All too soon, the Emerald Jubilee celebrations have come and gone. ‘Tempus fugit,’ (time flies) we all know this one, and it waits for no one! So many tributes have been sent lauding praise for all who offered time and energy to make this event a resounding success! May I add a few more lines…
Sister Genevieve without you we would not have made it; with you, we blossomed in to a celebration above all of our expectations. There were so many wonderful moments, so many very special instances that brought joy to our hearts,
and showed love in our eyes…sometimes with tears too…
Looking back at my old emails today was very beneficial, as I saw just how the enthusiasm and excitement was at first a thought, which became a good idea, and then ‘action! It was a blessing that Sister Genevieve and her ‘magical committee elves’ flew with the suggestion that we invite ‘everyone’ to celebrate our class birthday – and like the Golden Jubilee, to include once again all alumnae who had commenced at Waimanu in 1956 and beyond, including an invitation to all who had attended St. Joseph’s in whichever year…!
What started out as a 1956 Form III class birthday party wound up becoming the Emerald Jubilee! I remember when I first suggested to Sister that maybe we could do another ‘Golden Jubilee’ style celebration. I thought I would hear ‘something’ back….in due course ….but she replied immediately!! And whilst I was still trying to forge my thoughts and entertaining ideas, Sister sent me a second email, asking if I had in fact received the first one, as her ‘girls’ were ready to go and had lots of ideas…and voila, the Emerald Jubilee was born, and as they say the rest is now history, with wonderful new memories to cherish and hold dear.
Eventually, with a great deal of hard work, everything worked in the theme of celebration. The brilliant titles: ‘Emerald Jubilee,’(Emerald being the gem colour for 55 years – 1956-2011) and also for the spectacular Ball finale, ‘Le Printemps De La Vie’ (The Springtime Of Life,) came from Sister Genevieve and her group. Their second great idea was to organize all of us in to ‘decades,’ which helped distinguish each era, and allowed each decade to recreate their own magical perception of themselves. This too was fortuitous, as one could clearly see that the ‘winds of change’ were blowing, and it was good to see this from very positive perspectives.
Sister Genevieve, You have also helped to generate a deeper sense of gratitude for our Alma Mater, and as mentioned at the opening Mass during your warm and welcoming Principal’s address: ‘We are one big global Cluny Family, reflecting Blessed Anne Marie’s dream of multi-cultural universality in action! Her charisma and spirit is very much alive among us.’ We say thank you.
To the very capable chairperson of the SJSS Emerald Organising Committee, Raijeli Vasakula Tuivaga, and your exceptional team of volunteers, we offer our sincere congratulations for a magnificent effort, achieved in just six months! Vinaka vaka levu sara from the heart, for a job so well done!
To the many wonderful ‘girls’ out there who did exceptional things to make every ‘other’ ordinary thing become exceptional…. we thank you with loloma.
To our dear and generous, ever lovely, and now world famous alumnae member, Gaetane Helsen Austin of ‘Pure Fiji’ avec amitie. (we know that you were with us in thought, and our very special blessings to you for a speedy recovery from your recent surgery. We missed you..)
To the one and only, exceptional and beautiful, emcee/Mistress of all ceremonies, Bernadette Rounds Ganilau, who under sometimes trying conditions…won our hearts with her command of language which included a lovely subtle sense of humour – for the ‘best of times!
And to our ‘bestest’ classmate from fifty five years ago, Dorothy Chang Sachs; our very special thank-yous for all that you shared in kindness and love for your now ‘old’ friends. The luncheon table at your beautiful Suva Point home was one of a kind and definitely in a category all its own!
To the younger generations, and Tricia Sahai Muller, Thank you for accurately identifying the times, and ‘Le Printemps de la Vie” for all ages, with a reflection by Esther Heller, Director of Writing at the Jewish Institute in Tsfat, Israel: “This is the Torah view of the winter of life: In the Winter the trees look almost dead, like sticks in the ground. However beneath the ground the tree is putting down roots that will nourish it, and in the spring it bursts into flower. Old age is the springtime of life, all that you've learned bursts into blossom. It is the time that you, as well as others, can benefit from your years of knowledge and experience."
Some highlights for the week beginning July 24th:
SUNDAY 4 pm School Hall: Who could forget the opening Mass, with so much excitement and with approximately 400 in attendance. The reception ‘Fijian Style’ was hosted by Pule S/Aloesi M – lots and lots of outstanding cakes, puddings, purini and custard, upside down cakes, inside out cakes et al!!
