A major milestone for the Fijian community in Queensland! We are thrilled to announce, as of last Thursday (June 18th) the official opening of our new Consular Office, located at the Smart Office in The Gap, Brisbane.
This new space marks an exciting chapter in strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing trade, and providing closer support to the Fijian diaspora.
A warm congratulations to our newly appointed Honorary Consul, Dr. Vilaseri L. Tuicolo, who brings decades of experience in dedicated leadership and community service to this vital role.
In his speech, Dr Tuicolo thanked the support of the Fijian community in Queensland and also vowed to work hard toward building a strong rapport between the state and Fiji. A special mention of gratitude was also voiced for his friend and owner of the Smart Office space – Mr Jaynesh Goundar who provided the space for the Consulate Office free of charge for his term in office.
In a speech that encompassed his years of service as a medical doctor, to his service recognized by both the state of Queensland and the Republic of the Fiji Islands, Dr Tuicolo said he was confident in his new role as Honorary QLD Fiji Consul in this next chapter of his life. In his speech in front of invited guests, Dr. Tuicolo said he fully understood the weight and the expectations for such an honorary position and was already well into working with stakeholders and clients alike. He also thanked the unwavering support of his family and the constant force that was always beside him, his wife.
Fellow Queenslander and Australian Rugby League legend Petero Civoniceva delivered his congratulatory speech as Chairman of the Kaiviti Silktails. Sharing sentiments of the power of shared purpose, he expressed his delight for the presence of the QLD Consulate office in The Gap Smart Office. “Smart Office in The Gap, now home to the Fiji Consulate, feels like a real meeting point for the Fijian community in Queensland and the wider local community—where relationships, culture, and opportunity can genuinely come together,” said Mr Civoniceva. That is why todays launch is so important. Smart Office represents more than a workspace—it is a platform for connection, collaboration, and opportunity. Much like the Silktails, it creates an environment where people can learn from one another, build relationships, and grow together.”
In commenting on the evenings event, an excited Mr. Jaynesh Gounder (also Board member of the Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Football Club) said, “The Silktails, Fiji and Agilis CA have an amazing thing in common. It’s people, culture and environment.
As Fijians we are absolutely blessed to live in the best part of the world. Brisbane as a city provides us the platform for a great city which embraces the love for the tropics and the modern cities of the world. We at Smart Office appreciate the influence of the Consulate office and the Pasifika people it can influence, so the world is a better place.
Silktails is a better platform for the leadership of great influence from the chairman Petero Civoniceva and Executive Director Stephen Driscoll. We are positively influenced in making the world a better place.”
The evening was attended by representatives from DFAT, the NRL and key members of the Australian Fijian Diaspora and Business community .
5 former Kaiviti Silktails Players continuing their Rugby League journey in South East QLD were part of the Traditional Kava Ceremony alongside long time Silktails Sponsor Fiji Kava.
And it wouldn’t have been a true Fijian gathering without a dinner – spicy goat curry personally cooked and prepared by Mr Jaynesh Goundar and his family.
Bula Vinaka and Vinaka Vakalevu to all who attended. Here’s to the future.
