By LITIA MATHEWSELL
Scubahire Limited owners, Lorraine and David Evans, have been honoured for their exemplary contribution towards the diving industry.
The couple were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism awards on Friday night at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa.
The dynamic husband and wife team first honeymooned in Fiji in 1963 before establishing the country’s first diving operation business in Suva.
Work in dive industry
They are the founding members of the Fiji Dive Operators Association (FDOA).
Their extensive work in providing essential dive training saw them establish a scuba training facility in Lami which has led to a range of employment opportunities for Fiji’s growing attraction as a diving gem.
Award attendees at the award were told of Mr and Mrs Evans’ passion for exploring and photographing Fiji’s underwater world for what was then a new scuba diving concept.
Paying tribute to the couple, organising committee member and longtime friend, Errol Fifer, said their dive training in the 1970s was a totally new concept.
“They were amongst the first to dive at Beqa Lagoon, as well as being the first Pacific exhibitors at overseas dive promotions,” he said.
2012 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2012 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award Lifetime Achievement Award winners, David (right) and Lorraine Evans (second left) receive their award from the Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (left) with the awards organising committee member, Errol Fifer (back) at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
