Why don't you have a list of 50 or 100 things to do before you die. I have one and I can't type all of it here! So why don't you make one. It could be something when you look back when your 94 year old, you could be proud of yourself because you did it.

Pourquoi pas vous ?
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo
Pourquoi vous n'avez pas une liste de 50 ou 100 choses à faire avant que vous mouriez. J'ai un et je ne peux pas dactylographier tout le lui ici ! Ainsi pourquoi vous ne faites pas un. Il pourrait être quelque chose quand vous regardez en arrière quand vos 94 ans, vous pourraient être fiers de vous-même parce que vous l'avez fait.

¿Por qué no usted?
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
Porqué usted no tiene una lista de 50 o 100 cosas a hacer antes de que usted muera. ¡Tengo uno y no puedo mecanografiar todo el él aquí! Tan porqué usted no hace uno. Podría ser algo cuando usted mira detrás cuando sus 94 años, usted podrían ser orgullosos de se porque usted lo hizo.

Perchè non?
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
Perchè non avete una lista di 50 o 100 cose da fare prima che moriate. Ho uno e non posso scrivergli tutto l'a macchina qui! Così perchè non fate uno. Potrebbe essere qualcosa quando guardate indietro quando i vostri 94 anni, voi potrebbero essere fieri di lei perché lo avete fatto.

Warum nicht Sie?
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
Warum nicht Sie eine Liste von 50 oder 100 Sachen zum zu tun haben, bevor Sie sterben. Ich habe ein und ich kann nicht die ganze es hier schreiben! So, warum nicht Sie ein bilden. Es könnte etwas sein, wenn Sie zurück schauen, als Ihre 94 Einjahres, Sie auf selbst stolz sein konnten, weil Sie es taten.

Por que não você?
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
Porque você não tem uma lista de 50 ou 100 coisas a fazer antes que você morrer. Eu tenho um e eu não posso datilografar todo o ele aqui! Assim porque você não faz um. Poderia ser algo quando você olha para trás quando seu 94 anos - velhos, você poderia ser orgulhoso de yourself porque você o fêz.

Why inte du?
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
Varför du inte har en lista av 50 eller 100 saker som ska göras, för du dör. Jag har en, och jag kan inte skriva allt den här! Så varför du inte gör en. Det kunde vara något, när du ser baksida, då dina åriga 94, dig kunde vara stolt av dig, därför att du gjorde det.

Почему не делаете вы?
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
Почему вы не имеете перечень 50 или 100 вещей, котор нужно сделать прежде чем вы умираете. Я имею одно и я не могу напечатать все из его на машинке здесь! Так почему вы не делаете одно. Оно смогло быть что-то когда вы посмотрите назад когда ваш 94 года - старого, вы смогли быть самолюбивы себя потому что вы сделали его.

Waarom niet u?
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
Waarom u geen lijst van 50 of 100 te doen dingen hebt alvorens u sterft. Ik heb één en ik kan niet elk van hier typen het! Zo waarom u niet maakt. Het zou iets kunnen zijn wanneer u kijkt terug toen uw 94 éénjarigen, u van zich trots zouden kunnen zijn omdat u het deed.

لماذا تتمّ لا أنت?
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
لما لا أنت تتلقّى قائمة ميلان إلى جانب من 50 أو 100 أشياء أن يتمّ قبل أن يموت أنت. أنا أتلقّى واحدة وأنا يستطيع لا يطبع كلّ من هو هنا! هكذا لما لا أنت تجعل واحدة. هو استطاع كنت شيء عندما ينظر أنت إلى الخلف عندما ك 94 [ير-ولد], أنت استطاع كنت فخورة من بنفسي لأنّ أنت أتمّت هو.

|d5* Productions has recently helped out with the filming of MGS Live. This is a Melbourne Grammar School initiative that is aimed at both providing a good time and also teaching students and attendees about the environment, global warming, and ways in which we can make a difference to save the environment.

The event was spectacular with many student performances including the much anticipated dance group "Chism" who busted it out to "Spin me round" by Dead or Alive.
Other local bands and artists such as "The Burrows", "Vincent or Melissa", Daniel Lee and many more performed astonishing acts, both singing and playing instruments.

Videos (courtesy of Fos Films) were shown during the night which gave ideas for saving energy and water, as well as highlighting the many problem areas of our daily lives that harm the environment.

The night was extremely successful with only one audio system error. the performances were great and the atmosphere bright and I encourage anyone from Melbourne Grammar who did not come this year to go in 2009, and anyone else to turn off the lights, stop dripping taps, take shorter showers and ride, walk, or take public transport to work or school.

|d5*

MGS vivent
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo
|les productions de d5* a récemment aidé dehors avec le pelliculage de MGS de phase. C'est une initiative d'école de grammaire de Melbourne qui est visée fournissant un bon temps et également enseignant les étudiants et les participants au sujet de l'environnement, du chauffage global, et des manières desquelles nous pouvons faire une différence pour sauver l'environnement.

