George Tuisawau | |
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Roko Tui of Rewa | |
In office 1936–1961 | |
Preceded by | Joni Mataitini |
Succeeded by | Ro Lady Lala Mara |
Nominated Member of the Legislative Council | |
In office 1937– | |
Member of the Executive Council | |
In office 1946, 1948, 1953 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 18 August 1901 Rewa, Fiji |
Died | 14 September 1961 (age 60) Suva, Fiji |
Children | Ro Lady
Lala Mara Ro Teimumu Kepa |
Ratu George Cokanauto Tuisawau OBE (18 August 1901 – 14 September 1961) was a Fijian chief and politician. He was Roko Tui of Rewa from 1936 until 1961, [1] and spent two decades as a member of the Legislative Council.
Tuisawau was on 18 August 1901 in Rewa to Lutunauga Bativuaka Tuisawau and Adi Teimumu Vuikaba. [2] He was educated at the Queen Victoria School. [3] In 1921 he started working as a clerk and interpreter, before being moving to Levuka in 1925. [3] In 1926 he married Asenaca, with whom he had two daughters, [3] He later married Flora Black, with whom he had a son, and Miliakere Lewavaro, with whom he had another daughter. [2] In 1928 he moved to Ba, and later in the year started working for the Secretariat for Fijian Affairs. [3]
Tuisawau was appointed Roko Tui of Rewa in 1936, succeeding Joni Mataitini, who had died two years previously. [4] He also became Roko Tui Dreketi, succeeding his father. [2] In 1936 he was nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs as a potential member of the Legislative Council, [5] and was selected by the Governor to join the council, [6] going on to spend two decades in the body. [7]
During World War II, he was Commander of the Fiji Labour Corps, serving in the Solomon Islands. [8] He also served in the Executive Council during 1946, 1948 and 1953. [9] [10] [11] He was made an OBE in the 1951 New Year Honours. [8]
Tuisawau died on 14 September 1961 at the age of 60. [12] [7] His daughter Lala succeeded him as Roko Tui of Rewa. [2]