The winners of this year's Quality Service Awards were shining examples for Tonga, "we need you," said Dr Fred Sevele, Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, in presenting the awards on the evening of May 31.

The presentation held at the Janful International Dateline Hotel, was the second year of a joint Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Nuku'alofa Rotary Club event to recognise and appreciate outstanding service provided by individuals working in organizations.

The winners of the 2005 Quality Service awards were:

- Community Service, Drew Havea (Tonga National Youth Council/US Peace Corps;

- Customer Service, Mele Silakivai (Office Equipment);

- Best Employee, Longovuka Atelea (TCC) and Sailosi Tupou (Tonga Development Bank);

- Youth Leadership, Fatai Tokolahi (TNYC).

Dr Sevele told the gathering that for various reasons Tonga had lost its friendly traits. "We are no longer so friendly, and you all know that we have become too casual when we should be caring, we have become too lazy when we should be making the most of our opportunities, we've become a society that depends on overseas remittances for our livelihoods.

"Unfortunately, in still many ways we have gone backward, in terms of a quality community, quality environment, quality education, quality services, quality diet, quality youth leadership. We have lost the quality of life our forefathers had."

Dr Sevele urged Tongans to take more interest in the wider community, because everyone was dependent on each other.

"Tonga, wake-up! We can do it, we can have a quality life, but it's up to us to work at it," he said

The Minister of Labour pledged $1,000 a year for the next three years as his ministry's annual donation to the awards.

Nuku'alofa Rotary President, Taiatu 'Ata'ata, said the the awards this year included a new category for Yourth Leadership (ages 15-29) for recognition of a guiding role in responding to the needs and aspirations of young people. "The award is an honour because of the contribution to community life, and it encourages a spirit of high achievement, creativity and excellence."

Judges of this year's Quality Service Awards were Vainga Palu, 'Ofa Simiki, Viliami Puloka, Tapu Panuve and Taiatu 'Ata'ata.