L'événement était spectaculaire avec beaucoup d'exécutions d'étudiant comprenant le groupe beaucoup prévu « Chism » de danse autour de qui l'a éclaté dehors « me tournent » par mort ou vivant.
D'autres gens du pays se réunissent et les artistes tels que « creuse », « Vincent ou la mélisse », le Daniel Lee et beaucoup plus ont exécuté des actes étonnants, chantant et jouant des instruments.

Videos (courtoisie des films de fos) ont été montrés pendant la nuit ce qui a donné des idées pour sauver l'énergie et l'eau, aussi bien qu'accentuer les nombreux domaines problématiques de nos vies quotidiennes qui nuisent à l'environnement.

La nuit était extrêmement réussie avec seulement une erreur système audio. les exécutions étaient grandes et l'atmosphère lumineuse et moi encouragent n'importe qui de la grammaire de Melbourne qui n'est pas venue cette année à entrer en 2009, et n'importe qui autrement à arrêtent les lumières, robinets d'égoutture d'arrêt, font des douches plus courtes et le tour, marchent, ou prennent le transport en commun au travail ou à l'école.

|d5*

MGS viven
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
|las producciones de d5* han ayudado recientemente hacia fuera con la película de MGS vivo. Ésta es una iniciativa de la escuela de la gramática de Melbourne se dirige que proporcionando un buen rato y también enseñando los estudiantes y a asistentes sobre el ambiente, calentarse global, y las maneras de las cuales podemos diferenciar para ahorrar el ambiente.

El acontecimiento era espectacular con muchos funcionamientos del estudiante incluyendo el grupo mucho anticipado “Chism” de la danza alrededor quién lo reventó hacia fuera “me hacen girar” por muerto o vivo.
El otro local congriega y los artistas tales como “madriguera”, “Vincent o el toronjil”, las heces de Daniel y muchos más realizaron los actos asombrosos, cantando y tocando los instrumentos.

Videos (cortesía de las películas del Fos) fue demostrado durante la noche cuál dio las ideas para ahorrar energía y el agua, así como destacar las muchas áreas problemáticas de nuestras vidas diarias que dañan el ambiente.

La noche era extremadamente acertada con solamente un error de sistema audio. los funcionamientos eran grandes y la atmósfera brillante y yo animamos cualquier persona de la gramática de Melbourne que no vino este año a entrar en 2009, y cualquier persona a da vuelta apagado a las luces, golpecitos del goteo de la parada, toma duchas más cortas y paseo, camina, o lleva transporte público el trabajo o la escuela.

|d5*

MGS vivono
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
|le produzioni di d5* recentemente ha aiutato fuori con la contaminazione di MGS in tensione. Ciò è un'iniziativa della scuola di grammatica de Melbourne che è puntata su sia fornendo un buon tempo che anche insegnando allievi ed i membri circa l'ambiente, il riscaldamento globale ed i sensi in cui possiamo fare una differenza per conservare l'ambiente.

L'evento era spettacolare con molte prestazioni dell'allievo compreso il gruppo molto previsto “Chism„ di ballo a chi lo ha rotto fuori “lo filano intorno„ da guasto o da vivo.
L'altro local lega e gli artisti come “Burrows„, “Vincent o il Melissa„, i rifugi del Daniel e molto hanno effettuato gli atti astonishing, sia cantanti che giocanti gli strumenti.

Videos (cortesia delle pellicole del fos) è stato indicato durante la notte quale ha dato le idee per conservare l'energia e l'acqua, così come la messa in evidenza dei molti settori problematici delle nostre vite quotidiane che nuoc l'ambiente.

La notte riusciva estremamente con soltanto un errore del sistema audio. le prestazioni erano grandi e l'atmosfera luminoso ed io consigliano a chiunque dalla grammatica de Melbourne che non è venuto questo anno da andare in 2009 e chiunque altrimenti a spegne le luci, colpetti della sgocciolatura di arresto, prende gli acquazzoni più corti ed il giro, cammina, o prende il trasporto pubblico a lavoro o alla scuola.

|d5*

MGS leben
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
|d5* Produktionen hat vor kurzem heraus bei der Schmierfilmbildung von Phasen MGS geholfen. Dieses ist eine Melbourne Grammatik-Schuleinitiative, die angestrebt wird, eine gute Zeit zur Verfügung stellend und Kursteilnehmer und Teilnehmer über das Klima, das globale Wärmen und die Weisen auch, unterrichtend, in denen wir unterscheiden können, um das Klima zu speichern.

