GUESTS and staff members of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort near Sigatoka spent yesterday morning remembering the brave men and women who gave up their lives in Gallipoli more than 100 years ago.
Anzac Day has been commemorated on April 25 at the resort for the past six years, giving guests from the two nations a chance to remember their fallen soldiers.
Resort general manager Peter Hopgood said the gathering was not to celebrate or glorify war, but rather to remember those who served New Zealand and Australia during conflict and crisis.
“On Anzac Day, we salute not only the spirit of the Anzacs but pay tribute to them we take the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to striving for our own countries as they did and upholding their finest qualities of courage, commitment, endurance and mateship,” he said.
“Even as the numbers of Anzacs grow smaller, the Anzac spirit which was bequeathed from battlefields long ago will live on because it is a reflection of the very heart of our nations.”
He said the two army forces answered the desperate call of Fiji after Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“Once again it was the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand, our Anzacs that were first on the scene to assist in the rebuilding of villages and schools,” Mr Hopgood said.
Also attending the service was 70-year-old Brisbane native Robert East.
Mr East was a member of the Australian Defence Force 173rd Airborn First Battalion in 1965 along with his friend of 52 years Ken Fahy ,who passed away last year.
“I’m here for my fallen mates and Ken,” he said.
“For me this is day I remember all of my mates who didn’t come home.
“I pray and send out good wishes to their families.”
Mr East was accompanied by his 11-year-old grandson Shohib Muizz Shah, who proudly wore the late Mr Fahy’s medals during the service.
“We were best friends for 52 years. I miss him a lot,” he said.
