The former Australian High Commissioner to Seychelles Sandra Vegting passed away on Sunday night in Melbourne, Australia, following a long illness.

President James Michel has sent a message of condolence to the Australian High Commissioner Susan Coles expressing the deepest sympathies to family of High Commissioner Vegting and to the Australian Government.

The President said that he was profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Ms Sandra Vegting.

"I knew Sandra well, as a skilled and dedicated diplomat, who devoted much commitment and enthusiasm into developing the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Australia and Seychelles. Her vivacious personality and her thorough knowledge of Seychelles made her a valued partner and interlocutor. I appreciated her keen intellect and her commitment to duty. We have lost a good friend and we mourn with you and her family Sandra’s passing, but her memory will live on," said the President in his message.

Sandra Vegting served as Australian High Commissioner to Seychelles between 2011 and 2013, while based in Mauritius.