In 1995, the late president Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was installed as the Chancellor of the Order of Fiji at a formal investiture at Government House in Suva.
According to an article published in The Fiji Times on September 16 of that year, he was installed by the late chief justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga.
Ratu Mara said after his investiture that there was a gap in the corporate life of Fiji until the Order of Fiji was instituted.
“The Cession of Fiji to Queen Victoria in 1874 made it possible to acknowledge services to Fiji through the long established British systems of honours and decorations but the ability to do this was lost when the link with the British Crown was broken in 1987.”
He said the creation of the Order of Fiji had repaired one of the gaps which resulted from the loss. Ratu Mara was honoured with the highest order after the Government instituted the Order of Fiji earlier in the year.
The Order of Fiji award was intended to give recognition to Fiji citizens for high achievement or for praiseworthy service.
The Order of Fiji had three levels and an associated medal: Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF), Officer of the Order of Fiji (OF), Member of the Order of Fiji (MF) and the Medal of the Order of Fiji (MOF).
Ratu Mara said the names of all those recognised for the order would had to be announced on Ratu Sukuna Day.
Their investiture would be held on Fiji Day. All Order of Fiji nominations in the general division are examined by the College of Honour which then made a recommendation to the President.
The nominations in the military division were made to the President by the Home Affairs minister.
The investiture ceremony at the Government House was attended by Members of Parliament, business executives and members of the diplomatic corps.
Sir Leonard Usher proposed a toast to Ratu Mara after his installation as Chancellor of the Order of Fiji.
Ratu Mara approved the following for the President’s Medal for the Civilian Bravery Award, the late Mani Lal, the late Frederick Wise, Toloi Tara and Eliki Viliyaliyali.
He also approved Bravery Medals for Joeli Vuniduvi, Seru Volagotavuivui, Joeli Susu and Isaia Veitawa.
Ratu Sir Mara’s order of Fiji insignia (and other insignias) were designed and made by famous London jewellers Christies.
