Vanuatu Creative Writers Grace Molisa Trust Fund

Vanuatu Creative WritersGrace Molisa Trust Fund

Final Report

A Virginia Gildersleeve InternationalFund Grant

awarded to

VAWG/SRIA report to VGIF, 30 June 2003 1

Vanuatu Association of Women Graduates

30 June 2003


Contents

1 Introduction..............................................22 Background................................................22.1 Goal...................................................22.2 Expected Benefits......................................2

3 Report on Project Components..............................23.1 Steering Committee.....................................23.2 Publicity..............................................23.3 Writers’ workshops.....................................23.4 Publications...........................................23.5 Budget.................................................23.6 Future Activities......................................23.7 Evaluation.............................................2

4 Conclusion................................................2Appendix 1 Media Releases on Writers’ Workshops..............21.1 Announcement of First Writers Workshop,................21.2 Pioneers in Creative Writing Take First Steps..........21.3 Creative Writers Undertake Private Readings............21.4 VAWG Wins Prestigious Grant for Vanuatu WritersAssociation.................................................21.5 Poet Briar Woods Contributes to Grace Molisa MemorialCollection..................................................21.6 Award-Winning Writer addresses Writers Group...........21.7 Fiji University Women Contribute to Grace MolisaCollection..................................................21.8 Writing Poetry Reduces Tension.........................2

Appendix 2 Media Releases & Speeches at Launches.............22.1 Invitation to Launch of Pacific Creative Writing.......22.1.1 History created at Wunpuko.........................22.1.2 Book Launch Honours Grace Mera Molisa..............22.1.3 Speech by Prime Minister, Hon Edward Nipake Natapei 22.1.4 Speech by Minister for Finance, Hon Sela Molisa. . . .22.1.5 Speech by Editor, Dr Shirley Randell...............2

2.2 Launch of Pacific Women on the Move -AFUW..............22.2.1 Launch of Pacific Women on the Move - Vanuatu......22.2.2 Speech by Mr Costas Tsilogiannis, European Union. . .2


Grace Mera Molisa addressing first Creative Writers Workshop with all herpublications

1 IntroductionThis report documents the implementation of the VirginiaGildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) Award To Establish AVanuatu Writers And Associated Artists Association undertakenby Vanuatu Association of Women Graduates (VAWG).

2 BackgroundAn application for funding from VGIF to support women’screative writing in Vanuatu was made in October 1991.Notification that VGIF funds were approved for theestablishment of the Vanuatu Writers and Associated ArtistsAssociation was received after the first workshop for writershad been held and an Interim Vanuatu Creative WritersAssociation had been formed. However, the project applicationstimulated this work, and information about the earlyworkshops is included in this report.

The co-founder of the Vanuatu Creative Writers Association wasGrace Mera Molisa, the first writer, poet, author andpublisher in Vanuatu. She was a founding member of VAWG andone of the original signatories for the VGIF grantapplication. Her untimely death on 4 January 2002 changed thedirection of the project. The Fiji Association of WomenGraduates collected $F500 towards a memorial publication inhonour of Grace. VAWG asked Dr Shirley Randell, Publicity


Adviser for VAWG and Managing Director of SR International andAssociates to organise and edit this publication as a part ofthe VGIF project.

2.1 GoalThe goal of the project was to improve the wellbeing ofVanuatu through empowering ni-Vanuatu women to write their ownstories and build sustainability by establishing a VanuatuCreative Writers Assocation and assisting participants to:

Recognise that writing is empowering Recognise that poor communication is an underlying cause

of poverty Participate in recognising and solving personal problems

through gaining information.

The project was designed to build community and nationalcapacity through the development of the writers associationand encourage creative writing. The grant was intended tocontribute to one of the most crucial problems in Vanuatu,women’s lack of ability and confidence. This would confrontone of the greatest forces keeping ni-Vanuatu women in povertyand from reaching their full potential.

2.2 Expected BenefitsThe expected benefits for the project were the encouragementof ni-Vanuatu to write and eventually produce a body of ni-Vanuatu literature


3 Report on Project Components

3.1 Steering CommitteeThe VAWG Board acted as the Steering Committee for the project.The Board, which had oversight of the program, approved allfunding for activities for the project. The Board met monthlyfrom November 2002 to June 2003. The Board’s Publicity OfficerDr Shirley Randell, was appointed executive officer for theproject.

3.2 PublicityThe Writers project has received favourable publicity withinVanuatu and the Pacific. A media release was prepared for theannouncement of the grant and was published in both Port VilaPresse and Trading Post and announced by VBTC on radio. Mediareleases were prepared after each writers' workshop and inconnection with the launches of publications (see Appendices 1and 2). All media releases were published and used in newsbulletins, including television at times. Media releases andphotos have been forwarded regularly to Barbara Carey.

3.3 Writers’ WorkshopsWriters’ workshops have been held by the Association (seeAppendix 1). Sometimes these have been in conjuction with VAWGmeetings and often with a guest speaker Topics included “Howto start, How to complete, How to publish manuscripts”. Guestspeakers at these workshops have included:

Grace Mera Molisa describing how she first becameinterested in writing and then began to create poetry andto publish her work (Appendix 1.2)

Australian Author Mary Ryan who described her writingexperiences (Appendix 1.2).

Popular New Zealand poet Briar Wood who read her works(Appendix 1.5)

Celebrated New Zealand author Fleur Beale who passed onseveral exercises to stimulate writing (Appendix 1.6)

Professor Konai Thaman, Head of Pacific Education andCultural Studies at the University of the South Pacific(Appendix 1.8)


The media releases issued on each occasion gave publicity tothe project and to encourage writers to continue theircreativity.

3.4 PublicationsFollowing the death of founder Grace Molisa, the focus of theproject changed slightly. The major task became to prepare apublication in honour of the late Grace who had contributed somuch to writing in the Pacific. The works of several Vanuatuwriters, as well as other Pacific writers have been includedin this publication. The grant enabled twenty-one ni-Vanuatuwriters to publish their contributions in the publication PacificCreative Writing in Memory of Grace Mera Molisa.

The proposed memorial collection was advertised by email andmedia release in September 2002 and the publication wascompleted for a launch by the Minister for Finance Sela Molisaat the first anniversary of the death of Grace at theirvillage in Wunpuk, north west Santo. Other launches took placein Port Vila. Examples of media releases and speeches at thelaunches are at Appendix 2.

A booklet written by Grace on Women and Good Governance wasfound, edited and published.

A third publication to celebrate the establishment of thePacific Graduate Women’s Network was also produced andpublicly launched at the Australian Federation of UniversityWomen conference in Melbourne, the Fiji Association of WomenGraduates Conference in Fiji and at a public meeting in PortVila Vanuatu.

Other publications are in preparation. These will includecollections of short stories, poems and prose, including thosebrought to and written by participants in the workshops.

The Molisa family has agreed for Grace’s company BlackstonePublishing to continue to auspice ni-Vanuatu writing. There isa very small market in Vanuatu but it is hoped that there willbe sufficient sales to cover the costs.


3.5 BudgetThe grant for the project was received on 13 August 2002. TheVAWG Council Treasurer Ms Selina Haggai and Managing DirectorSRIA, Dr Randell managed the Budget, which was monitoredmonthly by the VAWG Board. All invoices were approved at Boardmeetings before payment. There were some variations inexpenditure from the approved budget categories because of theway the project developed following the unexpected death ofGrace. Dr Randell worked on a voluntary basis in organisingworkshops, writing and editing the publications. SRIA hasprovided supplementary funding to print the publications.Financial accounts are attached to this report for auditing.

3.6 Future ActivitiesThe Creation Writers Association will continue to build andstrengthen a strong multi-sectoral sustainable nationalwriters organisation that can continue to support writers andassociated artists in Vanuatu. They will continue to build amultidisciplined network of people, including youth writers,illustrators, photographers, printers, news reporters andpublishers with the capacity to write and publish ni-Vanuatuliterature.

3.7 EvaluationOverwhelmingly the publications have been very well received.

Participants in the workshops completed questionnairesevaluating the workshop

Twenty-one writers and artists have participated in thework of the association and have had their workspublished in collections

Three publications have been produced Nearly a dozen articles have been published in the media Two Writers Public Readings have been held Three poets are nearing completion of sufficient works

for publication A publication of prose is also being prepared.

4 ConclusionThe Project’s objectives were achieved and creative writing inVanuatu has achieved a higher profile. Several writers are


producing work, having been encouraged by achievements todate. Three publications of poetry by ni-Vanuatu are nearingcompletion. VGIF can be delighted that its small grant has ledto so much productivity in Vanuatu. This project has had adirect, positive impact on the lives of many women across thenation.

