Links
Warning:
PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs
money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay
to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services
or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at
the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone
has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined them
mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG
Gossip Newsletter.
Mention
of a website or service does not necessarily mean that this newsletter
endorses the website or service
Ice Discovered
Ice Discovered - the PNG version of the Idol Series has regular updates
on the Chill web site -- http://www.chill.net.pg
-- The show is usually aired on EMTV after the 6pm news on a Sunday.
Morobe Goldfields prior to WW2
Michael Waterhouse is well advanced in writing a book on the Morobe
Goldfields prior to WW2, and is looking for photographs of people who
were on the field at this time. He has arranged for a number of stills
from some 1929-30 film footage to be added to the website of the PNG
Association of Australia. These show a number of people from the goldfields
and elsewhere in New Guinea whose names are unknown. They can be viewed
on two pages at -- http://www.pngaa.net/Photo_Gallery/Morobe_Goldfields_research.htm
-- If anyone has photos of people from this period and can use these
to identify people in the stills; Michael would very much appreciate
it if they could contact him by email -- (mhwaterhouse@hotmail.com)
-- or on +61 2 9360 0226.
The website also lists a number of people, including Shark-Eye Park
and Cecil Levien, whose photos he is particularly anxious to obtain.
Could anyone with photos of these or other people from the goldfields
between 1926 and 1942, particularly individual miners or pilots, please
contact Michael. He will acknowledge the source of all photos used in
his book.
Wantok Radio
http://www.wantokradio.net
-- Wantok Radio Light is currently broadcasting on 93.9 FM in Port Moresby.
This station reaches approximately 320,000 people in the National Capital
District and the surrounding Central Province. This is the first of
a network of stations that eventually will reach the 5 million people
of Papua New Guinea. A short-wave station began broadcasting in June
of 2005 and it broadcasts on the Short-wave frequency of 7120 kilohertz
on the 40-meter band. The station also has plans to develop a satellite
fed FM network throughout the country.
PNG Sports Site
Official website of the PNG Olympic Committee -- http://www.oceaniasport.com/png/
Misc Sites
South Pacific Motor Sports Club -- http://www.spmsc.org.pg
Rocky Roe -- http://www.rockyroephotographics.com
National Research Institute -- http://www.nri.org.pg
CyberMasta Web Design -- http://www.cybermasta.com/portfolio.htm
PNG Coffee -- http://www.pngcoffee.com
Papua New Guinea Business Directory and Tourism Information -- http://www.pngbd.com
National Disaster Centre -- http://www.pngndc.gov.pg
Jane's Oceania Home Page Newsletter -- http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/index.htm
PNG Institute of Directors -- http://www.pngid.org.pg
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
News Items
National Anthem
Arise all you sons
Oh arise all you sons of this land
Let us sing of our joy to be free
Praising God and rejoicing to be
Papua New Guinea
Shout our names from the mountains to the seas
Papua New Guinea
Let us raise our voices and proclaim
Papua New Guinea
Give thanks to the good Lord above
For His kindness, his mercy and love
For this land of our fathers is free
Papua New Guinea
Shout again for the whole world to hear
Papua New Guinea
We're independent and free
Papua New Guinea
National Flag
Who designed the flag of Papua New Guinea?
Susan Karike (now Mrs Huhume) then a seventeen-year-old attending Our
Lady of the Sacred Heart School on Yule Island designed the National
Flag in 1972. The flag was officially raised at Independence Hill on
the 16th of September 1975.
National Pledge
We, the people of Papua New Guinea,
pledge ourselves united in one nation.
We pay homage to our cultural heritage,
the source of our strength.
We pledge to build a democratic
society based on justice, equality,
respect and prosperity for our people.
We pledge to stand together as One People, One Nation, One
Country
God bless Papua New Guinea
Independence Celebrations
Today is PNG Independence Day. 30 years ago PNG gained independence
from Australia.
