Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

Old warhorses meet young colt: result - symbiosis

BY KEITH JACKSON

ON MONDAY, DELIVERING THE OPENING REMARKS at his first public forum in Sydney, Martyn Namorong had relied heavily on notes; some of which fell to the floor while he was presenting. Their disorder was not a great help to fluency.

Martyn also had a series of slides to illustrate his talk. Not needed. Especially when you forget they’re there and have to scrabble though them every few minutes to find where you’re up to.

You only need visuals when your content has no other visible means of support.

Despite such technical difficuties, the event was a great success.

Martyn later went on to the Kokoda Track Foundation (see picture), where he again wowed the assembled group.

Yesterday lunchtime – at Mido Restaurant in Neutral Bay, Sydney – Martyn, poised somewhere between the ABC and the SBS and their need for interviews, and sitting on a single beer throughout, fronted a round table of (let me be polite) older gentlemen.

All of whom had spent some time in PNG in the 60s and 70s. A tough audience. Tough as in: ‘What’ve you done with place since we left, eh?’

There were ex chalkies, ex journos, ex military, no ex kiaps thank god. It was a tough enough gallery. But a fair one.

So it was that the assembly threw every issue at Martyn except what happened to the kitchen sink – corruption, media freedom (or otherwise), Chinese influence, demographics, Chinese illegal immigrants, gun running, what happened to old so-and-so from Karkar, Bougainville, politics, even the events of the day (the Supreme Court had just declared Somare the rightful prime minister, again).

Our man Martyn, who had been out and about all morning, and who I anxiously wondered was across the day’s events, was on top of every question and every nuance.

Not a question without a substantive, informed and often witty answer.

I wish the camera crew had been present for this event: the old colonials meeting the newest edition of the post-independents. The two groups, despite being separated by two generations, saw eye to eye on just about everything.

I also wish I had the memory bank (and the space here) to repeat the anecdotes about times past with which Martyn was regaled by the likes of John Highfield and Leo Carroll and Phil Charley.

Each story received with a silent smile and eyes glistening with encouragement.

No question unanswered, no tale unappreciated, no false statement unchallenged (but in the gentlest way).

If you get a chance to catch up with Martyn Namorong in Australia, make sure you do. You won’t regret it.

On Tuesday Martyn also featured on the ABC's Late Night Live and on the SBS-TV News as well as being interviewed for Radio Australia and having a guided tour of the ABC broadcasting centre in Sydney. Early in the morning he had written an 800 word article for The Age newpaper.... http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/2237661694/Leadership-crisis-grips-PNG

Martyn Namorong will talk to Australians about PNG

MARTYN NAMORONG, Papua New Guinean political activist, award winning writer and much quoted blogger, will begin a two week lecture tour of Australia next week.

The privately-funded Take the Truth to Australia tour will enable one of Papua New Guinea’s new generation of writers and thinkers to speak about the issues afflicting his country – one of which he says is Australia itself.

Namorong, 25, who sells betel nut in Port Moresby’s markets to earn money to support his writing, is well known for his gritty and accurate portrayals of the struggling and increasingly depressed society that is today’s PNG

“I don’t dream anymore,” he says. “I am grounded in reality. I grapple with the facts as they are.”

In 2011 Namorong was recognised for his writing when he won the inaugural Crocodile Prize, PNG’s national literary award.

As a medical student at the University of Papua New Guinea, Namorong witnessed the troubles of PNG at first hand and now chooses to live a lifestyle no different from that of the vast majority of his compatriots.

“The system of education in this country [Papua New Guinea] is a failure trap,” Mr Namorong says.

“It is supposed to groom Papua New Guineans, but all it does is produce a lot of failures.”

Namorong has been acclaimed as the foremost of a growing group of Papua New Guinean writers unafraid to speak boldly on issues of corruption and public waste and who are using social media to stimulate pressure for social change.

In Australia he will meet with politicians, journalists and people interested in PNG affairs.

______________

Martyn will be in Sydney (21-22 May), Melbourne (23-26 May), Canberra (27-29 May) and Brisbane (30 May-2 June). He is available for media interviews

Media contact: Ben Jackson: 0417 407 565 | (02) 9904 4333 | bjackson@jacksonwells.com.au

MEET MARTYN NAMORONG
TAKING THE TRUTH TO AUSTRALIA TOUR
An initiative of PNG Attitude & our readers
Sydney - Monday 21 May 2pm - Jackson Wells, Neutral Bay
Melbourne - Thursday 24 May 4pm - Venue TBA
Canberra - Tuesday 29 May 4pm - Hotel Kurrajong
Brisbane - Friday 1 June - watch this space for venue & time
Contact Keith Jackson here to book

International investment conference for Port Moresby

BUSINESS ADVANTAGE INTERNATIONAL

PORT MORESBY IS TO HOST its first international investment conference in September.

The 10–11 September event, The Papua New Guide Advantage 2012, will bring local and international investors together to discuss how the private sector can drive PNG’s development over the next decade.

It will be coordinated by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Business Advantage International. Partners for the event will include the National Capital District Commission, BSP, ANZ and Deloitte.

The conference will be split into two days, with a general investment summit on the first day and a second day focused exclusively on infrastructure. Speakers will include international experts and local business people.

“We want to create an event that allows investors to knuckle down and focus on the tremendous range of business opportunities there are in PNG,” said David Conn, Executive Director of POMCCI.

“There will be a strong focus on regional development. As the host chamber, we’re keen to reach out to PNG’s other chambers of commerce so that they can also be a part of this exciting event,” he said.

Jackie Barton, British High Commissioner to PNG, said “September will be the perfect time for UK companies to come to PNG and learn more about investing here.”

The event will focus on business sectors outside mining and petroleum.

The Papua New Guinea Advantage Conference will take place at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby on 10 and 11 September.

This morning’s Anzac Day pic from Bomana

AUSTRALIA'S MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, Stephen Smith MP talks with Uncle Richard Archibald after the Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby this morning.

Uncle Richard was in Papua New Guinea to perform the Aboriginal cultural ceremonies to bring his relative Private Frank Archibald's soul to rest.

Private Archibald was shot by a Japanese sniper while trying to save a friend during the Kokoda campaign, in November 1942.

The only surviving member of Private Archibald's 11 siblings, 74 year old Aunty Grace Gordon (nee Archibald), and other relatives, travelled with Uncle Richard to Port Moresby to take part in the ceremonies.

There are more Australian war dead at Bomana than at any other war cemetery in the world.

The Occupy Waigani protest as it unfolded

BY MARTYN NAMORONG
THE NAMORONG REPORT

AND WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY IT IS as the sun beats down through the cloudless sky and scorches all life in Port Moresby.

The streets are largely deserted and the few people who venture out carry on rather nervously. Port Moresby’s notorious traffic jams are nowhere to be seen and for once the city looks like the most liveable place on earth.

Angau Drive in Boroko with its lush vegetation has a slow stream of pedestrians, much to the annoyance of street vendors who prop up stalls near the footpath. The roundabout near SP Brewery lacks its usual scrum of vehicles puffing out toxic fumes.

Along Kennedy Drive, where mobile giant Digicel is headquartered, a mother escorts her child back from Gordon’s Secondary School. They’re both immersed in conversation about the constitutionality of the Judicial Conduct Act and parliament’s decision to postpone elections.

The Gordons main bus stop and market area is unusually slow as a small crowd mingles around waiting for buses or buying mobile phone credits.

The largest city in the South Pacific, Port Moresby, has been shut down for Occupy Waigani, a protest organised to demand that parliament rescind its decision to interfere with the judiciary and to postpone the elections.

Meanwhile, at around 10 am, students from the University of Papua New Guinea are all gathered on campus for their march to Sir John Guise stadium.

As news filters that the University students are moving, a vocal crowd of predominantly teenage primary schoolboys leaves the stadium and heads towards the Government Offices at Waigani.

The boys are stopped by police opposite Morauta Haus – the office complex that houses the Prime Minister’s Department.

The schoolboys display a rather offensive styrofoam placard.

Back at the stadium a live band performs to a growing crowd of about 5,000 people. Everyone is waiting for the arrival of the university students.

An hour later the students enter Independence Drive. The students were advised to march to the stadium instead of taking public transport.

It is a lesson learnt from Tahir Square that once a small group with great legitimacy takes the streets, the sympathetic public joins the queue. And it worked as the students march to Waigani with a 5,000 strong crowd.

Sir John Guise stadium is now packed with about 10,000 people. Many Port Moresby residents have never seen such a crowd.

This crowd serves as an ominous warning to Port Moresby based politicians as the clock ticks is way down to election time. One protestor described the crowd as the largest she had seen since the 1991 South Pacific Games held at Sir John Guise Stadium.

The rhetoric begins on stage and the crowd cheered rausim! rausim! rausim! [rescind! rescind! rescind! in Tok Pisin] as various speakers called on the O’Namah regime to rescind its recent decisions.

Unionists Michael Malabag and John Paska address the crowd first. Legal expert Dr John Nonggorr then articulates the unconstitutionality of these changes in Tok Pisin. No doubt Dr Nonggorr had done an excellent job in Tok Pisin.

As Dr Nonggorr speaks, the O’Namah regime’s convoy enters the stadium. Opposition Leader Dame Carol Kidu also makes her way in. As the O’Namah entourage comes to a standstill at the stadium, it is booed by the crowd.

