The remaining Taskforce βππ°π³πͺ ππ’π₯π’β personnel in the Solomon Islands continue
to work under a Multinational Police Support Group which involves Australia and New Zealand whilst supporting the Solomon International Assisting Force and local law enforcement agencies.
For the last few days, the team had embarked on a community engagement exercise to build confidence amongst the local populace during this festive season. Led by the Contingent Commander the soldiers were joined by a few Fijian community members as they sang Christmas carols around Honiara yesterday (Friday 24 December).
βThe singing of Christmas carols on Christmas Eve is a tradition back home. So, the main objective of this exercise is to bring the message of Christmas which is reconciliation, peace and hope to these communities,β said Lieutenant Colonel Toanikeve.
The team first visited Mr Opetai Delaiverata a Fijian national who now resides in the Solomons. The centenarian from Nakasaleka village in Kadavu left Fiji for the Solomons in 1951 to work as a surveyor. He later fell in love with the island and has lived there with his family ever since.
The Malaita Community in Burns Creek was the second venue for the groupsβ performance. It was an unplanned visit but as the singing commenced, the community began to gather in large numbers to hear the beautiful melody from the Fijians.
Expressing his gratitude, Community Board Chairman Pastor Martin Nehemiah, said the performance has brought the light of peace into the community.
Following their visit to Burns Creek, the team visited and performed at the residence of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogovare and ended their visits at the residence of Mr Atueta Bale-kana the Fijian Consular in the Solomons.
During their Christmas lunch today, the team was joined by the Fijian community and a few personnel from the Australian Defence Force led by their Commander Lieutenant Colonel Steve Frankel.
