FOUNDER AND CEO

Fiona Luth founded Fiji Book Drive in 2012, following the death of her second parent. While in Kadavu, Fiji, she had a flash of inspiration, realizing she wanted to create as much positivity in the world as possible. There, she met an inspiring couple, Peter and Margaret Long, who run the charity Children of Fiji. Hearing their stories of helping Fijian children further inspired her. She spoke with her friend Lavenia Tamani about the lack of books in schools and learned that all schooling in Fiji is compulsorily taught in English. Fiona knew she could make a difference.

DIRECTOR

Dr Matt Bray is a governance advisor, emergency doctor, and writer with roots in Rotuma, Fiji. He has served on several health and community boards, and brings a strong focus on cultural equity and Pacific representation. Clinically, he has worked across Australia and the Pacific, including time in Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Matthew is the author of a bilingual Rotuman–English children’s book and is passionate about helping Pacific children connect with stories that build identity, creativity, and confidence.

DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Madeline Kardachi is the Administrative Assistant at Fiji Book Drive. She is studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and Management at the University of Melbourne. Madeline traveled with Fiona to Fiji where she attended a media release with the Grand Pacific Hotel and ended up being featured on FBC News. She also visited many schools in Taveuni that Fiji Book Drive has helped. She says it was an eye-opening yet amazing experience. Madeline believes in the power of literacy to provide children with future opportunities and experiences.

DIRECTOR

Samantha is the General Counsel and Company Secretary at Globe International Limited and oversees all legal and corporate governance matters affecting the business.  With a background in law, Samantha has spent over a decade working in the Asia-Pacific region. She has also lived and worked for three years in Fiji as a lawyer. Having travelled extensively to remote regions in Fiji, Samantha is passionate about helping children in Fiji access books to inspire and encourage creativity, imagination and confidence among Fiji’s future leaders.

DIRECTOR

Daniel is an equities analyst with Melbourne-based wealth manager Mutual Trust. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of Finsia. With a strong background in finance, Daniel brings valuable analytical expertise to the Fiji Book Drive team. He has visited a number of schools on Kadavu and seen firsthand the positive impact that Fiji Book Drive has had on the children and staff. His experiences in Fiji have deepened his commitment to supporting educational initiatives in the region.

FIJI OPERATIONS MANAGER, ADVISOR TO THE BOARD

Prior to sending the donations, Lavenia surveys the schools and assesses what is needed and the infrastructure available. When the donations arrive in Fiji, Lavenia deals with the logistics of schools receiving and delivering the books. She is critical in developing relationships with the schools, and her people skills are second to none. She grew up in Kadavu, Fiji. From when Lavenia's children were at primary school till now, she has seen a massive change in school resources in Kadavu, largely due to the work of Fiji Book Drive.

DIRECTOR

Malcolm has been a supporter of the Fiji Book Drive since it since its inception in 2012. As an experienced educator with over 40 years of teaching and school administration experience in the Victorian Education Department, Malcolm brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and connections in primary school education to the board. In 2019, he travelled with his wife Elinor, who works in a primary school library, to the island of Kadavu in Fiji to experience first-hand the positive impact that this charity is making to the lives of so many Fijian students.

DIRECTOR

Rosette is a proud member of the Fijian diaspora, inspired by a six-generation family legacy of teachers and principals in Fiji. Her commitment to literacy and education began through early work with children in Pacific orphanages, where she saw the life-changing power of access to learning. This passion led her to work across the South Pacific and internationally, supporting children, families, and communities. With qualifications in social work and family systems, Rosette now focuses on addressing systemic barriers to literacy and strengthening communities so children can achieve better outcomes in life.

ITAUKEI ADVISOR

Inoki first heard about Fiji Book Drive through an article he read in one of the local newspapers showcasing the production of picture books written in the iTaukei language. This really caught his attention as he is passionate about his culture, traditions and language as these are what defines a human being. He holds a BA in Pacific Vernacular Language and Literature & Language and is currently pursuing his Postgraduate Diploma in Fijian Studies. He knows the value of having a quality education and believes that Fiji Book Drive is greatly contributing towards Fiji's future leaders.

LIBRARIAN

Elinor Knappert worked as a librarian at a primary school in Melbourne for 18 years and knows how important books are to children.  She believes that developing a love of reading is a stepping stone to becoming an enthusiastic learner. Elinor and her husband visited some remote schools in Fiji in 2019, in particular, on the island of Kadavu.  They were greeted with much love, warmth and gratitude by the community, and the teachers and students clearly told us what a difference the donation of books via Fiji Book Drive had made to the educational outcomes of children in Fiji. 

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

Bereta Leqeti first heard about the work of Fiji Book Drive through a fellow educator in Kadavu. She had just moved to Natumua Village as the village kindergarten teacher. The kindergarten building was brand new but had very few resources. Fiji Book Drive was able to fill the kindergarten with beautiful resources and help many other kindergartens in Kadavu. Bereta is a passionate educator who cares deeply about her students. She has travelled round to schools and kindergartens in Kadavu with the Fiji Book Drive team and has witnessed first hand the changes in the kindergartens.

TEACHER

Janienne has over 30 years of experience in teaching in Melbourne schools, and has devoted the last 20 years towards educating students within school libraries. She has a Masters in Education (Teacher Librarianship), and has a passion for children’s literature and reading.  She recognises that access to an abundance of literature is a key factor to improving literacy. She is keen to help schools in Fiji because that nation has a special place in her heart. It was the birth place of her husband’s mother, and the nation where his grandfather dedicated his life towards developing technical education.

TEACHER

Jerry was born in Labasa on Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu and raised in the village of Nautovuso in Cakaudrove. A former international rugby player who represented Fiji, the ACT Brumbies, London Irish and Glasgow Warriors, he is now an educator teaching Business & Economics and serves as Head of Rugby at Canberra Grammar School. As a proud Fijian and Fiji Book Drive Ambassador, Jerry is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for children in remote communities and helping young people realise their potential through learning and sport.

TEACHER

Marie is a kindergarten teacher of Rotuman heritage, born and raised in Suva, Fiji. With extensive experience teaching children in classrooms and disadvantaged communities, she is passionate about improving literacy and fostering a love of reading. She has established community libraries in Naluwai Village, Naitasiri, and Nasavu Village to help children develop reading and comprehension skills and address literacy challenges in Fiji. Marie is grateful for the support of Fiona and the Fiji Book Drive team in helping bring these community projects to life.