We come to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of SIDT – I understand formal celebrations were held yesterday, and for that significant milestone in a rapidly changing world, you should all be very proud.
The past 30 years have seen extraordinary demands placed on village governance and leadership here in Solomon Islands, an SIDT has been at the forefront of building village-based resilience in this most challenging period.
But we’re also are also here to acknowledge and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Australian Volunteers International, which has been supported proudly by the Australian Government since 1965.
As Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, today is my chance to thank and acknowledge the extraordinary contribution that all Australian volunteers make here in Solomon Islands,
The numbers tell a story.
There are around 52 Australian volunteers currently working in Solomon Islands, including 12 under Australian Volunteers for International.
36 Australians have volunteered their time to work here at SIDT since 1983.
AVI has supported more than 345 Australian volunteers in Solomon Islands since 1964.
I want to place on record the value I place on the work of Australian volunteers. I have seen firsthand from my earlier diplomatic postings in Africa, PNG, Samoa and now in Solomon Islands, how much a difference our volunteers make. You go places I don’t, and do things I would never be able to do.
23 years ago I arrived in Tonga for a 6 month short term mission. I was a young Army officer and it was my first visit overseas.
The advice from the High Commissioner was to meet with the ‘AVOs’ - as he called them. He told me they were young, bright, well connected and knew what’s really going on! He was spot on. The advice and friendship I received from the volunteers in Tonga in 1989 helped me weather many a storm, navigate a cultural challenge or two and, arguably, become a better person. It affected me deeply, then and now.
There is no doubt that volunteers are an important part of Australia’s aid program. Not only do volunteers become the face of Australia’s aid program, but by contributing time and skills to local organisations and the communities in which you work, you making a substantial contribution to reducing poverty and long-term development in Solomon Islands.
Every volunteer has a story to tell: whether it is working with provincial governments or village-based leaders; introducing Aussie rules football into schools and communities, running special programs for women and youth, helping test people for hearing problems, building stronger homes to withstand cyclones or helping people with a disability. Australia’s volunteers are leaving a mark and enriching the communities you are helping.
You are using your skills and experience to help change lives and make a difference. And through your participation in work, sport and community, you are also fostering links and friendship between Solomon Islands and Australia.
I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge our host organisations and groups who are sponsoring volunteers in Solomon Islands.
As their sponsor who manages their day to day work, I thank you for your support.
It’s also important to note that Australia’s volunteer program is above and beyond our annual AusAID support to Solomon Islands, which currently stands at around A$125 million a year through the combined bilateral aid program and RAMSI Development Program.
We provide this assistance because we share the Solomon Islands Government’s determination to help Solomon Islands become a stable, prosperous and successful country.
I thank each of you for your dedication and enthusiasm – you are great ambassadors for Australia.
I also thank our hosts – SIDT - and to prove that our reach really does know few bounds, I would like to conclude by acknowledging and congratulating Jennifer Wate (Director SIDT) for being awarded a prestigious Australian scholarship to study at Victoria University.
Congratulations Jennifer.
Congratulations SIDT and today – congratulations AVI on achieving this significant milestone.