After a holding a steady course in a sometimes turbulent two years at the helm of RAMSI, Tim George, has handed over the Special Coordinator’s baton to fellow Australian diplomat, Graeme Wilson. Here, he reflects on the rewards of leading the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

It is with a mix of great fondness and not a little sadness that I bid farewell to Solomon Islands. For a nation that gave birth to the phrase ‘Solomon Time’, my two years plus in the Solomon Islands has passed with extraordinary speed. In my time as Special Coordinator of this unique regional endeavour, I have witnessed much progress, managed a number of challenges but also feel very privileged to have served with so many fine people in our civilian, police and military contingents drawn from across our region.
When my wife Geraldine and I arrived on 1st November 2006, Solomon Islands, and indeed RAMSI, were still coming to terms with the aftermath of the April Chinatown riots.
It was a time for reflection and not a little soul searching. The close working partnership between the Pacific Islands Forum, the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI that we enjoy today is the result of the goodwill, hard work and perseverance of many through these more difficult times.
For this, I am very grateful to all our personnel; whether it has been through their daily duties as an adviser or during their patrols on the streets and in the provinces of Solomon Islands, their individual efforts have all contributed to the ongoing success of this mission.
While plenty of challenges still lie ahead for RAMSI, what has been achieved so far is the result of the hard work and generosity of spirit of all those involved in the RAMSI partnership.
It’s a spirit that very much underpins the philosophy behind RAMSI and a region coming together to help a neighbour in its time of need. I believe that it is this unique regional structure that gives RAMSI such a sound framework on which to base our partnership with the people and Government of Solomon Islands.
I believe this framework has now stood the test of time enabling us to continue with our work in the RAMSI partnership even during the most difficult of times.
Personally, it has also been a particular pleasure to have the chance to work closely with so many colleagues from our Pacific Islands states and one of the perks of the job is that I leave feeling I now have wantoks all over the region!
Of course nothing would be possible without our deep and abiding partnership with the people and Government of Solomon Islands. We see this every day in the mission.
The areas where we are able to move forward and make the most gains are inevitably the areas where our Solomon Islands partner fully engages by providing strong leadership and making the most of the opportunity RAMSI’s assistance can provide.
More broadly, the strong public support RAMSI continues to enjoy throughout most communities in Solomon Islands has always been and remains crucial to the ongoing success of the mission.
On a personal level, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit all nine provinces of Solomon Islands. In my travels, especially on my walks, I have been privileged to meet many ordinary Solomon Islanders and talk with them about the lives they lead.
Whether a farmer, mother, minister or student, in almost every case I have been struck by their resilience and resourcefulness; living in remote villages on island weather coasts, the interior of Malaita, or on remote coral atolls. Far from the comforts and services of the big towns, these people are an inspiration to our work.
All members of RAMSI, both past and present, should be proud to have played a part in restoring peace and stability to their nation and assisting these fine people to achieve a brighter and more prosperous future.
I know this good work will continue and most importantly that I am leaving the mission in very capable hands. RAMSI’s new Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, is a senior Australian diplomat who has considerable experience in the Pacific, including postings in Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
For the past three-and-a-half years, Graeme, as head of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Pacific Islands Branch, has also been responsible for Australia’s contribution to RAMSI. He brings to the Special Coordinator’s role not just this wealth of knowledge but a great sense of RAMSI’s potential to make a difference in Solomon Islands, and how Pacific Islands Forum countries can work together to address regional challenges.
With his personal commitment to taking forward this very special partnership with Solomon Islands and Solomon Islanders, I am sure he will further strengthen our efforts to Helpem Fren.