitals and Schools around Fiji as a comfort and support dog.

In 2011, Fiji Post made a $10 stamp in Julie’s honour as a Red Cross Blood Donor for International Year of Volunteers in collaboration with the United Nations Volunteers.

In the past couple of years she had been working on six Fijian children’s books, including Big Dog, Day by Day and Old Tevita had some Land. Some were still in the pipeline when she passed.

A post by Baka Books on the Fiji Library Association FB page said this on Dec 30, 2024: “Books are precious. They need to be treated like a baby, with love and care.” That was the belief of Julie Sutherland.”

“Respected for her many contributions to Fiji, at Baka Books we knew her as the author of some of the very first children’s titles we bought, even before we opened our doors. Those titles have been popular with families looking for local books for early readers. Sutherland also wrote a guide for teachers and parents based on ‘sight words’, the reading technique she championed. Julie Sutherland passed away in Suva this week, but she will be well remembered for her work on literacy and much more. Vinaka for your passion for reading, children and Fiji’s animals Julie.”

Julie completed her Masters in Education at the Fiji National University in 2023 and enrolled to do her PhD of Education in late 2024.

“Julie has achieved so much in her life and always considered Fiji her home, where she met so many wonderful and loving people,” said Colin.

Being a nature lover, her love of animals was always at the forefront of everything she did.

In a Facebook post on Dec 29, 2024, Mohammed Khan said Julie’s dog feeding programs and rescue missions were ‘more than just work’.

“They were her passion and purpose. Her love and dedication touched the lives of so many—both two-legged and four-legged—and her absence will be deeply felt,” Mr Khan said.

“The dogs she fed and cared for won’t understand why she won’t return, but perhaps we can honour her legacy by stepping up. Let us continue her mission and ensure her work lives on.”

Julie, you will forever be remembered as a true friend to animals and a champion for the voiceless. Rest in peace, dear soul.”

Another FB post on Animal Lovers Fiji described Julie as ” a beloved member of our community” and a “true animal lover.”

“Julie dedicated her life to caring for countless stray dogs, offering them food, medication, and compassion. Her kindness and tireless efforts made a lasting impact on both animals and people alike,” the post read.

Julie will surely be missed by all whose lives she touched – her former students, her friends, her family, her fellow Letter to the Editor writers and readers, and her three precious dogs, Gus, Pik and Brownie. ) Julie was cremated on Saturday 11 January 2025. Following her wishes, her family and friends from Melbourne, privately spread her ashes around the Suva Harbour.

Note: This article was put together with the assistance of Julie’s younger brother, Colin.