The following are some of the personnel’s profiles of the Fijian-Australian members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who are onboard the HMAS Adelaide.

Able Seaman Koloba Vuniwaqa

Fijian born Able Seaman Marine Technician Koloba Vuniwaqa stands on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide in Fiji ready to assist areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Able Seaman Koloba Vuniwaqa was born on the island of Levuka Ovalau, the village of Nabureni, Fiji.  AB Vuniwaqa moved to Australia in 2009. AB Vuniwaqa joined the Royal Australian Navy on the 15^th January 2017. AB Vuniwaqa has deployed on HMAS Canberra for Indian Pacific Endeavour 2019, including a series of engagement activities and military training exercises during port visits to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Operation Fiji Assist is AB Vuniqawa’s first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission within the South West Pacific region.

Leading Seaman Michelle Vocea

Fijian born Leading Seaman Communication and Information Systems Michelle Vocea stands on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide in Fiji ready to assist areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Leading Seaman Michelle Vocea was born in Brisbane, Australia. LS Vocea’s father is from Vanua Levu and mother is from Wallis and Futuna. Leading Seaman Vocea lived in Suva until she was nine, when her parents immigrated back to Australia. LS Vocea joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Communications Information Systems Sailor in 2015. LS Vocea has deployed on Indian Pacific Endeavour in 2017 and 2019 and the Rim of the Pacific multinational exercise in Hawaii in 2018. LS Vocea has also deployed as part of APEC in 2018 and Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019 – 2020.

Operation Fiji Assist is LS Vocea’s first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission within the South West Pacific region.

Seaman Douglas Miller

Fijian born Able Seaman Maritime Logistics – Support Operations Doug Miller stands on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide in Fiji ready to assist areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Seaman Douglas Miller was born in Suva, Fiji. After completing his Year 10 studies in Fiji, Seaman Miller finished his education at boarding school in Brisbane before winning a swimming scholarship to the University of Iowa Central in Iowa, U.S.A. Seaman Miller transferred to Golden West College, California before completing his studies and returning to Fiji and then back to Australia.

Seaman Miller joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2018 as a Maritime Logistics Support Operations Sailor. Operation Fiji Assist is his first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation as a sailor.

Lieutenant Commander Roneel Chandra

Fijian born Senior Health Officer Lieutenant Commander Roneel Chandra stands on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide in Fiji ready to assist areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Lieutenant Commander Roneel Chandra was born in Suva, Fiji and moved to Australia with his family when he was young. Lieutenant Commander Chandra joined the Australian Army Reserve in 2000 as an Infantryman while completing his Bachelor of Nursing. After serving in the Reserves and pursuing a full-time nursing career, Lieutenant Commander Chandra transferred to the Regular Army in 2003 before combining his skills and commissioning as Lieutenant in Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps in 2005.

Lieutenant Commander Chandra transferred to Royal Australian Navy 2018 to diversify his career in Maritime Health.

Lieutenant Commander Chandra’s operational service has seen him deploy to East Timor in 2004 for Operation Citadel, Afghanistan in 2008 with Special Operations Task Group VII and Tactical Assault Group East in 2009 and Iraq 2016 with Task Group Taji III.

Lieutenant has also deployed on Operation APEC Assist in 2018, Indian Pacific Endeavour in 2019, Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019 – 2020 and Operation COVID-19 Assist in 2020. Operation Fiji Assist is his first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation in the South West Pacific.