From the Australian High Commissioner’s Desk – Rod Hilton

Celebrating Western Province’s Second Appointed Day

This week I want to share the work of the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership in Western Province on the occassion of its Second Appointed Day on 7 December. I have been blessed to travel to Western many times during 2024, where I’ve met with provincial leaders and seen the benefits of our partnership.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership has delivered essential infrastructure projects across Western Province. This year we celebrated the completion of new mobile Telekom towers in the Shortland Islands, improving connectivity and access to services in Kariki, Komaleai and Nila.

*New mobile telecommunication towers at Kariki, Komaleai and Nila are providing remote communities with reliable and faster ways to connect and access economic opportunities and services.*

I also visited Seghe to celebrate the completion of upgrades to Seghe Runway, which was delivered in partnership with New Zealand and Solomon Islands. Local businesses, tourism operators and families are now connected more reliably with the rest of the country, bringing new economic opportunities – including consistent tourism – to beautiful Marovo Lagoon.

I’ll be back in Seghe in 2025 to check on the progress of the new Australian-funded Seghe Market and the airport terminal with New Zealand and Solomon Islands.

We are also progressing work in Western Province’s most important maritime and economic hub of Noro, with crucial design work to support Solomon Ports’ redevelopment of ageing wharf facilities at Noro International Port well underway.

Picture4 (1) — *Penjuku Adventist Primary School Fencing Project, Marovo Constituency, providing an essential safety feature for students, funded through Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships.*

JOBS AND SKILS

Australia has partnered with Batuna Adventist Vocational School and Tabaka Rural Training Centre to expand skills training opportunities. In 2024, 145 students received fully-funded technical and vocational education and training (TVET) scholarships.

Earlier this year, Australia’s Foreign Minister announced an additional 500 TVET awards, including 50 specifically for Batuna and Tabaka.

TOURISM

Western Province’s breathtaking beaches and dive sites have become major attractions for Aussie tourists, who made up 45 per cent of all visitors to Solomon Islands last year and contributing over SBD107 million to the local economy.

With new direct flights from Brisbane to Munda, this tourism partnership is set to drive even greater growth.

Together, we’ve worked with five local guesthouses to upgrade facilities and improve experiences for
visitors.

*Australia’s ‘Team Up’ program and Western Surfing Solomons Association are using surfing to empower girls and promote gender equality.*

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

In 2024, Australia funded 25 new community projects in Western Province through the Solomon Islands-Australia Community Partnerships, spread across eight of Western Province’s nine constituencies.

These initiatives, developed in close collaboration with local communities, include water access projects, school handwashing facilities, and solar-powered streetlights.

Solar energy is also being introduced to rural clinics and villages, improving safety and access to services. By working together, these small-scale projects are making a big difference for the people of Western Province.

HEALTH

For more than two decades, Australia and Solomon Islands have worked together to improve health services. Western Province has received SBD33.5 million in provincial health grants since 2018.

This year, our partnership delivered a new biomolecular lab and a 3-tonne truck to Helena Goldie Hospital, alongside joint funding for a national mass drug administration for scabies and a national Measles and Rubella vaccination drive.

With Australia’s help, the people of Western have the chance to live healthier lives, and better support their families.

Picture2 (1) — *Tabaka Rural Training Centre tourism students undertaking work experience firsthand at Munda International Airport.*

SECURITY, LAW AND JUSTICE

In September, I joined national leaders to visit the Western Border Area where we’ve worked together to establish the nearly completed Western Border Outpost. Refurbishments of police stations, joint explosive ordnance removal operations, and solar lighting projects in Gizo and Shortland Islands highlight how the Australian Defence Force and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is making communities safer and more secure.

Australia provided training for 25 Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers on charging offenders and helped repair the Gizo Correctional Centre following damaging landslides. Circuit courts and community consultations on land rights, family law, and human rights are helping ensure fair treatment for all.

At the Western Border Outpost, Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Rod Hilton with Minister of Police National Security and Correctional Services and Member for Gizo/Kolombangara, Jimson Tanangada and Minister of Home Affairs and Member for Shortland Islands, Isikeli Junior Vave.

UNITED THROUGH SPORT

Our partnership is also fostering community development through sports. In Gizo, we’ve teamed up with the Western Surfing Solomons Association, SurfAid, the Family Support Centre and Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association to use surfing to empower girls, promote gender equality and help children participate in safe and inclusive sports.
We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with the people of Western Province for many years to come. I’d like to wish iufala evriwan blo Western Province:

Happy Second Appointed Day!

Lukim iu neks taem!