Telebere News

Australia and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration have launched the first ever Iumi Gro Business Accelerator program.   This is a new five-month training program designed to provide customised and expert business coaching and development training for ten Solomon Islander owned and operated businesses.   The program will also provide the ten businesses with networking opportunities and a chance to pitch their future business plans for SBD100,000 in new investment at the end of the program.   The initiative is targeted at businesses with high growth potential across all sectors of the economy and focused on businesses owned or led by women, youth, and people with disabilities. Participants of the recently launched Iumi Gro Business Accelerator program co-led by Australia and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration. The accelerator aims to help selected businesses overcome key barriers to growth through tailored training, mento...

Residents across Choiseul Province are celebrating the completion and progress of several vital community infrastructure projects funded through the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships program. The initiatives, ranging from sanitation and clean water access to education facilities and solar power, are designed to meet priorities identified by local communities. Celebrating access to clean drinking water for seaweed farmers in Crocodile Passage with Hon Tongoua Tabe. Acting Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr Andrew Schloeffel, said Australia is working with communities across Choiseul Province to deliver practical, community-led infrastructure. “These projects reflect what communities ask for—and we’re proud to stand alongside them to make it happen.” In Northwest Choiseul Constituency, the Choiseul Bay Provincial Secondary School Sanitation Project was officially handed over, providing new toilet facilities for students and staff. Nearby, the St...

A record 67 Solomon Islands builders, contractors, and business managers have taken part in an Australia-led industry workshop to help them strengthen their project planning, cashflow management, and long-term business growth. The industry workshop - Project Scheduling and Cashflow – is the 16th to be delivered by Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program Workforce Skills Series. Acting Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr Andrew Schloeffel, commended the industry participants for their commitment to professional development.   Participants of the 16th SIIP Workforce Skills Series workshop, focused on improving project planning, financial management, and long-term business growth . “It was great to see such a high level of participants of participants at this workshop. Australia is committed to supporting Solomon Islands contractors and workers take on a larger share of construction projects, creating local jobs and economic opportunity far beyond the ...

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Band proudly represented the nation at the inaugural Pacific Police Tattoo held on Tuesday in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, joining more than 100 police officers from across the Pacific in a vibrant celebration of culture, music and regional policing unity. Hosted by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), with support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the event was held as part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence. It showcased the musical talents of nine police bands, including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band. Their performance highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Solomon Islands and contributed to the spirit of unity and collaboration among Pacific law enforcement agencies. RPNGC Commissioner David Manning praised all participating bands. He said: “This event has deepened the bonds between our organisations, and has also demonstrated the strength of regional polic...

Huge recognition and reward for its ongoing efforts to promote the Solomon Islands on the Australian travel scene, Tourism Solomons has been nominated for a prestigious Australian National Travel Industry Award (NTIA). The tourist board has been nominated in the ‘Most Popular National Tourism Office’ category, one of the biggest award categories to be presented at the annual black-tie event which this year takes place at The Star Brisbane on 18 October. The nomination sees Tourism Solomons set to take on some of the biggest names in the game, going head-to-head with 15 other heavyweight Australian and international tourism boards represented in the market.   Tourism Solomons Team These include Brand USA, Destination Canada – Australia, Hawai’i Tourism Oceania, Hon Kong Tourism Board, Monaco Government Tourism Bureau, New York Division of State Tourism, Singapore Tourism Board, Switzerland Tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Fiji, Tourism New Zealand/Manaakitanga A...

Fifteen midwives and nurses from Honiara City Council health facilities have begun a comprehensive training program in preparation for the opening of the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre next year. Nurse Educator for Midwifery, Sister Susan Dikahehe, welcomed the training, highlighting the need to upskill frontline health workers well ahead of working at the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre. “The training helps our midwives and registered nurses deliver the best care possible, whether it’s routine deliveries or emergency obstetric care,” Sr. Dikahehe said. The midwife training covers essential topics such as identifying complications during labour, managing emergency cases, and improving the safety of both mothers and babies during delivery. The initiative is part of a range of activities Australia is supporting to ensure the modern new Health Centre is operational when it is handover in early 2026. Honiara City Council Health Director, Dr Lawrence Diau sa...

Representatives from The Ministry of Culture & Tourism (MCT) and Tourism Solomons have joined tourism research and data professionals from across the Pacific for a three-day intensive workshop focusing on strengthening national capacities in data collection and analysis. The Solomon Islands team – MCT Senior Research Tourism Officer, Laurie Leketo; Tourism Solomons Team Leader Digital & Research, Helen Aumae-Boso, and Tourism Solomons Research Officer, James Talotuita – took part in a Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) regional flagship program in Nadi, Fiji. Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) and implemented by the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), the workshop enabled participants to learn how to use key tools designed to strengthen national capacities in data collection and analysis, equipping participants with practical skills in advanced tools such as SPSS and NVivo.   These tools are seen as pivotal in transforming raw...

The Solomon Islands’ dive tourism scene has received a timely boost with the launch of Dive Guadalcanal , a new operator offering professional dive services right in the heart of the capital. As international borders have reopened and tourism slowly recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, Honiara has seen a noticeable increase in short-stay visitors, including business travelers. Many of them are keen to experience the world-class dive sites of the Solomon Islands —yet access to diving services in the capital has been limited. That’s now changing. Dive Guadalcanal provides certified dive instruction , guided scuba diving , and equipment rental , all within close reach of the city. But the operator's ambition goes further—creating career pathways for Solomon Islanders through training and certification programs. In a significant step forward for the local dive sector, the initiative is backed by the Australian Government , which has supported the purchase of essential dive equipme...

