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Fiji's "Take Good Care

Of You" Girls

i(BOAC Supplement—Advertisement)

By Sue Wendt

Meet the “BOAC takes good care of you” girls at Nadi Airport, Fiji— Patricia Louey, Edwina Downing and Laila Robinson.

Living up to BOAC’s well-known motto isn’t difficult for the three Fiji girls who, with typical islands-style warmth and charm, dispense personal care and attention to passengers.

Pretty 23-year-old Pat Louey, who was born at Ba, joined BOAC in September 1970 and made her first overseas trip the following year, taking in Paris, Zurich and Singapore.

Since then, she’s been several times to Australia and New Zealand.

Closer to home, Pat has enjoyed a familiarisation tour to the New Hebrides, the Solomons and Western Samoa—and says that from her point of view, this was one of the most satisfying trips of all.

“I love Fiji and I think it’s im portant to know the surrounding islands and their people,” she explained.

Labasa-born Laila Robinson, 24, has been with BOAC for three years.

She has travelled to England, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East but, displaying the innate patriotism of Island people, says Fiji is where she really wants to be.

Edwina Downing joined the air line’s Nadi operation two years ago.

It’s quite a change from her previous career—with the signal corps of the British Army.

“I was one of 12 Fiji girls who joined the signal corps in 1961,”

Edwina recalls. “Two hundred men and 12 girls were recruited at the time from Fiji.

“Nine of the girls lasted the course.

We were stationed at Aldershot for two and a half years. I hated the dis cipline but it did teach me to be independent.”

After leaving the army, Edwina spent a further three years in Eng land. She returned after joining

B0OAC girls Patricia Louey . . .

. . . Laila Robinson (above) and Edwina Downing (below), one of whom is on duty for each BOAC flight through Nadi. For cheerful assistance with travel arrange ments contact the girls at Nadi airport (phone Nadi 72333).

BOAC, this time for a two-week pas senger course.

“As well as the aspect of travel, I enjoy my job with BOAC because I like people. You certainly meet all kinds!” she said with a grin.

As Qantas handles the ground arrangements for airlines operating through Nadi, the BOAC girls have time to really look after their

charges, particularly the younger

ones.

“One of our most important tasks is the care of children, looking after them after they’ve arrived or making sure they have their tickets, transfers and so on,” explained Pat.

“Most are in the 9-13 age bracket, but some are much younger. Most of the children we meet are from the Solomons and the New Hebrides, travelling through to London to attend school.”

As well as looking after people

arriving and departing, the girls find

that they frequently have to answer questions about what to do and where to go in Fiji.

“It’s important to be able to assess the individual’s requirements and sug gest suitable activities,” pointed out Pat, “It helps people to leave Fiji with good impressions.”

Doing It In Style

A day at the races at one of England's top courses, including chauffeur-driven car to and from the course, admittance to the Members' Enclosure and lunch in the Mem bers' Restaurant, all for $A14.45.

That is British Airways-BOAC's unique offer to horse-racing enthusiasts around the world.

The racing package allows visitors to Britain on BOAC services to choose their venue from four famous courses near Lon don—Ascot, Epsom, Sandown Park and Kempton Park—and book their race day at the same time as they make their travel reservations.

The price includes entrance fee to the course and temporary course membership, which enables the visitor to enjoy all the privileges and facilities available to full members.

The cost varies according to the course and meeting selected, but is as low as $A14.45 per person for a party of four visiting the Epsom Late Summer and Bank Holiday meeting in August.

A visitor going to the same meeting on bis own under the scheme pays $A32.25.

He pays even less for a day at Sandown Park or Kempton Park, or at Ascot from the end of July onwards.