Members of the Vanuatu Creative Writers Association drafting material at

writers workshop


Appendix 1 Media Releases on Writers’

Workshops

1.1 Announcement of First Writers Workshop Ms Grace Molisa, of Blackstone Publishing has announced aVanuatu Creative Writers Development workshop that will beheld at the University of the South Pacific. “Many women andmen in Vanuatu have written something that they would like tohave published. Others have started to write something butdon’t know how to finish it. Others would like to writesomething but don’t know how to start”, said Ms Molisa. “Thisfirst workshop is an opportunity for these people to gettogether to discuss their dreams and their work”.

The workshop is being sponsored jointly by BlackstonePublishing and SR International and Associates. The objectiveof the workshop is to improve wellbeing in Vanuatu throughempowering individuals to write their own stories. A long-termgoal is to build sustainability by establishing a NationalWriters and Associated Artists network. The workshop will cost$1000 to cover expenses. Participants are asked to bring somefood to share over lunch and a piece of their work if theyhave one to discuss with the group.


Grace Mera Molisa Welcomes Writers to First Creative Writers Workshop


1.2 Pioneers in Creative Writing Take First StepsA group of enthusiastic writers and people with an interest inwriting met on Saturday at the University of the South Pacificat a Creative Writers Workshop that may well be the beginningof a Vanuatu Creative Writers Association. Pastor John Liu, one of the participants, opened the day’sproceedings with prayer.

Grace Molisa welcomed the group and talked about her journeyto become a poet, writer and publisher. She spoke of herpassion for human rights and described how she became a writerthrough reacting to untrue comments of some outsiders who hadwritten negatively about her country. “Writing is our identityand our culture, because of that it is not as simple as itlooks”, she said. “We write creatively to create that qualityof life we want to exist in Vanuatu in the future”.

Some participants then read selections from work in progress.Leias Cullwick read a piece of her writing about her father-in-law from Maewo, the history of land owned by John Karae andthe Tanamwariu Tribe, his childhood and his life experiences.Carol Aru read an unpublished poem ‘The White Envelope’describing her feelings when she heard of the death of herfather through a letter of sympathy while she was out of thecountry. Hilda Taleo read several paragraphs from a prizewinning short story she wrote for a Trading Post competition,supported by the New Zealand High Commission, that has beenpublished.

Mary Ryan, writer, communications specialist and languagecoach from Melbourne Australia, spoke about each personfinding their individual voice as a writer. “Writing can be along term process so it is never too late to put your thoughtsout to others”, she said. She commented on the rich source ofmaterial for writing here in Vanuatu with so many differenttraditions, languages and customs.


Mary Ryan, distinguished Australian writer, addresses Creative WritersWorkshop

Dr Shirley Randell spoke about her early experiencing ofdisciplining herself to write a daily journal and how this ledto published work. She spoke about the time taken to write abook on Ni Vanuatu role models, “Women in their own Right”,and the need to check and recheck, work and rework draftmaterial.

In the afternoon, participants enjoyed the tranquilsurroundings of USP to work individually and in groups tocreate new pieces. Afterwards they read to the group thepoetry, prose and short stories they had created. They willrefine this work over the next week and hand them toBlackstone Publishing for possible publication. After theywill work on two more pieces and come together again for aprivate reading. Later they will hold a public reading andpublish an anthology of the writing from the workshop. The dayconcluded with a blessing from Pastor John Liu.

1.3 Creative Writers Undertake Private Readings

A group of enthusiastic writers and people with an interest inwriting are meeting regularly at the Department of Women’sAffairs Conference Room to read their work in preparation fora public reading, which will be organised shortly. At this


week’s meeting Hilda Taleo and Telstar Newman both read twopoems: ‘The Circle of Violence’ and ‘Equality’, and ‘Wishingyou were here’ and ‘Fearful Trust’ respectively and LeisaCullwick read a poem called ‘Smiles’ .

Creative writers at Workshop at the University of the South Pacific Campus,Port Vila

Pastor John Liu, who opened and closed the proceedings withprayer, read a short story in progress, ‘Story about Ben’.Frida Bani read a short story about ‘A Day’s Contentment’.

Hilda Taleo said that practicing reading in front of a smallsympathetic audience before inviting others to hear their workhelps them to gain confidence. They are also polishing theirwriting in anticipation of a selection being made for thepublication of a book on ni-Vanuatu writing, which will beedited by the University of the South Pacific PublishingCompany.

Grace Molisa of Blackstone Publishing and SR International andAssociates and Dr Shirley Randell of SRIA are providingsupport and advice and Leslie Micheletti is doing preliminaryediting. Established writers and new writers interested injoining the group should contact Grace on 23081.


1.4 VAWG Wins Prestigious Grant for Vanuatu WritersAssociation

Ms Jeanette Bolenga, President of the Vanuatu Association ofWomen Graduates (VAWG) has announced the Association’s successin winning another grant that will benefit both female andmale writers in Vanuatu.

VAWG is a recipient of the highly competitive VirginiaGildersleeve International Fund 2002 awards for $US 4,000. Anapplication for the award was made by Ms Bolenga, the lateGrace Molisa as Managing Director of Blackstone Publishing andthen President of the Vanuatu National Council of Women, andDr Shirley Randell, Managing Director of SR International andAssociates in October 2001, all members of VAWG. Ms HildaTaleo, Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs,supported the application.

The aim of the project is to improve the wellbeing of Vanuatuthrough empowering women to write their own stories and buildsustainability by establishing a Vanuatu National Writers andAssociated Artists Association, which includes both women andmen. Monthly writers’ workshops will be held and publicationssubmitted to USP Publishing. It is also intended thatBlackstone Publishing will publish some publications on a costrecovery basis.

The project will encourage women to recognise that writing isempowering, to recognise that poor communication is anunderlying cause of poverty, and to participate in recognisingand solving personal problems through gaining information.Funds are intended to build community and national capacity bybuilding women’s ability in expression and confidence andhelping them to reach their full potential.

Both Ms Molisa and Dr Randell had offered their trainingservices free for the project that sets up a small scholarshipfund to bring new writers from rural Efate and outlyingislands to workshops in Port Vila

Ms Hilda Taleo, Interim President of the Vanuatu WritersAssociation welcomed the grant and has requested that the


funds be combined with those already raised at the launch ofthe Ni-Vanuatu Role Model book on International Women’s Day,to establish a Grace Molisa Memoral Writing Trust. It isexpected that VAWG Council will favourably consider thissuggestion.

Other interim office bearers of the Vanuatu WritersAssociation, which was established following a workshoporganised by Ms Molisa and Dr Randell in 2001, are Mr JohnLiu, Vice President, Ms Carol Aru, Secretary, Ms BerthaTarileo, Treasurer, Ms Leias Cullwick and Ms Alumita Kennethjoint fundraisers and Dr Randell, trainer.

Donations to the Grace Molisa Memorial Writing Trust can besent to Ms Taleo or Ms Molisa at any time.

The next full day workshop will be held at the University ofthe South Pacific at 9.00am on Saturday 13 July. Whilepractising writers will address the group giving examples ofchallenges from their own writing, the major purpose of theworkshop will be to prepare work for the proposed publicationof Vanuatu writers currently being considered by USPPublishing.

Interested writers are requested to send their application toMs Hilda Taleo, President, Vanuatu Writers Association at theDepartment of Womens Affairs, PMB Box 091, Port Vila or MsCarol Aru at VRDTCA, PO Box 925 with a deposit of 1,000vt

The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund supports projectsfor women and their communities that have a direct, positiveimpact on the lives of women, particularly in developingcountries. To qualify for funding a project proposal must haveclearly defined goals and objectives, meet a demonstratedneed, be fully planned and ready for implementation, have ahigh probability of success, contain an educational componentand be a project that will lead to action.

1.5 Poet Briar Woods Contributes to Grace MolisaMemorial Collection


New Zealand poet Briar Woods is the first person to contributea new work for the Grace Mera Molisa Memorial Publication,which is being prepared in honour of the late Grace (seebelow). Ms Woods recently spent some weeks in Port Vilaattending the Melanesian Arts Festival and researching andwriting poetry.

While in Port Vila she attended a social function organised byVAWG for its members and members of the Vanuatu CreativeWriters Association at the home of Dr Shirley Randell. Thefunction was to welcome Ms Diane Goodwillie, SPC consultantevaluating the Community Education Training Centre (CETC) inFiji Islands and to hear Ms Woods reading her poetry.