Tourism Solomons has successfully wrapped up a three-city, two country road show meeting more than 50 of Australia and New Zealand’s highest-profile travel media. One of the tourist board’s biggest annual PR exercises, the Tourism  Solomons team, headed by Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke, visited Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland, the events presenting a huge opportunity to meet with and update key media on the latest developments taking place on the Solomon Islands tourism scene. While many of those present represent general consumer, travel industry press, and freelancers, these events provide the tourist board access to those media specialising in the Solomon Islands’ niche  product areas - diving, fishing, adventure travel, trekking, history and surfing. Pictured the Tourism Solomons team with Sydney media at the Darling Harbour event - acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke (first on right), PR Manager, Mike Parker-Brown (second on right), Head of Sales & Marketing, Fiona Teama (kne...

The third and largest Study Australia Education Roadshow hosted by the Australian High Commission will be held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Friday, 18 July 2025, from 10:am to 5pm . The annual roadshow brings together representatives from 14 of Australia’s universities, giving Solomon Islanders direct access to information about a wide range of study opportunities in Australia. The event is open to all Solomon Islanders, interested in furthering their education and building new pathways for their future. Registration is free, and attendees will have the chance to meet university representatives face-to-face, learn about course options, scholarship opportunities, student life in Australia, and application processes. For many, this is a vital first step towards achieving their education and career goals. For those who missed last year’s roadshow, this is an excellent opportunity to get involved, to ask questions, and to make informed decisions about studying in Aust...

Australia is boosting Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) civil maritime security capability through the gifting of three new Yamaha boats to better monitor and protect Solomon Islands border. This support is being delivered under Australia’s SBD$11.5million capability uplift program being delivered by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s world leading Passenger and Container Control Program. This globally recognised program will see the delivery of specialist training and equipment, and the establishment of a SICED-led multi-agency Port Control Unit at Honiara Port. This includes delivery of a container side-lifting truck and trace and substance detection equipment.  Dignitaries at the handover of three new Yamaha boats for Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division. These assets will not only help SICED to detect, deter and disrupt the movement of illicit drugs, firearms and cash across the border, but also supp...

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH) and Office of Research and Postgraduate studies (ORPS) has received a technology boost with the delivery of ten laptops, one desktop computer, four projectors, one printer, audio visual equipment and other accessories through the Solomon Islands-Australia Education Partnership The new equipment, funded through Australia’s SET and Australia Awards Solomon Islands (AASI) programs, represents a significant investment in the teaching capabilities of the FEH and the ORPS.   The 8-year, SBD 240 million ‘Stronger Education Together’ (SET) program, launched in April 2025, will improve equitable school access and enhance the quality of education across Solomon Islands. The new equipment will enhance SINU’s learning environment, benefiting staff and students through improved professional development opportunities, and will lead to better educational outcomes for Solomon Islands students. Dr Trist...

With his world-class Australian tertiary degree in law and a deep commitment to national development, Australia Awards alumnus George Junior Toaki is working to create a stronger and more accountable Solomon Islands. Mr Toaki, a 2024 Australia Awards scholar from the Reef Islands in Solomon Islands, recently completed a Master of Laws at the University of Technology Sydney. Now back home, he is using his legal expertise to strengthen governance in the Solomon Islands in his capacity as Senior Legal Officer at the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) Board. Mr Toaki’s passion for law stems from his desire to contribute meaningfully to national development. “The Australia Awards scholarship stood out to me not just for the opportunity to study abroad, but for the potential to bring back knowledge that makes a difference,” Mr Toaki said.   “Law is a powerful tool to support governance and improve institutions.” While his coursework-based program focused on commercia...

In a remarkable step forward for the Solomon Islands labour mobility sector, six hardworking Solomon Islanders have become the first cohort to complete a forklift training course under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Delivered by local company Hastings Deering in Honiara, this Australian-funded training program is designed to upskill Solomon Islanders in preparation for work in Australia — and to boost their job opportunities when they return home. The forklift training Solomon Islands program is the first of its kind under the regional PALM scheme Solomon Islands, an initiative that continues to create life-changing pathways for our people. Among the inspiring participants is Delphia Nuatali Palmer, one of three determined women selected from the Labour Mobility Unit’s work ready pool Solomon Islands. “I am very privileged to participate in this forklift training and now feel confident to operate a forklift,” Delphia shared. “As a woman with this skill, ...

Fredson Tanikoba, Civil Project Engineer and Australia Awards alumnus, is helping to improve the safety efficiency and resilience of infrastructure delivery in Solomon Islands. Fresh from the prestigious RISK 2025 Conference in Melbourne, Mr Tanikoba returned equipped with new strategies to enhance risk identification and management in local projects. His participation was proudly supported by the Australian Government’s Australia Awards scholarship program, reflecting Australia’s commitment to investing in emerging Solomon Islands professionals. Australia Awards alumnus Fredson Tanikoba returns from the RISK 2025 Conference in Melbourne with new knowledge and insights on infrastructure risk management.   Hosted by Engineers Australia and the Risk Engineering Society (RES), the annual conference brought together global experts to explore innovative approaches to risk management, spanning climate resilience, digital transformation, and infrastructure development. Mr Tanikoba...