Page 27 - IB JAN 2019

Obituary - Frank Hilton 1921-2018

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) – PROVISION OF
EXTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES

The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission now invites experienced and eligible reputable Audit
firms to submit Expression of Interest in Sealed Envelopes and Marked with the EoI Reference
VFSC/CSHRD/001/2016/FIN at the address and on or before the deadline given below

The EoI must include the following information:
• An official letter from authorized official expressing interest of the firm to provide services.

Living legacy ... business houses compete in a wheelbarrow race to support the Hilton organisation Photo: Supplied
• General profile and back ground of the firm which should elaborate the following
Frank’s legacy of love “He lived by example,” Loy-Chong
• Registration of the firm attaching necessary certificates (practicing certificate, Certificate of said at the requiem mass attended
incorporation) by more than 600 people before chal-
lenging them to emulate Hilton in their
Father of Fiji’s Special Education Sector passes on daily lives.
• Names of Authorized representatives of the firm In 1958 a group of concerned citizens
formed the Fiji Crippled Children’s So-
By Netani Rika ciety to support survivors of the polio
• Core Business of the firm
Frank Hilton epidemic and meningitis, as well as
WHEN Frank Hilton arrived in Fiji in 1967 in secondment to the children with birth injuries.
Over the course of a decade this would develop into a school
• Record of experience and qualification of the firm (s) staff handling similar assignments for the last Education Department, nobody would have imagined the mark supported by the government and the Lion’s Club.
the young Australian would make.
five years. From a tiny space in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital ca- But it was through Hilton’s initiative and vision starting in 1967
tering for 25 students, Hilton would develop special education that special education in Fiji would develop to include children
• At least 3 (three) client references for provision of similar services in the last 3 years to include accommodation, specialist care and home support for with hearing and visual impairment.
those in need. In fact, the Fiji Society of the Blind owes its birth to the initial
Today the Frank Hilton Organisation is the controlling authority work carried out by Hilton with children who faced difficulties
• Description of firm’s use of technology in auditing and approach that will be used. of a special school, an early intervention centre, hostel, audiology with their sight.
and speech therapy department, community support unit and a Today that society has its own complex in Vatuwaqa and is
physiotherapy department. actively involved in preparing the visually challenged for mean-
Interested firms are required to submit one (1) original and (1) copy of the EoI clearly marked It also boasts a wheelchair workshop – the only one of its kind ingful roles in the workforce.
as original and copy. The EoI must be submitted in sealed envelopes and CLEARLY marked in the region – which custom builds wheelchairs to improve the At the core of his tireless work to improve the lives of children
VFSC/CSHRD/001/2016/FIN Expression of Interest External Audit Services. mobility and comfort of users. with disabilities was a desire that they received appropriate ser-
Every year business houses compete in the Amazing Wheel- vices, including education from government,
barrow race in central Suva to help continue Hilton’s legacy and In doing this, Hilton hoped to promote their independence and
Interested firms may obtain further information by writing to the e-mail; gandrews@vfsc.vu, or calling contribute to the assistance of those with special needs. ensure acceptance in the community.
(678) 22247 during the working hours from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Vanuatu local time. Last year, companies which raced for the Hilton projects raised For his work in the field of special education, Hilton was
FJ$75,000 (USD35.240) to help this worthy cause. awarded the Order of the British Empire and the Companion of
As much as $75,000 is raised by businesses each year for this the Order of Fiji.
The address for submission of the EoI is: The Chairperson, Vanuatu Financial Services Commission worthy cause. But perhaps the highest accolade he would achieve came from
Hilton has been described as an amazing, selfless person who
Board, Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, Companies House, Rue Bougainville, Private Mail Bag dedicated his life to serving others. the community to which Hilton dedicated his life from April 1,
1967 – the day he arrived in Fiji.
9023, Port Vila, Vanuatu. The Archbishop of Suva, Dr Peter Loy-Chong, said Hilton’s life To the Special Education community – students, parents and
of dedication, service and love of others embodied the ideals of teachers - Hilton was known as Granddad or Momo (uncle).
The deadline for submission of Expression of Interest is 4:30 pm local Vanuatu time on Thursday the Catholic faith and offered an example for all to follow. Those titles – in the Fijian language – denote not only ac-
So great was his admiration for Hilton that Loy-Chong asked
31 January 2019. Late Bids will not be accepted. the family to allow the church to farewell him at Suva’s Sacred ceptance into the family but speak to the traits of kindness,
generosity and love.
Heart Cathedral as a mark of recognition and respect for a life of And it is for those gifts to Fiji that Hilton will be remembered
sacrifice and service for others. forever.

Islands Business, January 2019 27