The politicians make their way up the stadium and there is minor chaos on stage as seats are sought for them. Dr Nonggorr then continues his rhetoric and presents a synopsis of the petition.

Prime Minister O’Neill is given the petition by unionist Michael Malabag while UPNG student president Emmanuel Isaac presents another to Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen. The Trawen petition calls on the Electoral Commissioner to go ahead with the elections as scheduled.

Here are the outcomes of Occupy Waigani at Sir John Guise stadium as summarised by ActNow:

1) The issue of writs is officially postponed until 18 May (Mr Trawen said so!).

2) Today's parliament sitting is postponed to 10am Wednesday.

3) The Judicial Act will be repealed as long as Injia and Kirriwom step down (Mr O'Neill said so).

4) The issue of the march will blow over and people will forget (Mr Namah said so).

5) Mr O'Nelil wound down his window and waved royally to all of us gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium when leaving.

6) Mr O'Neill stated clearly that only the Electoral Commissioner has the authority to delay or not the 2012 National Elections therefore he can't give assurance that elections will run according to schedule.

7) Mr O'Neill stated clearly that he will repeal the Judicial Act if Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Justice Nicholas Kirriwom step down.

The enthralling history of those early encounters

http://www.oceanicartsociety.org.au/

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF riveting presentations coming up at a meeting of the Oceanic Art Society at the Australian Museum, Sydney, this Wednesday.

First, Michael Waterhouse, author of the highly regarded book on the PNG goldfields, Not a Poor Man’s Field, will speak about some of the black-white encounters in PNG, both of the bloody and friendly kind.

Michael will show rare images and early film footage shot in the then Mandated Territory.

Then Steven Alderton, assistant director of the museum, will talk about his vision for future displays of the museum’s extensive holdings of Pacific artefacts.

His talk, entitled Spirit Faces Display and Beyond will follow on from the impressive display of Melanesian masks which you will see as you reach the first floor.

Date: Wednesday 11 April, 6.30 pm

Venue: Australian Museum, via the William Street entrance then to the 1st floor

Entry: Non-OAS members $15, students $5.

Transparency drags feet over democracy march

BY MARTYN NAMORONG
THE NAMORONG REPORT

AUSAID FUNDED ANTI-CORRUPTION NGO, Transparency International PNG, is still undecided as to whether it will join tomorrow’s march on the Papua New Guinea parliament.

TIPNG receives funding under AusAID’s so called Democratic Governance Program, which, as we now see, is just a whole lot of hot air.

Yesterday in response to statements put out by march organisers, TIPNG Chairman Lawrence Stephen stated:

For the record TIPNG is part of a huge number of organisations objecting to attempts to defer the elections. We are taking action. We have not been invited to be part of a public demonstration.

In any case, the protest organisers say they will go ahead without this bourgeoise club. A meeting has been called today at 12pm at the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress office in Korobosea.

There, a joint press conference will be held hosted by PNGTUC presidents, UPNG students, NGOs, political candidates, social media partners, youth and others.

Meanwhile, UPNG student activist, Nou Vada, has criticised prime minister Peter O’Neill for calling tomorrow’s march illegal.

In a rallying call to all parties involved in tomorrow’s protest, Mr Vada stated:

O'Neill has said whatever marches on Tuesday will be illegal...

We need to either listen to the lawbreaker's pronouncement of law and obey or act in what is purportedly civil disobedience, as the students did a few weeks back, and negotiate our way through the blockades and the cocked weapons.

Pick a course of action now. The time for action plans has come to an end. Pick a course of action now.

Mr Vada also called on all civil society organisations and the general public to support the students of UPNG who will be marching tomorrow.

Meanwhile the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said separation of powers is a key component of democratic institutions and the law passed by the O’Neill government last week would see parliament interfering in the conduct of judicial proceedings.

“The constitution provides for the separation of powers such that the judiciary is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the politicians and public servants obey the constitution,” Chamber president John Leahy said in a statement.

“Actions such as the Judicial Conduct bill attempt to undermine these sacrosanct constitutional arrangements.

“The law should be repealed and additional resources provided to the Ombudsman Commission to help them do their job using laws that are already in place.”

Namorong tour off – inefficiency & corruption intervene

BY KEITH JACKSON

THERE WAS A HELLUVA LOT HAPPENING YESTERDAY. Primarily, the Papua New Guinea government decided to shirt-front Australia (and especially foreign minister Bob Carr, who at the time of writing was unusually mute) by saying ‘stuff you, we’ll have our election if and when we feel like it’.

And Julia Gillard responded with a weak “disappointed and concerned” statement , perhaps suddenly aware that a neighbouring country she hasn’t given a toss about until now is going show her up as a foreign policy and strategic greenhorn.

But, for us here at PNG Attitude, it was the day of the Namorong Fiasco.

As readers will know, Martyn had been scheduled to visit Down Under for a conference at the Deakin Institute in  Melbourne.

Then, after being delayed in making his travel arrangements by AusAID's tardiness, he asked for assistance from this blog.

And we gave it. With readers contributing funds to cover the visit, we were able to step in, converting a brief conference appearance into the 10-day Take the Truth to Australia Tour.

But there was one thing we couldn’t control: the tortuous, inefficient and corrupted processes of the PNG passport issuing authorities.

For the bulk of these past few days - through the totally supportive Australian High Commission in Port Moresby and a senior PNG goverment minister – I tried to secure, through each respectively, a visa and a passport for Martyn. And in a heck of a hurry.

Martyn had retained global consultancy Deloittes as his agent to obtain the passport - and they had failed lamentably in this task, for reasons that still remain unclear.

Mid afternoon yesterday, it looked like we might succeed in securing the passport, but we didn't.

The passport process in PNG is so corrupted that, even with high profile help we couldn't pull it off.

This was to be Martyn’s first trip beyond PNG's borders and, as you might expect, he is bitterly disappointed.

Martyn emailed me at the end of the day yesterday, and the caps are his:

BAD NEWS

THANK EVERYONE ON MY BEHALF

RIGHT NOW I DON'T WISH TO SPEAK OR WRITE ABOUT THIS

But much will be written in future, I feel sure. By Martyn, me and others.

I spoke to Martyn on the phone a number of times yesterday and, in my last conversation, said he should take his time in getting the passport, then give us a few weeks – in which period we will reinstate the tour.

We'll add a visit to parliament in Canberra next time, for good measure.

And won't Martyn have some truths to tell.

Martyn is ready to take the truth to Australia

BY KEITH JACKSON

THE MAN WHOSE NAME Papua New Guinea's The National newspaper has banned from its pages, Martyn Namorong, is getting ready to take the truth to Australia.

In 2009 - when still a medical student at the University of Papua New Guinea - Martyn began The Namorong Report blog with a point by point summary of one of his lectures.

There was little action on the blog – and no sign of what was to come -until early 2011, when an article, The land of the disenfranchised, was republished by the PNG Attitude website.

And so a wonderfully talented writer emerged into public view. Namorong went on to win PNG’s Crocodile Prize national literary award for the best essay and is now a political activist and PNG’s most prolific and internationally quoted blogger.

Martyn is from the Fly River in western Papua, the most impoverished region of PNG. He dropped out of medical school in his final year and, to fund his writing, took to the markets of Port Moresby selling buai (betel nut).

Apart from providing a source of income, this experience offered some deep insights into the struggling and depressed society and culture of modern PNG, impressions which greatly influence his writing.

Now Martyn is to make his first trip outside PNG as he embarks on a lecture tour of Australia (Take the Truth to Australia, 10-20 April) funded by private subscription after the federal government dithered over whether it should provide him with assistance or not.

I always thought all my life that I was destined to great things and make a difference to humanity. Today, faced with the uncertainty about the future and the hardship of living in the city, I’m more concerned with being able to survive each day. I am more concerned about my own welfare than saving the world.

The system of education in this country is a failure trap. It is supposed to groom Papua New Guineans but all it does is it produces a lot of failures. In grade 8 tens of thousands get thrown out, in grade 10 and 12 thousands more fall through the crack in the system.

In my case, I regret going to medical school because now I am just an unskilled person. I am definitely not skilled to survive in the savannah of East TransFly nor do I have formal qualifications to be recognised in the cash economy. Thus by default I sell betel nut on the street like many other disenfranchised people.

I don’t dream anymore, I am grounded in the reality. I grapple with the facts as they are. Perhaps there are too many visionaries and dreamers such that no one is there to deal with the reality of life in Papua New Guinea.

“Namorong,” writes journalist Doug Hendrie, “joined a growing group of [Papua New Guinean] writers who are unafraid to speak boldly of the issues holding their country back, and challenging the mainstream media.”

 

Martyn will visit Melbourne (10-15 April), Sydney (15-18 April) and Brisbane (18-20 April). He is available for media interviews and for a limited number of corporate or group presentations.

Media contact: Ben Jackson (0417 407 565)  Meeting contacts: Linda Koerner (Melbourne, 0449 962 252), Keith Jackson (Sydney, 0411 222 682), Murray Bladwell (Brisbane, 0413 057 673)

Kemish demonstrates commonsense on PNG

BY ROBIN MEAD

AROUND 100 PEOPLE PACKED the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney yesterday to hear Ian Kemish, Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, expound on the PNG-Australia relationship.

