About Us
Our Values Guide Our Action
Our Origins
SICCA was founded in 2002 by 10 Solomon Islands families, and friends of the Solomons, who had migrated to Canberra for various reasons. These reasons included employment, family connections, tertiary education and resettlement due to conflict in the Pacific.
Of these founding families, the Turners, Chevelears, Araisuius, Laulaus and Waiporas came for employment; The Tavaos to be with family; The Naitoros came to further their education; The Ayamisebas came as political refugees from West Papua, and the Blekninslopps and Ginas migrated due to the Ethnic Tensions in Solomon Islands.
Upon founding the organisation, they established 5 values which are explored on 'Our Values' page, and elected William Ayamiseba as SICCA's first President, Lloyd Gina as Vice-President, May Waipora as Secretary and Suzanne Bent as Treasurer. All other participants were thenceforth Association Members. Solomon Islands Independence Celebrations and Christmas Celebrations were the main reason for SICCAs creation, and all families contributed $20 as a membership fee to start the association.
Since then, SICCA has worked actively to meet our goals through different initiatives, mainly community engagement, Canberra multicultural festivals, National Independence celebrations, Christmas and end of year celebrations, Fundraising and pacific diaspora engagements.
Our Activities
"we made this community for all the families so we can catch up and get news from home, and also for the young kids, so they can know each other, and where they're from, and also for the students so they can meet and know the wantoks, its good for them, we also support the High Commission in Canberra."- 'Uncle' William Ayamiseba.
Community Engagement
As a community, our focus is our families, students, visitors and most importantly, our children. SICCA encourages community engagement by hosting several 'catch-ups' throughout the year. These include seasonal BBQs to welcome Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, welcome and farewell celebrations, and supporting and welcoming sports teams from Solomon Islands
Welcomes and Farewells
As Solomon Islanders living in diasporic communities, we often have connections to Solomon Islanders living in other states.
Pictured above are sisters Ella and Ellen Ayamiseba from SICCA, with mother and daughter Christina Zama Cowan and Kimberley Bevereley from the New South Wales Solomon Community Association. This picture was taken at the 2018 Solomon Islands Intramural Sports Gala, hosted annually by different states.
Seasonal Barbecues (BBQs)
Seasonal BBQs help our community stay connected year-round.
Pictured above are community members meeting together in 2002. Solomon Islanders living in Canberra have been meeting and connecting with each other through BBQs before SICCA was created. Food is an important part of Solomon cultural practices and offers a fun way to come together, hang out and teach children about traditional foods.
Hosting Futsal Teams
Reinforcing our Commitment to the next generation
Pictured above are Solomon Islands' U14s and U16s Boys Futsal teams that visited SICCA in 2019. We hosted a dinner for the teams at the Solomon Islands High Commission to celebrate their achievements and provided goody bags to wish them all the best on their future endeavours. The community also raised over $10,000 for the development of Futsal facilities in the Solomon Islands which was handed by previous President Chris Baekalia to the Futsal representative Father Brian.
Canberra Multicultural Festivals
Showcasing our culture to family, friends and the wider ACT community.
SICCA female performers in 2003
In 2003 our SICCA community performed for the first time at the Canberra Multicultural Festival.
SICCA children performers in 2003
SICCA families have used this opportunity to teach children in our community traditional dances and songs that they might otherwise not get the chance to learn.
SICCA male performers in 2003
Traditional dance offers an opportunity for community engagement and learning. Performing to a crowd also helps to instil a sense of pride in our culture for SICCA members who have multiracial backgrounds.
SICCA stall in 2018
Our SICCA community continues to host stalls at Canberra's annual Multicultural Festival each year. A recent clip of one of our performances can be found below.
National Independence Celebrations
Each year our community gathers to commemorate and celebrate Solomon Islands Independence which began on the 7th of July 1978.
In recent years this has included participation in the annual Solomon Islands Wantoks Interstate Games. During this time communities from each state face off in sports competitions including volleyball, netball and futsal games, and celebrate the diaspora community together. In 2018 the SICCA community felt honoured to mark the 40th independence celebrations by hosting the Wantoks Games here in Canberra. Hosted by the previous President Chris Baekalia and then High Commissioner Collin Beck, the Games were an astounding success. There was also the highest number of participation in the Games history with over 500 Solomon Islanders from across Australia attending.
Christmas and End of Year Celebrations
The majority of SICCA members celebrate Christmas and New Years. Christmas and New Year celebrations have been a joyful way to connect with one another and celebrate our achievements for over 19 years. It was especially important for us to be able to get together for COVID-safe Christmas celebrations in 2019 and 2020, as many community members were separated from their wider families and friends.
Fundraising
SICCA has actively fundraised and advocated for important initiatives within the ACT and regional NSW. This includes fundraising for natural disaster relief throughout the pacific and advocating for social justice.
Fundraising
Thus far, we have fundraised for flooding, cyclone, civil war, and landslide relief for Pacific nations. To do so we have held sausage sizzle stands, baked goods stalls, donated our goods either to sell or to be sent to the country in need of supplies and more.
Advocacy
SICCA members are passionate about social justice. This includes participating in Free West Papua and Black Lives Matter rallies.
Pacific Diaspora Engagement
Radio Features
Our members have featured on Pacific Youth Hour CMS 91.1FM
Films
Our members participated in creating a film about domestic violence with a community member as director.
Pacific Islands Unite
Our secretary 'Aunty' Florey represents us with a Pacific Islands United membership.
Special shout-out to Joash Taufa'ahau
Joash is a life-long community member who persevered through all odds to fundraise for OzHarvest during the Coronavirus pandemic. An incredible achievement raising over $7,000!