Ringsum der Fall war mit vielen Kursteilnehmerleistungen einschließlich die viel vorweggenommene Tanzgruppe „Chism großartig“, wem es heraus „spinnen mich“ durch totes oder lebendiges sprengte.
Anderer Einheimischer versieht mit einem Band und Künstler wie „gräbt“, „Vincent, oder Melisse“, Daniel Schutze und viel mehr führten die erstaunlichen Taten durch, Instrumente singend und spielend.

Videos (Höflichkeit der Fos Filme) wurden während der Nacht welches Ideen für das Speichern von Energie und von Wasser gab, sowie das Hervorheben der vielen Problembereiche unserer täglichen Leben gezeigt, die das Klima schädigen.

Die Nacht war mit nur einem Audiosystemfehler extrem erfolgreich. die Leistungen waren groß und die helle Atmosphäre und ich regen jedermann von der Melbourne Grammatik an, die nicht dieses Jahr kam, zum 2009 zu gehen, und jedermann sonst zu stellen die Lichter, Endbratenfetthähne ab, nehmen kürzere Duschen und Fahrt, gehen oder nehmen öffentliche Transportmittel zur Arbeit oder zur Schule.

|d5*

MGS vivem
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
|as produções de d5* ajudaram recentemente para fora com o película de MGS vivo. Esta é uma iniciativa da escola da gramática de Melbourne que seja visada fornecendo uma estadia boa e também ensinando estudantes e participantes sobre o ambiente, se aquecer global, e as maneiras em que nós podemos fazer uma diferença para conservar o ambiente.

O evento era espectacular com muitos desempenhos do estudante including o grupo muito antecipado “Chism” da dança quem o rebentou para fora “me giram em volta” por inoperante ou por vivo.
O outro local une-se e os artistas tais como “Burrows”, “Vincent ou o Melissa”, os Lee de Daniel e muito mais executaram os atos astonishing, cantando e jogando instrumentos.

Videos (cortesia de películas do Fos) foi mostrado durante a noite qual deu idéias para conservar a energia e a água, as well as o destaque de muitas áreas de problema de nossas vidas diárias que prejudicam o ambiente.

A noite era extremamente bem sucedida com somente um erro de sistema audio. os desempenhos eram grandes e a atmosfera brilhante e eu incentivamos qualquer um da gramática de Melbourne que não veio este ano a ir em 2009, e qualquer um mais a desliga as luzes, torneiras do gotejamento do batente, faz exame de uns chuveiros mais curtos e de um passeio, anda, ou faz exame do transporte público ao trabalho ou à escola.

|d5*

MGS bor
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
|d5*-produktioner har hjälpt för en tid sedan ut med filmandet av MGS direkt. Denna är en Melbourne läroverkinsats som siktas på båda som ger en bra tid och också undervisningdeltagare och attendees om miljön, den globala warmingen och vägen, som vi kan göra i en skillnad till räddningen miljön.

Händelsen var spektakulär med många deltagarekapaciteter däribland den mycket förutsedda dansgruppen ”Chism” vem slog sönder den ut ”snurrandet mig rundan” vid dött eller vid liv.
Andra lokalmusikband och konstnärer liksom ”hålorna”, ”Vincent eller Melissa”, Daniel Lee och många mer utförd göra häpen agerar, både sjunga, och leka instrumenterar.

Videos (artighet av Fos filmar), visades under natten vilken gav idéer för besparingenergi och bevattnar, as well as att markera de många problemområdena av våra dagligt liv den skada miljön.

Natten var extremt lyckad med endast ett ljudsignalsystemfel. kapaciteterna var stora, och den ljusa atmosfären och jag uppmuntrar någon från Melbourne grammatik som inte kom detta år som går i 2009, och någon till vänder annars tänder, stoppar genomblöta klapp, tar kortare duschar och ritt, går, eller tar offentlig transport till arbete eller skolar av.

|d5*

MGS живут
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
|продукции d5* недавн помогали вне с киносъемкой MGS в реальном маштабе времени. Это будет инициатива школы грамматики Melbourne aim at и обеспечивающ хорошее время и также учащ студенты и attendees о окружающей среде, глобальном греть, и дорогах в которых мы можем внести изменения для того чтобы сохранить окружающую среду.

Случай был эффектн с много представлений студента включая очень предвидимую группу «Chism» танцульки busted оно вне «закрутите меня вокруг» мертвым или живым.
Другие местные полосы и художники such as «Burrows», «Винсент или Мелисса», Даниель Ли и many more выполнили удивительнейшие поступки, и пея и играя аппаратуры.