Keith Jackson being unable to attend, I went in his place and hope this report will give some impression to the readers of PNG Attitude . The speech transcript and other reports will also be available online through the website of the Lowy Institute.

It was a rare experience and a welcome opportunity to hear some up-to-date views on the many facets of the PNG-Australia special relationship.

As I arrived I was met by Alexander Rhooney, Lowy Institute intern and himself a blogger of some renown.

At the same time I met a Namatanai lady from UPNG who is on an AusAID postgraduate scholarship at Sydney University, her thesis being in the area of education quality. I sat next to a fellow from the investment sector. The room was full of a range of individuals, journalists, corporates – all kinds.

Lowy Institute executive director Michael Wesley opened the session with some background, referring to the shared history of Australia and PNG and pointing out some economic facts: including minerals rising as a percentage of GDP from 2% in 2006 to 8% in 2012 and 10 years of uninterrupted growth.

Mr Wesley alluded to the challenge to develop these economic returns into tangible growth, sentiments echoed by High Commissioner Kemish.

He also mentioned problems that challenge PNG and are at odds with economic prosperity: including high maternal and infant mortality and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Turning to politics, he referred to last August’s election – “what some commentators called generational change” – however the December mutiny and associated events had attracted international attention and did not augur well.

“The Australia-PNG relationship will continue to be complex.” With this, he introduced Ian Kemish.

I was impressed and encouraged by the content and substance evidenced in Mr Kemish’s remarks.

He demonstrates a good breadth of understanding, evenhandedness and common sense on PNG, and I think this is appreciated in both PNG and Australia.

He gave a balanced speech, covering a range of topics, and this was followed by a 20-minute Q&A session. More details soon...

Kemish to speak at Lowy Institute this week

AUSTRALIA’s HIGH COMMISSIONER TO Papua New Guinea, Ian Kemish, will be speaking at the Lowy Institute for International Policy at lunchtime this Wednesday, his chosen subject being PNG’s dilemma: Crisis, boom or more of the same?

Significant economic growth has been recorded in PNG in recent years, the Institute’s notes for the free public address say, and the LNG project currently under construction is unprecedented in scale.

The question is whether our closest neighbour can translate this opportunity into real and sustained development.

Health, education and transport infrastructure need stronger support from PNG’s own government, which has not done enough in recent decades to match the efforts of foreign donors and the churches.

Meanwhile, PNG’s institutions have been put to the test amidst political turmoil in the lead-up to what will be historic elections this year.

Ian Kemish believes that Australia’s focus should be on helping PNG unlock its own potential. He argues that, as a close supporter of PNG, Australia should remain closely engaged at all levels through this challenging political period, and not hesitate to express its views clearly in response to developments of concern.

He argues that in order to be effective, our approach should be to speak with respect, acknowledging PNG’s sovereignty and, for the main, communicate in private.

Details: Wednesday 21 March. 12:30–1:45 pm. Ground floor, 31 Bligh Street, Sydney. RSVP before 5pm Tuesday 20 March. You can book here

Australia Week 2012 launched in Port Moresby

THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION is staging its sixth annual Australia Week celebrations in Papua New Guinea this week.

High Commissioner, Ian Kemish AM, launching the event, said the week is a celebration of the friendship between Australia and PNG.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase Australian culture and our close links with PNG. These links are strong and diverse: we share a history and geography; we share a love for sport and our sporting heroes; and we are all connected through people-to-people links. There are many Australians whose lives are intertwined with PNG,” Mr Kemish said.

During the launch Mr Kemish and Education Minister, Theo Zurenouc, on behalf of the PNG government, opened an art exhibition by noted Australian and PNG artists, John Gould and Ratoos Gary.

The exhibition which is on display until Friday is one of many activities organised for Australia Week. Other activities include a film night screening top Australian short films; a performance by Restless Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading dance company featuring disabled and non-disabled dancers; and a concert with a mix of Australian and PNG musicians.

Stan Jackson’s funeral will be held at the Cardinal Freeman Village Chapel at 137 Victoria Street, Ashfield, Sydney at 2pm on Friday 9 March with wake starting at 3pm

Art museum receives PNG objects collection

THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING Art Museum in the United States recently acquired a gift from the Salgo Trust for Education that will be featured in the museum's coming exhibition, Journeys along the Sepik River: Tribal Art from Papua New Guinea.

Nicolas M Salgo, the late Hungarian-American financier and diplomat, amassed an eclectic collection of art and formed the Salgo Trust for Education. The extensive Salgo collection is located in a trust, in an art history research centre in Port Washington, New York.

While on a trip to New Guinea in the early 1970s with famed architect I M Pei, Salgo collected these objects. Made of carved and painted wood, they are based on traditional art from the rivers, but were made long after the art of those areas was influence by the West.

These objects are considered the best and most creative work from PNG and are held in high regard by collectors and museums such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York, says Susan Moldenhauer, the art museum's director and chief curator.

The uncertain road to Melbourne

BY MARTYN NAMORONG

ONE DECEMBER AFTERNOON I had suggestions from friends on Facebook about this conference to be held in Melbourne. They said I should write something to present. They thought I had some insights to contribute.

I looked up the conference details and contacted the organisers at Deakin University, Melbourne. Last week I got a response from the university.

If we are to talk about securing a prosperous future for PNG we have to talk about an exit strategy and timetable for all so called development partners to pull out of PNG.

Just as my trip to Melbourne is full of uncertainties, I also do not wish to raise false hopes about me providing answers to what are essentially difficult questions.

What I am certain of this that the current model of development is fundamentally flawed because it is built on the legacy of domination.

Colonisation now has a black face that perpetuates that colonial legacy. You don’t govern your people using a system that was intended to dominate them. You cannot secure a prosperous future unless to address the issue of neo-colonisation.

We need to recognise that the current systems of government are inherited from our colonial masters.

These systems were created for the purposes of taming so called primitive natives and pacifying them.

In other words, they are systems of domination and subjugation and therefore in light of their failure to bring development to the so called primitive natives, continue to serve the original purpose they were created for. 

In Melbourne, in the one paper, I am going to compress as many ideas from my blog as possible.

I hope this to be the most definitive summary of what I believe is right and wrong with PNG and the way forward.

Conference aims to generate positive PNG future

RADIO AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA'S ALFRED DEAKIN INSTITUTE is to host a conference entitled Papua New Guinea: Securing a prosperous future.

The event announcement says it will be "exploring the opportunities and challenges for a Papua New Guinea seeking security and prosperity."

At this stage the complete program is yet to be finalised, but one person who will be attending the April event is outspoken PNG blogger and commentator Martyn Namorong.

His blog has often been the place where news about what is happening there, which various politicians, corporate groups and others do not want in the public arena, will first appear and he is part of what is a growing force in PNG, and around the region.

Martyn Namorong to speak in Australia - maybe

BY KEITH JACKSON

PAPUA NEW GUINEA BLOGGER, buai seller and former medical student, Martyn Namorong, has been honoured by Deakin University in Melbourne by being invited to present a paper at a forthcoming conference on PNG.

Martyn has been asked to be part of an expert panel who will present on the subject of Youth sub-cultures: identity and land rights in contemporary PNG at the PNG in Transition Conference to be held on the university’s Geelong campus.

But there’s a problem. (There’s always a problem!)

Not only will PNG’s leading (and most courageous) public voice on social issues have to find his own way to the conference (a somewhat daunting task if you’re flogging buai in the markets of Koki and Badili), he’s going to have to stump up the necessaries for air travel, accommodation and expenses.

And, to add insult to injury, the university types who organise these things want Martyn to unfold $250 for the conference and the conference dinner, even though he’s their guest.

Here at PNG Attitude we’re seeing what can be done to identify funding for Martyn’s trip but, as you might expect, we may need to call on the assistance of readers if the other channels don’t come up with the readies.

The conference is hosted by the Alfred Deakin Research Institute in partnership with the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles.

We’ll keep you informed.

By the way, if Martyn’s visit to Australia can be arranged, with the help of readers we’ll also be seeking to organise speaking engagements in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.

Email me here if you believe you can assist.

Charles & Camilla to visit PNG later this year

PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL will visit Papua New Guinea in November as part of a more extensive tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The royal tour is part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on 6 February 1952.

Prince Charles first visited PNG as a schoolboy in the 1960s.  He has returned periodically since but this will be Camilla’s first visit.

Daru church gospel singers visits Thursday Island

BY MARK ROY
Torres News Online

MEMBERS OF THE SOUL HARVESTERS church congregation from Daru took to the seas of the Torres Strait in banana boats last month to bring their gospel to Seisia and Thursday Island.

The sounds of their soulful brand of gospel music reverberated around Anzac Park earlier in January as people from the Torres Strait joined their brethren from Papua New Guinea for sermons, prayers - and a whole lot of singing and dancing.

More than 100 people gathered in the park for the three-hour religious celebration. The Soul Harvesters Church was part of the Pentecostal Church, the national church in PNG, Pastor Phillip Henry said.

“We have a working partnership with Hope Fellowship and the Australian Christian Church under the Assemblies of God ministries in Australia, and are fulfilling a prophecy that has been spoken by Smith Wigglesworth in Sydney, about a fire coming from the north,” he said.

Smith Wigglesworth, often referred to as ‘the Apostle of Faith,’ was one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival that occurred a century ago.

Pr Henry said he hoped to see a bigger turnout when the Pentecostal group return to Thursday Island in mid-2012.

