5 September 2014
From the High Commissioner’s Desk
Solo Icon
Last weekend, I was privileged to witness some of Solomon Islands’ best young performers competing on stage at the annual Solo Icon. I was even more privileged to present the awards to the winners in each category. Boy, those kids can sing!
This is the sixth year in which the High Commission has sponsored Solo Icon, which provides a stage for talented young Solomon Islanders to showcase their natural talents. It’s a great way to give young people an opportunity to improve themselves.
G’Day Solomon Islands Fun Run
As I mentioned in my last column, our second annual fun run will be held on Saturday 13 September, beginning at the Art Gallery Grounds at 8.00am.
Registration is free. Register as an individual or get together with your workmates family, friends or sports group to register a team. The first 1,000 registrations will receive a free G’day Solomon Islands Fun Run t-shirt, so register now! Forms can be collected at the Australian High Commission.
Working with the Ministry of Health and WHO
Australia is currently supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to help control the measles outbreak in the country. The number of cases is increasing daily and as part of curbing the spread, Australia is funding extra vaccines, supporting communication campaigns and working with partners on a national response.
Vaccines can be accessed for those aged 6 months – 30 years at Honiara Health Clinics and at the measles vaccination satellite sites around Honiara. I encourage everyone to ensure that you and your families are vaccinated to be safe from the disease.
Family Protection Bill
Finally, I’d like to offer my congratulations to the government and the parliament for recently passing the Family Protection Bill. It’s a landmark piece of legislation for Solomon Islands, which now joins a number of other Pacific countries in making violence in the family an explicitly criminal act.
But the passage of the Bill also sends some important messages. It says that as a society, Solomon Islands will protect women and children from harm. It rejects the notion that violence in the household is acceptable. And it sends a clear message that the proper role of men in the family is as a provider and protector. So it’s an encouraging message about the sort of country that Solomon Islands wants to be.