The crowded life of a Governor-General

Sir Paulias Matane

My usual bedtime is 8.30pm and I wake up to go to work just after 2am. I use the time between 2am and 5.15am to work in my study answering emails, reading manuscripts, and writing Forewords for many books.

Since retiring from the Public Service (but not from public service) on 1 January 1986, I have helped Papua New Guineans to write books. Forty of those people have published their first books here and overseas; six have published second books; and four have published third books. Last week, after reading through three manuscripts by two new authors, I recommended their publication. My estimate is that by the end of 2009, there will have been more than 50 books by PNG authors.

Two days ago I went with the vice regal party for a very busy schedule in East New Britain. We arrived at 11am and went straight to the first meeting with six provincial leaders. I then had a lunch meeting before leaving for my village at 1.35 to meet with students and teachers of my old school and then with the members of the school board who I briefed on my plan to redevelop the school. The idea is to build five double storey buildings each with six classrooms and eight offices. I hope building will start early next year. The school will be used not only by children but village people as part of a Global University for Lifelong Learning. We left for Kokopo at 4.15.

Yesterday was another busy day. At 9.30am, we arrived at the Kokopo Business College where I was guest speaker for the 144 people who graduated with certificates after two years of accounting and business studies. We left just after 1pm and between 2.30 and 4.20, I met with six provincial leaders at the Governor’s office to discuss some important matters including an autonomous government for ENB, a plan to give city status to the quickly growing town of Kokopo and the need to register clan land.

This morning after breakfast, I met with a successful businessman to discuss issues including his request for me to open his new Kokopo Beach Bungalow. At 9.45, we left in a Hertz rental car for a meeting and at 11.10 drove to the airport for another meeting with two provincial leaders before we departed for Port Moresby at 1pm. It looks as if I will be at this desk until 7.30 before I go to bed.

Tomorrow I will lead a group of over 100 walkers for the last Governor-General’s Monthly Health Walk for the year. We will gather at Government House at 4.45am and, after some warming up, set off at 5am on the dot to climb Touaguba Hill before we return just after 6 for refreshments and a Christmas cake. I’ll then depart for work just before 7am.

PNG ATTITUDE thanks Sir Paulias for allowing readers to share this glimpse into his life. At 78, the Papua New Guinea Governor-General has a schedule that would daunt a man half his age.