House of Wisdoms 22, 27, 43

There are many places and people that we meet or come across  during our years of tenure  in Lodoni that have shaped and influenced our lives into what we are today. A few of these places which I would love to refer to them as our House of Wisdom better known as Nos 22, 27, 43.

I believe as most of you would have experienced after all the excitement and the rush of coming to RKS in your first day. Its in the various Houses of Wisdom gathering that we start to form our various alliances, weight our strategic options and develop our tactical maneuvers as we strive to survive the next 6 – 7 (some of us upto to 10) years in Lodoni.

Something that have always puzzled me was the design and  the manner in which the seats of the house was arranged. Them being staggered from high to low most probably signifying the order of importance of the occupier. I have always loved the higher raised seat whenever I attend one of our meetings, but unfortunately those seats are not always reserved, its always been first come first serve basis. So if you happen to come first in any of the meetings and you happen to have the highest raised seat, you most probably are the most important person of that meeting until when you vacate your seat.

Now the House of Wisdoms have been closed except for 43, i believe as we look upon them, I believe that you will all agree with me that some of us owe their survival in RKS to them.

I invite you to leave your experience below

Lodoni Nikua

Sa mai levu sara na noda veitalanoa taka na veika e mai yaco tiko mai Lodoni “na noda koro lomani”. Ia au gadreva meu bulagoci kemuni mada ena i tuvaki kei Lodoni ena gauna qo.

Ena yabaki rua sa oti sa mai vakavou i tale kina na lease kei Lodoni kei iratou na i taukei ni qeleqele mai Nananu. Ia sa mai vakalutumi ga eso na qele vei iratou nai taukei ni qele. Kena i balebale vei kemuni na noda eda kilai Lodoni ena veigauna e liu. Na qele kei Lodoni sa sega ni vaka e liu na kena levu.

Sa mai vakalutumi lesu tale vei iratou nai taukei ni qele na qele kece ka tiko ena yasana i matau ni gauna sala ka cabe ki nai pamu ni wai (Ena yasana ki Nananu). Ena gauna qo, sa rent taka tale tiko na matanitu na vale kece ni qasenivuli era tu ekea me ra vakayagataka tiko na qasenivuli. Wili tiko ena qele ka suka qo, na qele kece e tiko ena yasana i matau ni uciwai ka lako cake ki SouthFarm me vaka au sa vakaraitaka tiko ena taba ka tiko qori (wili tiko kina na naba 16/17). Kei na qele kece sara mai na South Farm sara mai cake, ka wili talega kina na Ovalau Ground.

Na veivanua beka ga au rawa ni tukuna ni okati tiko me vanua kovuti ena lease kei Lodoni koya sa maka taki toka ena iqi drokadroka. E vica beka ga na vanua mai Saiyaro au na sega ni taura rawa vaka vinaka. Ia qori edua na kena i vakaraitaki vakaca (approximation)

Ia kevaka e so vei keda eda gole tiko i Lodoni se da lako siviti Lodoni eda na raica tiko beka ni sa sega tu ni tei na Naba 1 kei na Naba 2 – e baleta ni sa qai mai laurai ni qele qori erau a sega tu ni wili ena lisi kei Lodoni, a kerei ga vakavanua mai liu ka da sa lai bula mai kina e vuqa sara vei keda qo. Ia nikua sa tiko tale vei iratou na kenai taukei mai Lodoni vaka-Viti

RKS March

If ever any word could be found to describe the moment when all the Lodonians from way back as far as the 1940s (Master Levaci Beitaki and Sepeti Matararaba) to the 200os fell in line and stopped the traffic along Roadwell Road (from the Flea Market opposite the Suva Bus Stand) in Suva as we marched to Sukuna Park with the music of the National Youth Band on the afternoon of the 8th of May 2009, I would say  it would be “awe-inspiring“. In Fijian, I would chose our famous school motto “Dui Mate Ga Ena Nona Ucu ni Vatu”, as all Lodonians from the various decades stood together and walked tall amongst the people of Suva on that Friday afternoon.

