ON November 19, the Mua Voyage hosted a public lecture at the University of Western Sydney.
The public lecture was attended by UWS faculty, students, high school students and the Pacific Island community and was sponsored by the Pasifika Achievement To Higher Education (PATHE).
As part of the public lecture series, crew members from Aotearoa’s Haunui, Cook Islands Marumaru Atua, Fiji’s Uto Ni Yalo and Samoa’s Gaualofa gave photographic and video evidence on the need to protect our islands and oceans.
Adi Cakobau School alumni, Filomena Serenia, a Fijian marine biologist shared about her first-hand experiences in the Mamanuca Group of islands where she works.
UWS Senior Lecturer Dr Jioji Ravulo said, “in order to protect and sustain the Pacific Islands for future generations, we need to unify and make commitments now, not in the future.
“By coming to this event and hearing the truth about what is happening to our beautiful oceans and islands, and how you can help, everyone can make a difference,” Dr Ravulo added.
PATHE gave $A500 ($F828) to each vaka to assist with the purchase of food rations ahead of the voyage to New Zealand.
Mua Voyage also held a public lecture series at two Griffith University campus in Queensland prior to the University of Western Sydney engagement.
On November 20, Sydney based family members of Mua Voyage crew members descended upon Darling Harbour to farewell the four vaka or canoes as it sailed out at 0900 hours bound for Palm Beach with a sail time of nine hours.
Upon the arrival into Palm Beach, the almost 60 crew members from over eight Pacific island countries were accorded a traditional welcome by the First People of Australia followed by a traditional welcome from the Pacific island community.
The Mua Voyage which is made up of four canoes from Aotearoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa depart for Auckland, New Zealand on November 24 with an estimated sail time of 12 days dependant on weather conditions.
Currently in Palm Beach completing final preparation before the journey onward to New Zealand where all four vaka will undergo maintenance work as well as avoid the cyclone season which prevails in the Pacific from November to April.
