Iririki
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Iririki | |
|---|---|
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  Iririki Location in Vanuatu | |
| Coordinates: 17°46′S 168°17′E / 17.767°S 168.283°E | |
| Country |  Vanuatu |
| Province | Shefa Province |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.279 km2 (0.108 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+11 (VUT) |
| Website | Official website |
Iririki is a privately owned island located in Mele Bay, near Port Vila, the Capital of Vanuatu. The island was formerly the British High Commissioner’s residence that sat unused at the top of Iririki Island following the construction of the main resort.
Iririki Island is the traditional land of Ifira Islanders.
History
[edit]- 1910 – The first British Hospital in the New Hebrides was established on Iririki Island in memory of the well-known Presbyterian missionary John G Paton. Patients were seen for such ailments as broken bones, meningitis, and rheumatic fever, and Pacific islanders were trained in tropical disease management.
- 1913 – Iririki Island housed the British Residency who leased the island from missionaries for 99 years. The Residency was located at the peak of Iririki (reached by climbing 179 steps), affording it magnificent views to Port Vila and the surrounding bay. The original household was built for the Queen for an overnight visit, and subsequently accommodated the British High Commissioner.
- 1980 – On independence, the residence was abandoned.
- 1983 – After consideration by the Ifira Islanders, they leased the Island to Peter Nicholson to construct it into a resort.
- 1987 – Cyclone Uma hit Iririki Island and Port Vila[1] with 200 km (124 mi) winds and flooding. Former Geelong AFL player Rick Graham and former Airline Pilots Federation President,Dick Holt, had purchased the resort. The resort returned to full operation after repairs that took approximately one year.
- 1991 – Rick and Ngaire Graham took over Iririki as resident owner/managers, turning the resort into a child-free sanctuary.
- 1996 – The resort underwent a $2 Million dollar renovation after extensive damage from three cyclones within less than two years.
- 2001 – The resort was sold to a consortium of Australian Business owners.
- 2009 – Policy changed to a family-friendly resort.
- 2015 – Category Five Cyclone Pam bore down on Vanuatu and caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of the Iririki Island Resort.[1]
- 2016 – Iririki was reopened after being rebuilt and refurbished.[2]
- 2017 – The resort faced possible liquidation. The original founders, Peter and Sue Nicholson expressed disappointment.[3]
- 2019 – Iririki Island Resort and Casino was listed for sale by the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.[4]
- 2023 – On 1 September[citation needed] 2023, Iririki Island Resort was purchased by Australian brothers Brendon and Mark Deeley.[5][6]
- 2024, April – The Jewel Casino was shut down in April 2024.[6]
Language
[edit]Bislama is the official language of Iririki. In addition, English and French are also widely spoken. Indigenous languages are spoken in the city.[7]
Climate
[edit]Port Vila has a tropical climate, with little variance in temperature throughout the year. Temperatures can reach 93.2 °F (34.0 °C), with an average low of 84.2 °F (29.0 °C). The region also enjoys southeast trade winds. The months of November to February are generally warm and humid, with April to October displaying optimal weather conditions.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Rika, Netani (8 June 2016). "Vanuatu revival time". Islands Business. Fiji Islands. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Spicer, Tracey (20 June 2018). "Vanuatu: The revamped Iririki Island Resort & Spa is ideal for a family holiday". The Sydney Morning Herald: Traveller. Australia. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Makin, Bob (4 September 2017). "Iririki's founders sorry". Vanuatu Daily Post. Port Vila, Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Vanuatu's Iririki Island Resort and Casino for sale - Tom Gibson JLL Hotels". The Hotel Conversation. 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Dingwall, Doug; Evans, Kyle (12 April 2024). "The new owners of Vanuatu's Iririki Resort bought its casino — only to quickly shut it down". ABC News Australia. Australia. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
Australian businessmen and brothers Brendon and Mark Deeley bought the venue in March
- ^ a b Evans, Kyle (7 April 2024). "Several left jobless as Vanuatu resort owners close popular casino". ABC News Australia. Australia. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
New owners Brendon and Mark Deeley, who bought the resort last year.
- ^ Spicer, Tracey (20 June 2018). "Vanuatu: The revamped Iririki Island Resort & Spa is ideal for a family holiday". Retrieved 11 October 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Iririki.
- Freeman, T.E.A., (2006), Doctor in Vanuatu: A Memoir, Institute of Pacific Studies
- Rodman, M.R., (2001), Houses Far From Home: British Colonial Space in the New Hebrides, University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, USA. ISBN 978-0-8248-2307-8