VAWG President Ms Jeannette Bolenga said, “If you knew Graceor feel strongly about the issues she cared about, forexample, democracy, citizenship, human rights, equity,identity, cooperation, colonisation, independence, freedom,women, children, families, we invite you to help us puttogether a fitting memorial”.

Ms Bolenga encouraged teachers in schools to organise fortheir students to participate in preparing work for thepublication.

This project is being supported by the Virginia GildersleeveInternational Fund that supports projects for women and theircommunities that have a direct, positive impact on the livesof women, particularly in developing countries.


New Zealand Poet, Briar Wood with latest publication talking about her poemFiring the Pots

Firing the Pots(For Grace Mera Molisa)

In this season of vegetables, the year you left us behindThe Second Melanesian Festival swells Vila Black Brothers sing to wantok women in the solid dark at Independence Park a fourteen-man string band and one green guitar rocking everybody at the gallery opening.

Between broken English and beginner’s Bislama I explain to people of the ples I am studying your poetry - but some hear pottery and give me directions to the Kaljoral Senta where I admire red mats of Ambae, dyed, matanaho, precise, incised fragments of Lapita

and join the large group gathering to watch


women from Wusi, Espiritu Santo who have been working in secret all weekshaping layers from volcanic black sand, applying designs – waves, fishbones, pikinini fingers gripping the carefully shaped lips

putting on a red slip, sprinkling with seawater the firmed earthenware exterior turned upside down as the bundles of fronds and branches piled high on a platform of hot river rocks burns, flaring up with a flourish in a process usually performed at dawn.

So your poetry has come through that blaze of themes, critiques and dreams,tempered words, fused to a brilliant black and packed with your country’s colours –graceful containers, holding the future’s truth.Your poetry inspires, the pots are firing.

1.6 Award-Winning Writer addresses Writers GroupMs Fleur Beale, Writer from New Zealand addressed the VanuatuWrites Group this week about her experience as a writer. Oneof her priorities is to ensure that New Zealand children haveaccess to reading stories about New Zealand. “It is essentialfor kids to have their own stories set in their own countryand culture”, she said. “It is a validating experience forthem.

Ms Beale began writing when she was a secondary school Englishteacher and found some of her students had particulardifficulty with reading. She found it hard to find storiesthat they could relate to and that would interest them. Sheloves writing and has since written 25 books for children andteenagers and writes full time. She also teaches creativewriting.


New Zealand author addresses Vanuatu Creative Writers Association WorkshopMs Beale also spoke about the value of holding writers’workshops to encourage new writers. She gave hints to theworkshop about creating a positive atmosphere so people canfeel comfortable about reading out what they have written andgetting advice about their work.

She passed on some exercises that will be used for futureworkshops. She encouraged writers to write regularly. Some ofmost popular books have been I am not Esther – published in New Zealand and coming out inthe United States of America in August. This received anHonour award for senior fiction in the NZ Post Children’s BookAwardsSlide the Corner – written specifically with boys who don’tenjoy reading in mindAmbushed – a story about bullying for 10-12 year olds. Thisbook has been short listed for the NZ Post Children’s BookAwardsDriving a Bargain – also short listed for the NZ PostChildren’s Book Awards.

The Writers’ Association, sponsored by a grant from theVirginia Gildersleeve International Fund, will hold its nextworkshop at 10am at the University of the South Pacific


Conference Room on Saturday 3 August. All writers are welcome.The workshop will start at 10am and finish at 2pm. Writerswill practice their writing using some of the exercises thatMs Beale suggested to them.

VGIF supports projects for women and their communities thathave a direct, positive impact on the lives of women,particularly in developing countries.

1.7 Fiji University Women Contribute to Grace MolisaCollection

The President of the Fiji Association of Women Graduates(FAWG), Ms Helen Tavola handed over a cheque for $FJ 500 thisweek to Ms Selina Haggai the Treasurer of the VanuatuAssociation of Women Graduates (VAWG) towards a memorialpublication for the late Grace Mera Molisa.

“FAWG is delighted to honour the memory of Grace – anoutstanding woman of the Pacific, in this way”, Ms Tavolasaid. “Many women of FAWG studied and worked with Grace overthe years and we recognise not only what she has done for thewomen of Vanuatu but also women across the Pacific”, she said.

The $500 was raised mainly from donations: $200 fromRuth/Diane and $80 from Lily Vesikula, an auction of two hatsfrom Diane which raised $120 plus $100 profit from a lunchFAWG had with Women's Crisis Centre at which Ruth spoke on herlife in Fiji as a “farewell address. Ms Tavola, with two otherFAWG members, Sereima Lumelume and Davila Toganivalu met thisweek with the VAWG Council. They are in Port Vila to attendthe UNESCO Education for All Conference.

FAWG has been operating for 23 years and Ms Tavolacongratulated graduate women of Vanuatu for establishing VAWG.“We want to network with you and reach out to other sisterorganisations in the Pacific islands, now that there are alsoassociations in Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Solomons and shortly inPapua New Guinea”, she said. FAWG recently became theheadquarters of Pacific Graduate Women’s Network (PGWNet) whenLily Vesikula was appointed the inaugural President.


President of VAWG, Ms Jeannette Bolenga explained that FAWGand VAWG are putting together a collection of poetry, proseand art works in honour of Grace, a founding member of VAWG.“If you knew Grace or feel strongly about the issues she caredabout, for example, democracy, citizenship, human rights,equity, identity, cooperation, colonisation, independence,freedom, women, children, families, we invite you to help usput together a fitting memorial”, Ms Bolenga said.

Financial contributions can be sent to Ms Selina Haggai,Treasurer VAWG, PO Box 1342, PORT VILA, Vanuatu. They willsupplement funds from the Virginia Gildersleeve InternationalFund (VGIF) Award for the Vanuatu Writers Association. VGIFsupports projects for women and their communities that have adirect, positive impact on the lives of women, particularly indeveloping countries.

Contributions of poems, prose or artwork can be sent to DrShirley Randell SRIA, PO Box 1702, PORT VILA, Vanuatu. Thedeadline for contributions is 30 October 2002.


President of the Fiji Association of University Women presents donation forthe Grace Molisa Trust Fund to Board members of VAWG


1.8 Writing Poetry Reduces Tension

Writing poetry is an excellent way to unwind and deal withpressures in your life, according to Professor Konai Thaman,Head of Pacific Education and Cultural Studies at theUniversity of the South Pacific. Professor Konai was talkingto the Vanuatu Writers Association about her experience as awriter.

“What began as an effort to teach children better has nowbecome a very therapeutic pastime for me”, she said. “I findthat I am now able to mix poetry with my theorising and makethe subject much more relevant for my students”, she said.“Poetry can often say so much more than prose”.

Professor Konai Thaman addressing Vanuatu Creative Writers AssociationWorkshop

Professor Konai was the keynote speaker at the “RethinkingVanuatu Education Together” Conference this week and wovepoetry through her address. She spoke to the Vanuatu WritersAssociation about hating English with a passion as a child,


because it was her worst subject at the vernacular missionprimary school in Tonga and then at the English language highschool.

Professor Konai completed a teaching degree in Auckland inPacific education and when teaching back in Tonga began totranslate popular Tongan songs into English as a way ofhelping her students to learn English better. “For the firsttime I began to understand imagery”, she said.

In 1969 Professor Konai studied in continuing educationclasses at the first USP extension centre in Tonga and beganto make up her own verse. After she married she went with herhusband to California where he completed his PhD degree andshe her MEd degree. While there they read the Pacific IslandMonthly to keep in touch with regional issues and enjoyedreading early Pacific poetry. Professor Konai also went with afriend to lunchtime English classes in California, where newwriters were reading their work. “For the first time Irealised that poems did not have to rhyme”, she said.Professor Konai sent one of her poems to PIM to consider forpublication and was delighted when it was published a fewmonths later as “You, the choice of my parents”.

When she and her husband returned to positions at USP in the1970s they found a vibrant group of writers in Suva, includingthe late Grace Mera Molisa, who were writing protest poetryabout colonisation and independence. The USP Extension servicebegan putting together booklets of poetry, which led to thepublication of Professor Konai’s first poetry collection. Thiswas followed by publications of collections of poetry fromTonga, New Hebrides, Samoa and Fiji. “Some Modern Poetry from NewHebrides” was published in 1974 and reproduced as “Some ModernPoetry from Vanuatu” in 1980. Professor Konai has published fivecollections of poetry, one of which has been translated andpublished in German.

