Rotary Club of Suva Central officially launches in Suva, uniting nearly 200 guests for a charter day at Novotel Suva
The Rotary Club of Suva Central marked its official launch on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at Novotel Suva, drawing together almost 200 attendees including Rotarians, community leaders, business partners, and supporters. The formal proceedings featured speeches, fellowship, and a clear reaffirmation of Rotary’s core principle, “Service Above Self.”
Attendees heard from club members and invited speakers about the newly chartered club’s goals and the work ahead. Ashika Devi, president of the Rotary Club of Suva Central, welcomed the crowd and reflected on the significance of the moment. “This launch marks not just the beginning of a new club, but the start of a journey of service, compassion, and impact. We are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, and we warmly invite the community to join us in this mission,” Devi said.
The Suva Central club is chartered with 28 members from a broad range of professional and personal backgrounds. Their shared objective is to serve communities across Fiji through practical, sustained initiatives in health, education, and community development.
Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, served as the chief guest. In her remarks, she underscored the importance of community-driven efforts and urged members to lead by example. “This launch marks the beginning of a journey to create meaningful change in our communities. With combined effort, sincere passion and thorough valour and vigour, the members of Rotary Club of Suva Central are urged to strive for excellence in service,” she stated.
Proceeds from ticket sales and raffles at the event will support the club’s initial projects, which are set to begin in the coming months. The Rotary Club of Suva Central now joins the wider network of Rotary clubs in Fiji and around the world, aiming to make a lasting contribution to the country through volunteer service and collaboration.
Context and related community impact
The Suva Rotary network has a track record of community service that reinforces the potential for meaningful, on-the-ground impact across Fiji. For example, the Rotary Club of Suva Peninsula Sunset recently completed its inaugural major project for the 2024-2025 year, refurbishing the kitchen at the Valelevu Salala Street HART Nursing Home to better serve around 20 elderly residents. Led by President Neelam Sharma, the project benefited from partnerships with donors such as Tough Wood Joinery Limited, Credit Corporation Fiji & PNG, Comfort Home Furnishing Limited, and Shreedhar Motors, highlighting the power of collaborative community effort.
Rotaract and Rotary initiatives in Suva likewise continue to advance healthcare and community services. Several Rotaract-supported donations to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) Hospital in Suva—most notably ultrasound systems for the anaesthesia and intensive care departments—have been coordinated with regionalRotary partners and local logistics support. These examples illustrate a broader pattern of cross-club collaboration to address health, education, and social welfare needs across the capital and beyond.
What this means for the Suva community
– A new hub for service: Suva Central adds to Fiji’s network of Rotary clubs, bringing new energy, volunteers, and ideas to local projects.
– Immediate funding for impact: Proceeds from the launch event will seed early, tangible projects in health, education, and community development.
– A culture of partnership: The launch aligns with ongoing Rotary efforts in Suva, underscoring a shared commitment to collaborate with government, businesses, and civil society to meet community needs.
– A hopeful path forward: With a growing cadre of passionate members and supporters, the club is positioned to implement sustained initiatives that improve lives across Fiji.
Summary
The launch of the Rotary Club of Suva Central signals a promising new chapter for Fiji’s Rotary community, combining strong leadership, community backing, and a clear focus on health, education, and development. By mobilizing volunteers and leveraging partnerships, the club aims to deliver practical, lasting benefits to communities across the country.
A positive note for the year ahead: this new chapter in Suva’s Rotary story embodies the spirit of service and collaboration that has long driven local and regional progress, offering hope for meaningful change through everyday acts of service.
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