MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Foreign office post but a 'Falklands' family.
Russ and Joan Jarvis and their son Andrew came to the Islands over six years ago when Mr Jarvis took up the Foreign and Commonwealth post, Government House First Secretary.
His contracts now completed, Mr Jarvis and his family leave the Islands this month.
Earlier this week Mr Jarvis chatted to Rodrigo Cordeiro about his time in the Falklands.
If nothing else, Russ Jarvis is probably the man with the longest letterhead in the Falklands: First Secretary at Government House, Deputy Governor, Assistant Commissioner for South Georgia, Acting Commissioner, Director of Fisheries for South Georgia, Chairman of the South Georgia Museum Trust, and Chairman of the South Georgia Stamps and Coins Advisory Committee. "A multifaceted job," as he describes it. Not one for understatements then.
Mr Jarvis took up his post in the Falklands in January 1997, "...knowing very little of the Islands and not really knowing what to expect." He recalls his first impressions of pleasant surprise upon arrival, "We were amazed at how easy it was to fit in. The fact that there were no language barriers and that the Islands are as British as Britain made them a lot easier to settle into."
Things such as the absence of crime he still marvels at, "I've never locked my vehicle throughout the time I've been here," he remarks.
The job itself he regards with some gratification: "In a normal Foreign Office posting you'd be dealing with political, commercial or consular work. Here you're dealing with everything, so from a job satisfaction point of view it's one of the best jobs I've had in my career. And of course the icing on the cake is that when the Governor is away, I get to be Acting Governor."
His job however, has not been without its challenges, especially concerning South Georgia. He regards, "?getting a grip on the toothfish fishery and showing that we have a well managed fishery," as his greatest challenge on that front.
Pending an appeal process, South Georgia fishery is currently awaiting certification from the Marine Stewardship Council for a well managed fishery, which Mr Jarvis considers as an important accomplishment during his posting,
"I feel I've reached my objective in getting an independent body [Liverpool University] to recommend us for certification; this means that toothfish caught in South Georgia waters can carry a stamp certifying it as caught in a well managed fishery. "I would have liked to have received certification before I leave in July, but I don't know if that will happen, which is slightly disappointing, but overall I feel I've reached my objective in having a fishery that's recognised as well managed." Other disappointments for South Georgia include losing the military presence on the island, although the result of that was a South Georgia government funded British Antarctic Survey research station which, "...in spite of the high cost, is of great use to the island."
As far as the Falklands go, he considers that his greatest achievement is simply, "...being considered a member of the community, and being seen as Russ Jarvis part of the community, rather than Russ Jarvis the Foreign Office Official. That, I think is greater than anything else."
Overall, Mr Jarvis is satisfied with his accomplishments in the Islands, and believes he has achieved, "?95% of all the things I intended to fulfil." In particular however, he takes special pride in the fact that, "?Government House has more credibility than it has done in the past, that we are seen to be as transparent as we can be with FIG and the councillors, and that we're trusted; all of which I look upon as things which I've helped to achieve."
Looking back on the changes the Islands have undergone during his six and a half years here, he is quick to mention the trivial, such as "?not needing ten minutes to drive along Ross Road anymore, or receiving television programmes that are merely a few hours behind, as opposed to two weeks."
The biggest change in his view however is "?how much maturity and confidence people are showing compared to when I arrived here. People are so sure of themselves and of their future now, the change has been phenomenal."
"I would like that to be taken a step further so that people are that confident more regularly overseas. My own view is that they should consider South America, taking that view across and being more proactive rather than reactive."
Mr Jarvis' next appointment is Montserrat in the Caribbean, where he will take up a similar posting as in the Falklands as deputy governor. Amongst his duties will be the difficult task of liaising in the reconstruction of the Island after the volcanic eruptions that began in 1995. As he describes, "The fact that Montserrat is almost entirely dependent on UK aid now means that there will be tensions due to the different ways in which people will want to see that money spent. Part of my job there will be to ease out those tensions as far as possible. "
As for the future of the Falklands Mr Jarvis doesn't predict any great change, "Perhaps there will be changes in technology available in the Islands; and the possibility of two weekly flights might mean increased tourism and exposure, but I can't see any vast change taking place."
Mr Jarvis will also be continuing his interest in South Georgia after he leaves the Islands when he plans to join the South Georgia Association. As for the Island's future he said, "I would like to see South Georgia gaining World Heritage status, as well as receiving Marine Stewardship council certification. Perhaps there could also be an increase in environmentally friendly tourism, though it would be the responsibility of the government to keep its impact to a minimum."
"Being part of the community," is what he'll miss most from the Falklands, "?things like taking four hours to do your weekly shop because of stopping to talk to everyone you know in the shop, or driving down the road and waving to everyone you pass? I've never had that in any of the places I've been before."
Mr Jarvis can definitely see himself coming back to the Falklands for a holiday and his son, Andrew, who will be starting at Peter Symonds College this coming September, plans to return at some point during academic holidays.
"The Falklands" he warns, "have not seen the last of the Jarvises."
Source: Penguin News. Stanley - July 4/2.003
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