Professor Konai is a member of the Fiji Association of WomenGraduates, which together with the Vanuatu Association ofWomen Graduates is preparing a memorial publication of Pacificwritings in honour of the late Grace Mera Molisa. The VanuatuCreative Writers Project is being sponsored by The Virginia


Gildersleeve International Fund, which supports projects forwomen and their communities that have a direct, positiveimpact on the lives of women, particularly in developingcountries.

Women reading new publications at book launch at Wunpuko Village

Appendix 2 Media Releases & Speeches at

Launches

2.1 Invitation to Launch of Pacific Creative Writing

BOOK LAUNCHIN MEMORY OF THE LATE MRS GRACE MERA MOLISA

Pacific Creative Writing in Memory of Grace Mera Molisa : edited by Shirley Randell

Good Governance : by Grace Mera Molisa

To : __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vanuatu Creative Writers have the honour of inviting you to attend aCocktail function to launch 2 books dedicated to the Memory of the late Mrs

Grace Mera Molisa.


Date: Friday 7 February 2003Contact person: Alcina Garae (22200)

Time: 6.00pm—7.30pm

Program

Welcome : Hilda TaleoOpening Prayer : Bishop Michel Visi

Speech : Hon. Edward N Natapei Tuta Fanua’arikiKastom Dance : Socapo (Ambae) Boys

Official Launch : Hon. Minister Sela MolisaSpeech : Dr Shirley Randell

Public Readings : from amongst the contributors

Entertainment : Socapo (Ambae) Boys

Please RSVP Alcina Garae (22200) by Tuesday 5 February 2003

Books will be available for sale at the launch

2.1.1 History created at Wunpuko

The Hon Sela Molisa, Minister for Finance launched two booksin the Chiefs nakamal at Wunpuko Village North West Santo onSaturday 4 January 2003, the first anniversary of his wife,Grace Mera Molina’s death.

“This is a historic occasion, because it is the first timethat the first launch of two books has been held outside oneof the main town centres in Vanuatu”, the Minister said.

“In our ni-Vanuatu culture we have always recognised theimportance of history through our oral traditions. However,now we are in a modern society we must start to write ourhistory down.’’

“Grace valued history and was always writing, sometimesgetting up early in the morning to write. It is thus fittingthat we launch these books at the occasion of the firstanniversary of her death”, he said.

More than 250 people attended the ceremony, which took placeprior to the dedication of the grave of Grace and her fatherin law, Mandei Rongtuhun, who died shortly after her on 31


January 2002 in Port Vila. The two graves lie side by sidebehind Sela Molisa’s house at Wunpuko.

The crowd included all community leaders, chiefs and churchleaders from every village around North West Santo – from thetwo Presbyterian sessions: Rua, Session around the cape intoBig Bay, Malavuko to Molpoi, and Potunpei Session, from Olboito Petowat. Representatives of the Trinity and the Praise andWorship congregations also attended.

The first book to be launched was a collection of Grace’s workon Women and Governance that she had been writing for someyears. It had been stored on Rene Clemenseau’s computer, now astaff member of Sun Productions. Dr Shirley Randell edited andupdated some of the statistics and the Minister and ViranMolisa proofread the material.

Minister for Finance launches Women and Good Governance, by his late wifeGrace Mera Molisa at Wunpuko Village, North Santo


The booklet includes examples of good governance practices,both traditional and modern, a plan for good governance, andshort statements on democracy, gender, citizenship, and civilsociety.

The booklet also includes sections on the Vanuatu Women inPolitics organisation and suggests strategies for closing thegender gap in representative institutions and for bringingmore women into public and political life.

Statistics on women in governments in the Pacific and ondecision making groups and institutional boards indicate howmuch more needs to be done before women take their properplace alongside men in Vanuatu society.

The second book, edited by Dr Randell, “Pacific Creative Writing inMemory of Grace Mera Molisa”, was a collection of writing in honourof Grace. The first section of the book includes poetry andprose that was written following Grace’s death, paying tributeto her life and her amazing contribution to Vanuatu and thePacific.

This section includes works by ni-Vanuatu writers, like HildaTaleo, Mildred Sope, John Laan, and Nadine Alatoa, and Pacificwriters like Lily Vesikula from Fiji, Albert Wendt from Samoa,Briar Wood from New Zealand and Margaret Jolly from Australia.

The second section is a collection of works on issues thatwere of concern to Grace and includes pieces by JacquesGedeon, Emma Krus Va’ai from Samoa, Jean Takura Mason from theCook Islands, and father and daughter, Len and Alcina Garae.

The third section contains tributes to Grace in obituaries andinternet messages from all over the world that were receivedby the Molisa family during the early months of 2002, and hercurriculum vitae as a consultant with SR International andAssociates.

The book is well illustrated with contributions from Viran andVatu Molisa and photos of Grace as a young woman, mother, wifeand women’s leader.


The publication was assisted by a Vanuatu Association of WomenGraduates project funded by the International Federation ofUniversity Women’s Virginia Gildersleeve Foundation grant forcreative writing.

Minister Molisa presented copies of the books to chiefs,elders and women leaders from every village on North WestSanto. He also presented some copies of Ni-Vanuatu Role Models:Successful women in their own right, which includes stories by Sela,Grace and Viran Molisa.

The two books will shortly be available in Port Vila, otherplaces in Vanuatu and overseas, following a launch beingorganised by the Vanuatu Creative Writers Association, many ofwho had works published in the collection on Creative Writing.

Minister Molisa thanked Dr Randell and Sonia Tavoa who hadtravelled to Wunpuko for the occasion. Dr Randell presented aworkshop on domestic violence protection court orders to thewomen of the communities.

The Wunpuko community discussed architectural drawings for anew church that had been prepared by Steven Molisa. The planshad been drawn up based on a drawing Grace had made two daysprior to her death on 4 January 2002. Wunpuko people willshortly commence work on the new church, which will be able toseat 4-500 people and will cost about VT5 million.


Minister Sela Molisa and sons presenting books to President of the Women’sGroup at the family house in Wunpoko village

2.1.2 Book Launch Honours Grace Mera Molisa

The very small collection of books containing the work of ni-Vanuatu writers has been increased by two following the book launch of “Women and Good Governance” by the late Grace Molisa and “Pacific Creative Writing in honour of Grace Mera Molisa” last week.

In welcoming the crowd of Ministers, Directors General, publicservants, members of civil society and creative writers, thePrime Minister, Hon Edward Nipake Natapei said: “When I spokeat Grace’s funeral, on 5 January 2002, a little over 12 monthsago, I called her “Amazing Grace”. And here tonight I repeatthose words again as we see such vivid illustrations of theamazing contribution Grace has made to Vanuatu and indeed tothe Pacific”.

“Development cannot be sustainable unless women – half thecountry’s resources – are involved. Thus Vanuatu’s Development


Plans have acknowledged the importance of the partnership ofwomen in development and their participation in economicactivities. Equity and gender mainstreaming are key goals ofthe Comprehensive Reform Program”, he said.

“As the national mechanism for women’s empowerment, the goalof the Department of Women’s Affairs, under my Ministry, is tobring about the advancement, development and empowerment ofVanuatu’s women. This is done through the creation of anenvironment, through the development of legislation andpositive economic and social policies, for the fulldevelopment of women. As Grace pointed out, good governance isabout men and women participating together in all activitiesat all levels.

“Creative writing provides a wonderful avenue for women’sempowerment. At the first Writers Workshop which Graceinitiated in 2002, she talked about the empowerment and changethat can come about through creative writing, where societalnorms that inhibit the full participation of everyone arechallenged, and ideals and values that espouse women and menas equal partners and which promote unity and peace arepromoted. “Even where women are not allowed speak in thenasara or nakamal, they are able to speak through theircreative writing”, the Prime Minister said.

Minister for Finance, Hon Sela Molisa in launching the bookssaid they were a fitting celebration of the memory of his latewife, in particular to celebrate two things that were mostdear to her: women and good governance, and Pacific creativewriting. The first book is Women and Good Governance, a bookwritten by Grace, who had been working on it over severalyears with Monsieur Rene Manceau, who is now with SunProductions.

“Grace was heavily involved on her own and with me in theVanua’aku Party's fight for independence, and was a member ofthe committee that drafted the Vanuatu Constitution”, MinisterMolisa said. “For many years she worked in the office of thefirst Prime Minister, both prior to and after Independence.One of her passions, both during and following her departurefrom that office, was good governance”, he said.