Citizens around the country, that have access to flags and other PNG
memorabilia, have decorated cars and buildings. People can be seen wearing
the PNG colours of red, black and gold. Big organisations are displaying
the PNG flag. Air Niugini has even relocated its flagpoles to a new
location so that the flag is in a more prominent viewable position.
Big celebrations are currently underway in the major cities of PNG
but will people in remote villages know much or care much about the
event? While there is no dispute that there have been many, many major
achievements in the last 30 years the average villager has seen a decline
in the ability of anyone from their area being able to travel safely
and in comfort to sell any produce that has been grown. Many remote
government services are no longer available and many sick people are
having to walk many miles to get to a health centre only to find that
the centre does not have medicine to treat them. Even hospitals in major
cities have been heard to complain that there are not enough drugs and
equipment to go around. From all reports law and order around the country
has deteriorated over the last 30 years with no improvement in sight.
Looking on the shelves of shops it can be seen that where once consumers
were able to buy in bulk they are now having to purchase one item at
a time. Often that item has been subdivided from a bigger packet so
that the villager has a chance to buy it no longer being able to buy
a "full size" packet.
By the way why a big fuss and bother about a 30th anniversary? It is
widely accepted that 10 years, 25 years and 50 years are milestones
but not 30.
Police Guns
The police force has been able to test three new firearms that arrived
from Singapore in March this year. The SAR 21 rifles will be available
during the current Independence Celebrations. The Transnational Crime
Unit at Bomana just outside Port Moresby originally confiscated the
guns when it was initially thought that the guns had been brought into
the country illegally. The guns were later released when it was found
that all the necessary paperwork had been filled out before the guns
arrived. The guns were brought in specifically for the police force
to use on a 12-month trial to ascertain the usefulness of the equipment.
SAR 21 stands for Singapore Assault Rifle 21st Century.
Post PNG
Post PNG has launched a commemorative pre-stamped envelope package
in celebration of the 30th year of Independence
Commonwealth Baton
The Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay will be making its way around
PNG on its way to the Commonwealth Games. Several organisations are
gearing up to make sure that as many people as possible participate
in the relay. The baton used is high-tech as it has tracking technology
built into it so that everyone is able pinpoint the baton's location
via the internet, where supported by satellite coverage. The baton even
has a built-in camera that can be used to broadcast pictures. For more
details please visit the Melbourne Commonwealth Games web site -- http://www.melbourne2006.com.au
-- The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay is the world's longest, most
inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kilometres and visiting
all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day. The baton's
journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of
Nations, and enables communities beyond the host city to share the Games
celebrations. It also serves a functional purpose in carrying Her Majesty's
'message to the athletes' from Buckingham Palace in London to the opening
ceremony.
According to the web site the baton is in India today (16 Sep), its
51st Commonwealth destination, Bangladesh tomorrow and due to reach
PNG by the 9th of October.
Hiri Moale
The Hiri Moale has become a part of the Independence celebrations for
residents of Port Moresby and surrounding areas. A lone villager from
Boera from outside the city of Port Moresby, Muri Henao, has secured
a court injunction to stop the popular Hiri Moale festivities because
he says the Hiri Moale belongs to Boera and Boera alone. Quick legal
work has resulted in the scheduling of a substantive hearing on the
26th of September although the preliminary hearing was held on the 14th.
Sinivit Mine
The Sinivit gold mine in East New Britain should come on stream before
April next year. The mine, located at Mt Sinivit near Kokopo, is being
developed as an open pit/vat leach gold mine.
GFS
Val Gribble in Australia has thanked the newsletter for recently mentioning
GFS and has provided a few photographs for any interested readers.
The photos are available on the PNG Gossip web site: -- http://pnggossip.com/news/gfs-pix.html
Photo 1 Mrs Haembo, Senior Delegate for GFS to the USA World Council
Photo 2 Mrs Gribble, (Australian consultant to GFS in PNG), Mrs Lesley
Briggs (National Chair GFS Australia) Mrs Lucille Haembo, Mrs Deb Wadeson
GFS is still called the Girls Friendly Society in some parts of the
world, having been started in England in 1875 to work with disadvantaged
girls. A number of African countries, Australia and PNG now have male
members and so use the shortened name.
