High Court Judges Daniel Goundar And Salesi Temo Among Those Recognised For Role In Our Judiciary – Fiji Sun

High court judges Justices Daniel Goundar and Salesi Temo were presented their 50th Anniversary of Independence Medals at the State House in Suva yesterday by President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote.

Justice Goundar said the medal was a kind gesture of appreciation by the State, and he felt honoured to be acknowledged for his role in serving country’s judiciary.

He said Fiji as a nation, had built a reputation of being a strong and resilient country.

“We continue to strive to build important institutions such as the judiciary so that the public’s confidence on the administration of justice is not lost, but advanced,” he said.

“There is no greater satisfaction than to be able to serve the public through an important arm of the State.”

In one of those rare moments, where judges make public statements, Justice Temo said their nominations and the medals were a result of hard work put in by everyone in the judiciary.

“This includes not only the judges, magistrates and legal counsels, but also the clerks, even the auxiliary staff,” Justice Temo said.

Former magistrate Makareta Mua was also presented a medal.

There were 26 medals presented yesterday. The list included judicial officers, diplomats, former soldiers, police officers and community workers.

THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY:

Anthony Ho – businessman and table tennis administrator:

“I feel really happy to have been recognised. I feel that everything I have done, either business or sports, there has always been a divine intervention.

“We used to live in Toorak. I remember taking shortcuts through Suva Street, Holland Street to get to Albert Park.”

Sada Nand – former Deputy Police Commissioner:

“It is always an honour when you are called for something like this. I have been a career Policeman and I served the nation with pride. I can recall October 10, 1970. I was a young Police officer based at the Totogo Police Station.”

Nizam Ud-Dean – former chief executive Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA):

“I feel very honoured. This is dedicated to all the former FEA workers and Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) workers, with whom I have worked for 35 years. It is their efforts and their work that brought FEA or EFL to where it is now.”

Nainendra Nand – Solicitor-General of Fiji from 1997 to 2006:

“A lot of people have contributed in one way or another to the development of Fiji and in a small way, I may have done my part. So it is nice to be recognised.”

ASP Ilaitia Tamani – officer-in-charge Fiji Police Band:

“After so many years I spent with the army and the last four with the Fiji Police Force, I want to thank the army for recognising my talent and helping me harness it. Also the Fiji Police Force. Music is in my family blood; the difference is that everyone sings, but I play.”

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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