In her foreword to the book, Grace wrote, “This publicationreflects my experiences in Vanuatu, together with helpfulinputs from many supporters, in my quest for the achievementof Good Governance. “My earlier tract: ‘Raet blong Pipol; Wea Rod?’(1991) was the beginning of this documented search. “Thispublication has been designed to be an initial AwarenessRaiser for Vanuatu. It considers the quest for Good Governanceas an opportunity to revisit traditional best practices ofGood Governance for the future of Vanuatu Governance andGovernment”.

Grace dedicated the book to honour the women and men who makea conscious effort to be good, compassionate, law abiding andrespectful citizens. She wrote: “They know that love andrespect for life and creation begins with the love and respectwe have for ourselves and our fellow creatures. It is the loveand respect husbands and wives have for each other, anddemonstrate in their homes for the benefit of their childrenand their community at large, in ways that generate unity,peace and prosperity. They are the indicators of gender equityand social justice”.

The book provides a rare opportunity to review and improve thepresent foundations and frameworks of our democracy, tointegrate the old with the new, the traditional with theintroduced, the orthodox with the creatively invented. Graceindicated her wish that “eventually we can evolve our ownbrand of Governance that is uniquely ours because it embodiesbest practices from the diversity of our classicallymulticultural society”.

The second book “Pacific Creative Writing” became possiblewhen the Fiji Association of Women Graduates collected $F500to contribute to a tribute to Grace Molisa and discussed thisidea with the Vanuatu Association of Women Graduates. VAWG hadalready received some funding from the Virginia GildersleeveInternational Fund to set up the Vanuatu Creative WritersAssociation, that Grace had tried to establish just before shedied.


“We all remember Grace as a woman of great passions. One ofthe greatest of these was creative writing”, Minister Molisasaid. “Grace would wake up in the early hours of the morningto write, and was always encouraging others to write. She hada great desire to see ni-Vanuatu giving voice to their ownexperiences and building up a body of literature that wastruly theirs”.

The first part of this book, Pacific Creative Writing,includes works written in praise and memory of Grace. Many ofthem were works by writers who attended the workshop Graceheld on 1 September 2001, only four months before she died.Others were contributed by writers from other Pacific Islandcountries, following a request from VAWG and FAWG foradditional material.

Part 2 contains creative pieces on issues that relate toGrace’s values. For example, the short story by Len Garae,presents the beginning of a relationship between a man and awoman that is a reflection of the kind of equality inrelationships that Grace cherished. The poems by Emma KruseVa’ai and Nina Netzler von Reiche represent relationshipswithin families.

Part 3 includes eulogies, obituaries published in overseasnewspapers and journals, comments from condolence messagesreceived by the family, Grace’s curriculum vitae and detailsabout the contributors. Most contributions were written at thetime of, or since Grace’s death.

Viran Molisa read to those present at the launch theinscription she wrote for her mother that is now engraved onthe gravestone at Wunpuko. “You were a mother, friend,educator, poet, teacher, writer, communicator, politician,publisher, feminist, role model, champion for the cause ofwomen, Human Rights Advocate, environmentalist, warrior, hero,extraordinary woman, national leader, Pacific leader, aformidable fighter for Women’s Rights, an inspiration to usall, a leading figure in the history of Vanuatu and thePacific, groundbreaker, black stone, an outstanding woman ofVanuatu. Amazing Grace.”


Editor Dr Shirley Randell paid tribute to the enormouscontribution Grace had made through her great integrity andcourage to speak out against corruption, and all the forcesthat threaten good governance in the Pacific region and theworld.

“The image Grace had chosen for herself, pierre noir, black stone,shines in our imagination. Like the black volcanic rock,Grace’s spirit was forged in flame; like that rock, theachievements of her life made an enduring foundation thatothers will build upon”, she said.

“Grace spoke out so fearlessly and relentlessly on issues ofjustice and rights - often the lone challenging voice. “Gracealso made an enormous contribution through her powerful,considered and articulate voice, the spoken and written word,and her encouragement of Vanuatu writers to form the interimVanuatu Creative Writers Association and contribute to thewritten history of Vanuatu”, Dr Randell said.

Ni- Vanuatu writers and artists whose work is included inPacific Creative Writing are: Ava Natu Omawa, Carol Aru, HildaTaleo, Viran Molisa, Vatu Molisa, John Laan, Mildred Sope,Nicolai Michoutouchkine, Nadine Alatoa, Ketti Dan-Kapwatt,Jeannette Bolenga, Yvette Sam, Merilyn Tahi, Jacques Gedeon,Telstar Newman, Bertha Tarilelo, Len Garae, Pierre Kaloris,Alcina Garae, Aloi Pilioko and Connie Wells. Other works fromcreative writers in Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, SolomonIslands, Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Australiaand New Zealand are included. Ava, Alcina, Yvette, John,Jeannette, Viran and Shirley read their own works and othersfrom the book to the audience.

Tributes were made to people who have so far contributed tothe launch and the distribution of the publications tolibraries throughout the Pacific: The Fiji Association ofWomen Graduates, the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fundof the International Federation of University Women, the NewZealand and British High Commissions, the Chinese Embassy,TVL, Vanuatu Post, Kava Kompani, Margaret Jolly, the Molisafamily and SR International and Associates. Rossi’s at veryshort notice contributed generously to the catering. The


French Embassy is giving consideration to sponsoringtranslation of the publications into French. Further donationsare welcome and will be publicly acknowledged.

2.1.3 Speech by Prime Minister, Hon Edward Nipake NatapeiLaunch of Women and Governance by Grace Mera Molisa andPacific Creative Writing in Memory of Grace Mera Molisa by thePrime Minister of Vanuatu and Minister for Women’s Affairs

It is my very great pleasure to be with you today to open thisfunction to launch two books in memory of the late Grace MeraMolisa

When I spoke at Grace’s funeral, on 5 January 2002, a littleover 12 months ago, I called her “Amazing Grace”. And heretonight I repeat those words again as we see such vividillustrations of the amazing contribution Grace has made toVanuatu and indeed to the Pacific. The speeches given atGrace’s funeral paid tribute to her amazing life. Many showedthat she had been misunderstood, as Ministers andParliamentarians asked her belatedly on that day to forgivethem for their failure to support her more strongly.

Enshrined in the Constitution of Vanuatu, its policy statements,and through its signing of the Convention on the Elimination of All Formsof Discrimination Against Women (known as CEDAW) the Government ofVanuatu has indicated its commitment to gender equity.Development cannot be sustainable unless women – half thecountry’s resources – are involved. Thus Vanuatu’sDevelopment Plans have acknowledged the importance of thepartnership of women in development and their participation ineconomic activities. Equity and gender mainstreaming are keygoals of the Comprehensive Reform Program.


Prime Minister the Hon Edward Natapei speaking at a book launch

When in 2001 I traveled with Grace to New Zealand to attend aCommonwealth meeting to discuss progress with implementingCEDAW. I was embarrassed and ashamed that Vanuatu had made solittle progress in meeting our commitments to improving thestatus of women. However, I am pleased to say that there is anincreasing number of women moving into formal employment inVanuatu. And since my speech at the launch of ni-Vanuatu RoleModels on International Women’s Day in March 2002 there is nowone woman in my Government, and one female Director General inthe public service. Those are small steps, but they aresignificant.

The participation of women in senior management positions inthe private sector, in government and business committees inVanuatu is still very limited. Fortunately women are morevisible in leadership positions in civil society. In recentyears there has been a greater awareness of the need toaddress gender equity issues in society and, in particular,within schools, both internationally and here in Vanuatu.

The subject of the two books we are here to launch tonight,good governance and ni-Vanuatu creative writing, are dear tomy heart and important to my Government. They are also majorpolicy initiatives of the Department of Women’s Affairs, for


which I am Minister. As the national mechanism for women’sempowerment, the goal of the Department of Women’s Affairs,under my Ministry, is to bring about the advancement,development and empowerment of Vanuatu’s women, such asthrough the creation of an environment, through thedevelopment of legislation and positive economic and socialpolicies, for the full development of women. As Grace pointedout, good governance is about men and women participatingtogether in all activities at all levels.

Creative writing provides a wonderful avenue for women’sempowerment. At the first Writers Workshop which Graceinitiated in 2002, Grace talked about the empowerment andchange that can come about through creative writing, wheresocietal norms that inhibit the full participation of everyoneare challenged, and ideals and values that espouse women andmen as equal partners and which promote unity and peace arepromoted. Even if women are not allowed speak in the nasara ornakamal, they are able to speak through their creative writing.

