A Day of Reflection

The Commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto challenged members of the Fiji Corrections Service to re-dedicate themselves to excellence for the sake of their families during the Inaugural Corrections Day celebrations.

The event was held at Naboro on October 18, 2017 and reflected on the 143 years since the Service was established in Levuka.

Today, the organisation has corrections centers in Suva, Naboro, Lautoka, Ba, Nasinu, Labasa, Taveuni and Levuka.

The Rear Admiral Naupoto’s speech as Chief Guest of the celebrations reminded all of the importance of family and sacrifice.

He shared with the men and women a special word that defined all Service men and women in the cause of their duties.

“It has to do with a word that we often attribute to us as workers, whether we are soldiers, sailors, police men or women or Corrections officers –  and that word is sacrifice.

“Sacrifice is the word that we have been attributing to ourselves as members of the disciplined forces in the conduct of our duties.

“That word does not belong to or defines us exclusively; we do what we do because that is the job we wanted and signed up for.”

“In the Military we even swear an oath to that job and to the institution that provides us that job.

“The word sacrifice defines more the life of our families, they go without us and do what they do without us to allow us to do the job that we chose, and signed up for.”

“And the best way to repay that sacrifice, is for us to do our jobs to the best of our ability.”

“So today as you celebrate your inaugural Corrections Day, I ask that you rededicate yourselves to excellence in the performance of your duty.

“And on behalf of the people of Fiji –  thank you for your hard work and commitment to the rehabilitation of the unfortunate members of our society.

“ Days like this allows us to acknowledge the big contributions that our families and friends provide to the successful achievements of our organisational goals – it something that we take for granted and rarely acknowledge.”

He said reflecting on these things will help keep the organisation alive.