MONDAY 5.30 pm School Hall: The AGM meeting was brilliantly conducted by our alumnae member and now past President emerita, Elizabeth Reade Fong, who generously praised those who had served with her, and welcomed and touted the qualities and experience of the popular incoming President, Rajeli Vasalula Tuivaga and her able committee members. This was followed by a BYOB Welcome cocktail party, hosted by Elizabeth and her outgoing committee.
TUESDAY: 2 pm 70s Website launch 2 pm School Hall. 8 p.m. – midnight, Fiji Club ‘Disco Ducks’ (200 attended!!)
Hosted by Theresa Koroi.
WEDNESDAY: 80s Diva Night- ‘dress as your favourite 80s Diva.’ Mini fashion show. 7pm, Suva Bowling Club. Outstanding and VERY well attended, by over 200! Our group ‘peeped’ in and were in awe of the dressed up divas, and Laisa Vulakoro in the band!
6 pm: The ‘emeralds and co’ attended an evening of live music and delicious foods at the beautiful home at Suva Point of Margot Bently and Gordon Jenkins. What a special and lovely evening. Thank you from all of us for this very special treat!! Margot is another famous alumnae member in the wonderful field of music and entertainment.
THURSDAY: WHAT A DAY!! 8.30 – 11 am Careers Expo – 90s Give Back Book drive donation, lunch for students and teachers, at the School Hall. Kone Beitaki and T Digitake hosted. 6pm ‘Night of Reflections at Shennenigans – 90s-2000 decade!
11 a.m. we ‘the emeralds’ and many friends and alumnae attended the now famous lunch hosted by Dorothy Chang Sachs! Fabulous!
7 pm: Supper/Dance, Vintage Years, 50s and 60s decade, at the Fiji Club with Joe Chang’s Band (they who play the best ‘oldies’ tunes.) This was hosted by the efficient, quiet but effective Emelita Wendt Wilson and her also very efficient committee, plus the ‘emerald’s’ representative, Valerie. There were over 160 in attendance!! Pretty good, as we had started out with a possibility of 85 and then to 100 and then?? At this event we were blessed and graced by the presence of His Excellency the President, and beautiful First Lady, Adi Koila Nailatikau.
Moments to remember: The melodious ‘singing’ and happy President, who had everyone up and vude-ing. Sir James Ah Koy crooning some wonderful ‘oldies but goodies’ fantastic! Sarah de Bruce Hilborne, doing her now famous act: ‘Manasa from Vatukarasa’ – ‘brought the house down!’ Ellen Whippy, representing the girls Grammar school! - sophisticated and elegant, graced us with beautiful ‘old’ numbers, plus her father Stan’s favourites as well.
A very special moment I will remember on this night, was to watch our dear, and gentle, humble and beautiful alumnae member, Adi Samanunu Talakuli, who not only blessed the supper dinner, but took charge on the dance floor, with moves too good to miss. Encouraged by dancing guru, Violet Saffings, (both former great basketballers!) they were a sight to behold and to remember. So special and precious indeed..
FRIDAY: 9 – 10am Thanksgiving Mass. Lunch/Entertainment 12-3p.m. Handover – IT equipment and Encyclopedia set to school library. This event was hosted by Sister Genevieve Loo. According to our ‘emeralder’ Patsy Higgins Gianotti, this was a memorable event, and very special indeed. Sister G had everyone up dancing to the beautiful music.
SATURDAY: 9 – 2 p.m. Sports, Mini Market, March Pass. Grotto assembly. Hosted by Bertha Vatubua and K Beitaki.
6 pm – midnight the fabulous ball ‘Soiree Le Printemps.’ The Novotel was transformed in to a room of lights. Incredible!
The evening was hosted by Theresa Koroi and Raijeli Vasakula Tuivaga. This was an evening to remember, with everyone dancing to the music of Ken Jansen, great food, excited conversations, Divas in fashionable gowns, and men in tuxedos.. Oh my, what a night. 790 persons attended this event!!! The 60s group organized busses to transport everyone back to Hotel points,and the return journeys commenced at around 11.30 p.m. Helen Smith Black and myself were on the last bus which left the Novotel at 12.45, and what a ride!!! Lots of singing, clanking of the bell ringer, and excited directions to the somewhat overwhelmed and quite excited Bus driver!!
SUNDAY: 11 – 12 noon THANKSGIVING MASS
Hosted by Emerald Committee
Special potluck lunch – and lots of trifle!!
With the beauty of the Mass, the ‘Emerald Celebrations – Le Printemps de la vie’ brought an amazing week filled with so much of all that is good and worth remembering to a close. The spontaneous singing of ‘Isa Lei’ charged with happy thoughts on happy faces, finally wound down this week of special memories which will not be forgotten!
From: Valerie Thomas Warren (August 15/11)
