Betikama Adventist College (BAC) family on Wednesday held a very successful memorial service to honour the passing away of their first principal Pr Lyndon Thrift who pioneered the College in 1948.
A number of former students and current staff and students gathered at the College Church at 1PM for this historic occasion.
Speakers include the newly elected Betikama Alumni Association President Dr Jillian Tutuo, Pr Samuel Thao College pastor, Deputy principal Fred Kolikeda, a former student whom Pr Thrift sponsored Ms Gwendo Vovo to do her Bachelor in Primary teaching in Fiji and three former principals – Mr Samson Panda, Mr Francis Leovania and the first national principal, pastor and church historian Pr Titus Rore.
Pr Titus delivered the history of Betikama and Pr Thrifts involvement during the establishment and formative years of the school.
Tributes by former staff and students flow from across the country and all around the World by Alumni members.
Academics, businessmen, students, politicians and statesmen, doctors, trades people, community leader, chiefs, administrators and church leaders and many more.
It was moving when students from various year groups bring their wreaths to be laid in front of a large picture frame photo of Pr Thrift.
The first batch of students in 1948 have all passed away.
Betikama school choir provided music during the service.
Live recording of the program was sent to Australia and the family requested the recording of the Betikama theme song ‘Betikama Home Away from Home’ is sent to be played during the funeral service at Taree SDA Church NSW on Thursday October 25.
He is buried at the SDA Church Cemetery for Pioneers at Avondale, Cooranbong, NSW Australia also on Thursday.
