Australia’s commitment to provide security support to the Solomon Islands during the Pacific Games has enabled broader engagement prior to the Opening Ceremony this Sunday.
In the last fortnight, thousands of kilograms of cargo have been delivered by air and sea including Team Solomon Islands uniforms, blank newspaper rolls for The Solomon Star newspaper, and two new ambulances.
A statement from the Australian High Commission says newly arrived Australian Defence Force personnel in Honiara have and will continue to roll up their sleeves to donate blood, and 10 members of the Australian Army Band have re-joined the Royal Solomons Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Band for the Games.
SIAF officers together with RSIPF during their visit to Honiara in August this year| Photo by Charley Piringi
Last week members from Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF) broke the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society’s record for its largest single day of blood donations, which supports the National Referral Hospital to have sufficient supply throughout the Games.
“Patients and families at the National Referral Hospital enjoyed an impromptu show from the Australian Army Band and the RSIPF Band, who have been rehearsing ahead of the Pacific Games Opening Ceremony,” the statement said.
Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules and a number of Royal Australian Air Force flights have delivered sports equipment.
They also brought newspaper rolls for The Solomon Star newspaper which was unable to publish due to lack of paper.
This delivery will enable this media organisation to keep publishing during the Games, and to keep athletes and audiences connected.
The two ambulances delivered by HMAS Choules were received by Solomon Islands St John Ambulance, who are also providing emergency services during the Games and St John Ambulance Chief Executive Officer Michael Andrews said he was grateful of the support.
“St John Ambulance is pleased to receive the donation of two state-of-the-art Landcruiser ambulances from Australia to support emergency pre-hospital care in the country,” Andrews said.
“The ambulances carry essential lifesaving equipment to treat and care for patients in emergencies, before being transported to hospital by paramedics and nurses,” he added.
The vehicles were donated by the Queensland Ambulance Service and will boost the St John Ambulance regular fleet servicing Honiara and Guadalcanal following the Games.
“The Pacific Games is an important moment for the Solomon Islands and we’re glad we can contribute to what will be a successful Pacific Games,” Colonel Bywater, the Defence Advisor for the South West Pacific said.
“I’m especially excited to have the Australian Army Band return to Solomon Islands who will play with the RSIPF Band at the Opening Ceremony,” Col Bywater said.
RSIPF and the Australian Army Band perform at the National Referral Hospital