The march was led by our surving head boy of 1946,47,48, Master Levaci Beitaki who was accompanied by some flocks from his era in Mr Sepeti Matararaba and few others whom i haven’t mentioned. Unfortunately for us that just the week before this march we lost a dear OB whom i know would be amongst us, Mr Tevita Nawadra (farewell OB).  They were followed by the 1950-60s lot lead by Master Malakai Waqanokonoko, Mosese Tamata and a couple others most of whom i dont have their names and then the 70s lead by Rt Semi Bulai, Naisa Tuinaceva and many others and then the 80s. Interesting enough was the attire chosen by one of my comrades of the 80s, Epeli Racule of Matamaivere, Namara, Tailevu (now a manager with Westpac). I believe he was so overcomed by the occasion and all the hype of the march, that he just wanted everything RKS all over him and so apart from his RKS shirt he also had a RKS sulu around his waist as he was displaying the RKS spirit within him, i guess if there were GOLD and NAVY Blue Paints he would have painted himself also. Epeli is a miler (1500m) during his days in RKS

There was a last minute change by the stewards of our Capital City, on the time of the march from 4pm to 3pm on the 11th hour. This didn’t deter most Lodonians as word was send around of the change in time, most of whom were assembled at the Flea Market by 2pm trying to get into their RKS colours  however some of whom still  fell causality to this change in time that when they arrived at the Flea Market only to be told that the march has already started. Two of whom were Joe Dulaki and Emosi Toga who called me on my mobile when they arrived at the Flea Market with no one there only to be told that March has already started at 3pm.

Yet some of us chose to wait with their full RKS colours at  different places, one such person was none other than the famous vehicle cop of our capital city “Jay Man” (Josua Manu) whom during the time of the march was found to be standing at the corner of Devoux Road, most probably keeping a watch for a last minute illegal parking still trying to make up his targeted vehicle towing numbers for the day.

The people of Suva came to a stand still as the the voice of the Lodonians marched past with famous “Noqu Koronivuli Uasivi” ringing amongst them. All we could hear from the people of Suva was “Vinaka Lodoni” with the sound of their claps as the Lodonians (lead by the Lodonians of the 40s-50s-60s) passing by. Yes vinaka Lodoni for all that you have taught and instill in us. Some old scholars whom were returning from work and were part of the crowd  just couldn’t hide the Lodonian inside them as they jumped out of the crowd and join their brothers in the march to Sukuna Park.

The march ended at Sukuna Park, where the RKS School Chaplin (Semesa Seruicokocoko, an OB also known as SS Tonto in his days at RKS) and RKSOB president (Sakeasi Seru) welcomed us all. After the inspiring sermon and words of welcome from our president, everyone just seem to be taken back in time to their days in RKS, when there were no CEOs, Directors, Colonels, Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Managers, Bank Officers, Clerks.. etc, etc and when you were either a Garden Boy, Toilet Cleaner, Cassava Pillar, Orderly or a non-duty assigned the task of weeding all the areas that our lawn mower (Pita of Koro now of Dakuinuku) couldn’t mow. Such was the order of the evening.

The get together in their various little groups of decades lasted till the wee hours of Saturday morning the day for the RKS Bazaar. I was told that the winner of the night for the 80s (my decade in RKS) was my naita Ace (Eseroma Kuruwale) a True son of Cakau House..whom after being blinded and paralyzed by the toxicity of the amount of  grog could only utter the words “Oilei Cakau!!”..as he conjure up on his days as a Cakauan in RKS and the great influence the  House of Wisdom no 43 had on him during his early day in RKS. Unfortunately our first local editor of the Fiji Times (Netani Rika) a true son of Cakau was away abroad and he couldnt enlighten us on the influence his House of Wisdom No 22 had on him while he was in Lodoni.

YES LODONI WE MAY GROW OLD, BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

TILL WE MEET AGAIN IN NADI DURING THE 2nd TERM BREAK – NADI RKSOB is planning to have this one much bigger and better than Suva – O NADI KO!!..Vinadu Riki Nadi – Dobs, Snaggy, Misiwaini and Tulame

RKSOB Nasinu and Nadi

RKS Bazaar

RKS Chapel Bazaar

RKS Chapel Bazaar

The RKS Chapel is planned for the  9th of May at Sukuna Park, Suva. The Bazaar is targeted to raise approx $60,000 for the continuation of the building of the RKS Chapel.

We are appealing to all OBs please get in touch with me through my email mattwq@yahoo.com for details on how you can forward your contribution.

The Bazaar will start with a march in decades from the flee market to Sukuna Park where a light refreshment and grog will be prepared for a little get-together of all OBs “SOTA GA NI DA SE BULA”….

Way forward for RKS Rugby

Dina beka ni sega ni mani vakasara na lomada na niratou mai druka na u19 ia au vakabauta sa dua dina na siga talei taki ka lagilagi vei keda na vuli oti mai Lodoni….au rawa ni kaya ni sa Lodoni Day ga na siga vakarauwai a oti qo…

ONLY RKS has done it 3times

Mai na noqu kila au vakabauta ni sebera tale ni dua na koronivuli e yaco kece mai ena finala na nodratou timi..ia o kedatou ga mai lodoni…tou a cakava ena 1980, 2003, kei na yabaki tale qo 2008..sa dodonu bekaga medatou vakavinavinaka vei ira kece na nodatou mata timi me tekivu mai u14 ka yacova na u19

Au kila nida na sega beka ni dua vata kei na result ni u19..ia au kerea ni sa dodonu ga meda vaka vinavinaka vei iratou na timi…mai noqu dau lai sikovi ratou ka dau lai raica na nodratou vakavakarau..meu tukuna vakadodonu …ni sa gadrevi sara vakalevu na noda veitokoni na OBs…ena kena vakatorocake taki na nodra kila ka ena rakavi na coaches kei na kena vakatoroicake taki na i yaya ni tereni kei na qito..au kila niratou sa sasaga tiko mai serene ena vuku ni yaya ni gym..

