The Coral Coast festival of 1989 saw Milinia Vasutoga, a committed bank officer from Sigatoka, crowned as Miss Coral Coast. The event, reported by The Fiji Times on October 7, 1989, was a quadrennial celebration similar to the Hibiscus festival. Unfortunately, the festival fell short of its fundraising targets, garnering only $15,908.49, which was significantly lower than in previous years.
Emori Tudia, the chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, expressed regret over the insufficient support from local businesses in the Coral Coast area. “The festival needs more backing from local businesses,” he stated. “Sigatoka is a central hub for tourism, and with better organization and increased sponsorship, next year’s event could become the most prominent festival in the country.”
Despite the financial challenges, the festival maintained a vibrant atmosphere featuring a float parade through Sigatoka and drawing a spirited crowd of over 800 attendees. Vasutoga, who was a bank teller at the Sigatoka branch of Westpac, won a trip to Sydney courtesy of Ram Travel and Tours. She expressed her happiness at winning the crown and her determination to represent Fiji with pride.
Other titleholders included Miss Charity, Sharon Chong Sue. Vasutoga shared her excitement about participating in larger festivals in the future, aiming to build on her success. “At the beginning of the week, I never expected to win, but by the end, I felt more confident and calm during the judging sessions. I wanted the crown, and I got it,” she remarked.
Mr. Tudia emphasized the need for a revised approach in organizing the festival, proposing that drawing in tourists could enhance sponsorship opportunities and lead to a more successful event. This year marked the first festival organized by civil servants and local personalities instead of charity organizations.