FOR the grand daughter of a missionary from a humble Tongan family, it was an honour for poet and academic Professor Konai Helu Thaman to be decorated to commemorate the coronation of King George Tupou V.
Receiving the medal in a first appearance at the palace was her son Baravi, a Fiji rep in basketball.
"That is the first time for him to enter the palace area. We have been there often but he has only been outside the palace," she said.
Professor Thaman is from Kolomatu'a, an old part of the capital Nuku'alofa and regarded as a sacred area. Kolomatu'a is located behind the palace.
Professor Thaman holds a Personal Chair in Pacific Education and Culture from the University of the South Pacific.
She has worked at the USP since 1974 and has a BA in Geography from the University of Auckland, an MA in International Education from the University of California at Santa Barbara and PhD in Education from the USP.
Her doctoral thesis, titled 'Ako and Faiako: Cultural Values, Educational Ideas and Teachers' Role Perceptions in Tonga' was based on studies of the relationships between cultural values and educational ideas and how these were reflected in teachers' perceptions of their professional role.
She has conducted research, consultancy work and published widely in the areas of teacher education, curriculum development and culture and education and held senior administrative positions at USP including director of the Institute of Education and pro Vice-Chancellor and acting deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Thaman said her grandparents Tevita and Ana were missionaries in the Solomons and her mother Melu Helu was born there.
Her son, Baravi received the medal, (a Grand Cross of the Order of Queen Salote) on behalf of his mother from Princess Siu'ilikutapu.
Prof Thaman's poetry is studied by school and university students throughout the region and beyond and is one of the longest serving staff members of the USP.
She is married to Prof Randolph Thaman, also a staff of USP.
They have two children, Batiri and Baravi (both national basketball reps), and a grandson, Keanu.
Her son will travel to Australia to attend a wedding before returning to Fiji where he will present the medal to his mother.
Prof Thaman flies out for Japan next week for a conference.