Extraordinary archives added to National Library
On Friday the 28th a very special handover ceremony took place at the National Library of Vanuatu. The French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer presented the National Librarian, Nelly Caleb, with a small USB key.
On that key, however, was 5102 digitised pages of Le Néo-Hébridais, a local New Hebrides newspaper run by the remarkable Louis Gabriel Frouin from 1909 to 1944. This is a truly significant collection covering 35 years of the New Hebrides/Nouvelles-Hebrides social and political history.
This unique collection is held at the French National Library, both an original copy and a microfilm copy, and the Ambassador recognised the importance of the archive for the people of Vanuatu. The Embassy negotiated for the microfilm copy to be transferred into a PDF copy which was then sent to Vanuatu.
As Nelly Caleb noted “this is a very valuable contribution to the historical resources of the country. It is not only a unique resource but in the PDF format it can be searched by key words. So, if you are interested in a particular person or island or event you simply search a key word and all the instances of the key word are highlighted”.
The French Ambassador recounted his recent use of the archive when he was looking for information on the Port Vila War Memorial that is currently being restored after the earthquake. Explaining that it was very hard to find information about the Memorial he decided to search in Le Néo-Hébridais. He said that “it was remarkable.
Not only did the particular 1929 edition have all the details about its construction and unveiling but it also included the speeches given by dignitaries on the day and a list of who had been invited”.
The National Library wants this and other archives to be as accessible as possible to the wider community so it is currently investigating various ways of how they can be put on-line.
“It is a new environment as well to work with the councillors, and we know the level of councillors, which is another challenge. But at least we help them, especially promoting good governance in our work all the time, which is something I have emphasised a lot in the council to help each other,” she said. “In fact, I appreciate this unity, echoing the SHEFA Province motto, which states, ‘In unity we progress.’”
“This week marks one year since I have been in the position of Acting SG of SHEFA Province, and now a new SG is appointed. I feel confident enough that if one day the SG has finished his term, I can take over as Acting SG again,” Mrs. Kaltoi added.
In her new role as the Assistant SG of SPGC, Mrs. Kaltoi will focus on staff development and welfare, the development of staff regulations and policies, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality in all work undertaken. She affirmed her commitment to supporting the council, completing any remaining tasks, and providing ongoing support to the new SG.
Mr. Kaluat thanked Mrs. Kaltoi for overseeing the office of the SG for a year until when he took on the responsibilities to ensure SPGC continues to function and provide services to the people of SHEFA Province as expected by the government.
Kaluat then used the metaphor of a ‘feast’ to symbolise unity and cooperation among the different tribes of Vanuatu, with a man from South Efate hosting the feast for all tribes that came together here. He suggested that more ‘feasts’ need to be planned and hosted in other areas of Efate to accommodate all the tribes.
“On the island of Efate, a man from South Efate hosted a big feast where every tribe from Vanuatu starting from Banks to Aneityum sat together with him and ate at the feast,” he said.
“Today, the branches of the big feast are too heavy from all the tribes of Vanuatu who came to sit with him. Before the feast breaks and the tribes have no place to sit and eat with him, it is good for the men of Efate to look around and plan more big feasts in the area of East Efate, North Efate and West Efate to find a place where the tribes coming from South Efate can sit with enough food.”
Kaluat said the men of Efate are ready to plan more big feasts on Efate, but the first thing they should ask of and remind families coming from other provinces is that "Respect has value."
“When you decide to come and live on Efate, please show the value of your respect to a native of Efate,” he said.
“Today, there are many different issues happening on the island of Efate, especially in Port Vila town and some settlements in Rural Efate, that do not reflect the true culture and character of a man of Efate, in terms of social life, religion, customs, culture, and politics.”
The new SG concluded by saying that, as a native of this land, he will make every effort to work closely with the Efate Vaturisu Council of Chiefs, the South Efate Vatkorpau Council of Chiefs, and the Chiefs of Shepherds and Epi to give back the value of respect to the custodians of SHEFA Province.
This is to ensure that the people of SHEFA can safeguard the fundamental rights of everyone to live in peace and harmony as true citizens of this nation of Vanuatu, with the natural smiles that God has given them, which makes the country deserving again the title of the “Happiest Place on Earth”.
“Respect is valuable,” said SG Kaluat. “People will respect you only if you respect others.”