He said 29 members of the congregation had made the trip to the Torres Strait in four banana boats. “Once our visas were approved, the boat journey took about six hours,” he said.

“We cleared customs and immigration on Thursday Island and arrived in Seisia on 24 24. We then came across to Thursday Island on 7 January at the request of Pastor George Nona.”

Australia’s national year of reading 2012

BY BRENDA CURRIE

AUSTRALIAN LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS are behind a campaign to turn 2012 into the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country.

Libraries will be partnering with government, the media, writers, schools, publishers, booksellers, employers, child care providers, health professionals and a whole host of other organisations that share our passion for reading.

Our message will be that it doesn’t matter what you read – romance and adventure are just as relevant as a classic novel. Everyone can start their reading journey with content that they find interesting and engaging.

The story can be in any format – books, e-books, novellas, magazines, screen games. And it doesn’t have to be a story. Non-fiction is fine too, and then there’s poetry, graphic novels, newspapers, song lyrics.

The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new sources of inspiration. It’s about supporting reading initiatives while respecting the oral tradition of storytelling. It’s about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books. And most of all, it’s about Australians becoming a nation of readers.

While much of the activity will happen through partners and at a local level, we will be running four national campaigns.

The Reading Hour (like Earth Hour, on 25 August 2012)

Public library membership drive

One Country Reading (favourite books for adults, teens, children)

Writers-in-residence in workplaces

Visit the website www.love2read.org.au for more information.

Brenda Currie is project manager with Melbourne-based Library Agency

It's a new era for PNG Sisters of Mercy

AUSTRALIAN CONGREGATIONS and their sisters in Papua New Guinea will form a new Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and PNG on the 180th anniversary of the founding of the order next month.

The Institute, which includes 14 of the 17 Mercy congregations, is to take effect on 12 December, the anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Mercy by Venerable Catherine McAuley in Ireland.

Since 2005, the 17 Australian congregations and the Autonomous Region of PNG, which has been federated within the present Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia since 1981, have been searching for the best way to nurture their unity and to strengthen their capacity.

Sister Nerida Tinkler, President of the Institute said: "This search has involved much prayer, frequent theological reflection on the social needs of our time, careful study of the life and ministry of our founder, Catherine McAuley and her vision for religious life, and several comprehensive consultations in which all sisters were encouraged to participate.

"Eventually it led us to the point where 14 of the congregations, as well as the Autonomous Region of PNG, decided to petition the Holy See for permission to relinquish their independence and to come together as one new congregation."

In July, the Holy See approved the proposal and on 12 December each of the 15 groups will cease to be a separate canonical and legal entity and its sisters will become members of the new Institute.

The 15 uniting groups, comprising some 930 sisters, are: Adelaide, Ballarat East, Bathurst, Cairns, Goulburn, Grafton, Gunnedah, Melbourne, Papua New Guinea, Perth, Rockhampton, Singleton, Townsville, West Perth and Wilcannia-Forbes.

The foundation of the new Institute will be celebrated with a Eucharist in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on 18 December at 2pm.

Source: Catholic News, 21 November

The kiap as philosopher - and grump

BY PHIL FITZPATRICK

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE between a kiap and a grumpy old man?

The answer to that question might be found at Buddina on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Sunday 13 November, just one week from now.

Apparently the venerable old beer bellies are holding an annual gathering.

I’ve been tempted but never actually made it to one of these soirees.  The closest I came was a convivial get together of old webfoots from the Western District, organised by Col Middleton on his property on the Darling River south of Bourke.

It was enjoyable but it took me weeks to walk off the effects of the booze.

One of the things that make me wary of such gatherings is the critical presence of all those ancient “real” kiaps.  I was a contract kiap and a product of the baby boom.

Some of us had different ideas to the blokes who came before us, and our relationships with Papua New Guineans tended to be less formal, friendlier and more egalitarian.

Perhaps I’m just imagining this divide, perhaps not.

I’ve followed the prognostications of the kiap philosophers on such websites as the Exkiap Network and in the pages of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia’s Una Voce over the years, and the conservative bent, to me at least, is very evident.

One of the recurring themes is how the Papua New Guinean people have stuffed up their country since 1975.  The resigned ‘I told you so’ shrug is palpable.

A lot of these blokes left in the 1970s and 80s and have never been back.  Their philosophies have definitely evolved into the armchair variety. 

I sometimes wonder why they bother and, more importantly, whether they are even worth listening to – not that my own opinions are gilt-edged.

Another of their targets is the hapless response of Canberra to Papua New Guinea.  They don’t actually come out and say it but you can hear them thinking, “why don’t they ask someone who knows what’s going on up there; we know what’s what, we can tell them how to do it properly”.

Aside from the fact that they probably don’t know what’s what any more, I’m not sure that Papua New Guinea would want to be advised by some old grump who has spent the last 35 years living in a condo on the Gold Coast.

However, there is an interesting and relatively recent - and possibly useful - phenomenon in the field of kiap philosophising that bears consideration.  It can be loosely described as “Son of Kiap”.  It could equally be labelled “Son of Didiman” or “Son of Tisa”.  It is a sort of sequel to the main event.  I’ve got one in the family myself.

He’s been back and forth to Papua New Guinea for several years now.  Currently he is inexplicably in cahoots with the son of our esteemed blog master running OHS and management courses at Hides.

I like to exchange ideas with him about what is going on in Papua New Guinea.  He finds the place and the people enchanting.  He did time in Timor and Iraq as an army captain, so he has seen the worst and the best.

This has moulded his views, and he has this refreshing idea that people, no matter where they live, are equal.

No colonial hangovers or superiority at all.

I guess one day he’ll hang up his boots and become philosophical about it all too.  I wonder if the generation after him will write him off as an old crock.  He’s got a son with a burgeoning sense of adventure to do that to him one day too.

Papua New Guinea didn’t end in 1975 as some would have it.  It will be there to enjoy for many generations to come.

Enga students a big hit at DWU cultural show

BY JOE WASIA

 
THE DIVINE WORD University cultural show is an annual event in which students from all over Papua New Guinea participate.

All 21 provincial clubs at DWU come together to display their cultures. And on 27 August the show attracted 6,000 people from both PNG and abroad.

It provided an opportunity for Enga students from DWU and the Lutheran School of Nursing, to present themselves as proud Engans.

We are a group of 105 students, member of Enga Student’s Association: 87 from DWU and 18 from the Nursing College.

As a unique province in the country (we speak only one common language across the province) we were proud to showcase this to the crowd. Many tourists (especially Australian, Europeans, Asians and Americans) joined us in the famous Engan dances, waipa and silimuli.

Parents and relatives from the Enga Province came to DWU with traditional costumes and bilas to dress their sons and daughters for the occasion.

It’s an expensive exercise to take part in the show: the cost of hiring costumes, transport for each parent from Madang to Enga (K140), food and accommodations was all met by the Enga Students Association and individual students.

The DWU Cultural Show Committee gives K500 to each provincial club to take part. The rest of the cost is met by the club.

The Enga students participation in this year’s show was more successful than ever. This was made possible by financial assistance from reputable people like Namba Tumu (K500), Dr Jimmy Aipit (K500), Joe Tari Tipanja (K400), Fr Dr Robert Laka (K500), Max Kitao (K500), Peter Andoi K300 and Peter Lyakae (K400) and from other personal contributions. Big thanks to them.

We are proud of sponsors, parents, and ESA executives for making this event the most successful ever.

Joe Wasia is 2011 President of the DWU Enga Students’ Association

Novocastrians celebrate I-Day in formidable style

BY PETER KRANZ

THE NEWCASTLE Papua New Guinea Association and the PNG Newcastle Students had a great Independence Day party at Mayfield Diggers Club on Saturday night.

There were over 80 attendees and we had a great night of wonderful food, PNG items, traditional dancing, presentations and speeches, ending with a disco.

Don't underestimate the PNG-Australian relationship as it is celebrated by many communities around Australia come Independence Day, 16 September.

This was a family affair with many kids taking part in dancing, dressing in bilas and chasing red, yellow and black balloons all around the club.

We had traditional grace and a prayer from Pastor Rumbrawer, and a blessing from the local Aboriginal community elder, who said we were all brothers and sisters, and of course many PNG songs and anthems from everyone present.

We enjoyed the Pate Pate dance from the PNG ladies of Newcastle as well as New Guinea Islands cultural dances by the Hunter Valley PNG ladies, then PNG DJ's playing local favourites into the small hours. Some lucky people won airline tickets to Port Moresby in the raffle.

I met many friends as well as some new guests from the latest students to come to Newcastle, including three nursing sisters and a doctor from Port Moresby General Hospital here on update training courses. This is an important example of how good can come from our relationships.

We also heard a presentation from Rod Ingersoll about his work for Rotary in re-equipping schools at Pogera and in the Eastern Highlands and re-establishing the nature reserve first established by Sir Edward Hallstrom at Baliem near Nondugl in the Wahgi Valley.

I suppose it was a small thing in the broad world of PNG-Australia relationships, but it was moving and powerful. We are just one example of what is repeated around the country each year.

The depth of the relationships between PNG and Australia blooms around our two countries. I talked to one old expat didiman who said, "I say to my wife, never forget your PNG heritage, family and friends. It is part of what makes you so special."

