The Crocodile prizewinners: the best of the best

BY KEITH JACKSON

 
Photo: Winners Martyn Namorong, Lapieh Landu, Jimmy Drekore and Jeffrey Febi [William Natera]

THIS MORNING Independence Day has dawned in Port Moresby – the 36th anniversary of the birth of Papua New Guinea as a nation.

It’s a fine day, with just a little early morning cloud, as it was back then in 1975 when I was a pup, albeit a privileged pup, at the National Broadcasting Commission.  I was allotted a box seat at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium to witness that pivotal moment when Australia's colonial rule ended and PNG's statehood began.

Yesterday evening, the winners of the inaugural Crocodile Prize literary contest were announced at a ceremony at the Australian High Commission.

Speaking at the ceremony, amongst other notable people, was Lady Margaret Eri - wife of the late Sir Vincent Eri, after whose novel, The Crocodile, the prize is named.

It was a great day - a writers workshop, followed by the awards ceremony and book launch, all capped by a function where writers, media, diplomats and others socialised in an event hosted by the High Commission.

Now, PNG Attitude is proud to announce the four winners – and offer extracts from their work….

The Short Story Award was won by Jeffrey Febi, 34, from the Eastern Highlands Province.  Jeff is a geologist working in the oil and gas industry and lives with his wife and child in Port Moresby.  Writing and reading are his favourite hobbies and he has had some success in publishing his work locally.

The Poetry Award was won by Jimmy Drekore, 35, from the Sinasina area of Simbu Province.  He works on Lihir Island as an analytical chemist.  During field breaks at home he spends time helping sick and disadvantaged children through the Simbu Children Foundation.  In his quiet moments, Jimmy says, he likes to “paint using words”.

The Essay Award was won by Martyn Namorong, 25, born at Baimuru in the Gulf Province.  Martyn grew up in a logging camp at Kamusi on the border of Western and Gulf.  He was a medical student at UPNG until 2009 but is now a street vendor, blogger and a prolific chronicler of the PNG condition.

The Dame Carol Kidu Award for Women’s Literature was won by Lapieh Landu, 22, born in Port Moresby of mixed Eastern Highlands, Milne Bay and Sandaun parentage.  Lapieh is a student at Divine Word University in Madang studying international relations and has been writing poetry since Year 8.

 And now, extracts from the winning entries ....

 

 THE SHORT STORY AWARD

Jeffrey Febi – from A song for camels

They call us camels. They call us white horses.
They call us semi-trailers. They call us many names.
Names of things we don’t know much of.

We’re they who walk with the strength of our fathers.
Those bygone men who had tamed angry rivers,
Appeased bellowing clouds and walked with mists.

Our coffee beans shall not go to waste!
Our coffee beans shall not go to waste!
O no - no - no; shall not go to waste!

Mihi joined and they sang with a certain pride that sent the song speeding downhill on the wings of a determined breeze.

Far below, an army of white bags in a long and winding line resembling a herd of camels on a journey came into view. When the song reached them, hearts were touched and moved. Many repeated the chorus and the gorge reverberated with their inspiration.

It is their song and they loved it. It inspires strength which they need in order to climb Kuipi; and confidence to walk shamelessly with their loads through villages (whose inhabitants ridicule and call them names) along the road.

And they continued singing their hearts out - husbands, wives and their children.

THE POETRY AWARD

Jimmy Drekore - Walking barefoot to be educated

Quick little steps
Closing little gaps
We walked together
Walking bare footed
To be educated

School was far away
We were on our way
Walking bare footed
To be educated

We shared breakfast
We walked really fast
Walking bare footed
To be educated

One time we came late
Strolling through the gate
We were at the door
Eyes on the floor
We stayed together
He looked at us
With a strong voice he told us
We would be punished together
We came bare footed
To be educated

Other time scissors in his hands
We had no chance
Airstrip on our head
We felt really bad
We stood together
We came bare footed
To be educated

One cold morning
It was pouring
We came late again
We couldn’t bargain
Meter ruler in his hands
We had no chance
Hit him on the head
Hit me on my head
Our tears fell together
We came bare footed
To be educated

THE ESSAY AWARD

Martyn Namorong - from The political economy of
everything that’s wrong in developing PNG

Many try to escape reality by resorting to drugs, alcohol and risky sexual practices. Others take out their frustrations on society through juvenile delinquencies, petty crimes, fights, sexual violence and other indictable offences.

I totally empathise with all of them because I now understand what it’s like to lose everything including one’s dreams and ambitions.

Many who do not understand the psyche of those of us being disenfranchised think we have “an attitude problem”. When reduced to the simplest element, there is an “I don’t care about anything or anyone including myself” attitude amongst us.

Many males make wrong choices and become a nuisance or threat to society. They don’t care if the police or rivals kill them nor do they have second thoughts about prison.

After all once you feel like you’ve lost everything, what more is there to lose?

It is suicidal behaviour.

That is why band-aid solutions or knee-jerk reactions such as awareness activities on HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, toughening of laws, or promotion of sporting activities have been categorically ineffective in curbing the chaos.

The antidote to crime in this country is to enable everyone to earn a living so that they are able to meet some of the challenges they face in life and achieve personal goals. . . . . .

I don’t believe handouts solve issues other than cover them up for another time.

This has been so profoundly manifested in my life such that I now tell people, “I don’t need your money; I need an education and a job”.

Perhaps more irritating for me is that some people think they know what is best for me. While expert advice is valuable, an expert who is not fully versed with the unique circumstances of each case is not in a position to give a fully rounded assessment.

I don’t dream anymore, I am grounded in the reality.

THE DAME CAROL KIDU AWARD FOR WOMEN’S LITERATURE

Lapieh Landu - This new way

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Throw away your digging stick
Here, take my shiny shovel

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Do away with your tiny shells
Here, take my silver coin

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Forget your wantok
Here, take my fellow dim dim

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Dispose of your slimy sago
Here, take my sweet white grains

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Be naked no more
Here, take my loin cloth

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Tear down your sago huts
Here take my steel posts and sheets

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Utter not your chants and spells
Here, take my bible

This new way is
Whiteman’s way
Be little no more
Here take my white hand

It’s this new way
The Whiteman’s way

Comments

[Aravapo Cedella]

I am currently doing research on Lapieh Landu's poetry, which I already have. However, I need some background information on the poet.

Any idea on how I can get in touch with her? Thank you.
__________

We have put Aravapo in touch with Lapieh - KJ

[Gina Samar]

Hi folks, it was great meeting y'all!

Bernard Sinai, seeing you're an IT man and FYI, Mari Ellingson mentioned something about a Facebook page for PNG writers. Perhaps you could set one up and add us to the group?

The pen is mightier than the sword.

[Lapieh Landu]

We are all winners! God is good! If we can't change the world or save our culture through government policies or violent means...let's keep writing....let's maintain our culture trhough the power of written word.

Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
God bless this cultually diverse nation.

[Mathias Kin]

Good afternoon, Keith, and congratulations on your successful launching of the Crocodile Prize.

I wasn't able to make it as I was celebrating independance in remote Nuku, West Sepik Province. But I was really happy for my mate Jimmy who was the winner of the poetry section.

Great job, now we can look forward the 2012 competition.

[Joe Wasia]

Congratulations winners! We can do it. I believe we have hidden potential to do greater exploits. Keep moving on.

[Jimmy Drekore]

Thank you all for your sweet words.

My gratitude to Keith Jackson, Phil Fitzpatrick and Patrick Levo for the initial fire to burst the pods of raw talent in this literary savannah.

I believe we'll see a new crop of vegetation tomorrow; so PNG let the skies open and pour out your hearts for the next generation to treasure.

[Mathias Kin]

Jimmy, congratulations. Keep on painting those words... No mountains will be too high for you, for your heart is THIS BIG! You will conquer them all.

[Icarus]

Congratulations winning quartet and all!

Thank you Keith Jackson and Phil Fitzpatrick for your enduring friendship with PNG and for delivering these priceless gifts to us, PNG writers, and our people: The Crocodile Prize and 2011 Anthology. We have been blessed.

Until next year writers keep that ink flowing.

[Reginald Renagi]

Bravo Zulu to both Keith Jackson and Phil Fitzpatrick on their recently conducted PNG writers workshop at the Australian High Commission, Port Moresby last Thursday (36th Independence Anniversary celebrations week).

It was a well executed day with no real technical snags. Great company and discussions.

Congratulations to the four winning finalists who got the judges' vote: Martyn, Lapieh, Jimmy and Jeffrey.

I also want to congratulate those budding young writers who got their works published in the first writer's book: the 2011 anthology.

Such great writing skills and talent we have in the country - will only grow each year.

The quality and the standard of writing will improve much over time.

Roll on 2012...looking forward to the next workshop and finally meeting those with the pen names on PNG Attitude.

[David Kitchnoge]

Congratulations once again Martyn, Lapieh, Jimmy and Jeffrey. Very well done!

[Bernard Sinai]

Congratulations to the winners and everyone involved.

The inaugural workshop and ceremony ended an exciting chapter in The Crocodile Prize this year. I hope next year’s prize is bigger and better and I am sure we can expect more from our writers.

My apologies to the dynamic duo (Keith and Phil) for a no show on the day, I hope to make it next year.

Once again heart congratulations to all the winners and keep writing.

[Francis Hualupmomi]

Congratulations to winners. Great appreciation to the organising committee

[Jeffrey Febi]

Thanks all! Everyone who submitted their work for the Crocodile Prize contest won.

We did actually tell Papua New Guineans and others who care about this country that there are people in PNG who care about our national literature.

A big thank you to Keith, Phil and Big Pat! Without you, it would not have been possible.

I extend my sincere thanks to the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Ian Kemish, and staff for a job well done. Also, Mary Ellingson's efforts are greatly appreciated.

Barbara Short: I made up the song. They do sing songs while walking, though.
__________

Jeffrey won the Crocodile Short Story Award - KJ

[Steve Gallagher Darong]

Congrats Lapieh. This is fantastic. Wow, you did it.

[Our Port Moresby]

Congratulations to all participants and winners. And big appreciation to the organisers of the prize to recognise literary talents in Papua New Guinea.

[Leonard Roka]

Nice pieces fellas. Fine pieces of PNG art you just created for your people; in and around you, and you now just bag it all. Congratulations!

Looking up to you for I am too inferior to your standards.

[Yuambari Haihuie]

Congratulations to the winners, to the organisers and those who believe that the pen is mightier than the cheque book it signs.

[Alex Harris]

Keith and Phil, an incredible idea well executed. Congratulations to all.

[Basil Peutalo]

Congratulations to the the winners! It is edifying to note that they are all young writers.

Literature in, of and by Papua New Guinea will grow more in these minds and hands in many years to come.

[Mari Ellingson]

Hi Keith - Many thanks for facilitating a great historic day when PNG writers can once again bring out their collective 'voice' from the woodwork so we can enjoy their reality as we seek to recognise our own realities.

Four worthy winners but, like someone said at the award ceremony, every one of the writers is a winner. Part of that victory was facilitated by your good self and Phil.

I was most honoured and privileged to have been a part of that historic day. I look forward to next year's meet. Have a pleasant journey home.

Tenkyu tru.
___________

Mari herself played a very prominent role in yesterday's proceedings. I'm pleased to say that, as we prepare for the 2012 Crocodile Prize, we will be working even more clsoely with the PNG Office of Tourism, Culture & Arts, of which Mari is Director-General - KJ

[Barbara Short]

Congratulations to all the prize winners and many thanks for all the work done by Keith and Phil and their helpers.

I hope Lapieh gets to read the work of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker, 1920-93) one of our great Australian aboriginal writers. "This new Way" reminds me of Kath's poem "No more boomerang".

Kath wrote many other great poems and I own one book of her poems published by Jacaranda Press in 1965 called "We are Going".

I was wondering if the "Song for Camels" has a tune, i.e., Did Jeffrey just make it all up or do they actually sing this song as they carry the coffee bags?

In the past work songs were an important part of music heritage throughout the world.

I taught a Murik Lakes fishing song to my music students at Brandi and they were thrilled when they went to Murik Lakes and heard the people sing it while they fished!

To all of you - keep writing, keep creating!

[Paul Oates]

A veil has been lifted on PNG's soul. May it never be replaced.

Congratulations to everyone who participated. Everyone owes Keith and Phil and all the sponsors a huge thank you for making it all possible.
___________

Readers should know that Paul himself is respected in PNG as a major commentator on public affairs. His words are well represented in the Independence Day supplements in the national press here - KJ

[Robin Lillicrapp]

Hearty congratulations to the four worthy winners.

It is a real blessing to see your achievements and recognition.

Thanks to Keith and Phil for the organisation and attendance.

[AJ Lambo, UK]

Congratulations, Lapieh & Jeff.