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 an article published in The Fiji Times on September 16 of that year, he was installed by the late Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga.
Ratu Mara stated after his investiture that there had been a gap in Fiji’s corporate life until the institution of the Order of Fiji. He noted that the Cession of Fiji to Queen Victoria in 1874 allowed for the recognition of services to Fiji through the British honors system, but this ability was lost when the link to the British Crown was severed in 1987.
He explained that the creation of the Order of Fiji had bridged one of the gaps that resulted from this separation. Ratu Mara was honored with the highest order after the government established the Order of Fiji earlier that year.
The Order of Fiji was intended to recognize Fiji citizens for their high achievements or praiseworthy service and 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 mentioned that the names of those recognized by the order would be announced on Ratu Sukuna Day, with investiture ceremonies held on Fiji Day. All Order of Fiji nominations in the general division were reviewed by the College of Honour, which made recommendations to the President, while nominations in the military division were made by the Home Affairs Minister.
The investiture ceremony at Government House was attended by 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 President’s Medal for the Civilian Bravery Award for 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 renowned London jewellers Christies.