Tribute to Joseva Rokoqo.
TRIBUTE TO JOSEVA ROKOQO
Page: 685
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN (Parliamentary Secretary) [6.46 p.m.]:
Tonight I inform the House of the untimely and tragic death of one of our most loved former staff members, Joe Rokoqo.
Joe was born in Suva and was from the village of Daku on the island of Kia offshore from Vanua Levu in the Fiji Islands.
He went to public school in Suva and in 1978 came to Australia to study hospitality at Ryde Catering College. Joe was a good student and graduated with qualifications in Food and Beverage Management.
His first position in 1980 was at Steele's Catering at Sydney International Airport. He then went on to work in the dining room of North Sydney Travelodge.
In 1987 he married his sweetheart, Mere Koroi, from the Island of Moturiki.
Mere was the first Fijian woman to become a qualified hairdresser in this country. Mere and Joe had a long and happy marriage for 24 years until his untimely death on Easter Sunday.
Joe and Mere lived in Neutral Bay, and when Joe was not working, he took every opportunity to indulge in his favourite pastime—playing golf.
Joe was a very good player and played both at Cammeray golf course and later at Canterbury.
In 1989 he took up a position as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager in our catering section in the NSW Parliament, where he worked for the next 16 years.
In our eyes he was the boss—no job was too big, too small or too inconvenient. Big Joe was universally popular in the Parliament. He greeted everybody in the same manner.
We were all equal in his eyes—Premiers, Ministers, backbenchers, staffers and visitors.
All were met with a beaming smile, arms outstretched and a hearty greeting.
He was a gentle giant of a man and earned the respect of everybody who knew him.
When the catering section was closed Joe took 12 months off to spend time with his family, as by then he had been working for over 26 years.
During the years of their marriage Mere and Joe were very active in their community.
They fostered five children from Barnardo's Homes and loved them as their own
After golf, rugby union was Joe's favourite sport and when his eldest son, Joey, became a successful rugby league player with the Cronulla Sharks under 20s, he was a very proud dad, attending every training session and game. Joe loved all his children equally, and Mere spoke often of his life passion to help children find the right path, and ultimately become happy young men and women, fulfilling their potential and reaching their goals, as Joe led by example.
Joe became a men's fellowship leader in his church and a Deacon of the Lighthouse Foundation.
He liaised with the New South Wales Police Department regarding troubled youth of South Pacific Island origin, acting as counsellor, advocate and sponsor on their behalf.
He was a Justice of the Peace, and helped out in his community whenever needed.
Members and staff who were fortunate enough to know Joe would have always seen him as a shining example of a successfully integrated migrant to this country, a loyal and hardworking employee, a devoted husband and father, a church member, a community leader, and a friend to anyone who crossed his path.
Joe Rokoqo was all those things.
What some of us did not know is that Joe had to fight hard to achieve those attributes.
There were times when it did not come easy for him; there were times when it all seemed too hard. But he fought on and beat his addictions, with Mere's love and guidance and his faith in his God, Joe eventually overcame his demons through helping others.
Joe's ability to forgive anyone for anything was a remarkable part of his character.
When my hometown friend from Orbost, Robyn Ritchie's daughter Natasha was born, Mere's smiling face soon appeared around the door to her room, bearing the biggest chocolate cake she had ever seen, either before or since.
Robyn's partner and Natasha's father, was Joe's best mate from Fiji, Niko Koroi.
Uncle Joe became Natasha's soulmate, and she was at the church on Easter Sunday when Joe excused himself because he was not feeling well.
He was found outside where he had collapsed a few minutes later.
The world was a better place because of Joe Rokoqo and it will remain a better place because of his legacy.
May God bless you, Joe, and may you rest in eternal peace.
Last modified 20/05/2011 16:34:54 :
