Update: 11:30AM THE ‘HMAS Canberra’ arrived in Suva this morning with more than 800 Australian Defence Force personnel on board.

They arrived to the sound of the Republic of Military Forces band playing at the Kings Wharf.

Even the rain did not stop the visitors from lining up on the deck of the HMAS Canberra, as well as the local military officers who were on the ground.

Australian High Commissioner, Margaret Twomey was also part of the welcoming team.

The visiting ADF personnel will be in the country for three days to conduct training exercises with the RFMF, undertake a Lessons Learnt Symposium with the RFMF on the Tropical Cyclone Winston response, hold a women, peace and security talanoa with RFMF personnel, join Fiji’s “Fight the Bite” campaign and participate in a cricket match and touch football competition with RFMF personnel.

The visit provides an opportunity for the ADF and RFMF to build on the friendships made in the aftermath of Severe TC Winston and enhance Australia and Fiji’s strong defence co-operation partnership.