His wife said, "I came to Australia 20 years ago, but I will never forget that I am a Simbu ambai. I love both countries."

I second those comments.

Lepani praises voluntary Australian assistance

BY DONALD HOOK

HIGH COMMISSIONER to Australia, Charles Lepani, has used an Independence Day reception in Canberra to thank several Australians for help they are giving to PNG.

He said they represented charities and non-government organisations, and there was an Army colonel who paid her own way to PNG to distribute relief supplies to villagers.

People mentioned by the High Commissioner were:

Christopher Adams, of Cooma Rotary Club, and David Bryson, of Cooma’s Monaro High School, for promoting strong links with PNG students

Dr Genevieve Nelson, executive director of the Kokoda Track Foundation, and Anne Sophie Hermann, of Buk Bilong Pikinini.

John and Janis Kleinig of the Oro Community Development Project

Colonel Linda Reynolds of the Australian Defence Force

Mr Lepani and guests at Friday’s Independence Day reception at the Papua New Guinea High Commission also mentioned the Crocodile Prize Awards.

 

PNG-related events planned for September in Sydney

BY TOM NEESON

WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER - Battle for Australia Commemoration Service

The Battle for Australia Commemoration Service is on this Wednesday at 11am at the Cenotaph in Martin Place.

This annual event honours those who served on land, sea and air in the battle for Australia from 1942 to 1945. These battles took place in parts of Papua New Guinea and the Coral Sea. Australians had fought for the British Empire before, but this was the first time there was a direct threat of the invasion of mainland Australia.

Papua New Guineans courageously supported Australians in the war. The courage and efforts of these civilians – the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels – of Papua New Guinea are also remembered and honoured.

Jasmine Hopkins and Trevor Tongi will represent the children of PNG at this year’s Battle for Australia Commemoration Day, placing flowers on the Cenotaph to remember and thank those who gave so much. The public are welcome to attend.

SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER - Independence Thanksgiving Church Service

The Melanesian Lotu has organised this service at Uniting Church McCredie, 486 Guildford Rd, McCredie. The service is starts at 11.30 am. Lunch will be at 1 pm in the church hall.

Please bring some food to share but let Angela (0247301871) or Margaret (9313 4025) know of what you are bringing so that we do not double up on food. Melanesian Lotu will provide most of the meat, bread rolls, tea, coffee, and soft drinks.

Come and join in singing and praising God for our Papua New Guinea.

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER - Independence Sports and Picnic Day

This will be held in Centennial Park from 10 am. We will meet at the Ash Paddock, which is between the Randwick Gate and the Children’s Cycle Track. Please bring some food to share for lunch. The adults’ events will be held in the afternoon and will include Touch Football, Volley Ball and 100m Dash. Please start organising your teams.

Sydney PNG Wantok Club Incorporated

ABC program on Day of Repentance ‘puzzle’

TONY EASTLEY, ABC AM host: Papua New Guinea is marking its newest public holiday - Repentance Day, but the holiday was announced with little explanation and it's left many people confused. PNG correspondent Liam Fox explains.

LIAM FOX [PNG correspondent]: Like a religious vision the announcement came out of the blue. Eleven days ago a government press release declared 26 August to be the National Day of Repentance and it would be marked with a public holiday. The statement was two sentences long with no explanation of the purpose or significance of this new public holiday.

JACK EDWARD: Basically a time when we ask the people of our nation to come together and pray and ask the Lord to forgive us for the wrongs that are happening in our nation.

LIAM FOX: Pastor Jack Edward from the Shema Evangelism Ministry is the Repentance Day coordinator. He says it used to be an annual, informal day of prayer but two months ago a group of churches asked the then acting prime minister Sam Abal to turn it into a public holiday. Pastor Edward says Mr Abal agreed and hey presto, PNG has a new state-sanctioned day off.

JACK EDWARD: So everybody can find time to go to a church and pray or if they cannot able to, then stay back in their house and also pray for the country.

LIAM FOX: What do you think non-Christians will feel about this holiday?

JACK EDWARD: Well, I think they will, some of them will have questions about it. Most of them will think why are we doing anything, what is the reasons behind that but we feel this is a national issue.

LIAM FOX: It is a predominantly Christian country but there are other religions here. There are thought to be more than 4,000 practising Muslims in PNG and their spiritual leader is Imam Mikail Abdul Aziz. He's not against the idea of Repentance Day but says it could send the wrong message that reflecting on one's wrongdoings can be done just once a year.

MIKAIL ABDUL AZIZ: No, not only one day. We need to repent every time we do wrong, we must repent and will not commit it again.

LIAM FOX: Businesses in particular have been left confused by the sudden creation of a new public holiday.

DAVID CONN: We've suddenly been told a couple of weeks out that, you know, Friday is not a working day and you just close down or if you keep operating, it means you have got to pay double pay.

LIAM FOX: David Conn is the CEO of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce. He's says there's been so few details about Repentance Day he had to get a copy of the Government Gazette to confirm today is a holiday.

DAVID CONN: I think we've finally convinced our members that it is actually a public holiday. A lot of people thought it wasn't, a lot of people have been arguing the toss with us that it’s not.

LIAM FOX: Prayer ceremonies are due to be held across the country to mark Repentance Day. But it remains to be seen whether Papua New Guineans turn out en masse to atone for the sins or just relax and enjoy a long weekend.

Source: ABC AM Program

A great moment for the Enga students

BY JOE WASIA

THE NIGHT OF the Saturday 23 July was an exciting moment for Enga students at Divine Word University and its affiliated Lutheran School of Nursing when the Enga Students Association hosted it first Fundraising Coffee Night on the main campus.

Invitations were given to all Engan leaders, business houses and many working class people in Madang. The letters were also given to provincial clubs including the proposed Jiwaka and Hela provinces.

It was exciting to see that all the invited guests turn up except two who conveyed their apologies.

They included prominent businessmen and long time residents of Madang Max Kitao, Joe Tari Tipaija and Peter Andoi. They all pledged K500 each to the ESA.

Also present were Argmark Hardware branch manager Peter Lyakai and DWU lecturer Dr Fr Robert Laka who pledged K400 and K500 respectively. Another businessman Jackson Sisiak pledged K200.

ESA patron and medical doctor from Modilon General Hospital, Dr Jimmy Aipit, pledged K500 plus a huge pig while another Engan medico, Dr Kone, pledged K300. Dr Steven Toraso was also present on the night.

One of the strongmen and diehard supporters of ESA in Madang and potential candidate for Kompiam Ambum electorate in Enga, Namba Tumu, pledged another K500 in addition to last year’s K500 contribution to the club. He also promised to supply vegetables to ESA for its end-of-year function in October.

Also with us was the First Secretary of Defence, Bill Buka Toraso (an Engan). He pledged K200 to the club. Former DWU students Peter Manu, Nathan Lati and Waimin Kaitas Michael were also present. The presence these people made us proud.

On behalf of the Enga Students Association executives, students and friends here at DWU and LSON, I would like to thank all the guests, fellow students, Director of Student Services Steven Namosa and Dean of Men Andrew Pohon for their commitment, words of encouragement and donations to the club.

Their response shows they have a heart for the young people. As one of our speakers mentioned that, unlike white people, we are an emerging generation who are learning what the white people have been living and experiencing.

Our fathers and forefathers have lived a completely different Stone Age lifestyle and now we are starting to shift away from that lifestyle.

It is good that young people of this generation are moulded, shaped and directed by such inspirational words so that we may live a better life now and in the future.

If you teach one person you are teaching a thousand. We thank them so much with our hearts full of gratitude.

As the Bible says, every raindrop that falls from heavens comes for a purpose.  We believe, the words of encouragements shared with us that night will make a great difference in our personal lives.

We did not expect such huge donations from them. Our motive behind organising the event was to allow the leaders to share encouragement, thoughts and experiences with us.

It was a social night organised by the ESA where we all come together, tell stories, socialise and get to know each other.

However, they made us so proud that they were all willing to give something extra to the Enga Students Association. That is sign of a real heart for young people. Thanks for the support.

With the donations, we will be working towards three proposed activities: producing an Enga Students Year Book; participating in the DWU Cultural Show on 27 August; and end-of-year functions in October.

We thank these good people once again for the kind and loving heart they have for young people. We believe God Almighty will continue to bless them so that they can bless others the same way.

Joe Wasia is 2011 President of the DWU Enga Students Association

Digicel Foundation gets stamp of approval

FEW ORGANISATIONS have received the prestigious honour of being featured on a postage stamp, however the Papua New Guinea Digicel Foundation was given the tribute recently when it was announced that it was to be commemorated on a PNG postage stamp.

The announcement was made to honour the Kaugere Women’s Resource Centre – a Digicel Foundation-funded project that offers immediate shelter to women and children in crisis as well as being used as a training and empowerment facility.

The PNG stamp – valued at K1.05 – was selected, amongst other projects, to be depicted on the new stamps related to “Urban Safety and Crime Prevention in PNG”.

“The Digicel Foundation is honoured to have received this prestigious award which commemorates our work with the Kaugere Women’s Resource Centre,” said Digicel Foundation CEO, Marina Van der Vlies.

“We have engaged in over 100 projects throughout PNG since the Digicel Foundation’s inception and we are thrilled to be working to support urban safety and crime prevention across the country.”

