A year after the 1983 Hibiscus Festival, winners reached out to The Fiji Times to express their frustrations over unfulfilled prize commitments. The publication, on September 19, 1984, reported on contestants’ complaints regarding missing items such as a rice cooker, a tracksuit, and vouchers for complimentary lunches and stays at restaurants and hotels.
Despite having signed agreements prohibiting public criticism of the organizing committee, one winner, who wished to remain anonymous, conveyed her disappointment. She highlighted issues with the inflated value of several prizes as advertised during the festival. For instance, a four-burner gas stove was promoted as valued at $780, while its actual worth was closer to $500. Similarly, a washing machine was listed at $600, but its real value turned out to be only $120.
The contestant noted that they were still awaiting ten prizes even after the prize-giving ceremony. When they inquired about these items, a meeting was convened by the prizes committee, which promised to expedite the delivery of their remaining prizes.
The article referenced Maganlal Dahya, the committee chairman, who acknowledged that certain prizes had not been obtained from sponsors, including cinema tickets and dining vouchers. He claimed that he had been instructed by higher-ups in the Fiji Hibiscus Festival Association not to collect specific prizes like the rice cooker and tracksuit, with the responsibility falling to other committee members.
Dahya mentioned he collected the other prizes and handed them to the president, Mrs. Shahima Stoddart, and other executive members, stating he was uninvolved in the distribution process.
Responding to this, Mrs. Stoddart asserted that she was not responsible for the prizes. She clarified that her role as president in 1983 did not include prize distribution and suggested that if committee members like Dahya were unable to fulfill their duties, they should not seek her involvement.
The 1983 Miss Hibiscus title was awarded to Annie Raymond, with Debbie Francis Jack as the first runner-up and Rosie Patel as the second runner-up. Roslyn Gibson earned the Miss Charity title.