Former television presenter and director Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua made history when she was crowned the queen of the Hibiscus Festival in 1988. The Fiji Times reported on August 29, 1988, that her victory came 26 years after her mother, Eta Uluvula, won the same title.
Hailing from Dravuni in Kadavu, Lenora was a favored candidate, benefiting from her mother’s guidance throughout the competition. “Mum’s advice counted a lot,” she stated during an interview at her Laucala Beach Estate flat. She recounted how her mother provided her with valuable insights that were instrumental during the week-long event.
Lenora emphasized the importance of authenticity in her approach, stating, “I don’t use make-up, and the carnival was no excuse for me to start using it.” With a strong foundation from her education at Shri Vivekananda High School and further studies in Australia, she returned to Fiji in 1987 to work with Fiji Television as a trainee director and presenter.
After Fiji TV ceased operations at the end of the previous year, Lenora moved on to FM96 radio station as a part-time announcer while also securing a position with the Bank of New Zealand. Chosen as the BNZ candidate from a competitive field of eleven, she expressed gratitude to her sponsors for their support.
Lenora’s family played a crucial role in her success, offering encouragement throughout the carnival. “I am grateful to mum, dad, and my brother Sakiusa for their support because without a loving family like them I wouldn’t have achieved this,” she said. She also expressed appreciation for those who cheered her on, particularly Mr. Lionel Wendt for sewing her dresses.
Despite the demanding schedule of events, Lenora and her fellow contestants pushed through exhaustion, motivated by the prospect of winning the crown. “I was excited before the crowning and when the two runners-up were announced, I was confident that I had won,” she shared. The moment she was declared the winner overshadowed all fatigue and anxiety, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Among the first to congratulate her were her father, noted hotelier Radike Qereqeretabua, her mother, and brother Sakiusa. Following her triumph, Lenora participated in the Asia/Pacific quest in Hong Kong, earning a trip to Japan as part of her rewards, where she would promote Fiji as the “Paradise of the Pacific.” After claiming the 1988 Hibiscus Carnival crown amidst 19 competitors, she looked forward to a holiday before returning to her professional commitments.