Source: Jamaican News

PNG community of Newcastle fundraising

 

The PNG Community in Newcastle is holding a fundraser today, Saturday, from 7pm to 11:30pm.  It will be held at Wallsend Memorial Hall,  corner of Cowper and Low Streets.  Entry is $20 per person and free for children 16 and under.  PNG style refreshments will be served, entertainment provided  and raffles held to help raise money for the Newcastle PNG Association.  All friends of PNG most welcome!

Blood and Treasure - SBS TV [Sunday 8:30pm, Monday 1:30pm]

It’s 14 years since the war ended over what was once the world’s largest copper mine, at Bougainville and now Dateline has uncovered claims that the PNG government was acting under instruction from mining giant Rio Tinto when thousands of people were killed in the civil strife that ensued, a claim denied by Rio Tinto subsidiary Bougainville Copper Limited.

 

SBS chief correspondent Brian Thomson reports for Dateline and, with negotiations now underway to reopen the abandoned mine, asks if Bougainville could be heading for a repeat of the bloody battle over its resources.

US celebration of Pacific attracts hundreds

PACIFIC NIGHT, Washington’s single largest annual event celebrating Pacific culture, took place at the New Zealand Embassy yesterday. In recognition of the diverse cultures, peoples and cuisines of the Pacific, the large-scale reception attracted hundreds of people.

In recognition of the diverse cultures, peoples and cuisines of the Pacific, the large-scale reception is a collaboration by Pacific embassies and missions which brings a slice of Pacific life to the US capital.

“Pacific Night seeks to encourage awareness, cooperation and understanding on a range of issues of mutual importance to the Pacific and the United States,” said New Zealand ambassador Mike Moore.

“The reception was a great night out, which also provided an opportunity to highlight the challenges facing the Pacific region.”

In a first, prior to this year’s reception, a seminar was be held on The Future of the Pacific with speakers including Dr. Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chris Seed, New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The seminar was chaired by Meg Taylor, a former Papua New Guinea ambassador to the United States, now the Compliance Advisor at the International Finance Corporate and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

At the reception, Pacific-style food and drink were served, and guests were entertained by a range of performers including a didgeridoo player from Australia, and dancers from Samoa, Hawaii and Fiji

Source: New Zealand Embassy Washington

Outside: The unfamous life of C T J Adamson

CTJ (BILL) ADAMSON was born in 1901, became a Queensland shearer and cane cutter in the 1920’s and then, in the Great Depression, went to Papua first as a gold prospector, later as a government officer and plantation owner.

As one of the ‘outside men’ of Sir Hubert Murray’s Papuan Administration, he accompanied Ivan Champion on the longest expedition in Papuan history - the Bamu-Purari Patrol.

Adamson never killed anyone ‘outside’, although he did try. He also routinely carried a load like his carriers and suffered incredible privations as a matter of course.

At home on his plantation he played the mandolin and practiced yoga on his verandah. During WWII he served as a naval officer on minelayers, corvettes and covert operations in the UK, PNG and Australia.

He was a haunted man, a reluctant father and finally a crotchety, blue-singleted, old-timer nursing a beer down at the Cooktown Pub - until he shot himself in 1978.

Professor Michael Bird of James Cook University says the diaries Bill wrote provide an exceptional window into experiences and attitudes shared by many Australian men of his generation which continue to shape Australia’s idea of itself.

And on Thursday 30 June in the Crowther Lecture Theatre at the Cairns-based university, Prof Bird will look at the life of a man who never became rich or famous, but who nevertheless had a fish, a bird and a species of grass named after him.

In 1996 Prof Bird led an expedition that retraced the route of the first 1926-27 crossing of New Guinea from the Fly to the Sepik River by Karius and Champion and came to know of Bill Adamson.

In 1998 he purchased Bill's diaries and photographs from his wife in Cooktown (these have since been donated to the National Library in Canberra).

Further details on event: Sue Kelly - susan.kelly@jcu.edu.au

Bird, Michael. Outside: The Life of C.T.J. 'Bill' Adamson. 9781-86333-216-2. First Edition 2003 (pb). Pp: xv, 491; 235mm x 150mm; 0.76kg. num b/w. Foreword, preface, acknowledgments, afterword, appendix, references, photographic credits, index. Crawford House Publishing, Adelaide, 200.

Spotter: Phil Ainsworth

Walk against corruption this Sunday

Transparency International PNG says it is “humbled and honoured” to have 110 corporate teams, 80 school teams and five civil society organisations participating in Sunday’s 2011 Against Corruption.

This year the Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk will also be held in the four regional centres of Kokopo, Kimbe, Alotau and Madang.

TIPNG says the strong support from the community means that it has raised K230,000 so far to use in its anti-corruption activities.

The message for this year’s walk is “"Vote against corruption - don't support it, report it!"

Teams will gather at Jack Pidik Park at 5 Mile at 5 am on Sunday 12^th for the mass walk which will move along the Hubert Murray Highway, Boroko Drive, Kaubebe Street, Bisini Parade and Lahara Avenue finishing at Jack Pidik Park.

Participating organisations include

Air Niugini, Bank of PNG, Bank South Pacific, Blake Dawson Lawyers, Bomana Primary School, Boreboa Primary School, British American Tobacco, Caritas PNG, Central Supply & Tenders Board, Cheshire Homes, Colgate Palmolive PNG, Coral Sea Hotels, CPL Group, Curtain Brothers, Department of Finance, Department of Justice & Attorney General, Department of Labour & Industrial Relations, Department of Provincial Affairs, Department of Treasury, Digicel PNG, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Eda Ranu, Ela Motors, Ela Youth Ministry, Electoral Commission & Electoral Support Program, Environmental Law Centre, Esso Highlands, FNBC Youth Ministry

Gadens Lawyers, Gerehu Secondary School, Goodman Fielder International, Gordons Secondary School, Gore Accountants & Business Advisors, Granspan Furniture, Gretel Matawan & Group, Guard Dog Security Service, Hertz, Hohola Youth Development Center, IEA, Institute of National Affairs, InterOil, JDA Wokman, Jubilee Catholic Secondary, Korobosea International, KPMG, Laba Security Service, Lae Biscuit Co, Law & Justice Club Students, Law & Justice Sector Secretariat, Leadership PNG, Legal Training Institute, Mineral Resources Authority, Mineral Resources Development Company, Mirupasi Lawyers, Monian, Monier, MRL Capital

Nambawan Super, Nasfund, National Fisheries Authority, National Gaming Control Board, NCDC, Newcrest Mining, Office of Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates, Office of the Opposition Leader, Oil Search, Ok Tedi Mining, Pacific Adventist University, Petromin, PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum, PNG Correctional Service, PNG Dockyard, PNG Fire Services, PNG FM, PNG Forest Authority, PNG Ports, PNG Power, PNG Sports Foundation, PNG Sustainable Development Program, Police Internal Affairs Directorate, Port Moresby Grammar, Port Moresby International School, Port Moresby National High, Post PNG, Public Prosecutor's Office, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Red Cross Society Special Ed Students, St Josephs International, St Michael's Catholic Primary, Star HR, Steamships, Teachers Savings & Loans Society, Ted Diro Community School, Telikom PNG, TEMIS Teachers, The Ela Murray International School, Tokarara Community School, United Nations, University of PNG, Vabukori Youth Ministry, Waigani Primary School, Water PNG, Western Power, Women’s Energy Network

Teams can still register in the corporate (K2,000) schools (K200) and NGO/ Community (K500) categories. Contact Hane Toua on phone 320 2188, 320 2182 or email eventstipng@gmail.com

Symposium looks at PNG now & in future

EXPERTS FROM Australia and PNG are hoping to help broaden understanding of PNG at a symposium organised by Deakin University's Alfred Deakin Research Institute and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles MP on Friday.

Institute Director, Prof David Lowe, said that after World War II Australians had had a high level of engagement and understanding of PNG, partly based on Australia's involvement in helping the country move toward nationhood.

But since then interest in the country had waned, politically, socially and academically.

“We feel that Australians' knowledge of PNG has really slipped,” he said. “We need to rediscover our closest neighbour and develop a much deeper understanding of what, in 20 years time, will be an even more important relationship to us.”

Professor Lowe said PNG's new generation of political leaders would confront many important challenges.

“PNG is blessed with an extraordinarily rich natural-resource endowment, including vast reserves of natural gas and other minerals, which could help it prosper in the future.

“But managing the growth in revenue from its mineral resources and distributing it across the rapidly growing population will be a major challenge for the PNG government.”

Prof Lowe said PNG also faced other challenges. It is still grappling with the social and environmental impacts of mining activities along the Ok Tedi and Fly Rivers, and has to develop ways to respond to growing interest from international investors, including China.

“The country's geography, while stunningly beautiful and environmentally significant, also poses other challenges,” he said. “At the most basic level, it's extremely difficult to get from A to B. Road links are undeveloped and transporting goods and people in PNG can be complicated.

“Bougainville, having endured a long conflict, is due to vote on its future status some time between 2015 and 2020. This will be of great significance to Australia, and to the region,” he added.

Presenters from business, government, academia and the wider community will offer perspectives on a range of topics, including the minerals sector, the economy, development, the law, and women in society.

By bringing together academics from across Australia and from PNG, the symposium also aims to generate in Australia renewed interest in PNG studies, and to strengthen academic collaborations within the South Pacific region, in fields as diverse as the natural sciences, language, history, the arts and conflict resolution.