I would like to thank everyone who has been involved intonight’s function, particularly contributions from the NewZealand High Commission, the Chinese Embassy, the British HighCommission and TVL. And I congratulate VAWG and the VirginiaGildersleeve International Fund for supporting this venture. Iam very pleased to be here for this memorial occasion and lookforward to hearing some of the creative writers of Vanuatureading their poetry and stories later in the evening.

2.1.4 Speech by Minister for Finance, Hon Sela MolisaIt is my very great pleasure to be with you today to launchthese two books in memory of my lifelong partner Grace, mywife.

I feel so fortunate to have been married to Grace. You are allaware that Grace’s death came as a great shock to me and thechildren, as well as to the rest of her family and friends.Grace was in her 56th year, and we all had expected her to growold with us. I cannot describe to you how much the childrenand I have missed her over the last 13 months, but we feelprivileged to have shared her life for so many years.


These books have been produced to celebrate the memory ofGrace, in particular to celebrate two things that were mostdear to her: women and governance, and Pacific creativewriting.

The first book is Women and Governance, a book written by Grace,who had been working on it over several years with MonsieurRene, who is now with Sun Productions. Late last year Renementioned the draft’s existence to Shirley, who consulted me,and we agreed that it was important to go ahead with Grace’swish to have the manuscript published.

Grace was heavily involved on her own and with me in theVanua’aku Party's fight for independence, and was a member ofthe committee that drafted the Vanuatu Constitution. For manyyears she worked in the office of the first Prime Minister,both prior to and after Independence. One of her passions,both during and following her departure from that office, wasgood governance.

In her foreword to the book, Grace wrote, “This publicationreflects my experiences in Vanuatu, together with helpfulinputs from many supporters, in my quest for the achievementof Good Governance. My earlier tract: ‘Raet blong Pipol; Wea Rod?’(1991) was the beginning of this documented search. “Thispublication has been designed to be an initial AwarenessRaiser for Vanuatu. It considers the quest for Good Governanceas an opportunity to revisit traditional best practices ofGood Governance for the future of Vanuatu Governance andGovernment”.

Grace dedicated the book to honour the women and men who makea conscious effort to be good, compassionate, law abiding andrespectful citizens. She wrote: “They know that love andrespect for life and creation begins with the love and respectwe have for ourselves and our fellow creatures. It is the loveand respect husbands and wives have for each other, anddemonstrate in their homes for the benefit of their childrenand their community at large, in ways that generate unity,peace and prosperity. They are the indicators of gender equityand social justice”.


The book provides a rare opportunity to review and improve thepresent foundations and frameworks of our democracy, tointegrate the old with the new, the traditional with theintroduced, the orthodox with the creatively invented. Grace’saim was to address our present needs, while bearing in mindthe foreseeable needs of our future generations.

Accordingly, this book does not contain original works butbegins to bring together between two covers what Grace herselffound to be effective and meaningful in terms of goodgovernance in Vanuatu. Grace indicated her wish that“eventually we can evolve our own brand of Governance that isuniquely ours because it embodies best practices from thediversity of our classically multicultural society”.

The idea for the second book to be launched tonight, PacificCreative Writing in Memory of Grace Mera Molisa, was bornduring a discussion I had with Shirley at the 100 daysceremony, when Yvette Sam passed over to me five volumes oftributes to Grace’s life. These consisted of messages on theinternet that Shirley and Carol Nelson had collected afterGrace’s death, obituaries and articles in newspapers, and theletters and messages that came to me and my family from peopleall over the world.

The project became possible when the Fiji Association of WomenGraduates collected $US500 to contribute to a tribute to GraceMolisa and discussed this idea with the Vanuatu Association ofWomen Graduates. VAWG had already received some funding fromthe Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund to set up theVanuatu Creative Writers Association, that Grace had tried toestablish just before she died.

We all remember Grace as a woman of great passions. One of thegreatest of these was creative writing. She would wake up inthe early hours of the morning to write, and was alwaysencouraging others to write. She had a great desire to see ni-Vanuatu giving voice to their own experiences and building upa body of literature that was truly theirs.

The first part of this book, Pacific Creative Writing,includes works written in praise and memory of Grace. Many of


them were works by writers who attended the workshop Graceheld on 1 September 2001, only four months before she died.Others were contributed by writers from other Pacific Islandcountries, following a request from VAWG and FAWG foradditional material.

Part 2 contains creative pieces on issues that relate toGrace’s values. For example, the short story by Len Garae,presents the beginning of a relationship between a man and awoman that is a reflection of the kind of equality inrelationships that Grace cherished. The poems by Emma KruseVa’ai and Nina Netzler von Reiche represent relationshipswithin families.

Part 3 includes eulogies, obituaries published in overseasnewspapers and journals, comments from condolence messagesreceived by the family, Grace’s curriculum vitae and detailsabout the contributors. Most contributions were written at thetime of, or since Grace’s death.

I want to thank the Fiji and Vanuatu Associations of WomenGraduates, and the Interim Vanuatu Association of CreativeWriters for putting this publication together. I am alsograteful to all of the creative writers from outside Vanuatuwho so very generously contributed their work. All of themhave been inspired by Grace and in turn are inspirational toothers in many different ways.

These two books are a fitting memorial to Grace’s life andcommitments. She has left a wonderful legacy, not only throughher prose and poetry, but also the deep love and respect herfriends and family have in their hearts, which we will alltreasure. It is our hope that both books will be aninspiration to many men and women, particularly here inVanuatu, to follow in Grace’s footsteps, to strive for goodgovernance, and to seek to express themselves through writing.

I want to again thank Shirley and Rene for uncovering themanuscript for Women and Good Governance and the time theygave to helping it see the light of day. I thank Shirley andCarol, who had the inspiration to collect together thetributes to Grace, and Shirley for the energy to seek


contributions from writers throughout the Pacific for PacificCreative Writing and to edit both books. I think Grace wouldbe smiling if she were here with us in body tonight. We trustshe is here with us in spirit and say “Thankyou Grace”.

Finally, on behalf of me and the children I want to saythankyou to everyone here tonight, and many others in PortVila, who went out of their way to pass on their sympathy,thoughts and love soon after Grace’s passing. Thankyou tothose in Port Vila, Santo and Ambae who arranged the funeralceremonies. Thankyou to the chiefs for organising for her tolie in state in the Chiefs’ Nakamal. And thankyou to familyand friends from all over the world who sent their support tous at this very difficult time. It is occasions like thiscelebration tonight that remind us again of how much we missGrace’s presence, her love and contribution to us as a familyand how proud we are for her amazing contribution to thenation.

These two books have already been launched at Wunpuko, at thetime when we laid the gravestone behind the house that Gracedesigned and helped me build in my village. The children and Igave copies to the chiefs, pastors and women’s leaders fromall the villages of North West Santo. I would like to askViran to read the inscription she wrote that is now engravedon the gravestone at Wunpuko

“You were a mother, friend, educator, poet, teacher, writer,communicator, politician, publisher, feminist, role model,champion for the cause of women, Human Rights Advocate,environmentalist, warrior, hero, extraordinary woman, nationalleader, Pacific leader, a formidable fighter for Women’sRights, an inspiration to us all, a leading figure in thehistory of Vanuatu and the Pacific, groundbreaker, blackstone, an outstanding woman of Vanuatu. Amazing Grace.”

It now gives me great pleasure to declare the two books “Womenand Good Governance” and “Pacific Creative Writing in Memoryof Grace Mera Molisa” launched.


2.1.5 Speech by Editor, Dr Shirley RandellBon soir, Madames et Monsieurs. Mistres blong Seremoni, HildaTaleo, Prime Minister mo Mrs Natapei, Minister Sela Molisa,Viran mo Pala, famili mo fren blong let Grace Molisa, olgetaraeta we oli raetem wan poem o wan wok insaed buk ia, olgetabigbig man mo bigbig woman, olgeta mama, olgeta man, yufalaevriwan.

Shirley with PGWNet members at the IFUW Conference where project was firstdiscussed with VFIG

Em i wan bigfala honor mo privilij blong mi, we mi save givimsmol toktok ya long yufela. Mi mi wantem telem tankyou tumaslong Praem Minister fastaem we hem i save givim taem blong hemblong kam openem function ia, mo Minister Sela Molisa blongraetem wan fowod i go long buk ia, mo blong launchem buk iatede naet, mo tu long olgeta supot we yutufala i givim longmi, mo ol woman, mo ol raeta blong Vanuatu.

