Behind every great man there is a great woman.

Thus we must not forget the contribution that Jenny has provided for Dixon. Jenny, in her own right, has a very high public profile.

Thank You Jenny and Gareth for looking after our dear friend.

These were the words of Joe Atu, who spoke on behalf of the Marist Old Boys Association in Brisbane, Australia during the remembrance service for the late Dixon Seeto on Tuesday.

The service was attended by close family, Marist Old Boys and friends at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Indooroopilly, Brisbane.

Mr Seeto’s body is expected to be flown back into the country tomorrow while the funeral service is scheduled next week at Suva’s Sacred Heart Cathedral.

“Let me begin with that famous quote from John F. Kennedy : Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. That fully sums up Dixons life, through his work especially in the Tourist Industry,” Mr Atu said.

He said Mr Seeto literally put Fiji on the world map.

“What Dixon has achieved for Fiji through his work life has been covered very extensively in the Fijian media, by the Prime Minister of Fiji, the Archbishop of Fiji and most extensively in the social media,” Mr Atu said.

He noted that looking through Facebook, there were endless postings and condolence messages testifying to his association and friendship with the people of Fiji.

“Dixon has received many accolades and rewards from his hard work in Fiji, there are too many for me to do justice to his illustrious career.

“I am not here today to cover those areas of his very high public profile but to cover the other side of Dixon’s life.

“I call it the other side because not too many people know Dixon’s soft side where his family has always been foremost in his life.

“Then there is His young days from Marist Brothers High School in Fiji.

“This is the area which I would like to talk about.Whenever we met, talk was always about high school days.

“A lot of us ex-Marist have migrated overseas to seek supposedly greener pastures, however, Dixon was not going to join the migration.

“He chose to stay back and put Fiji on the World map as a Tourist centre.

“A career that has been well documented over the last days as I have mentioned before.”

More tributes

Back in Suva, before the launch of the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2019 Season ANZ Fiji Country Head Saud Minam had requested a 30 seconds of silence to remember Mr Seeto.

A FETA Trustee, Mr Seeto was a pillar of the tourism sector, his effort and ethic helped transform the Fijian tourism into the iconic industry it is today.

Mr Minam said: “I still remember the very first time I came into this room and had a very

nice gentleman by the name of Dixon Seeto. “He greeted me in this country five and a half years ago and made me feel very comfortable. “Today he is not with us, and he was one of the iconic figures in tourism. My hope goes out to him and his family.

“God bless him for all the right things that he has done for this country and his family.”

FETA Trustee

FETA Trustee Craig Powell said: “With Dixon’s achievement and contribution, he will be a hard act to follow. Special arrangements are being made for Dixon to be brought back home. Announcement will be made by the family.”

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj