Yesterday, Errol Fifer celebrated his 100th birthday, marking a full century of life on Earth. In today’s world, that is no small feat.
Reaching 100 is an extraordinary achievement. It should force us to pause and reflect on the fragility and value of life itself.
Longevity on this scale is no longer something we expect. In a world increasingly defined by sickness, stress and shortened lifespans, Mr Fifer stands out as a beacon of hope. His life reminds us that endurance, curiosity and purpose still matter, and that the human spirit remains capable of remarkable resilience.
Mr Fifer embodies the power of living fully.
Certainly, lifestyle choices and genetics play their part, but his story shows that long and fulfilling lives are not beyond reach. At a time when so many lives are cut short, he is living proof that vitality and contribution need not fade with age.
Born on December 28, 1925, when silent films were at the height of entertainment, Mr Fifer’s lifetime spans one of the most transformative periods in human history. From the aftermath of the First World War to the digital frontier, his century has mirrored a world reshaped by innovation, travel and global connection.
That century has also been defined by personal achievement. As a young man, Mr Fifer distinguished himself as one of Australia’s top amateur golfers in the 1940s and 1950s. His love of the game endured for decades, with his clubs only finally retired in his early 90s.
Professionally, he pursued accounting, a path that unexpectedly led him into the hospitality industry. Through clients connected to Sydney’s vibrant Eastern Suburbs scene in the late 1950s, swinging ’60s and 1970s, Mr Fifer became involved in hotel development. That experience would eventually draw him to Fiji.
Arriving in January 1970, undeterred by the logistical challenges of a fledgling island tourism industry, he fell in love with the Mamanuca Islands. By June that year, he had secured a lease with two clients to build what would become Mana Island Resort. Japanese investors later joined the venture, and for the next decade Mr Fifer travelled between his Sydney practice and Fiji.
In 1980, he and his second wife, Antoinette, moved permanently to Fiji to construct what is now Malolo Island Resort. Although the couple sold the resort in 1992 with retirement in mind, the pull of tourism proved irresistible. Sensing the potential of backpacker travel, they purchased Nadi Bay Hotel in 1998 with partner Anu Patel, transforming it into Fiji’s first flashpacker resort.
The Fifers finally retired in 2015, the year Mr Fifer turned 90. During the Nadi Bay years, he was a founding member of the Fiji Islands Backpacker Association and served as its president for a decade. The hotel’s restaurant, Antoinette’s, earned accolades, and the cookbook Under the Mango Tree was shortlisted for a major international award.
Yet Mr Fifer is far more than a tourism pioneer. He is a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, admired for his sharp intellect, dry humour, love of music, golf and animals, and for his genuine care for those around him. Staff remember a fair and supportive employer; investors recall generous advice; colleagues speak with respect.
Asked how he felt about turning 100, Mr Fifer said the love and support of friends and staff “is most important to me”. He also sent warm wishes to all Fijians for the holiday season.
At a time when non-communicable diseases are claiming far too many lives in Fiji, Mr Fifer’s century stands as a powerful testimony that long life is possible. Perhaps we should all take a leaf from his book, and live with purpose, remain curious, value people and never stop contributing.
Congratulations, Mr Fifer. A century well lived!
