Telebere News

Congratulations and farewell to the 29 Solomon Islands Australia Awards Scholarships recipients who are ready to begin their studies in Australia in semester one of 2025. Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious, merit-based, and transformational opportunities offered to emerging leaders globally, including the Solomon Islands.  For 2025, Australia has provided 100 Australia Awards to Solomon Islanders, including 50 long-term Australia Awards Scholarships. Out of these, 29 scholars will start their academic journey in semester one, with the remaining recipients set to begin in semester two.    The Australian High Commission Solomon Islands hosted a farewell ceremony for the 29 scholars, which included a pre-departure briefing to prepare them for studying and living in Australia. Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the scholarships reflect the strong partnership between Australia and the Solomon Islands. “The skil...

“When the road is good, life is good.” Christmas has come early for those living along Malaita’s South Road, with the 42km from Auki to Mao’a Bridge reopening after years of closure. Mr Jude Sukulu, owner of the South Road tyre repair store, echoes the comments  of everyone living along Malaita’s restored South Road. The only land link connecting four constituencies, including Central Kwara’ae, Aoke Langa Langa, West Kwaio, and West Are’Are, the road has been impassable to all but 4WD vehicles, devastating businesses, farmers and increasing the cost of goods coming into the community. "The reopening of the road brings relief to our communities,” said Ward Support Officer Ms Julia Agofi. “For the last two years, the only way to access Auki has been by boat. But overloading was common making travel risky – and it cost SBD100 to travel between villages and Auki, more than double the cost of travelling by road,” said Ms Agofi. Trades Transformation Company Ltd (TTC), a lo...

Emergency roadworks on Malaita’s South Road, one of the key transport roads in the Malaita province , have been completed a month ahead of schedule, significantly improving access for communities in the region. The Australian-funded project, which began in July 2024, repaired the first 42km of the South Road, reaching Mao’a Bridge by the end of November. The Solomon Islands Ministry of Infrastructure Development awarded the contract to Trades Transformation Company Ltd (TTC), a Malaita-based firm. Compaction works to strengthen resilience of the road basement. The upgrades provide much-needed relief to residents, with South Road serving as a lifeline connecting four constituencies: Aoke/Langalanga, Central Kwara’ae, West Kwaio, and West Are’ Are. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Mr Allan Lilia, welcomed Australia’s support and the project's tangible benefits. “South Road is a vital connection for the southern region of Malaita,” Lili...

Solomon Islands and Airservices Australia have renewed their long-standing agreement for the safe management of Solomon Islands upper airspace. The five-year agreement is a continuation of more than 20 years of partnership in the management of high-altitude aircraft travelling across Solomon Islands skies, a critical area for international aviation. Solomon Islands Minister for Aviation and Communication, Hon. Frederick Kologeto with Airservices Australia Acting Chief Airspace and Network Officer Craig Charker, together with officials at the signing. Through the partnership, Airservices Australia will deliver state-of-the-art air traffic control services, and collect revenue from airlines using Solomon Islands airspace – which has delivered millions in revenue to the Solomon Islands Government. Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said Airservices Australia is regulated by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is responsible for safely managing air traff...

Stella Teikatapu, a woman from Renbel Province, is breaking down barriers and inspiring women across the Solomon Islands through her journey in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Stella graduated from Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) in 2021 with a Certificate III in Education Support. After graduating, she established a Phoenix school utilizing the skills and knowledge she gained from training with APTC in Samoa. She established the Phoenix school in the White River community , West Honiara . The idea arose from a passion for teaching and addressing the needs for developing children's educational journey around the White River community. "Like many women in the country, I wanted to start something to support my family . I established the Phoenix School to support children in my community. This school is more than just a source of income; it's a platform where I can nurture young minds and share my passion for teaching. ” Stella...

Australia joined Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to launch the SINU Security Studies Pilot, with a tok stori consultation workshop. The pilot – delivered by SINU and with the support of the Solomon Islands Australia Partnership – will respond to the call from the Solomon Islands security sector for more locally-led academic research and tertiary education on national security issues. VIPs and participants pose for a group photo. L to R (front row): Dr Patricia Rodie, Dean, Faculty of Education and Humanities, SINU; Ms Lindsay Buckingham, Minister Counsellor, Australian High Commission, HE Rod Hilton, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands; Dr Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor, SINU; Hon Jimson Tanangada, Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services; Permanent Secretary Karen Galokale, Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services. Honourable Jimson Tanangada, Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, alon...

Australia was proud to support a host of events supporting gender equality in the law and justice sector as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The five events reflect the Solomon Islands-Australia law and justice partnership focus on promoting gender equality and supporting agencies to better serve the needs of Solomon Islands’ most vulnerable community members, those subject to family and sexual violence. Thirty-three participants from agencies across the law and justice sector attended a workshop on promoting gender equality drawing on First Nations approaches in the Australian context. This event drew on the strengths and insights of Australia’s First Nations people in navigating gender dynamics, equality and GBV in the community. (L-R) Correctional Services Solomon Islands Director Madame Needy Topue, First Secretary, Australian High Commission Sara Lailey, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional ...