Videos (учтивость пленок Fos) было показано во время ночи дало идеи для сохранять энергию и воду, также, как выделять много проблемных участков наших ежедневных жизней которые вредят окружающей среде.

Ноча была весьма успешно с только одной тональнозвуковой ошибкой системы. представления были больш и атмосфера яркая и я ободряем любое от грамматики Melbourne не пришла этот год, котор будет идти в 2009, и любое еще к поворачивает света, краны капания стопа, принимает более скоро ливни и езду, гуляет, или принимает общественный транспорт к работе или школе.

|d5*

MGS leven
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
|d5* de productie heeft onlangs uit met de film van Levende MGS geholpen. Dit is een initiatief van de School van de Grammatica van Melbourne dat wordt gericht op zowel het verstrekken van een goede tijd als ook het onderwijzen van studenten en attendees over het milieu, het globale verwarmen, en manieren waarin wij een verschil kunnen maken om het milieu te bewaren.

De gebeurtenis was spectaculair met vele studentenprestaties met inbegrip van de veel voorzien dansgroep „Chism“ busted wie het uit „me om“ door Doden spinnen of Levend.
Andere lokale banden en kunstenaars zoals „Burrows“, „Vincent of Melissa“, Daniel Lee en veel meer voerden verbazingwekkende handelingen, zowel als het spelen instrumenten die uit zingen.

De video's (hoffelijkheid van Films Fos) werden getoond tijdens de nacht die ideeën voor besparingsenergie en water gaf, evenals benadrukkend de vele probleemgebieden van ons dagelijks leven dat het milieu berokkent.

De nacht was uiterst succesvol met slechts één audiosysteemfout. de prestaties waren groot en de heldere atmosfeer en ik moedig iedereen van de Grammatica van Melbourne aan die niet dit jaar in 2009 kwam gaan, en iedereen anders de lichten uitdoen, ophouden, druipend kranen kortere douches en rit, gang nemen, of openbaar vervoer nemen aan het werk of school.

|d5*

[مغس] يعيش
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
|[د5] يساعد إنتاجات يتلقّى مؤخّرا خارجا مع التصوير سينمائيّ ال [مغس] حيّة. هذا ملبورن النحو مدرسة مبادرة أنّ يكون اتّجهت على حدّ سواء يزوّد وقت جيّدة وأيضا يعلم طالبات والشخص الحاضر حول البيئة, شاملة يسخّن, وطرق في أيّ نحن يستطيع جعلت فرق أن ينقذ البيئة.

كان الحادث مثيرة مع كثير طالبة أداء بما في ذلك ال كثير يتوقّع رقص مجموعة "[شسم]" الذي أوقف هو خارجا أن "يفتلني حول" بميّتة أو حيّة.
أخرى يعصب فرع محلّيّ وفنون مثل "ال يحفرون", "فانسنت أو مليس", دانييل مآوي و [مني مور] أنجز أعمال مذهلة, على حدّ سواء يحرق ويلعب أجهزة.

أبديت [فيديوس] (ملاطفة من [فوس] أفلام) كان أثناء الليلة أيّ أعطى أفكار ل ينقذ طاقة وماء, [أس ولّ س] يركّز ال كثير [بروبلم را] من حيواتنا يوميّة أنّ يضرّر البيئة.

كان الليل جدّا ناجحة مع فقط واحدة [أوديو سستم رّور]. كان الأداء عظيمة والجو ساطعة وأنا يشجّع أيّ شخص من ملبورن النحو الذي لم يأت هذا سنة أن يذهب في 2009, وأيّ شخص وإلّا إلى يلتفت باتّجاه آخر الأضواء, موقف عرق شواء صنابير, يأخذ أوبال قصيرة وعمليّة ركوب, يمشي, أو يأخذ نقل عامّة إلى عمل أو مدرسة.

|[د5]

The High Court of Solomon Islands sentenced former Prime minister and the current Minister for Forests, Sir Allan Kemakeza to six months in prison yesterday.

In his judgement, Chief Justice, Justice Albert Palmer upheld the prosecutor's appeal to increase Sir Allan's sentence and ordered that his sentence be with immediate effect.

Justice Palmer sentenced Sir Allan Kemakeza to six months imprisonment for a 2002 attack on a Honiara law firm.

Sir Allan had been convicted last December of using militants to carry out the attack.

Justice Palmer has sentenced Sir Allan to 18 months imprisonment for demanding with menaces, 16 months for intimidation and 16 months for simple larceny.

However, Justice Palmer said all the sentences are to run concurrent to each other and so total length of sentence imposed is 18 months imprisonment.