Inaugural PNG Honours (Logohu)
The following people have become recipients of the Inaugural PNG Honours.
Chief of the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL)
Princess Royal (Princess Anne)
Sir Paulias Matane
The Right Hon Sir Michael Somare, GCMG, CH, KSTJ, MP
Dame Josephine Abaijah, DBE
The Right Hon Sir Julius Chan, GCMG, KBE
Archbishop Sir David Hand, KBE
Sir Mari Kapi, KBE
Sir Tore Lokoloko, GCMG, GCVO
John Momis
For a list of other Grand Chiefs - click here
Honouray Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL)
His Excellency Major-General Michael Jeffrey, AC, CVO, MC
Gough Whitlam, AC, QC
Companion of the Star of Melanesia (CSM)
Sir Brian Bell, KBE
Joshua Kalinoe, CBE
Sir Thomas Kavali
The Right Honourable, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, KCMG, MP
Sir Ebia Olewale
The Hon. Bart Philemon, MP
Lady Mina Siaguru
Officer of the Oder of Logohu (OL)
Michael Manning
Gabriel Pepson
Member of the Oder of Logohu (ML)
Paul Loke
National Logohu Medal (LM)
Dawa Solomon
Cross of Medical Service Medal (CMS)
Dr Nicholas Mann
Distinguished Military Service Medal (DML)
Peter Ilau CBE (Mil)
Distinguished Police Service Medal (DPS)
Sam Inguba CBE, QPM
Distinguished Correctional Service Medal (DCS)
Richard Sikani
Meritorious Emergency Medal (MES)
Isaac Silas
Meritorious Public Service Medal (MPS)
Margaret Elias, MBE
Meritorious Community Service Medal (MCS)
Andrew Kalai
Have Things Changed
Here is an article from sometime in 1983 and is referring to comments
made by Michael Somare about national events. The title of the article
was "Youths lack pride in national days".
QUOTE
The Prime Minister has said that he was ashamed at the lack of pride
and committment shown by young people in celebrating the country's national
events.
He said recent national day celebrations were historical events
and every person should take pride in them. He also asked teachers to
educate children about the meaning of the national days.
END QUOTE
Have things changed? See the actual article at -- http://pnggossip.com/new/natpride.html
Changes
Some names belonging to bygone days? Some are still around but not
in the same form as 30 years ago - of course this is only a short list
Alu Signs,
Arthurs Pies,
Bank of Hawaii,
Boroko Hotel,
BP Service Stations,
Burns Philp Supermarket,
Carpenters Supermarket,
Chapman Pharmacy,
Dwyers Office Supplies,
Gerehu Theatre,
Hagemeyer,
Haus Bilas,
Hugo's Sapphire Smallgoods,
Indosuez Bank,
Isuzu Lu,
Meridien Motors,
New Guinea Motors,
Oyster Bar (in Hugo's),
Panguna Copper Mine (BCL),
PNGBC,
Skyline Drive In,
Steamships Machinery (Waigani Drive),
Talair,
Tandy Electronics,
Taurama Pharmacy,
TDE,
Toba Motors,
Total Concept,
Wards Strip Theatre.
You could also add that Mr Iambakey Okuk's Dash 7's left the country
years ago. Most of the town of Rabaul disappeared and never rose ago
after the multiple volcano eruptions.
There would be many other companies that have wound up and then there
are others that have been taken over by other companies or simply changed
their name. Computers and Communications springs to mind as one that
was taken over and has now almost disappeared from the radar screen.
Can any readers add to the list of companies? Any truth in the rumour
that what is left of the Steamships / Family Store / Stop n Shop Supermarkets
have now been taken over by RH Trading?
