Maikeli Seru
SUVA (Fiji Sun / Pacific Media Watch): Fiji bid farewell to one her favourite broadcasters yesterday – Yaminiasi Gaunavou, commonly known as "YG".
He was buried at the Vatuwaqa Cemetery after a memorial service at the Naveiwakau Methodist Church in Valelevu, Nasinu.
Staff of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), where YG was chairman until his death this week, paid their last respects on Friday.
His casket was taken into FBC headquarters, the home of Fiji’s longest serving radio station, and FBC TV which the Vanuavatu, Lau, man and former musician helped build last year.
His chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum led his staff in the mourning.
“I knew YG from a very long time, but I came to know him better at FBC. I saw YG where most people did not know him," Sayed-Khaiyum said>
"He helped FBC to where it is today. As chairman he did not believe in bureaucracy, long meetings and he takes new ideas into consideration and explores them. He wanted FBC to forge ahead and to be successful."
Lenora Qereqeretabua, former media personality and co-host with Mr YG on Tagata Pasifika, a regional television programme, said Fiji would not have another Yaminiasi Gaunavou.
“He is my mentor. Ever since high school I always wanted to be like YG. I first met him when I was in the quiz team at school and he was the quiz master. I always look up to him and then I was fortunate to work with him on television and sharing the stage with him on several occasions. He commands respect, his voice is recognisable and he will be forever missed,” Qereqeretabua said.
Former Radio Fiji announcer Peter Edwards, who worked under YG, said the founder of the Gaunavou Group, once a popular Fiji musical band, should have been a professor in English.
“He was always articulate about the English language and its usage on radio. Radio language usage in those days is nothing compared to these days,” Edwards said.
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Pacific Media Watch