Mi mi wantem aknolejem let Grace Mela Molisa we i gudfala frenlong mi stat long taem we mi kam long Vanuatu long August1999. Grace was a constant inspiration to me as we talkedabout the needs of women in Vanuatu and the importance of goodgovernance and women in decision making.

The image Grace had chosen for herself, pierre noir, black stone,shines in our imagination. Like the black volcanic rock,Grace’s spirit was forged in flame; like that rock, theachievements of her life made an enduring foundation thatothers will build upon. She spoke out so fearlessly and


relentlessly on issues of justice and rights - often the lonechallenging voice. And I remember Grace's smile and the wayher eyes lit up when she talked about her children and family.

Grace has made an enormous contribution, through her greatintegrity and courage to speak out against corruption, and allthe forces that threaten good governance in the Pacific regionand the world. Mi hop se, buk ia, “Women mo Governance”baembae em i mekem wan bigfala contribution long progres we istap tekem ples long Vanuatu, blong helpem ol woman oli goinsaed long politik, mo haonao ol i save oganaesem olgeta, mowok togeta wetem ol man, long saed development mo tu longpolitik.

Grace also made an enormous contribution through her powerful,considered and articulate voice, the spoken and written word,and her encouragement of Vanuatu writers to form the interimVanuatu Creative Writers Association and contribute to thewritten history of Vanuatu. Mi hop se, buk ia, “PacificCreative Writing long memory blong Grace Molisa” will help hermemory to remain strong, especially the young people ofVanuatu and other Pacific Islands who did not have theopportunity to meet her.

Tankyu tumas long ol raeta we oli raetem ol poem mo storiinsaed long buk ia. Samfala contribution i isi we i isi blonginkludem long buk from we Trading Post o Port Vila Presse ipublishem em fastaem long taem afta Grace hem i lus. Fulapcontribution i kam long internet o long email long evri aelenblong Pacific mo nara kantri blong wol. Samfala raeta i bisiwe i bisi mo despite fulap reminder i kam long mi, i nogat wanopotuniti blong sam blong raetem sam tribute blong Grace. Misori tumas – be em i impoten tumas blong mitim wan dedlaenfrom we Minister Sela em i wantem buk ia blong launchem emlong Wunpuko long aniverseri blong taem we Grace hem i lus.

Tankyu tumas long famili we oli provaedem ol fotograf blonglaef blong Grace, mo tu long Vanuatu Council Blong Woman, moConnie Wells blong fotografi, mo Connie mo Aloi Pilioki blongatwok. Tankyu tumas long Sela, Viran mo narafala womanoverseas who read the drafts for typing errors. Sela mo familiblong em oli givim permission long mi blong usum nem blong


Blackstone Publishing long memori blong Grace. BlackstonePublishing emi the first publishing company to be set up by ani-Vanuatu citizen.

Idea blong buk ia i kam long taem we Jeannette Bolenga,President Blong Vanuatu Association Blong Woman Graduates moLily Vesikula, President Blong Fiji Association Blong WomanGraduates, mitrifala i stap long Brisbane long wan conferenceblong women graduate. Fiji i mekem wan contribution long bukia. Mi mi pem publication blong tufala buk ia so mi mi massalem buk bakagen blong koverem kost blong em. They areselling tonight at a special price of VT1000 for the two.Samfala NiVanuatu Role Model buk tu i stap blong sale. Mo tuyufala bai save peem ol buk ia long Stopress, o VanuatuKaljorel Senta o Depatmen blong Woman Afes.

Tankyu tumas long Vanuatu Department blong Woman, mo InterimVanuatu Creative Writers Association we i sponsorem selebresentonaet, mo ol donor we oli contributem kost towards thisoccasion. Tankyu tumas long Sun Production Printers,especially Rene Manceau blong ol bigbig wok we yu yu mekemlong printim tufala buk ia. Tankyu tumas long VirginiaGildersleeve International Fund we i sapotem ol wok blong olcreative writers blong Vanuatu.

Samfela raeta i blong narafala Pacific Islands kantri olisendem apoloji mo mesaj i kam long yumi everiwan tonaet.Fanaura Kingstone, blong Cook Islands, em I telem se “I wishyou and all those who will be attending the launching of the"Pacific Creative Writing" book in memory of Grace a veryhappy celebration time. I know Grace will be laughing as shewatches from above at all the fuss going on! Knowing Grace.My very best wishes to Sela and everyone who will be there”.

Vaine Rusmussen, blong Cooks, bae i save kam long Vila tonaetlong 10 klok. Em i telem se “My thoughts will be with you alland Grace. The publication indeed is a tribute to an amazingwoman”.

Narafala apoloji i kam long Carol Nelson blong New Zealand,Ruth Lechte mo Diane Goodwillie blong Fiji Islands moAustralia. Mo tu Margaret Jolly blong the Australian National


University with whom Grace worked on a Fellowship in 2001 hassent her congratulations and her best wishes. Margaret em imekem wan smol contribution long kost blong postage blongsendem tufala buk ia i go long evri library blong Pacific.

Tankyu yufala evriwan blong kam tede naet blong honorem memoriblong Grace Mera Molisa, blong honorem Blackstone Publishingmo tu blong selebretem tufala buk we mi hop se bambae tufala icontributum bigwan towards what will become a wonderfulcollection of ni-Vanuatu writing over the years.

2.2 Launch of Pacific Women on the Move -AFUWThe President of the International Federation of UniversityWomen (IFUW), Professor Reiko Aoki of Japan has launched a newbook from the Pacific in Melbourne. The launch took place atthe recent Australian Federation of University Women TriennialConference in Melbourne.

Pacific Women on the Move: Establishment of PGWNet is a record of thelives of Pacific women who attended the inaugural meeting ofthe Pacific Graduate Women's Network (PGWNet), the newestregional grouping of the IFUW, in Brisbane last year.Professor Reiko, who wrote the foreword, said that the mostvaluable part of the book is the brief glimpse it gives intothe lives of nine Pacific women graduates who have generouslyshared their personal experiences and told their stories. Thewomen come from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu,Fiji Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Niue and East Timor.

“All of them are inspirational in the way they have overcomethe obstacles that they encountered as women in their owncountries, to go on and become confident and successful peoplein their own right. They have earned the respect andadmiration of their colleagues, families and friends and aretruly great role models for young women graduates in thePacific”.

The author, Dr Shirley Randell, former CEO of the City ofWhitehorse and Director of the Council of Education said thatthe stories showed that given training, encouragement, supportand opportunities, Pacific women have taken their place withmen as leaders of their country. There are five other valuable


contributions included in the text. Dr Cheryl Hirst,Chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology spoke onthe theme of the conference: "Linking Pacific Women in aGlobalised World". Professor Brigid Limerick from the Schoolof Education, University of Queensland; guided participantsthrough facets of this theme and her presentations on“Appreciative Enqury for project management” are summarised.Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, Director of the Pacific ConcernsResources Centre in Fiji gave a public lecture on "EnhancingIndigenous Knowledge with Modern Education and Technology".Hilda's journalist training, her years as a Member ofParliament and Minister of many portfolios in the Governmentof the Republic of Vanuatu and the breadth and passion of heractivism on behalf of indigenous peoples and Pacific issueswere stirred together and distilled into a stirring andthought-provoking address, the full text of which is includedin this booklet. An overview by Dr Shirley Randell and ahistory of PGWNet by Beverley Turner provide welcomebackground to the work of women graduates in the Pacific.

Professor Reiko paid tribute to the Virginia GildersleeveInternational Fund for its support for Pacific writers inVanuatu.


President of PGWNet Lily Vesikula speaking at the book launch the FijiAssociation of Women Graduates Conference in Fiji Islands

2.2.1 Launch of Pacific Women on the Move - VanuatuMs Jeannette Bolenga, the President of VAWG has announced thepublic launch at 12 noon next Tuesday of the latest BlackstonePublishing publication: Pacific Women on the Move: the Establishment ofPGWNet.

“The launch in Vanuatu follows the successful recent launchesof the publication at the first meeting of the PacificGraduate Women’s Network in Fiji during the TriennialConference of the Fiji Association of Women Graduates (FAWG)”,Ms Bolenga said. “This new regional grouping of womengraduates associations in Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea,Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Australia and New Zealandprovides another voice for Pacific women to advocate forissues of concern to women throughout the region”, she said.

PGWNet is the latest regional grouping of the InternationalFederation of University Women (IFUW). IFUW International


President, Professor Reiko Aoki from Japan launched the bookin both Fiji and Australia.

