Gary (serving), Sharn, Hallie (14) and Jorgie (11)
How long have you been an army family?
13 years.
Time in Fiji?
We moved here in April 2023.
How many other military families live there?
There is only one other military family here.
What’s your quarter like?
Our house is beautiful, it has a big garden where the children can play and we have banana, mango, coconut, papaya and avocado trees in the garden which our girls love! It has an open plan living, kitchen and dining room, four bedrooms and a master with ensuite. Each room has air conditioning, which you do need here.
Are there any employment/training opportunities?
There are not many employment opportunities for spouses/partners, unless it is within the High Commission or you have a very skilled set of qualifications that locals do not have.
What about schools/childcare?
The International School Suva is the primary/secondary school that all the children attend, it follows the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and International Baccalaureate. There are many different opportunities here which our girls wouldn’t get to experience if we had stayed in the UK, for example they have had snorkelling and sailing lessons, learnt about mangroves, climate change and the Pacific Ocean. The school even has its own boat!
Where do army families get together and who supports you?
As there are only two army families we don’t really have anywhere to get together, we do try and meet up outside of work every now and then to catch up. We are always there to support each other when needed. There is also a Community Liaison Officer we can go to for support and advice.
How do you find the cost of living there?
A lot of the things here in Fiji are expensive and you have to shop around to find the best quality. A lot of stuff is imported from New Zealand or Australia.
What are the best and worst things about living there?
The best thing is the weather, it’s warm all year. The people here are so friendly and always greet you with a smile and a cheerful ‘Bula!’
The travel opportunities are great and the snorkelling is amazing, we have already seen so many things we had never seen before – sea snakes, turtles, fruit bats and so many different types of fish.
The worst thing is the distance to the UK and the time difference.
Would you recommend it as a family posting?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this posting to other families, the pros outweigh the cons! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you should grab it with both hands if it becomes available.
Want to share your experiences of army family life? Get in touch by emailing editor@aff.org.uk