The Chief Justice further ordered that two thirds of that sentence be suspended for a period of 12 months and accordingly, Sir Allan will serve only SIX months with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, there's been signs of confusion and sadness from members of Parliament after the sentencing of a former Prime minister, the Minister for Forestry and MP for Savo Russells, Sir Allan Kemakeza.

Sir Allan has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment of which 12 has been suspended by the chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

On learning of the sentence some MPs commented that although Parliament has been created to pass laws, there are no legislation to protect them.

Others have commented over the various actions and deeds Sir Allan took during the darkest hours of the country's history.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua was unable to make any comments on the sentence until further discussions.

It was reported that a suggestion has been made to the Office of the Prime minister to look at ways in which certain legislation could be put in place to protect members of Parliament or amendments to the constitution.

The sentencing of Sir Allan left four seats vacant in Parliament.

They are: Lau-Mbaelelea on Malaita, East Honiara, Central Guadalcanal and now the Savo and Russells.

The Lau-Mbaelelea seat is vacant following the death of the former MP for the constituency last year.

The other three seats are vacant because the Courts have sentenced their MPs to prison for various offenses.

Source: SIBC

The High Court of Solomon Islands sentenced former Prime minister and the current Minister for Forests, Sir Allan Kemakeza to six months in prison yesterday.

In his judgement, Chief Justice, Justice Albert Palmer upheld the prosecutor's appeal to increase Sir Allan's sentence and ordered that his sentence be with immediate effect.

Justice Palmer sentenced Sir Allan Kemakeza to six months imprisonment for a 2002 attack on a Honiara law firm.

Sir Allan had been convicted last December of using militants to carry out the attack.

Justice Palmer has sentenced Sir Allan to 18 months imprisonment for demanding with menaces, 16 months for intimidation and 16 months for simple larceny.

However, Justice Palmer said all the sentences are to run concurrent to each other and so total length of sentence imposed is 18 months imprisonment.

The Chief Justice further ordered that two thirds of that sentence be suspended for a period of 12 months and accordingly, Sir Allan will serve only SIX months with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, there's been signs of confusion and sadness from members of Parliament after the sentencing of a former Prime minister, the Minister for Forestry and MP for Savo Russells, Sir Allan Kemakeza.

Sir Allan has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment of which 12 has been suspended by the chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

On learning of the sentence some MPs commented that although Parliament has been created to pass laws, there are no legislation to protect them.

Others have commented over the various actions and deeds Sir Allan took during the darkest hours of the country's history.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua was unable to make any comments on the sentence until further discussions.

It was reported that a suggestion has been made to the Office of the Prime minister to look at ways in which certain legislation could be put in place to protect members of Parliament or amendments to the constitution.

The sentencing of Sir Allan left four seats vacant in Parliament.

They are: Lau-Mbaelelea on Malaita, East Honiara, Central Guadalcanal and now the Savo and Russells.

The Lau-Mbaelelea seat is vacant following the death of the former MP for the constituency last year.

The other three seats are vacant because the Courts have sentenced their MPs to prison for various offenses.

Source: SIBC

The Search and Rescue Centre of the Marine Division is asking the travelling public on the North East Coast of Malaita, Ndai Island and within the North Malaita vicinity to look out for two men who went missing last week.

A statement from the centre says the two men did not return from a fishing trip since last week.

It says the two men were travelling in a dug out canoe and were believed to be in the Bita'ama area on Friday, August the 29th.

The public within the North Malaita vicinity is being asked to contact the nearest police station of any sightings of the two men.

Police have condemned the attack on a RAMSI Participating Police Force (PPF) officer at Avu Avu on the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal this morning.

The New Zealand officer was on a routine visit to a local medical clinic when he was attacked by six men carrying bush knives (machetes).

The officer who was attempting to leave the clinic at the time of the attack received a serious leg wound but managed to escape on his quad-bike after using capsicum spray. He has been evacuated to RAMSI’s medical facility where he underwent emergency surgery.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Johnson Siapu, condemned the attack as cowardly and said he had ordered an immediate investigation.

“We will be making a concerted effort to locate the offenders as quickly as possible. Detectives from the Serious Crime Squad are being deployed to the area to assist with the investigation,” he said.

Mr Siapu said that family and friends providing protection to those wanted by police need to understand that this is also a crime and they will become a focus of the police investigation.

Police believe the attack was lead by Alphonseus Toghovotu who is wanted for a 1999 murder on the Weathercoast.

Acting Commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police, Bruce Giles said he was disappointed that PPF officers who had come to help communities restore law and order had been attacked.

“This is the second attack on a PPF officer on the Weathercoast in as many months and the community needs to understand this is not acceptable.

“We know who committed these attacks and in both cases it involved individuals already wanted for previous offences.
“These offenders and those harbouring them need to be aware that RAMSI will be fully supporting the SIPF in their efforts to apprehend them.”

Mr Giles confirmed that RAMSI had already sent additional personnel in support of the SIPF led operation at Avu Avu.

Source: RAMSI

Press Release by SMEC, Honiara

The Small & Medium Enterprises Council (SMEC) thank the out going Chairman of the Council Michael Sheppard Maena for leading the Council in the past four years. Mr Maena left his official duty as Chairman on the 26th August 2008.

SMEC Technical Director, Mr Leliana Firisua says Mr Maena is truly a leader with visionary character that enabled the Council to travel through with confidence during the inception years to where it is today.

"Mr Maena’s leadership and strong leadership have been unmatched in driving a small organization such as SMEC. What we are today as a Council is the result of firm leadership that he has tirelessly rendered to the Council," adds Firisua.

Currently the Council has a strong standing amongst both the public and private sector and advocate as an apex body for Small Business nationwide. During the past four years, the Council also developed relationships with both regional and international organizations and continues to represent the private sector interests on various Government initiatives such as trade negotiations and meetings that relates to SME development.

Mr Firisua said that a highlight of Maena's term as Chairman is the signing of the current “Spotter Agreement” that the Council has with ANZ Bank.

"Michael Sheppard Maena is a dynamic leader with wisdom and confidence and we would like to thank him with his future work and role throughout Solomon Islands".

The Council’s Vice Chairman Mr Jeffrey Aihunu who is from Are Are region of Malaita is now heading the Council until a new Chairman is elected later this year 2008. Mr Aihunu is the owner and Director of Transit Market Place an SME that deals in environmental activities nationally.

Emily Woodhouse spent 2 weeks in the small coastal community of Keti Bundi, Pakistan talking to the locals about the impacts of climate change on their home.

Approaching the coastal community of Keti Bunder on the Indus river delta in Pakistan, it is hard to imagine that this area was once a thriving mangrove ecosystem, rich with agriculture, and boasting a busy port. The landscape now appears barren, thatched houses dotted precariously on mudflats, waterlogged and saline from the intruding sea which has swallowed whole villages in recent years. 



Safaran, an elderly local woman reminisced: “When I was a child, my family were so fortunate. We had all the natural resources…cultivated lands, livestock and fishing too. Now we can only fish, the sea is coming into our lands and the water is all around us.”



On top of all these changes, the community of Keti Bunder is now faced with the escalating threat of storms and cyclones associated with global climate change.



Reports show that the frequency and intensity of these cyclones have increased significantly in the last 30 years along the Sindh coastline of Pakistan, and this is supported by community experiences in Keti Bunder.



Another local man described the current situation: “Nowadays we are experiencing more and more cyclones and storms, each and every year and within each year, the number and intensity has increased.”



Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to climate change with rising sea surface temperatures and atmospheric water vapour causing an increase in cyclone intensity and rainfall.



In Sindh, there appears to be a particular increase in the last 10 to 15 years, with the largest cyclones occurring in 1999, and 2007. These caused extensive damage to houses and boats, in addition to a number of deaths, injuries, and health problems. The impacts are proving to be long term and many families report that they are still feeling the effects of the cyclone of 2007, as they do not have the resources to cope with the damages.



The prospect of global warming raises particular concern in delta regions, many of which are already experiencing severe environmental strain as the result of human activity.



For Keti Bunder environmental problems originate further upstream of the Indus. Beginning in the mid 19th century a huge irrigation infrastructure was developed drawing water from the river and its tributaries, and since then a series of barrages and dams have been built leading to over-extraction of water for agriculture, leaving very small and irregular flows at the mouth. The result is a lack of nutrient rich silt that the water brings with it, and growing sea intrusion destroying mangrove ecosystems and causing land erosion. Community have experienced a dramatic decline in agriculture, extreme shortages of drinking water and thousands have been forced to migrate away. As the natural resource base has declined, there are few livelihood options and the community is now almost entirely dependent on fishing. 



These environmental changes have only served to increase the vulnerability of Keti Bunder to extreme weather events.



Due to lack of freshwater and human deforestation, mangrove forest cover in the Indus delta has reduced from 260,000 hectares to only 80,000. But evidence suggests that mangrove forests provide the best natural protection against the effects of extreme events. The community of Keti Bunder describe how they used to move into the thick patches of mangroves when a storm threatened as they know that these could withstand the pressure. In most villages, these patches no longer exist. 