Vakanuinui Vinaka Lodoni

Sa dua na ka lagilagi ni ratou sa yacova kece na nodatou mata timi mai Lodoni na qito levu ni fainala..tekivu mai na U14, u15, u16, u17, u18, kei na u19. Au kila sa na vutucoqa dina na Stadium ena vakarauwai qo ena roko dromodromo kei na karakarawa…au sa rogoca ni ratou sa na bau mai veitokoni na cheer na tacidatou mai vulinitu (totoka dina na soqo).

Ena yakavi na noa (moniti) e lai veitauri o Sunia Cama ena nona porokaramu ga ni upper body strengthening. Ratou tereni vata toka na U17, u18 kei na U19…ka talei ni ratou colour vata toka vaka timi…dromodromo na u17, karakarawa na u18 qai mai damudamu na u19…

Yakavi ni mataka (vukelulu) era na kana vata tiko kina na gone vuli ka na vakarautaka na koronivuli edua na magiti lailai. Au sa kerekere tiko yani mo ni qai vola mai na nomuni vakanuinui vinaka me bau lai soli vei ira na lewe ni timi me ra bau lai wilika ena gauna ni vakayakavi ni mataka.

Tikite sa tekivu volitaki ni kua

Grandstand $10

Lodoni’s Day

Sa dua na siga vinaka vei keda mai Lodoni..ni ratou qaqa kece na nodatou mata timi ena semifinals mai Lautoka. Totoka vaka oti nodra qito na tacida lalai mai na u14, u15,u16, u17, u18 kei iratou na u19….Ia totoka ga na cheer kei na mata meke…sa vaka talega eso na mata ni meke vouvou qai lai laurai ekea…Dau tukuni ga na nodratou i bole na Cakau..Qa ae muri qore…..na matani meke me lako madaga….sa vaka me ra sa veisisivi tale na gone ena nodra cheer kei na meke..cegu mai na dua na tutu tekivu mai na dua na tutu..ni cegu mai na dua na tutu toki mai mua ni rara..ratou meke mai…

Ia neitou valeni sarasara keitou vakatawana toka na 80s..kena qase toka o Aporosa Duwai/Avisai (foxy brown). alipate, kei na levu tale..e matani valeni sarsara..na mata grog lailai..kena i liuliu na Head Boy tu dei mai RKS (potoki) ratou qai mai veitokoni tu kina na GM ni blue lagoon Dobs…neitou mata cheer kena cheer leader ka manumanu talega ni meke o Master Sakiusa Turagabeci…ka talei ni ra toka ekea na cheer ni Marist kei ira na cheer ni Grammar era cheer vaka vavalagi…sega ni cegu na meke o Master Sakiusa, ena so na gauna ya sa vaka me vakavavalagi taki na Valu cibi i Valu…Ia na draki ni cheer mai Churchill Park..totoka dina qai kuria ni sa totoka dina na nodratou qito na timi taucoko.

Vakavinavinaka levu vei kemuni na OBs koni a tau soli mai ena vukudra na noda mata timi…Vakavinavinaka vei kemudou na OBs mai Lautoka..Kiti kei kemudou mai FEA ena nomudou sa lai veitokoni taka na kedra kakana na gone ena yakavi ni vakarauwai..Vula/Anare Tuidraki kei kemudou mai Nadi ena veisiko kei na vuata dou a kauta ena yakavi ni vakaraubuka…kei kemuni kece sara na OBs ni a gole yani vaka lewe levu i Churchill Park, me da lai tokona noda mata timi. Vinaka Vinaka sara vakalevu…

Kua ni calata meda sa lai REUNION i na National Satdium ena vakarauwai qo..

meda kalougata tiko ka kalougata tiko noda mata timi ena vakarauwai qo

RKS Herons 2008

Vakanuinui VInaka RKS ena Quarterfinals

Our u19 (RKS) will be meeting Lomawai Secondary School this Saturday in their quarterfinal play-off. They came second to Lelean in their zone.

Many thanks to the RKSOB nausori branch for supplying them with a new full set of jersey, pants and socks. Nott forgetting also VODAFONE for supplying their jersey last year.

TO ALL OBS PLEASE DO LEAVE YOUR WELL WISHERS FOR OUR YOUNG HERONS AS THEY CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF OUR SCHOOL THIS SATURDAY

Latest INFO

Tickets: Grndstand $6 Ground $4

All Team will be billeted at Cathedral School

Semifinals in Lautoka (next Sat) and will be billted at the RFMF Camp dou sa kerei tiko na OBs mai yasayasa va Ra me dou qai bau raici ratou toka mai keri

RKS INTERHOUSE 2008

The result of the RKS Interhoue 2008

1st Cakau – 11golds

2nd Sukuna – 10 golds

3rd Degei -

4th Maafu -

Pics from the Interhouse…shud take us bak memory lane..

shotput – inter record 13.26…noqu viri was 13.87 sega ni kila sa lako evei na record ya..hahah!..but this guys need coaching sa kerei tiko vei keda na OBs okoya e rawa ni lako me da lako sobu ena vakarauwai qo…we still have 4 weeks b4 the zones

Cheer va bure!

Ovalau ground sa suka tale vei iratou nai taukei ni qele ia ratou sa yalo vinaka tiko ga me vakayagataka tikoga na koronivuli ena qito…vinaka Bulewa kei kemudou na lewe ni vanua o Nananu..Na gaunisala vou koya sa cici tu qori ena kemdrau maliwa na ovalau ground kei na beach…

RKS Chapel, THE FINAL ASSAULT

On Saturday 22nd of September 2008 (on “Yom Kippur” day, the “Day of Atonement” in the Jewish Calendar) under a slight drizzle a technical team of former RKSOB consisting of Cama Tuiloma (PS Local Government – Chapel Architect), Josefani Bola (Director CATD – Chapel Project Manager) Lima (Civil Engineer PWD), Apenisa Manuduitagi and Paula Vuli (FEA) Joape Tiko (Quanity Surveyor), Jese Veibuli (Auditor and RKSOB Treasurer) and Niko Buke (Engineer PWD) slowly made their way up Chapel Hill to inspect and draw up a “detail of work” that will carry on to the completion of the project. Watching these OBs of ours as they make their way up slowly in this overcast and slightly rainy day without even an umbrella for any one of them, it dawn on to me that this is it, the beginning of the the end and or what we shall call as the starting of our “final assault” for the completion of the house of GOD in RKS the “RKS CHAPEL” for the benefit of our children, grandchildren and great-grand children that will one day want to follow us to RKS.

This is it, this time will never come again, we dont know when another RKS Chapel will be built again and i am sure it wont be in our life time but i can confidently say that if there is to be another RKS Chapel it wont happen in the next 100 years (the lease for RKS has just been renewed this year for another 94 years). Our grand children and great-grand children will remember us as the sons of RKS that built the RKS Chapel .

Lets stand toghether as we have always been in RKS during our time we spend there from the early morning at 5:45am when the first sound of the lali wakes us up for morning duty, 7:55 am the lali for school assembly, 8:25am the lali before the first period starts on a school day, and then at 5pm the lowering of the school flag when all things come to a standstill in RKS, 5:30pm the lali that sends us to our bathrooms, 5:45pm the lali for dinner as we make our way to the dining hall, 6:4o pm the start of our study time and finally at 8:55pm the lali that marks the end of yet another day as the lights in our dormitories are turned off.

There is another LALI beating right now and GOD has set the time for this lali to be his Day of Atonement. The lali is calling us to come and stand together again as we have always done from wherever you are here in Fiji or from a land afar. Lets come together and be counted as the hands that built the house of GOD for Lodoni for the many years to come.

People have questioned us as to why we have chosen to build such an enormous dwelling, let me re-assure us that its not the size of the dwelling that matters but what matters most is how much we value GOD in our hearts. I believe that one day when people will stand and marvel at the completed chapel they will also remember that it is the impression of how much we (the RKSOB of today) value GOD in our hearts.

I wish to acknowledge those other OBs who were there that day (Sat 22nd) when the final assault was initiated; Alipate Naiorosui (CEO Housing and Chairman RKS Board of Governors), Kitione Vuetaki (Barrister and Board of Governor), Sakeasi Seru (Manager Telcom & RKS Board of Governor and President RKSOB), Bulewa (Board of Governor, and Taukei ni qele) Malakai Waqanokonoko (FIT lecturer), Malakai Finau (Hydrogeologist-MRD), Inia Seruiratu (Col- head of ATG), Jeremaiya Tuikoro (Col RFMF), Aisea Tuamoto (Lands), Apisalome Waqatabu (IT engineer- clarity), Jovesa (Senior Fisheries officer) and Luke Narara (Post Fiji).