PACIFIC PERSONALITY
of the Month
June-February 1999 Personalities
David Telfer Robie : June 1999
Journalist, author; b. Wellington, 31 May
1945, s of David H Robie and Jean F (nee Ferguson); m (1) Penelope Ann Carroll, 1968 (diss
1984); two s., Lucien (1976), Simeon (1980); (2) Delia M Abcede, 1989; Educ. Muritai
Primary School, Wellington Boys College, Victoria University.
Editor, Sunday Observer , Melbourne, 1969-70; Chief Sub-Editor, Rand Daily Mail,
Johannesburg, 1970-72; Group Features Editor, Daily Nation, Nairobi, 1972-74; Night
Editor, Agence France-Presse, Paris, 1974-77; Editor, Insight Magazine, 1983-85;
Correspondent for Pacific Islands Monthly and other European, Australian and NZ
publications, specialising in Asia-Pacific politics, development issues, Editor of
Asia-Pacific Network news service, 1986-92.
Member Committee to Protect Journalists, New York; Winner of NZ Media Peace Prize 1985,
Media Peace Prize citations 1984, 86, 90; Qantas Press Awards for Pacific coverage 1987.
David Robie holds a Master of Arts degree in Journalism (University of Technology, Sydney,
1997); multicultural Certificate in Transitional Teaching (CTT, 1995), Certificate in
Adult and Tertiary Education (CATE, 1995) and Certificate in Adult Teaching (CAT, 1992)
from the Centre for Professional Development, Auckland Institute of Technology.
He teaches International Journalism, Mass Communications (advanced theory), Practical
Reporting, Advanced News Practice, Print Media Production and Electronic Publishing.
During 1996, he made an educational video called Fri Press:
Media Freedom in the Pacific.
He is one of the pioneers who have encouraged the Pacific media to move into the
internet age with the creation of his Cafe Pacific in 1996..He
is editor of Pacific Journalism Review and co-convenor of Pacific Media Watch, and
correspondent for several publications.He is
also a correspondent for Gemini News Service, InterPress Service Third World News Agency
and Radio Deutsche Welle and New Zealand Political Review among others.
David Telfer Robie : June 1999 ....
Asia-Pacific politics, development issues, Editor of Asia-Pacific
Network news service, 1986-92.Currently he is journalism coordinator at the University of
the South
Pacific, Fiji Islands.
Floyd Fitzpatrick : May 1999
Mr Floyd Fitzpatrick, a US business man has been truly a pioneer
investor in the Pacific Islands. After developing a number of ventures in other parts of
the Pacific, Mr Fitzpatrick has concentrated over the last 20 years in his development
projects in Samoa. After establishing the first hotel resort outside of Apia, he
experimented with the canning of coconut cream. After his persistence in his canning
trials, Mr Fitzpatrick became the first person in the world to successfully can coconut
cream. This success led to Mr Fitzpatrick developing the Samoa Tropical Products Ltd
coconut cream canning factory. Samoa Tropical Products has become a prominent manufacturer
and exporter over the last decade. In addition to his business successes, Mr Fitzpatrick
has been a world authority on Pacific Island stamps and other collectible items. Mr
Fitzpatrick has also been active in making substantial donations to community projects.
The rise of Samoan rugby in the international arena has a lot to do with the Fitzpatrick
Schoolboys Rugby Development Programme which Mr Fitzpatrick has supported.
Bizconnections has awarded the Pacific Personality for May 1999 to Mr Fitzpatrick because
f his pioneering work in business development and community work in the Pacific.
W. Noel Levi CBE: April 1999
Since becoming the Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat he has
accorded a high priority to the promotion of a free trade area for the Forum
Island Countries. If implemented, this free trade area would permit free flow of
trade among the Forum Island Countries. Mr Levi had a colourful and successful
career in politics and public service in Papua New Guinea before joining the Forum
Secretariat. He will need all of his political and public service skills to handle the
delicate issues relating to the promotion of the free trade area concept.
Governor Tauese Sunia: March 1999
He is the first elected governor of American Samoa to close the
fiscal year in the black by underspending the budget.This is a significant achievement in
the light of previous alleged unauthorised over spending of the budget by past governors
of the Territory.
Mr Wadsworth Yee: February 1999
Mr. Wadsworth Yee, is one of the founders of Grand Pacific Life Insurance. Mr Yee served
as Vice President and Legal Counsel,Executive Vice President, President and Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Grand Pacific Life for 40 years. As head of
the Grand Pacific Life group, Mr Wadsworth Yee became a trusted ally to a number of
Pacific Island business people in the Insurance Industry. Grand Pacific Life has insurance
activities now set up in Hawaii, Saipan, Pohnpei, American Samoa, Tonga and Samoa.
Mr Wadsworth Yee has also been active in the development of Fisheries in the Pacific
Region. Mr Yee served as Chairman and member of the Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council for 10 years since its inception in 1976.
Mr Yee currently heads his own consulting company based in Honolulu,Hawaii and provides a
range of services for his clients, including real estate,insurance and general business
development in Asia Pacific.
Bizconnections salutes Mr. Wadsworth Yee.currently the Vice President of Pacific Business
Development for Finance Enterprises, has been selected for developing the Insurance
Industry in the Pacific Islands in his own quiet manner.