“These are crucial times for PNG, for Melanesia and the wider South Pacific and I am pleased the Institute is able to play a key role bringing together experts from PNG and Australia,” Professor Lowe said.

Source: Campus Daily

Note – PNG Attitude publisher Keith Jackson was invited to contribute at the the symposium but an overseas trip prevented this

Coming PNG-related events

CESSNOCK PNG NIGHT.  Thursday 9 June.  To raise money for the Teachers Assist Kokoda Project.  Guest speaker: Charles Lepani.  Venue: Potters Tavern, Wine Country Drive, Cessnock.  Time 7 pm. Cost: $20.  Dress: Tropical

2011 WALK AGAINST CORRUPTION.  Sunday 12 June.  Assemble: Jack Pidik Park, 5 Mile, Port Moresby. Time 5 am for 6 am start.  Other walks will be held in Kokopo, Kimbe, Alotau and Madang.  Contact Hane Toua, Event Coordinator on 320 2188 / 320 2188 or email eventstipng@gmail.com

Newcastle PNG students are on the move

BY PETER KRANZ

There is an active PNG community here in the Newcastle area. With an increasing number of PNG students coming, a PNG students association is being formed.

Many activities are planned, and the formal launch of the association will take place next month.

There are regular barbecues, fund raising parties, outings and sporting events. The association will be able to provide even greater support to PNG students in the Hunter area.

In addition community relationships will be strengthened - for example a picnic for local PNG students and friends of PNG is being organised by Singleton wantoks for 24 May at the beautiful Lake St Clair in the Hunter Valley.

Here is the official notice about the association. Best of luck to them and wakai wei!

Dear Wantoks,

As per announcement during our last PNG community gathering at Jesmond Park, PNG-NSA wish to extend invitation to all the PNG wantoks living in the Hunter region to attend the launching of the Students Association on the 5th June 2011 - 5/06/2011.

The venue will be at Jesmond park and we will start at 11:00am and finish by 1:00pm.

The launching program will be finalised shortly and you will be informed later.

Thank you very much and we look forward to this gathering on the date and venue mentioned above.

Have a blessed weekend.

Jeremy Goro
PNG-NSA President

Paradise bird: slow flier with high hopes

THE EXTRAVAGANT dancing and elaborate costumes of birds of paradise are a mating strategy used by the brightly coloured males to display their virility to females.

The aim is to attract as many females as possible in order to sire many offspring, says Dr Walter Boles, bird collections officer at the Australian Museum in Sydney.

"Things are exaggerated - it's like a cold war, where everyone is competing, trying to have that little bit more than everyone else," he says. "The females tend to breed with the flashiest males, so there's a premium for an increasingly flashy display."

The Australian Museum is launching an exhibition about birds of paradise and the people who share their lush rainforest habitat in PNG.

Walter says the richness of their rainforest habitat - abundant in fruits and insects - reduces the males' responsibility for providing for themselves and offspring, so they are able to spend the energy instead on bright decorations and mating displays.

"[They] really seems to say to females 'look how much energy I have - it's costing me a lot but I'm really fit and strong enough'", Walter says.

The ornate plumage can even go so far as to impede a bird's ability to fly. Some birds sport excessive trailing head plumes or tail feathers that make getting around the forest cumbersome.

But the extra plumage can also be a message to females that the male is such hot stuff that he can navigate the forest despite the apparent handicap.

With few natural predators in their rainforest habitats, the birds of paradise have little to fear besides humans - and even with that threat, none is yet listed as endangered, though some, like the red bird of paradise, are near threatened.

For centuries, the indigenous tribes of PNG have decorated their headdresses with feathers from birds of paradise. Some clans have adopted the movements of certain species, whose feathers and colours also adorn the tribes' costumes in traditional rituals.

Yvonne Carrillo-Huffman, collections officer at the Australian Museum says there is still abundant evidence today of the cultural significance of the birds for Papua New Guineans in traditional displays.

"Plumes are highly regarded at such festivities, supporting and enhancing the strength, prosperity and collective beauty of each clan," she says.

The exhibition Rituals of Seduction: Birds Of Paradise is at the Australian Museum from 9 April - 7 August, 2011. Papua New Guinean Huli dancers wearing bird of paradise costumes will give a traditional performance at the museum on 9 and 10 April at 11am.

Source: Australian Geographic

‘Decade of Independence’ exhibit opens

AUSTRALIA'S HIGH Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish, launched the fifth annual Australia Week in Port Moresby this morning.

“Australia Week is a chance to showcase modern Australia in PNG, and to reflect in a public way on the current state of the relationship between our two countries,” Mr Kemish said.

“Some might be tempted to say that Papua New Guineans are already well acquainted with Australia; that they are more familiar with Australian politics, society and culture than those of any other country.

“But it’s precisely because we are so close that we need to make an extra effort to ensure that our assumptions about each other are up to date,” he said.

During the launch Mr Kemish also opened The Decade of Independence photographic exhibition, which is free and open to the public at the High Commission.

Photographs taken by David Eastburn present a glimpse of the diversity of PNG and its people in the snapshot of time leading up to and immediately following Independence in 1975.

The exhibition is one of many Australia Week events including a concert featuring Australian band Little Red and The Wantok Musik Showcase featuring George Telek, Richard Mogu and Airi Ingram.

There are also performances by Aboriginal dance group the Thullii Dancers and sporting events including the Newcrest AFL Australia Week match.

“These events and others aim to share Australian culture with PNG and strengthen the close ties between both countries. It is a time when both countries can celebrate their proud histories and cultural heritage,” the High Commission says.

Papua New Guinea: Proud Journalism, Poor Image

The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby will present a lunch with Rowan Callick as part of Australia Week 2011. Rowan is the respected Asia-Pacific Editor of The Australian newspaper and will speak on PNG: Proud Journalism, Poor Image, which will be followed by a panel discussion of senior journalists.

Details:  Friday 11 March.   Kumul Room, Holiday Inn.   12-3pm.   Entry K30.   Ask for more information from Ruth.Moiam@dfat.gov.au or phone 325 9333

PNG-RELATED EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

Pacific Islands Art including the work of PNG artist Martin Morububuna and sculptor Jeffry Feeger. Until 27 February at the Global Gallery, Paddington NSW. Tues-Sat 11am-6pm Sun noon-4pm. Free

Campaign to free West Papua political prisoners. Venue: Amnesty International, 79 Myrtle Street, Chippendale NSW. Thu 24 February 6pm–7.30pm. Speakers: Andreas Harsono (Human Rights Watch representative Indonesia) and Hon John Dowd AO QC (Vice President International Commission of Jurists)

Australia Week film competition announced

THE AUSTRALIAN High Commission in Port Moresby is hosting a short film competition to celebrate Australia Week in March.

Papua New Guinean film makers can enter their own films of no longer than ten minutes that have been produced in the last two years.

The top three entries will be selected for screening and the winner announced at the Australia Week Short Film Night.

Films will be screened at the UPNG’s main lecture theatre at 7pm on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 March.

The best film will win a video camera valued at K2,500.

Potential entrants can obtain more information from Natasha Bodger at the High Commission here or download the flier here.

Great PNG community spirit in steel city

BY PETER KRANZ

THERE IS AN ACTIVE and wonderful PNG community society in Newcastle, NSW, one of Australia’s great industrial cities.

The few permanent Papua New Guinean residents provide support, social activities, cultural events and outings for the surprisingly many PNG students studying in the Newcastle area. There is also a Newcastle Manus dancing group which is often invited to perform at various cultural events.

This year the society has organised barbecues, visits to the Kumuls’ international matches and Independence Day celebrations, and it has provided authentic contributions to multicultural events and valuable support to lonely PNG students and visitors.

I am always amazed by the generosity and kindness that many PNG residents of Australia provide to PNG travellers, students, new arrivals and Australians with PNG connections.

We have just attended a farewell barbecue for PNG students from the Newcastle area who are finishing their studies or returning home to PNG for Christmas.

It was very friendly, enjoyable and great fun. Some people came for the first time, including one Australian woman who had spent 32 year in PNG since childhood and had married a Madang man.

She spoke fluent Tok Pisin, and cried when she met many PNG meris who had connections with her family and whom she had never met before. She hadn't realised there was such a vibrant local community group.

One PNG man we met for the first time had attended the same church as my wife, Rose, 20 years ago, and they exchanged many heartfelt reminiscences. He even knew the pastor who conducted our marriage.

Please give support to your local PNG community group - they are found in many parts of Australia, and you will be pleasant surprised. They are doing great work – unsung, under-recognised and completely voluntary.

TV tonight: The amazing birds of paradise

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH takes viewers on a journey through a riot of colour, plumage and exotic behaviour deep within the forests of PNG as we go in search of the ultimate bird of paradise.

PNG has some of the wildest, least explored places on the planet and is covered in tropical forest, with an abundance of fruit and other food supplies.

With no significant predators, the birds of paradise have evolved in a super abundance of colour and plumes found nowhere else on Earth. These birds have long fascinated Sir David and he has made many trips to film them.

This natural history documentary picks up where he left off, following two local experts, Paul Igag and Miriam Sumpa, as they attempt to film as many of these birds as possible.

The birds of paradise form an important part of rituals and festivals. Attending such a gathering, Paul and Miriam attempt to identify the array of feathers found in these tribal adornments, to work out which birds are most threatened by hunting.

