Monday, 8 May 2017
Media Release
Australian High Commissioner makes first provincial visit
to TORBA
On 6 April, the Australian High Commissioner, Ms Jenny Da Rin, made her first official visit to
the provinces, beginning in TORBA Province.
With the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Matai Seremaiah, the High Commissioner
travelled to Vanua Lava for the opening of the Sola market house – the first and only market
house in the Province.
The newly open Sola market house will benefit hundreds of people in the TORBA province.
“I’m delighted my first visit outside of Efate, as the Australian High Commissioner, is to
TORBA province. My visit demonstrates the Australian Government’s strong commitment
to development across all of Vanuatu’s provinces,” Ms Da Rin said.
“I am very pleased to see and to hear firsthand the positive impact Australia’s many
investments in TORBA province are having on people’s daily life,” Ms Da Rin said.
The Sola market house is the first one of its kind in TORBA province offering a safe and clean
environment for sellers and customers including sanitation facilities, an area for food stalls
and handicraft products. The Sola market house is also the first market house in Vanuatu
that provides easy access to people living with a disability.
Eighteen construction trainees from TORBA province also benefitted from the construction
of the Sola market house with on-the-job training delivered by the Vanuatu Institute of
Technology in partnership with the TORBA Skills for Economic Growth Centre. During the
opening ceremony, the trainees were awarded a nationally accredited certificate II in
building construction.
Funded by the Australian Government, and in partnership with the TORBA provincial
government and the Ministry of Agriculture, the market house was built to improve the
economic livelihood of the people, and in particular the women, of TORBA province.
During her visit the Australian High Commissioner also met TORBA’s local authorities, local
police and women leaders. They discussed a range of issues including the economic and
social challenges that TORBA province faces.
Australian High Commissioner, Jenny Da Rin and TORBA Province Secretary General, Reynold Surmat,
visit the TORBA police station.
Impressed by the pristine beauty of the northern islands and the warm welcome she
received, the Australian High Commissioner said she will definitely be back.
Media Contact:
Yohann Lemonnier
Public Affairs Unit Manager
Australian High Commission
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 22777 (extension 129)
Mob: 7360174