Gun Description
Kenneth McLeod from NZ has questioned the ability of a person to recognise
a gun from a distance. In a recent newsletter it was mentioned that
a missionary had seen a child with an American made pistol. (http://pnggossip.com/news/g050826.html#eh).
Maybe the missionary knows more than what he was prepared to say? Not
knowing the missionary in question all I can say (like Kenneth) is that
it was probably a handgun of some sort. Of course Kenneth says that
"However - it does not take away from the core concern that young
people are out fighting with firearms".
PNG Aviation Companies
Thanks to "Aeroplane" at the PNGBD Forum here is a recent
list of aviation companies in PNG.
This is the list that was current as of a few months ago -- name of
airline and in brackets their bases:
- Adventist Aviation Services (Division of PNG Adventist Association)
(Goroka)
- Airlines of PNG (formerly MBA Ltd & Milne Bay Air Pty Ltd) (Port
Moresby)
- Airlink (Madang)
- Air Niugini (Port Moresby)
- Asia Pacific Airlines (Fubilan Air Transport Pty Ltd dba / Subsidiary
of National Jet Systems Pty Ltd, Australia) (Tabubil)
- Central Air Transport (Port Moresby)
- Dovair (Aviation division of Diocese of Vanimo) (Vanimo)
- Government Flying Unit (Port Moresby)
- Heli Niugini (Madang, Moro, Porgera & Wewak)
- Hevi Lift (Mt Hagen)
- Island Airways (Madang)
- Islands Nationair (Port Moresby)
- Kiunga Aviation (Lae)
- MAF (Mt Hagen)
- Moresby Aviation (Division of H.R. Holdings Ltd) (Port Moresby)
- North Coast Aviation (Lae, Popondetta & Wau)
- NTM Aviation (Division of NTM-New Tribes Mission) (Lae)
- Pacific Helicopters (Goroka)
- Police Air Wing (Unit of the Royal PNG Constabulary) (Port Moresby)
- Regional Air (Member of the Booij Group of Companies / formerly
KSS Aviation Pty Ltd) (Madang)
- Sil Aviation (Aviation Department of SIL Int'l/formerly Summer Institute
of Linguistics) (Alyura)
- Southwest Air (Mendi)
- Star Airlines (Division of Star Earthmoving Pty Ltd / Associated
with Curtain Bros. PNG Ltd) (Port Moresby)
- Trans Air (Port Moresby)
- TransNiugini Airways (Port Moresby)
- Tropicair (Port Moresby)
- Vanair (Division of Garamut Exploration Pty Ltd / formerly Garamut
Aviation) (Port Moresby & Vanimo)
Some of these aren't airlines in normal terms, or even in PNG terms,
but are private operators.
Info is taken from JP Airline Fleets in case anyone is interested,
it also lists complete fleet details.
The link to the forum is -- http://www.pngbd.com/forum/showthread.php?p=46744#post46744
Betelnut
An unidentified disease is killing off betelnut (buai) trees in the
Markham Valley just outside of Lae. The disease that kills the leaves
is rapidly spreading creating a shortage and an in increase in the price
of buai in major centres of Morobe province and the Highlands regions.
Scientists at the National Agricultural Research Institute are aware
of what is happening but are still to determine the cause.
Miss PNG
It has been brought to my attention that although Eva Arni was the
first Miss PNG there are other ladies who won the title of MISS RED
CROSS prior to 1974 but there was no such country called PNG before
Eva won the title.
Coming Events
PNG 30th Independence Day Celebrations TODAY!
Hiri Moale Festival -- In progress - 15th to 18th of September 2005.
Goroka Show -- This Weekend (17th - 19th September)
Tufi Cultural Show -- 17th - 19th September
Morobe Show, Lae -- 15th and 16th of October 2005
The Milne Bay Canoe and Kundu (drum) festival will be held between
the 4th and 6th of November this year.
Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March 2006.
2006 - April 8th to the 16th -- National Game Fishing Titles
PNG Media
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