Sketches of Fiji - Drysdale, Andrew
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A fascinating insight into a side of Fiji that is rarely seen. The book tells of the author's life as a 'local European' growing up in a depressed suburb of Fiji's capital, Suva during the dying days of the Colonial era, attending local schools and living a free and open life. The author experienced at first hand the dichotomy of being a 'local European' in a British Colonial society ruled by expatriates. The book looks at Independence through those eyes, speaks of the political adolescence post independence, of the 1987 military coups, of the National rebuilding thereafter, and of the central…mehr

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Produktbeschreibung
A fascinating insight into a side of Fiji that is rarely seen. The book tells of the author's life as a 'local European' growing up in a depressed suburb of Fiji's capital, Suva during the dying days of the Colonial era, attending local schools and living a free and open life. The author experienced at first hand the dichotomy of being a 'local European' in a British Colonial society ruled by expatriates. The book looks at Independence through those eyes, speaks of the political adolescence post independence, of the 1987 military coups, of the National rebuilding thereafter, and of the central role the author played in that rebuilding as the Chief Executive of the National airline. The author was Fiji's first Aircraft engineering apprentice, one of the first locals to be granted a licence to certify aircraft and spent 15 years travelling throughout the Pacific Islands during a period of pioneering aviation. The book tells of that period and of dealing with hurricanes and unscheduled engine changes on remote Pacific atolls. It also tells of the camaraderie amongst the crews and the close relationships established with the people of those tiny Islands. He became Chief Executive of Fiji's Blue Lagoon Cruises, built three ships for them in Suva to International safety standards and grew that company to be an icon of Fiji's tourism industry. During this period he rose to prominence in the international Tourism scene as Fiji Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association He returned to Fiji Airways (by then renamed Air Pacific) as its Chief Executive at the time of the 1987 military coups. The airline had the largest accumulated loss in the history of Fiji and its mainstay of tourism was hanging by a thread; Fiji's economy was in tatters. In an environment of political instability, and with soldiers still on the streets, he moved the entire company from the capital city Suva to the tourism hub of Nadi, introduced a new fleet of jet aircraft, retired the debt and created the profitable international airline that it has become. He set a target of carrying more than half of all tourists to Fiji and more than sixty percent of all air cargo. That target was achieved within three years. The company was profitable throughout his ten years as CEO and paid dividends to its shareholders, including the two major shareholders, the Fiji Government.and Qantas The book tells of things accomplished in difficult political times, the complexity of Fiji's society, of the things that shaped Fiji's history in the final half of the last Century, and of the central role the author played as the country rebuilt itself after the coups. Talk about minorities - a local European in Fiji; now that's a real minority - and here is Fiji seen from that perspective.
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Autorenporträt
Mr. Drysdale is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales where he lectures on Aviation management. He is Executive Director of Mentor Aviation Services consulting to the Aviation and Tourism industry throughout the Asia/Pacific region. He grew up in Fiji as a local European, attended local schools, became Fiji's first aircraft engineering apprentice, and one of the first locals to be granted licences to certify aircraft. He spent 15 years as an engineer for Fiji Airways traveling throughout the Pacific islands during a period of pioneering aviation. Mr. Drysdale then became Chief Executive of Fiji's Blue Lagoon cruises, built three ships for them in Fiji to international standards, and grew that company to be a profitable icon of Fiji's tourism. He became CEO of Blue Lagoon's parent company Tapa Tours' with interests in Tour wholesaling, travel agencies and ground transportation for Fiji's tourism industry. He was appointed to the position of Managing Director and CEO of Fiji's Air Pacific (now again named Fiji Airways) at the time of the 1987 military coups. The company had the largest accumulated dept in Fiji's corporate history. He served as CEO of Air Pacific for 10 years during which time he moved the company from the capital Suva to the international tourism hub of Nadi, introduced a fleet of new jet aircraft, and returned the company to profitability. Despite the political instability, within three years he had retired the debt and positioned the airline as the carrier of more than 50% of Fiji's tourists and 60% of all air cargo. With the support of his Board and his team of executives he built the international airline it has become. During this period he served as a Board member of the Association of South Pacific Airlines for 10 years and Chairman for 6 of those years. He was then appointed CEO of Australian Hazelton Airlines (now Rex). After several successful and profitable years, he was instrumental in selling Hazelton to Ansett Airlines. When that company collapsed, he broke Hazelton away, got it flying again and positioned the company such that the administrators were able to achieve a successful sale to new investors. Mr. Drysdale then served for 6 years as Regional Vice President Asia/Pacific for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) based in Singapore, covering 34 Countries and 64 airlines of the region. He was Chairman of IATA India Ltd. He has served on the Board of IATA, as Chairman of IATA's Committee on Human Resources, and as a Director of the Regional Airlines Association of Australia. Mr Drysdale served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for many years and was appointed PATA Chairman in 1997. He is a life member of the Association. He is a past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society in Australia, served on the Council of the Society and is a Fellow of the Society.