In 1995, the late president Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was installed as the Chancellor of the Order of Fiji during a formal ceremony at Government House in Suva.
According to a report published in The Fiji Times on September 16 of that year, his installation was conducted by the late chief justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga.
Following his investiture, Ratu Mara remarked that there had been a gap in recognizing services to Fiji until the Order of Fiji was created. He noted that when Fiji was ceded to Queen Victoria in 1874, it allowed for recognition through the British system of honors and decorations. However, this ability was lost after Fiji severed ties with the British Crown in 1987.
The establishment of the Order of Fiji aimed to bridge this gap. Ratu Mara was honored with the highest order after the government instituted the Order of Fiji earlier in the year.
The Order of Fiji was established to recognize high achievement or praiseworthy service by Fijian citizens. It had three levels and an associated medal: Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF), Officer of the Order of Fiji (OF), Member of the Order of Fiji (MF), and the Medal of the Order of Fiji (MOF).
Ratu Mara stated that the names of those recognized for the order would be announced on Ratu Sukuna Day, with investitures taking place on Fiji Day. General division nominations for the Order were reviewed by the College of Honour, which then made recommendations to the President. Nominations in the military division were submitted to the President through the Home Affairs Minister.
The investiture ceremony at Government House included Members of Parliament, business executives, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Sir Leonard Usher proposed a toast to Ratu Mara after his installation as Chancellor of the Order of Fiji.
Ratu Mara approved the following individuals for the President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery Award: the late Mani Lal, the late Frederick Wise, Toloi Tara, and Eliki Viliyaliyali. Additionally, Bravery Medals were approved for Joeli Vuniduvi, Seru Volagotavuivui, Joeli Susu, and Isaia Veitawa.
Ratu Sir Mara’s Order of Fiji insignia, along with other insignias, were designed and crafted by renowned London jewellers Christies.