The displays are mesmerising – the appropriately named male Superb Bird of Paradise transforms his upper body into a reflective bowl of incandescent black and green feathers, while two bright green false eyes stare at the focus of his desire.

The Lawes’ parotia has a different strategy – he is a master of detail who meticulously moves leaves so that he can dance unimpeded. Rising up, he extends his feathered skirt and performs a dance that is the envy of any ballerina.

As PNG develops, there is an increased pressure on the forests and the birds. Very little is known about birds behaviour, and the research carried out by the team could prove vital when it comes to protecting them.

Birds Of Paradise, ABC-TV1, Tonight 7:30pm

Spotter: Peter Kranz

Image: Hal Holman

Courageous Tiffany to speak in Melbourne

BY KEITH JACKSON

ALL CONSCIENTIOUS READERS of this website (where are you Dexter Bland?) would know that at present in PNG there is a huge and dirty legal battle being waged in Madang Province between landowners and the Chinese-dominated Ramu nickel mine.

The main bone of contention concerns deep sea tailings waste disposal proposed by the mine. But there are other issues that strike deeper into the social and moral fabric of PNG.

The case before the National Court is high profile and got a lot of media in recent times when the original three landowner plaintiffs failed to appear in court and suddenly dropped the case a day or two later. Coercion and bribery have been alleged.

Fortunately, other landowner plaintiffs stepped into the breach with their own concerns and a new case is set for hearing early in 2011 with over 100 plaintiffs to the case.

Tiffany Nonggorr, the PNG-based Australian lawyer and a woman who is withstood the onslaught of personal threat and public derision, is in Melbourne this week and will talk about the case in a seminar at Victoria University.

Tiffany will also discuss issues such as the accountability of the PNG government, the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Mineral Resource Development Company (“the trustee of the people’s resources of PNG”), and the many implications of the case.

The case has already prompted the PNG government to make major amendments to its own Environment Act, a move which sparked huge public debate, demonstrations and outcry by many Papua New Guineans. The Act is now being challenged on the grounds of contravening people’s constitutional rights.

Tiffany Nonggorr will speak at the Victoria University City Campus, 300 Elizabeth Street, City [Level 11, Room 1107] - Thursday 2 December: 6.30-7.30 pm

RSVP and further information from Deb Chapman on 0401091435 or debchapman@iinet.net.au

Kiaps History Day was a first for Australia

BY PAUL OATES

LAST SATURDAY some 300 people gathered at the Offices of the National Archives of Australia in East Block, Parkes, Canberra.

The objective of this remarkable get-together was to publicise a three month public display of the work of TPNG Kiaps, Sharing Histories, Kiap Tribute Event.

The National Archives became involved in actively seeking out information about TPNG Kiaps after years of work by Chris Viner-Smith. Chris has been working on trying to get successive Australian governments to recognise the work Kiaps did in PNG prior to Independence.

This work resulted in a meeting between Chris, Keith Jackson and the senior staff of then Special Minister of State, John Faulkner. After that meeting, the Minister directed that the National Archives organise a public display featuring the work of TPNG Kiaps.

The National Archives have promised to provide a list of all those who attended the event. They have also implored anyone with any historical document or written information about Australia's role in TPNG to send it to them.

Previously, some former Kiaps were unsure about any effort to have their work recognised as it might look like personally seeking some form of aggrandisement, a trait Australians are not usually noted for.

While everyone can form their own view as to whether they would want any personal recognition were it to ever be offered, it is very evident to those who turned up on Saturday that many, many people do want the work of TPNG Kiaps recognised for what it was.

But what was it that provides the central core of what should be recognised and how should it be recognised?

Kiaps were by their very nature, highly individualistic characters. No two would probably do things the same way yet the essence of what Kiaps were was to get things done despite at times, seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But how did we, as mere individuals, achieve anything at all? Clearly it was a collaborative effort by all concerned.

While some may refer to the authority given to us through official channels, that authority meant very little to the people who lived in rural PNG.

Mostly, these people then had very little concept of the outside world apart from what they saw happening at a local level. It was the acceptance of the Kiap role; together with way that system operated that seemed to mesh very neatly into the PNG concept of leadership and so ensured practical achievements.

Within the space of one person's lifetime, large parts of PNG emerged into a modern world without a revolution or serious civil war and loss of life. That surely is a remarkable achievement when compared to contemporary world history.

What makes it more remarkable is that the majority of pre Independent PNG still had essentially a highly diverse, rural population and that was administered by a centralised Kiap system?

By the early 1970's, there were no more than a total of a few hundred Kiaps in the then 18 Districts in PNG. Each District had on average, no more than 25 Kiaps stationed in isolated rural outstations and yet responsible for over 90% of a population of over three million people.

Another remarkable factor is that most of the population of the administrating authority, Australia, knew very little about her next door neighbour and this abysmal situation continues to this very day.

Imagine if Britain just ignored Ireland or Germany or France and knew very little about Spain? Imagine if Greece knew nothing about Turkey or Japan virtually forgot about Korea and China? Yet when asked, most Australians would probably say our closest neighbour was Indonesia or even New Zealand.

National Archives Director Ross Gibbs and his staff pulled out all stops to make the Kiap tribute day a huge success and they achieved their goal.

There were so many who turned up that the speeches and discussions in the main auditorium had to be broadcast to other rooms in East Block by CCTV. Archive staff are very keen to promote the opportunity to advertise the displays and to encourage everyone who has any information about this period in Australia and PNG's history to record it and send the information to Archives before that history is lost forever. It is suggested is that former Kiaps and their families contact their local members, (both Federal and State), and make them aware of the display and the Kiap story.

An example of how easily information could be lost was presented by former District Commissioner Jim Sinclair who described how just prior to Independence; he heard that all the confidential records of PNG Kiaps were being burnt in Port Moresby along with many other records.

He related how he was able to rescue these records just before they were burnt and on return to Australia, brought with him four patrol boxes full of these paper files. These are the confidential staff records that National Archives in Brisbane now has preserved for those who want to access them.

PNG High Commissioner Charles Lepani amazed some during his speech when he related how the current PNG PM, Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare had a few years after Independence, confessed that many areas the new PNG government was administering, were apparently not operating all that well.

According to Mr. Lepani, Somare suggested that perhaps they should bring back the kiaps to fix the problem?

Led by Deveni Temu, a PNG song and dance group with kundu, plumes and grass skirts provided traditional PNG entertainment to enjoyment of everyone and as a wind up for the occasion. They even performed 'Raisi', as a personal request from former DC Fred Kaad.

Those who attended the day were very pleased to meet up with old friends, many of who had not seen each other in over 35 years. We all swapped email addresses and telephone numbers and many continued the reunion afterwards.

The NAA Address is: P.O. Box 7425, Canberra Business Centre, ACT 2610 There are also an e mail contact: www.naa.gov.au

 

 

PHOTOS:

(1)   Senator Kate Lundy launches the Day at the National Archives
(2)   Chris Viner-Smith, whose commitment saw the commemoration realised
(3)   Former Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Kiap and author Jim Sinclair
(4)   Sharing histories; sharing a happy moment
(5)   Papua New Guinean dancers at Kiaps History Day
(6)   Panelists Paul Oates, Nancy Johnston and Jim Sinclair

‘Fantastic’ response for kiap tribute day

BY DONALD HOOK

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES says there’s been a “fantastic” response to the Kiap Tribute Day in Canberra this coming Saturday.

Archives spokesperson Elizabeth Masters said more than 200 people plan to attend: about half of them former patrol officers (kiaps).

She said the kiaps will see their contribution to PNG recognised with a display of photographs and memorabilia.

Among special guests will be PNG’s High Commissioner Charles Lepani and Major General Michael Jeffery, former Australian Governor-General, who served with the Pacific Islands Regiment.

A panel comprising Jim Sinclair, Nancy Johnston and Paul Oates will discuss the role of the kiaps in developing PNG.

ABC Radio breakfast presenter in Canberra, Mike Solly, will be compere.

Time to register for PNG mining conference

THE RESPONSIBLE MINING in PNG conference, hosted by the Minerals Policy Institute, will be held in Sydney on Friday 26 November.

The conference will explore the impacts of mining in PNG, examine pathways to responsible mining and discuss whether responsible mining and profits can co-exist.

It will appeal to people with an interest in PNG, the mining industry, investment institutions, researchers, small investors and civil society organisations.

While the focus of the day will be on practical examples of mining in PNG, discussions will be applicable to mining activity everywhere.

Speakers from finance institutions, civil society organisations, the mining industry and academia will present on a variety of issues relating to PNG and responsible mining.

Speakers include:

Alex Harris, Reputation Report

Amanda McClusky, Head of Sustainability & Responsible Investment, Colonial First State Global Asset Management

Peter Elliot, Senior Principle Sustainability, URS Australia, engineering and environmental consultants

Charles Roche, Executive Director, Mineral Policy Institute

Christina Hill, Mining Advocacy Officer, Oxfam Australia

Senator Scott Ludlam, Mining Spokesperson, Greens

Adele Webb, National Coordinator, Jubilee Australia

Dr Gavin Mudd, Lecturer Civil Engineering, Monash University

The costs of the forum are: $75 for students and non-profits and $175 for government and industry. To register please complete the email registration form here

Venue: National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Time: Friday 26 November, 8.30 am – 5 pm