By Una Murray

The Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji held its first Get Together of 2012 to honor outstanding employees for this first month of the new year.

Charlotte Steele, Reservations Manager, opened the gathering with a beautiful prayer, and General Manager Peter Hopgood greeted and thanked everyone for their dedication and hard work last year. He acknowledged Sports Day, held the day before Christmas, when Engineering won most of the events, announced our best results ever on AAA Advisor with a score of 93% and also thanked everyone for a very sound financial year. On the community front, Peter commended everyone’s efforts in training hundreds of youngsters to work hard to gain good results. He then asked everyone to stand and sing two numbers that are sung during all Outrigger Team competitions.

Spirits were high following the singing, as Wayne Robinson, Director of Sales, recapped the last Community Project of 2011 which was the Executives visiting the Treasure and Loloma Houses. Gifts were given to the children and houseware items were donated. The project’s completion will be this month, as our Maintenance crew renovates both homes.

Kini Sarai and Tepola Natadra presented the Employee of the Month awards:

Front of House • Violet Rasoki – an outstanding hard worker and dedicated employee

Back of House • Ranjeet Singh – a committed employee who has an impact on our business. He is punctual, meets deadlines, is organized and resourceful

Manager of the Month • Vineet Singh – a great achiever who is thorough in his work, covering all bases

Here to Help • Jese Lewainikeli – carries out and completes assigned tasks in a proactive manner

How Can I Help • Masud Al - very effective and prompt at his task

Special Recognition • William Work - for helping to retrieve a guest’s stolen iPad

Jason Zvatora, Resort Manager, announced the Head or Tails competition, won by Meliki Naulago, and afternoon tea was enjoyed by all in attendance.

Vineet Singh, Manager of the Month; Violet Rasoki, Front of House recipient; Peter Hopgood; and Ranjeet Singh, Back of House recipient

Jese Lewainikeli, Here to Help recipient with Peter Hopgood and William Work, who received a special recognition for helping to retrieve a guest’s stolen iPad

Peter Hopgood with Josaia Bese, Back of House award finalist and apple eating competition winner on Sports Day!