"I was the deputy Chairman of the Democratic Union of the Pacific, and we started at 8 I think and I was called to the telephone and to be told there's a coup, the government has been overthrown - it was round about 9, 10 when the Parliament sat they had done then"

This quote from Kamisese Mara uses an individual account of a critical moment in the history of a nation, reflecting the unexpected and destabilizing nature of political upheaval. Mara sets the scene by suggesting his function as the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Union of the Pacific, suggesting he held a considerable management position within the regional political sphere.

The quote begins with Mara explaining the start of his day at 8 a.m., implying a sense of routine and normalcy. This information underscores the unexpected nature of the occasions that were to unfold. His reference of being "contacted us to the telephone" shows an abrupt disruption, signifying the immediate and unexpected news that would interrupt the typical operations and possibly the stability of the federal government.

The core of the quote focuses on the stunning news of a coup, a violent or illegal seizure of federal government power. Mara receives the message that the federal government has been "toppled", indicating a total and powerful change in leadership. This revelation exists as unexpected, as it occurs between 9 and 10 a.m., suggesting both the speed of the coup's execution and the quick dissemination of the news.

Mara's reflection on the timing when "the Parliament sat" shows a political body unconcerned or powerless to prevent or address the unfolding crisis, highlighting the potential disconnect or amaze amongst members of the federal government. The phrase "they had actually done then" succinctly catches a sense of finality, underscoring that the democratic procedure, as embodied by the sitting Parliament, had actually been successfully rendered moot by the coup.

Overall, this quote encapsulates the shock and immediacy often associated with coups, highlighting how quickly political realities can shift and the vulnerability of governmental structures to quick and powerful modifications in power characteristics. Mara's narrative reflects a minute of change, marked by both individual disturbance and significant political effect.