It is a non-governmental organisation, registered under The Charitable Act of Fiji Inc. People between the ages of 18-45years can become members of this organisation
Apex Club
The Apex Club is a non-political and non-sectarian community service organisation for young people between ages of 18 and 45. The Club has its origins in Australia and the first Apex club in Fiji was formed in 1961. The m
ission of Apex is to allow members to grow, learn, make friends and have fun, while helping others. Club activities are funded using the annual subscription fees paid by the members. The ideals of Apex summarise the aims and aspirations of individual Apexians as follows:
1. To make the ideal of service the basis of all enterprise;
2. To develop by example a more intelligent and aggressive citizenship;
3. To provide a means of forming enduring friendships, rendering altruistic service and building better communities; and
4. To promote international understanding and friendship. The Apex logo (originally designed in 1931 by Ewen Laird) represents the three sides of the triangle as being the ideals of service, citizenship and fellowship. The word ‘APEX’ means the pinnacle, chosen to represent the height of ambition. The rays within the triangle represent the rising generation of youth. The mission statement of Apex is simple and encapsulates everything that the Apexians have been doing since its inception that is to grow, learn, make friends and have fun, while helping others. The theme originated from Apex's friends, the Association of Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Canada. The invocation recited at the beginning of Apex dinner meetings are as follows:
For good food, good fellowship, and the privilege to serve, we give thanks. History of Apex Fiji
Apex was introduced to Fiji by Life Governor Justice Devendra Pathik in 1958
Lifer Pathik studied law at the University of Tasmania in Hobart in 1950s. He was very impressed with the community service rendered by the Australian Apexians. This led him to join Apex Club of Hobart and was inducted on 3 December 1957. On his return to Fiji, lifer Pathik decided to form an Apex Club. The Fiji Times reported on 13 March 1961 that there was a move to form Apex Club in Fiji by Devendra Pathik. He had received a letter from the Association of Apex Clubs, Zone 3 (Tasmania) saying that some thought had been given to the question of establishing Apex Clubs in Fiji. The association was keen to extend its ideals into other countries as this had been done successfully in several countries in Asia. Mr Max Linton, immediate past president of the association advised Mr Pathik that his association would co-operate and give assistance if it was decided to form an Apex Club in Fiji. He confirmed that this would be done in a practical manner by advice and assistance by correspondence and perhaps an occasional visit by some senior member of Apex. Mr Pathik advised Mr Linton that he is prepared to take a leading part in forming an Apex Club in Fiji and he personally did not see any obstacles in the way of the formation of such a club. This dream was realised on 1 November 1961, when the historic meeting was held at the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) in Suva. An interim committee to form an Apex Club was appointed and Lifer Pathik became the interim chairman along with members Chiman Jamnadas (lawyer), George Stephens (radiographer), and Doctor Isoa Bakani (cardiologist). The inaugural meeting was addressed by late Apexian Len Bosman of Hurstville Apex Club of Sydney, Australia and Mr D Ellenton the then President of Rotary Club of Suva. The Inaugural Dinner of Apex Club of Suva (Unchartered) was held on 6 February 1962 at the Club Hotel, Suva. Under the chairmanship of Lifer Pathik at the Suva Hotel, (Kings Hotel) on 16 February 1962, Apexian Len Johnson was elected the inaugural President of Apex Club of Suva. The Fiji Times reported on 19 February 1962 about the first Apexian’s Meeting. A total of 25 inaugural members of the Apex Club of Suva pledged themselves to service for the community under leadership of the President, Len Johnson. Mr Johnson thanked the interim committee that has assisted in the formation of the Club. He mentioned two firsts for Apex Suva. The club was truly multi-racial in the association of Apex Clubs and the first in a large town. Some of the guests at the inaugural dinner included the president of Rotary Club of Suva (Mr D Ellerton), the British Council representative in Fiji (Mr J T Harrison), the Rev L D Fullerton and a number of members of the Rotary Club of Suva. The club’s first officers and board of directors were President (Mr Len Johnson); vice-presidents (Mr Devendra Pathik and Isoa Bakani); secretary (Mr Raghwa Nand Maharaj); treasurer (Mr Vishwa Nadan Mudaliar); board members (Lockson Mar, Sushil Chandra, Jokatani Cokanasiqa, Suresh Sharma, Chiman Jamnadas, Mosese Soro and Kanti Lal Jamnadas). On 28 May 1966, Lifer Pathik was elected the President of Apex Club of Suva and 100th dinner celebration was held at the Metropole Hotel in Suva. It was through the vision of Lifer Pathik that a number of Apex Clubs were formed in Fiji. By 1986 there were twenty one clubs chartered and functioning well. Due to the upheavals in Fiji during May 1987, the Clubs started closing for many reasons. A major reason was that members were migrating overseas and the remaining members did not take much interest in community work at all. This has been a major setback for Apex Fiji and the biggest challenge is for the existing senior members to keep the membership intact and continue to guide Apex Fiji for Future diversification
and growth.