Other traditional protective measures are also breaking down. As many of the tribal groups of Keti Bunder have historically inhabited the coastal belt, they can read the environment to predict storms. A man named Haji Hamza Jat explained: “…our forefathers always predicted the storms correctly. Now we cannot - it is beyond our knowledge and understanding”. The community understandably feel that the rapid changes associated with global climate change are beyond their comprehension and control.



There is often a sense of powerlessness in the face of these devastating events. The community are using local coping strategies, like communication to warn neighbouring villages, and temporary migration, but lack of resources and alternative livelihoods limit these efforts. These methods need to be strengthened to increase the resilience of the community to environmental threats through restoration of the natural ecosystem and community development work.



As in other communities already facing the effects of climate change, there is vital and urgent for the people of Keti Bunder to adapt effectively.



Outside institutions are beginning to work in Keti Bunder, and the area is one of the four prioritised sites of WWF-Pakistan’s Indus for All Programme which is working to address poverty and natural resource degradation in the Indus Ecoregion.



The project in Keti Bunder aims to restore the degraded mangrove ecosystem and provide sustainable livelihoods for the community, helping the community and ecosystem of Keti Bunder thrive once again. Despite the difficulties and environmental threats, Keti Bunder remains the home to approximately 2000 families, connected to their ancestral lands. As one local women said: “In the safe times and during storms, we will stay here. Under every condition, better or worse we will always live here.”



Emily Woodhouse is a Visiting Researcher from Imperial College, London who is carrying out research on the vulnerability of the social-ecological system of Keti Bunder to the effects of climate change. emily.woodhouse@imperial.ac.uk



 WWF Pakistan Indus for All Programme www.foreverindus.org

Chairman of the Small & Medium Enterprises Council (SMEC) of Solomon Islands, Mr Michael Maena, has resigned from the position as Chairman of SMEC after serving for the last two consecutive terms.

Mr Maena officially tendered his resignation on the 26th of August 2008, saying that he decided to move on and allow others who also have the potential to contribute further to SMEC's future development.

"It has been indeed a pleasure having to contribute a little to SMEC's development during its early years of inception. It was pretty tough attuning to someone else dream, putting your minds together in realizing something tangible in the end. It was a long walk and a journey of its own. It was not always smooth sailing, given the hurdles and the so many challenges faced. I have learnt a great deal during those experiences. Those were indeed worthwhile experiences".

Mr Maena says SMEC's success is attributed to team work and staying focus.

Today SMEC has contributed significantly to the government and the private sector through its various initiatives. It also has gained wider support and recognition within the region.It now has a total of 210 members, all of whom are small business operators.

In addition, SMEC has successfully hosted the Techmart 2006 Mini Trade Show in Honiara and the 2007 National Trade Show in Auki, Malaita Province.

One of its main objectives is promoting and facilitating trade in terms of imports and exports beside other services like providing training and financial services to its members through the commercial banks.

"Over the years the biggest hurdle and set back to businesses is accessing credit and financial services. Today we are so thankful to the banks and especially ANZ for recognizing SMEC and the plight of its members".

Mr Maena wishes the Small & Medium Enterprises Council (SMEC) and its board all the best for the future.

The To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student volunteer group is pleased to accept funding under the Pacific Sports Development, Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) grants 2008-2009, towards the North Malaita School and Community Sports Development Initiative.

This sports development initiative is aimed at promoting physical activity in primary and secondary schools as well as engaging rural North Malaita youth and school leavers in sports. Total funding approved is around SB$53,000 (AUD8,886).

The North Malaita School and Community Sports Development Initiative comprise five different but inter-related components. It attempts to equip schools with basic sports equipments; support organisation of the free North Malaita Christmas Games in 2008 and 2009; facilitate a 3 weeks sports coaching workshop in partnership with the Mahitahi Organisation in New Zealand; support North Malaita School sports carnival for 2009; and encourage continuity of the sports league in North Malaita for 2009.

TARD is one of three applicants from Solomon Islands to be granted funding approval under the ASOP Grants 2008-2009.

The Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) focuses on increasing community participation in sport and physical activity. The program is also designed to offer an effective vehicle for addressing broader community issues such as health promotion, leadership and social cohesion through sport and physical activity. Aim of the Pacific Sport Development Grants (SDG) is to provide funding assistance to eligible small-medium size community sport development projects around the Pacific region.

TARD is thankful to the Australian Government, on behalf of the people of North Malaita, for committing such substantial assistance that targets rural youth and school children.

Press Release by the Australian High Commission, Honiara

The Australian Government has announced that three sports federations and organisations in the Solomon Islands have been successful in their application for funds through the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP).

Announcing the successful applicants was Warwick Povey of the Australian Sports Commission who said that "Solomon Islands is a strong sporting nation and had many excellent applications. The Australian Sports Commission has supported sport in Solomon Islands for several years and is pleased to be able to continue this through the Australian Sports Outreach Program which will continue for many more years to come."

