DICK’S health forced him to consider the property’s future.
“I knew I couldn’t run this thing,” he said.
People had been inquiring about his plans for Vatia Beach for some time.
“Every week somebody would come along and say, 'Uncle, you’re getting old, you selling this?'” Dick said.
He temporarily relocated to Sydney for medical attention.
Although he was thousands of kilometres away, Vatia Beach wasn’t far from Dick’s mind.
“I went to the University of New South Wales and in the architectural foyer I put a small notice for a young architectural student who could draw images for the website of a small resort,” he said.
That’s how he met Marcos G Puga, the head of the trio of Spaniards now managing the property.
Dick found in Marcos the successor he had been looking for.
The promising young architect shared his vision and enthusiasm for a sustainable, off-the-grid resort.
Marcos was also determined that the project benefits the community, with minimal impact on the environment.
“I said I know you don’t have any money, but you’re like a son to me and if my son wanted it, I’d give it to him,” Dick said.
It’s nearing two years since they signed the leasing agreement.
“It’s like we’re holding a tiger by the tail, we don’t know which way it’s going to jump,” Dick said.
VATIA Beach became his coastal getaway.
His family considered it a second home.
Friends looked forward to an invite to visit, and Vatia Beach had the honour of hosting a few dignitaries.
“A lot of friends said, ‘You’ve got a nice property here’,” Dick said.
He had intended to retire there. But his friends' feedback inspired another idea.
Dick built six bamboo bures to the side of the house and opened the property up to guests.
Some stayed overnight. Others paid to use the beach and picnic there during the day.
And so the framework for Vatia Beach Eco Resort was constructed.
Vatia Beach Eco Resort founder Dijendra Patrap Singh OBE and granddaughter Vishakha
MORE than two decades later, Mr Ragg’s house girl called on Dick with a document.
It was the title to Vatia Beach.
Mr Ragg had been true to his word, to the end.
He had gifted the property to Dick in his will.
When Dick inquired about the price, the house girl told him: “We don’t have any price. All Mrs Ragg says is to give it to Dick Singh.”
“I did say I wanted to buy it,” Dick said.
He called the family to offer to pay for the land.
“I said thank you for thinking of Dick Singh,” he said.
IMAGE: Looking towards the resort structures from the beach.
Vatia Beach Eco Resort founder Dijendra Patrap Singh OBE and granddaughter Vishakha
IMAGE: Fiji's first Earthship, at Vatia Beach Eco Resort. The structure resonates with resort founder Dick Singh's philosophies for community development, disaster management and sustainability.
Dijendra Patrap Singh, OBE, was a young man when Mr Ragg first invited him to the property.
He was then a law clerk, making a name for himself in his hometown of Ba.
Years later, he would serve as the town’s Mayor. Build a sports stadium. Travel the world. Receive an Order of the British Empire for his services to the community.
But when he first set foot on Vatia Beach, Dick was just enjoying a relaxing weekend.
I was keen to meet him to better understand how the resort started.
A spinal injury has limited the octogenarian’s mobility.
Although he’s seated in a plastic outdoor chair when I meet him, my first impression is one of strength rather than frailty.
Dick gestures towards a spot by the water, where he and Mr Ragg had been fishing all those years ago.
Mr Ragg had asked him an innocent question: what did he think of the place?
“I said to Mr Ragg, it’s very nice,” Dick said.
He later added: “If you ever want to sell it, think of Dick Singh.”
IMAGE: A weathered sign bearing the words 'Bula Vinaka', which roughly translates to a warm welcome.
