Long before terms like entrepreneurship, networking and professional development became everyday language, Ofa Duncan was already making her mark across several fields – from Australian aviation and fashion to business, training and community service in Fiji.
The dynamic and personable head of Jobs Fiji Ltd was profiled by The Fiji Times on March 8, 1993, when she was 38.
Born in Levuka, Ovalau, Ofa was in her third year at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Suva when her parents moved to Australia with their eight children in the late 1960s.
She continued her education to School Leaving Certificate level at Mossman High School before beginning her working career.
Her first job was with Queensland radio stations 4CA and 4CM, where she was responsible for promotional projects for the North Queensland Hotel Association.
She later joined Trans Australian Airlines/Australian Airlines, spending 10 years as a flight attendant and working from bases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
After her airline career, Ofa joined Duncan Risk Management Consultants in Sydney, becoming administration manager with responsibility for computer programming, office administration and staff requirements. She also undertook higher-level studies in small business management and computer management.
Her experience continued at Carla Zampatti Fashion Designs in Sydney, where she managed and administered the designer’s premier boutique, overseeing sales, administration, clientele requirements and customer service.
Almost 24 years after leaving Fiji, Ofa felt the pull to return home. In December 1989, she returned with her husband, Don, and their 10-year-old son, Duane, renounced her Australian citizenship and became a Fiji citizen again.
She joined Martin Motors Ltd/Safeway Marine Nabua as personal assistant and customer relations manager before, in June 1991, establishing Fiji’s first employment agency and training centre, Jobs Fiji Ltd, with Loretta Jackson.
Ofa was also a director of family-owned Bowen Ltd, involved in training, investments and property management and development.
Her interests stretched well beyond business. She served as director of club services with Rotary Club of Suva East and was a founding member of Suva Toastmasters Club, helping her husband establish the club in Suva.
“Don and I are very pleased with the way in which young, and not so young, executives have responded to Toastmasters,” she said.
“They tell us, and we’ve observed for ourselves, how they have benefited from the weekly meetings, and we’re happy that they have found it a useful and personally enriching experience.”
Ofa was also president of Junior Achievement Society Fiji Incorporated, promoting a better understanding of business and commerce among young people.
She was a member of the Australian and Fiji Golf Clubs.
The 1993 profile offers a glimpse of a woman whose professional journey crossed countries and industries, but whose commitment to Fiji ultimately brought her talents and energy back home.
