Independence Day, 1980

A Celebration of Vanuatu: Vanuatu materials in the ANU Archives

Michael Robin Ovington was the Australian Consul (Consul d'Australie in French) in Noumea from 1978 to 1980, prior to Vanuatu's independence in 1980. On 31 July 1980 he took up office as the first Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu. Michael Ovington and his wife Lorraine attended the independence celebrations. The photographs are from their personal collection.

 

Independence celebrations with President Sokomanu, Prime Minister Walter Lini and Chief Justice Fred Cooke, 1980

Independence celebrations with President Sokomanu, Prime Minister Walter Lini and Chief Justice Fred Cooke, 1980

President Sokomanu takes the oath, 1980

President Sokomanu takes the oath, 1980

Prime Minister Walter Lini and Mary Lini, 1982

Prime Minister Walter Lini and Mary Lini, 1982

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Day Celebrations, 26 July - 2 August 1980 (ANUA 270-92)

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Day Celebrations, 26 July - 2 August 1980 (ANUA 270-92)

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Day Celebrations, 26 July - 2 August 1980, showing national song, pages 14-15 (ANUA 368-213)

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Day Celebrations, 26 July - 2 August 1980, showing national song, pages 14-15 (ANUA 368-213)

A fact sheet on the transfer of power on Vanuatu's Independence Day distributed by British Information Services (ANUA 368-213)

A fact sheet on the transfer of power on Vanuatu's Independence Day distributed by British Information Services (ANUA 368-213)

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Anniversary Celebrations, 1996 (ANUA 345-49)

Program of events for the Vanuatu Independence Anniversary Celebrations, 1996 (ANUA 345-49)