Australian Royal Navy ship visits Seychelles

Australian Royal Navy ship visits Seychelles

26-June-2015
An Australian Royal Navy ship, HMAS Newcastle, is on a goodwill visit in Seychelles.

HMAS Newcastle, which arrived in Seychelles yesterday, is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. The Adelaide Class is based on the US Navy – Oliver Hazard Perry Design. Newcastle is the youngest of the four frigates and was constructed in Williamstown, Victoria with all previous class modifications incorporated.
HMAS Newcastle and her three sister ships were the first Royal Australian Navy ships to be powered by gas turbines.

During their visit to Seychelles, the crew of HMAS Newcastle will take part in a friendly football match with officers of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces. The match will take place today starting at 9am at the Astroturf at Roche Caïman.

There will also be a community outreach activity organised at the President’s Village tomorrow from 9am to 3pm, where crew members will carry out paint and maintenance works at the village.

“I am delighted to be in Seychelles for HMAS Newcastle’s visit which also coincides with the Seychelles National Day celebrations. I look forward to attending the football match at the Astroturf and visiting the President’s Village, and encourage football enthusiasts to attend the match,” said Australian high commissioner Susan Coles.

“We are also pleased and honoured that an Australian contingent will take part in the Seychelles National Day parade,” she added.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245837

Celebrating Seychelles’ National Day on June 29

27-June-2015



A National Day is the most important occasion for a country as it is linked to a defining moment in its history.

Thirty nine years since the country became independent, Seychelles will for the first time commemorate its National Day on June 29, joining a number of countries whose national day is linked to the day of independence.

The grand National Day parade will take place on Monday June 29 at the Stad Linite when President James Michel will address the nation and this will be followed by a majorette display, motor bike show and cultural performance.

After June 5 during the one party state, the country’s National Day was celebrated on June 18 for 20 years. This date marked the start of the Third Republic when the Constitution of the country was adopted.

The Seychelles ruling party Parti Lepep congress voted a resolution on May 31, 2014 to ask the government to make June 29 the Seychelles National Day as from 2015, which is the anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain in 1976. June 18 is now known as Constitution Day and it was celebrated for the first time this year with a number of activities.

Addressing the throng of people at Stad Linite on June 18 last year, President Michel described the decision to change the date of the National Day to June 29 as an effort to create greater national unity.

“We need national unity in order to undertake the long march toward the New Frontier. We need to unite the whole nation for a common cause – Seychelles. We have to go forward in peace and harmony. If our origins and our diversity are not an obstacle for us to live together in peace, then why should our political affiliations divide us? Why do we allow our ideological differences to disrupt our harmony? The only solution, I am convinced, is national unity. For all Seychellois, the link between national unity and independence is inseparable,” said Mr Michel.

He stressed that choosing the day Seychelles gained its Independence on June 29 as the new National Day “is dictated by historic reasons”.

“This date symbolises the birth of a people, hope for the future, the achievement of victory, the crowning of a struggle. It also represents the unity of a people in a great manifestation of patriotic fervour. The 29th of June is an incontestable date in our history. It is a date that is unanimously accepted among Seychellois. It is a unifying date. A date that rallies us around the symbols that represent our wealth, happiness and well-being of the people that we are. It is about national unity, patriotism, solidarity, fraternity, love and respect for our fellow Seychellois,” said President Michel.

He added: “It is quite right that we commemorate this indisputable date in our history with the importance that it deserves. That we accord it greater political, social, moral, institutional and cultural recognition. No one will ever contest this decision. It is the people themselves who have decided. We are doing it for all Seychellois. For our children. For posterity. For national unity.”

Religious leaders and opposition political parties had in the past asked for Independence Day to be named the National Day.

On June 29, Seychellois and visitors to Seychelles will be treated to impressive displays of national pride and patriotism during the National Day celebrations and will as usual be seen waving the colourful blue, yellow, red, white and green Seychelles flags as fireworks displays light up the evening skies.

It’s a time for all of us to renew our commitment towards building the Seychelles we all want to live in – a Seychelles that is more prosperous, more united and more compassionate.

Remember, when Seychelles gained its independence from the United Kingdom on June 29, 1976, the country took the decision to build a new Seychellois society and independence also gave us Seychellois our national identity.

We are proud to be Seychellois and let’s all join together to sing our national anthem Koste Seselwa!

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245859

Good morning specially those young relatives visiting Home/Sechelles Seychelles. We trust however unsophisticated the event and venue you appreciated the Nation/people efforts.

with compliment of SBC radio we were guided to use the live TV online broadcast and as such followed the events.

We live in a very different time and those in Britain then Lady Thatcher and her Ministers who go livid when we go/became embroiled in Major sports topics - particularly the Mc Enroe incidents an others. (there is more to sports those who would have us believe otherwise)

It was not until 2010 doing some family research came across some info  and told our person we are not that mad after all - in Alsace/Lorraine a very distant relative was importantly involved in the Olympic Games - the Didon side of the Family/Grand mama and great uncles. It is well recorded in Alsace/French history.

No - the manner things are done in that Sechelles Seychelles, the manner we love and give credit/appreciate others contributions/values.

We noted President J A Michel address of his being in a remote corner of the Stadium at the time of the Independence ceremony. My person had attended it, Daniel had been left in the care of the grand parents - at my sisters place and with  my then Austrian wife was at the stadium behind then Pirate Arms.  

Given the importance/relevancy of the date and the fact that it has been reintroduced within its proper place in our national calendar those very distinguish Seychellois, visiting nations, distinguish guests  who  attended this event 29/6/2015 - media coverage.

The vast majority choose to ignore - the real history of that Stadium, the decision to build it, the Sport and political events, our then exile/refugee situation across the globe. In Seychelles the One Party System as in many African countries, Latin america, Asia, Gulf Region, the Cold War  and the former COMECON 1986/7 the Indian Ocean Game.

The British, USA, South African government, Australia had opposed that any form of Funding was given to Seychelles government to build this Stadium their political argument - it would help bolster the regime, support their politic. Given my knowledge, experience in World Sport opted to go against those many important voice and nation view and used my connections to help and support Seychelles government is acquiring the Funds to build that Stadium. Then President F Mitterrand and then Italy PM Andreotti.  I/we can list several other important infrastructure project we had been involved and contributed to whatever they and those who write their history - all those alive then.

Most important beside China major refurbishments work of the Olympic pool, their donation/contributions to this years event and India very impressive and historic Motor bike display. The need to state events/development/progress in the BRICS world - Seychelles connections.

"How many were amused/note finally after some 27 years when that SIROP program was concept-ed - that the Local Council process be democratic as had been the case controlled by the ruling Party, what we addressed the Opposition, President FA Rene and President  J A Michel finally we are going to have properly elected Local council  and their respective election. Those young relatives from USA, New Zealand, Australia who were there and lived History in the making." The same fate with Seychelles University, Seychelles Stock Exchange and that Senate. What about voting Rights for the Seychellois living abroad how long will thy have to wait. .

It is a disgrace the contents of Wikipedia on the National Stadium

National Day Address by President James Alix Michel, June 29, 2015 - ‘Put our differences aside and strengthen our national unity’
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245875

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stade_Linit%C3%A9