𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐂𝐎𝐁 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨

“Mum always fought for us until the very end.”

These were the words uttered by 16-year old Isireli Tamanitoakula, while trying to hold off tears as he delivered the eulogy for his mum, the late COB (Sgt) Salavao Frances Mataunicere who passed away on 04 September, 2025.

Over 200 people from all walks of life including a large contingent from FCS led by the Acting Commissioner, Mr Sevuloni Naucukidi joined the family today to farewell a devoted worker and loving mother in an emotional ceremony.

“I cannot find the words to explain the emptiness we feel after Mums passing, she was a loving, kind and joyful woman who was there for us especially when it mattered the most,’’ a brave young Isireli said.

“Our mother was just not a parent. She was a friend, a guide, and the heart of this family.

“The warmth of her love always gave us strength and confidence. We will carry her lessons, her words and memory for the rest of our lives.”

COB Mataunicere first enlisted into the service on 16 September, 2007. She resigned in 2016 to help raise her young family before re-enlisting back in 2023. She was posted at the Logistics Department at the National Headquarters during her passing. She has held appointments at the Suva Women’s Corrections Center, at Lautoka Corrections Center and also at the Operations Command Center at NHQ.

Supervisor NHQ, Superintendent Lemeki Rokovesa, also fought back tears while delivering the Eulogy for the FCS.

“I first came across SGT Salavao in 2007, when she enlisted as a new recruit when I was one of the Instructors at the Training Academy, and from the beginning we saw a very intelligent young woman who had a lot of potential for the organization,’’ Mr Rokovesa said.

“She also had a very jovial side to her, her corner will always be noisy with people laughing. Throughout her working career that is who we knew her as, someone who will light up the room when she entered, and someone who never had an argument with anyone else.

“But not only that, she was a very smart person who contributed a lot to the smooth operations of her department. Her work ethic and ability to share working knowledge made her very popular with new recruits she helped mentored as they entered the service. You may have witnessed the large number of personnel attending today, this is because of the impact she had on us all.

“One thing we always knew was her love for her family, especially her children. The messages shared today reflects the kind of person she was. She will be missed greatly.”

She leaves behind four sons and a daughter.