In 1995, the late President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was formally installed as the Chancellor of the Order of Fiji during an investiture ceremony at Government House in Suva.
An article published in The Fiji Times on September 16 of that year noted that the installation was conducted by the late Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga.
After his investiture, Ratu Mara remarked that there was a gap in Fiji’s corporate life until the Order of Fiji was established.
“The Cession of Fiji to Queen Victoria in 1874 made it possible to acknowledge services to Fiji through the British systems of honours and decorations, but this ability was lost when the link with the British Crown was broken in 1987,” he said.
He added that the creation of the Order of Fiji mended one of the gaps resulting from that loss. Earlier that year, Ratu Mara had been honoured with the highest order after the Government instituted the Order of Fiji.
The Order of Fiji award was intended to recognize high achievement or praiseworthy service by Fiji citizens.
The Order of Fiji comprises 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 said that the names of those recognized for the order would be announced on Ratu Sukuna Day.
Their investiture would occur on Fiji Day. All nominations for the Order of Fiji in the general division are reviewed by the College of Honour, which then makes recommendations to the President. Nominations in the military division are submitted to the President by the Home Affairs Minister.
The investiture ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament, business executives, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Sir Leonard Usher proposed a toast to Ratu Mara following his installation as Chancellor of the Order of Fiji.
Ratu Mara approved the President’s Medal for the Civilian Bravery Award to the late Mani Lal, the late Frederick Wise, Toloi Tara, and Eliki Viliyaliyali.
He also approved Bravery Medals 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 made by the renowned London jewellers Christies.