In launching the book, President Reiko stressed the aims ofIFUW, which are also the aims of each of the nationalorganisations, including VAWG. They include:

To advocate for improvements in the status of women andgirls so that they can contribute to the social,political and business life of their country and assumedecision-making and leadership roles.

To promote life-long education for women and girls ineach country in order that they can take their rightfulplace in business, education and employment sectors,science and technology and contemporary and traditionalarts.

To enable graduate women in each country to use theirexpertise to effect social, political and economic changewhich recognises the human rights of women and girls.

The Australia launch took place at the Triennial Conference ofthe Australian Federation of University Women in Melbourne.The Editor of the publication, Dr Shirley Randell attended andspoke at both launches.

In Vanuatu Pacific Women on the Move will be launched by Mr CostasTsilogiannis, the Charge d'Affaires of the European Union inVanuatu. Funding through the EU Non-State Actors Program madeit possible for President Jeannette and the Convener forInternational Relations Ms Asha Sine to be at the PGWNetmeeting. There will be readings from the book, which includesbiographies of Pacific women who attended the preliminarymeeting to establish PGWNet held in Brisbane last year.

The book also includes the keynote speech given by ni-VanuatuMotarilavoa Hilda Lina who is the Director of the PacificConcerns Resources Centre: “Enhancing Indigenous Wisdom,Knowledge and Skills with Modern Education and Technology toFace a Globalised World.

Everyone is welcome to attend this public launch, which willtake place at 12 noon on Tuesday 24 June at the University ofthe South Pacific Conference Room. Ms Jocelyn Mete, Secretary


and Ms Selina Haggis, Treasurer, also attended FAWG’sTriennial Conference in Fiji. The five representatives fromVanuatu will report back on their experiences and learning atthe launch.

Creative writers in Vanuatu are supported by the VirginiaGildersleeve International Fund.

Mr Costas Tsilogiannis, Charges D’Affaires, European Union with VAWGmembers following the launch of Pacific Women on the Move

2.2.2 Speech by Mr Costas Tsilogiannis, European UnionVanuatu can be proud of its women graduates who are makingsuch a valuable contribution to educational awareness forwomen and girls, according to Mr Costas Tsilogiannis, ChargesD’Affaires for the European Union. He was speaking at thelaunch of the publication, “Pacific Women on the Move: theEstablishment of the Pacific Graduate Women’s Network(PGWNet)”, at the University of the South Pacific on Tuesdayat Emalus Campus of USP to a gathering of nearly 30 womengraduates.


“Vanuatu Association of Women Graduates (VAWG) is a very youngorganisation but already it has done a great deal to raise thestatus of women and girls in this nation”, he said. “The mostvaluable part of this new booklet is the brief glimpse we havebeen given into the lives of nine Pacific women graduates whohave so generously shared their personal experiences, agreedto tell their stories and have them recorded.

“All of them are inspirational in many different ways,particularly in the way in which they have overcome theobstacles that they encountered as women, to go on and becomeconfident and successful women in their own right. Theyinclude VAWG President Jeannette Bolenga from Vanuatu. “All ofthese women have earned the respect and admiration of theircolleagues, families and friends and are truly great rolemodels for young women graduates in the Pacific. I know theirstories will inspire and motivate other graduates to follow intheir footsteps.

“I would like to congratulate Dr Shirley Randell, who editedthis publication and the Molisa family and BlackstonePublishing for publishing it. “The European Union is proud tobe working with VAWG under the Non State Actors program byfunding a secondary school text called “Girls Can Do Anything”that will inspire girls in Vanuatu to continue to studyscience and technology and broaden their career horizons”, MrTsilogiannis said. We also express our appreciation to theVirginia Gildersleeve International Fund which is supportingcreative writing in Vanuatu.

Extracts from the book were read by women at the meeting.

Ms Laurina Liwusili, returning Masters graduate from aChevening Scholarship in London, read from the President ofPGWNet Ms Lily Vesikula. “I have been involved with FAWG fromits inception and strongly believe in its commitment toeducation to influence and benefit society. I am pleased to bepart of moves to bring more visibility to women of the Pacificregion by being inaugural President of the PGWNet, which canbe a positive force in the Pacific. Women can help each otherand it is important for us to have all the networks we canget. We have come this far because our cultures are so very


strong and we have support from our extended networks at thefamily, national, regional and international levels”.

Ms Sereima Tolote from Vanuatu Post read a section from thestory of Ms Agnes Kotoisuva, Assistant Manager in the USPSecretariat, Fiji Islands: “It has been a huge challenge forme to be a sole parent. I had to make the decision that thingswere never going to work out with the father of my kids in theway I had expected and I made the life-changing decision tostand on my own. Firstly, I had to put my career on hold, tobuy a house, and have a mortgage. Then I decided I needed tofurther my education to help my children and give them afuture, so I had to move ahead and get a degree and a betterjob. My career decision to go to USP was to a large extentbased on my children's needs but also to do my Master’sdegree. As a sole parent I am faced with new challenges everyday, having to make all the decisions on my own and I wonderhow my mother dealt with this”.

Ms Merah Patterson from Westpac read from the contribution ofMs Lina Schuster, Lecturer in Education at the NationalUniversity of Samao. “In 1992 I married and in 1993accompanied my husband to Fiji and later Vanuatu where he wasto study for his law degree. In Fiji I did my Post GraduateCertificate and Post Graduate Diploma in Education. In VanuatuI taught for one semester, tutoring at the Extension CentrePort Vila in an education course, Human Development. It washere that we decided to start a family and I was blessed tohave a lovely baby boy. After my husband's studies we movedback to Samoa and I joined the National University of Samoa”.

Ms Helen Calo, JICA Vanuatu Office read from the story of MsRosa Au, Lecturer in Social Work at UPNG. “When I advise youngpeople I tell them not to worry about enjoyment of life; thatwill come later. I say, ‘Reach the highest you can ineducation so you don't have to rely on anybody. When you getmarried you may not always have a husband who is able tosupport you. Choose wisely and if things don't work out, youwill be independent because you have a career. Always valueyour family because they are the ones you will fall back on inthe end. Go for it if the opportunities are there and make useof the talents that you have. Maintain your dignity and your


pride in yourself. As long as you are happy with what you aredoing and have respect from your children, your family andother men and women, that is success and you can give freelyto others’ ".

President Jeannette Bolenga read the introduction to herstory: “As long as you have your traditions central in yourlife, whatever you do, wherever you go, it just fits in”

Other extracts were from Joanne Boso, Project coordinatorHealth Sector Development Project, Solomon Islands who wrote:“Respect for traditional culture in my family is very strong.We must be conscious of our culture and the way we do thingswith our people. Although all of us have been educated andhave lived in the urban centres all our lives, we can neverforget the fact that our parents and grandparents have kastomand we must respect it”.

Lusitania Latu, Economist, Central Planning Department Tongawrote: “Throughout life, my father was a major role model forme, and his influence has made me the person I am today. I amvery grateful to be raised by a dedicated father like him.Education was a priority in the family. He would alwaysemphasise that "Education is the key to a successful future"and this became a motto for me. We were fortunate as kids tobe brought up in an educational environment that encouragedand supported education. I wish to acknowledge my parents forall their support towards my education life which has beenvery rewarding”

Ms Rosemary Tagelagi-Tuihalangingie, Tutor at the USP CentreNiue wrote: “At University I met my husband, who had the samemotives, values and the driving force to complete aneducation, so I was able to study hard and to earn my degree.I give credit to my husband for not only wanting himself toachieve his education, but also encouraging me to finish myown. Without his sharing and understanding I would not bewhere I am today. He knows that being involved in theseprograms is not only of benefit to myself but also to myfamily in many ways”.


Delegates who attended the Fiji Association of Women GraduatesTriennial Conference reported on their experiences andlearning. Ms Jocelyn Mete, VAWG Secretary spokeenthusiastically about some of the enjoyable highlights of theconference in participating in role plays for educationpurposes and what she had learned about using the media topublicise women’s issues. She encouraged women with degrees,certificates and diplomas to join VAWG and help contribute tothe projects that are making such a difference for women andgirls. Ms Asha Sine, Convener for International Relationstold of the rich experience she had in meeting women from somany different Pacific Island countries at the Fiji conferenceand hearing about their various activies.

President Jeannette reported on the Advocacy Workshopconducted by the Fiji Crisis Centre and on the meeting of PGWNet as well as summarising the assistance VAWG has receivedfrom donors for several educational projects, including theVirginia Gildersleeve International Fund assistance forVanuatu creative writers.


Documents

Vanuatu Creative Writers Grace Molisa Trust Fund