The successful applicants are:
(1) The Office of the West Makira constituency for their sports development program for soccer and netball programs, which will culminate in the West Makira Games Project 2008;

(2) Solomon Islands Athletics Association for their Kids and Youth Athletics program which will be run in four communities from Guadalcanal Province (Muvia), Malaita Province (Auki), Makira Province (Kirakira) and Isabel Province (Buala);

(3) To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student volunteers for the North Malaita School and Community Sports Development Initiative to increase physical activity in primary and secondary schools, with rural youth and school leavers trained to run a sports league in North Malaita.

On hearing that TARD was successful in its application, the Project Coordinator, Exsley Taloiburi, said that Australia's assistance means a lot to all of the TARD volunteer members as well as the rural school children and youths in North Malaita that stand to benefit greatly from this initiative. "We would like to thank the Australian High Commission in Honiara and the Australian Government for the generous support."

These sentiments were echoed by the Constituency Development Officer at the Office of West Makira Constituency, Paul Marita who said that "The sports projects will allow people, especially youths, to be occupied naturally and socially in sports. More than 10,000 people in West Makira will directly benefit from this project."

The Australian High Commission congratulates the successful project applicants and acknowledges the hard work of all applicants for the 2008-2009 ASOP programs. A very large number of applications of a very high standard were received.

There will be another opportunity for sporting federations to apply for further funding next year. Sporting bodies that were unsuccessful in their applications will be contacted shortly by the Australian High Commission and are encouraged to seek feedback on their application.

Only one more week until my boy is home and I cannot wait!

Switching to scary U2 Mad Manda mode now as news of the new album is going a bit crazy at the moment. Bono leaked some tracks out his window to happy cell phones below. This is no usual stupid act on Bono’s part this time, methinks they have finally realised that there is a thing called the internet which is great for hype. Yay Bono!

Yes, I have heard these tracks, there is a lot of crackle, a lot of waves breaking against the shore, a lot of annoying Europeans talking and saying “BONE-OH” all amidst some new U2 music which lightly plays in the background. I hear some Bono oh oh ohs and some heavyish Achtung Baby sounding guitar and that’s about it.

I am however getting damn excited and I don’t even know why. After ATYCLB I was so NOT excited that I didn’t hype HTDAAB at all. I don’t think I even checked news about when it was coming. But for this album I am pretty pumped and feel like I’m reliving my first moments on the internet again. It was U2 that first brought me open eyed to the internets. I wanted to know all there was to know about the 4 Irishmen. It was then that I first discovered message forums and chat rooms. I was a big, fat U2ey chatting room nerd! I think I racked up something like 7000 posts (in about 2 years) on a rather large U2 message forum which I shall not name here.

I have made lots of U2ey friends over the years, had photographs published, been in a U2 video, got to shoot the band from the pit and met Bono all because of the internets…OK, meeting Bono is a stretch but if it weren’t for my U2 net friends, I wouldn’t have met him.

It seems to have come around again that I am super excited about all the album hype, I love hype and hysteria even if the end product is disappointing.

I still remember how awesome watching the studiocam for ATYCLB was and how excited I got at hearing the first snippet of Beautiful Day. I loves the internets and I loves a little U2.

p.s. We are seeing Goldfrapp at The Opera House!

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has announced the draw for the 2009 O-League competition set to start in November which includes new teams from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The six team tournament is split into two groups of three with Group A comprised of two time O-League champions Waitakere United (NZL), 2006 Oceania Club champions Auckland City (NZL) and Port Vila Sharks (VAN). Group B holds Fijian champions Ba alongside newcomers Koloale FC (SOL) and Hekari Souths United FC (PNG).

The tournament is set to kick off on 1 November 2008 when Waitakere United meet Auckland City in Auckland and Ba and Koloale FC meet in Fiji.

Hekari Souths United FC earned their place in the new competition after they won the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League and qualified for the three team O-League preliminary tournament. After the withdrawal of the representative clubs from Cook Islands and Tuvalu from the tournament Hekari won their spot in the 2009 O-League, at the expense of the bottom placed finisher from 2008 - AS Manu Ura (TAH).

Koloale replace 2008 O-League finalists Kossa FC as the Solomon Islands representatives after taking out the Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) National Club Championship earlier this year.

Port Vila Sharks will replace Tafea FC as the Vanuatu representative after beating them to the title in the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) Fed Cup championship.

Waitakere United will enter the competition as favourites after securing back to back titles in 2007 and 2008. They will represent OFC at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December as a result of last year’s OFC Final aggregate win over Kossa FC.

Source: OFC