Australian security capabilities were on display during a high-level visit from Hon Jimson Tanangada, Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, to Australia. Minister Tanangada was joined by Hon Stephen Kumi, Member of Parliament for Temotu Nende, Hon Morris Toiraena, Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, Policy Secretary Lanelle Tanangada, and Deputy Secretary Trevor Unusu. Minister Tanangada travelled to Townsville, Canberra and Brisbane, where he observed capability demonstrations from the Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Queensland Corrective Services. Minister Tanangada and members of his delegation, with Commissioner Reynolds and his ABF officers . The Australian Army’s 3 rd Brigade hosted the delegation in Townsville, where Minister Tanangada was given an up close and personal look at Australia’s armoured capabilities, including the ...

The Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) has endorsed five new national qualifications designed to strengthen the Solomon Islands’ workforce in the hospitality and tourism industry and correctional services. The endorsement of these qualifications is a significant step forward in equipping Solomon Islanders with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive local industry while addressing the country’s growing tourism and hospitality sector demands. The qualifications are tailored to meet the diverse needs of growing industries and cover various competencies essential to the hospitality and tourism sectors, including customer service excellence, food and beverage operations, tourism accommodation services, and supervisory roles. They combine practical training with theoretical knowledge, ensuring graduates are job-ready and prepared to excel in their fields. Ms Constance Nasi (center) officially signs the new national qualification, witnessed by Goldie ...

Seven emerging Solomon Islands Government leaders have attended the prestigious Canberra Fellowships Program in Australia. The delegation was comprised of senior officials representing agencies and state-owned enterprises responsible for the delivery, management and protection of critical infrastructure, including from the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Ministry of Finance and Treasury, alongside senior representatives from state-owned enterprises and companies responsible for transport, energy, water and telecommunications. Mr Jerome Douziech, VP Operations & Performance SUEZ Australia & New Zealand, explaining the water filtration process at Prospect Water Filtration Plant in Sydney, Australia’s oldest public private partnership Over the course of a week, the delegates and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade visit liaison officers travelled to Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney to meet and exchange views with senior leaders...

There’s not a lot of women on construction sites around Solomon Islands – but that is changing. At the heart of the construction site for the new Australian-funded Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre (BUHC), you’ll find Leading Hand Daisy Rodie supervising blockwork and a team of 12. Daisy oversees the mixing, pouring and laying of all brick work for the $250 million health centre, and ensures strict adherence to the construction plan, and work health and safety regulations. Daisy Rodie overseeing blockwork at the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre “I have to identify tools for the various tasks and ensure precision and quality in the block work being laid by the team,” Daisy explains. In March 2024, Daisy was one of 18 young women graduating with construction qualifications under the Australian-supported program – the first ever gender-targeted construction program in Solomon Islands . Under the program, the women completed a Certificate II - Construction with the Austral...

Local construction companies say they are winning more work after attending Australia’s Workforce Skills Series, delivered through the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program. At an end of year awards ceremony held on 4 December in Honiara, Watson Maeletete of Pathway Solutions said attending the training had opened doors for local companies and is improving their job prospects. “As a result of the workshops, we’ve been winning more construction work than before." Since 2022, Australia has been supporting free, industry-led training to upskill local companies to bid for and manage infrastructure contracts, including worksite safety, environmental management, contract management and workforce inclusion. Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, congratulated the sector for the participation of over 300 men and women from 85 companies, and their commitment to improving the quality, safety and inclusion of infrastructure in Solomon Islands. “The Workforce Skil...

The Don Bosco Technical Institute has received a donation of essential training equipment and tools from Australia, providing a boost to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The donation, which includes laptops, desks and essential tools to enhance the institute’s learning facilities, will equipping young Solomon Islanders with the skills they need to find jobs and advance the economic development of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands-Australia partnership is committed to strengthening the TVET sector in Solomon Islands with support of 46 ICT equipment and 20 training desks which was handed over to Don Bosco Technical Institute .   The resources will help create an engaging and efficient learning experience for students at Don Bosco and help trainers to incorporate digital tools into their teaching methods. They will also facilitate students’ access to digital resources, support multimedia learning, and improve collaboration and communication among s...

Solomon Islands is officially in the 2024 – 2025 high-risk weather season. As the local disaster response sector conducts crucial preparation for the potential of a natural disaster, Australia is proud to be working shoulder-to-shoulder-in support. On 4th December, Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton attended an event at the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) along with Hon Trevor Mahaga, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) , Ms Susan Sulu, Permanent Secretary MECDM, Mr Jonathan Tafiariki, Director NDMO, and Colonel Justin Bywater, Australian Defence Advisor to Solomon Islands. Mr George Baragamu, Deputy Director NDMO and Mr Jonathan Tafiariki, Director NDMO attend new equipment training along with NERT and NDMO teams.    During the event, High Commissioner Hilton announced the delivery of a new suite of vital equipment to support disaster relief operations in Solomon Islands. The mission support items, gifted by...