Creating Skills for life
Built-Enviroment

 2016 NEWS ARCHIVE

APTC assists with Cyclone Winston relief efforts

Mar 07, 2016

The Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) has been actively assisting with relief efforts in Fiji, after Tropical Cyclone Winston devastated the country on 20 February 2016. 

The category five cyclone is considered the strongest tropical cyclone in Fiji’s history and probably the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the southern hemisphere. 

APTC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Denise O’Brien said that the APTC is strongly committed to the ongoing support of local communities. 

“I have been very humbled by the willingness of our staff and students to provide assistance in such times of need. Many have taken the initiative to act and help people who have lost their homes and belongings,” she added.

Recently, APTC staff and students visited Dranu, Veidrala and Delaikuku villages along the north east coast of Viti Levu. They were able to assist villagers in demolishing houses that had been partially destroyed, provided relief packs and administered minor first aid to children who were hit by flying debris. In the Western Division, seven families were provided with relief supplies. Most of the families visited by APTC had lost everything and are currently staying with neighbours or in temporary makeshift shelters.

Groups of students had travelled to remote villages and settlements in Naitasiri and Tailevu to help clean up and provide relief supplies. At Dranu village, APTC Carpentry students led by trainer Sajendra Bali, helped repair houses that had been badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston. They also delivered and installed a water tank that was kindly donated by R.C. Manubhai for the relief effort. Students also helped clean up the Suva Special School and Home of Compassion in Suva. 

On 25 February, the APTC Samoa campus took part in the Red Cross Fiji Cyclone Appeal which aims to raise an amount of $100,000 that will be matched by the Samoan Government. The money raised will be used by the Red Cross to fund relief workers and supplies for outlying north-western communities in Fiji which were hit the hardest by Cyclone Winston. 

APTC will continue contributing towards relief efforts in the coming weeks. 

APTC is an innovative development initiative funded by the Australian Government to deliver training to increase the supply of skilled workers in targeted industry sectors across the Pacific. APTC training is delivered at five campuses in Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

APTC is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

APTC is implemented by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275)

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube