Links
If links in the newsletter do not work properly, copy and paste the URL into your browser and press Enter. Be sure to copy the entire link, as it may wrap to the next line. If this still does not work please send an email to the newsletter advising of the broken link.
Do you have a web site or link to a PNG related area on the WWW? If so do you want it mentioned here? Then use the submission form by clicking here
External links - while PNG Gossip Newsletter will not sell your email address to others many links on this web site lead to other sites that may may not have the same policy regarding your valuable email address. Be careful when handing over your email address.
PNG in the News
Senior cop suspended for smuggling brew -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/27169
Someone else is in my seat: Chief -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20111221/news03.htm
We are PNG's government: O'Neill -- http://giaman.com/pg/?1ec9a7
PNG crisis shifts as forces back O'Neill -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d2432c
Michael Somare beaten, but defeat would not be the Melanesian way -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8ae6e5
Witch hunts on the rise -- http://giaman.com/pg/?cb83ff
How a bunch of loafers led the fight for PNG's heart and sole -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d81b5a
PNG Images
Wewak VSAT Install -- http://giaman.com/pg/?bb71de
The Pool at the Wewak Boutique Hotel -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/aj_mcflyy/4812990363/
At the Wewak Yacht Club -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/aj_mcflyy/4801596891/
Some black & white photos from Gerehu -- http://giaman.com/pg/?136f30
A glimpse of PNG. West New Britain Province -- http://giaman.com/pg/?5042e7
Flight Into Yesterday - a film from the 1960's -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkFB9ohNkLk
1986 Goroka Sing-Sing -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09rM5jXMAI
PNG Blogs
Relaxing in Madang -- http://kukmerinakamdaman.blogspot.com/2011/12/relaxing-in-madang.html
Goroka Show -- http://giaman.com/pg/?7a0c2e
PNG Photo Blog -- http://pngphotoblog.blogspot.com
Geoff's Outrigger -- http://giaman.com/pg/?bce88e
Malum Nalu -- http://malumnalu.blogspot.com
Somare Defiant -- http://www.pngblogs.com/2011/12/somare-defiant.html
PNG Misc Links
POM Motorbikes -- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Moresby-Motor-Cycle-Club/200251616727090
Hotel Poroman -- http://www.hotelporoman.com.pg
Bank of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.bankpng.gov.pg
PNG School Books -- http://pngschoolbooks.com
Act Now PNG -- http://actnowpng.org
Jasons -- http://www.jasons.com/Papua-New-Guinea
A Runaway Economy Spikes the City's Skyline -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ed4512
News Items
Donations Will Save Women's Lives
The Coloradoan reports PNG has the second highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the Asian Pacific. What is shocking is that 9 out of 10 of these deaths could be prevented with improvements and investments to health care systems. How would it feel if you were able to save the life of a mother, halfway around the world, for as little as $1?
-- http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20111224/OPINION04/112240309
Guest Workers Scheme
Australia will introduce a permanent guest worker scheme for citizens of poor neighbouring countries to address staff shortages in agriculture to start on the 1st of July. The countries whose nationals will be allowed to take part in the scheme are East Timor, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
-- http://af.reuters.com/article/togoNews/idAFL3E7NI2M920111218
Bank Ordered to Pay Yama
Bank South Pacific has been ordered to immediately pay over K4 million with interest back dated to 2000 to Madang businessman Peter Yama. The court battle has taken almost 11 years as it began on the 25th of August 2000 in the National Court.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20111219/news11.htm
Pik Dok Movement
PDM or Pik Dok Movement is a fun and laughter orientated group that can be found on facebook at -- http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/146238365465814/ -- Pik Dok Movement is a phrase used to describe bikhet pasin blo yumi ol PNG.
Record Budget Passed
The government of Peter O'Neill has passed PNG's largest budget ever of 10.5 billion kina ($A4.6 billion) capping a tumultuous fortnight in the Pacific nation. Treasurer Don Polye said the 2012 budget was a record for the country and 13 per cent higher than the 2011 budget compiled by the government of Sir Michael Somare
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?903098
Budget rollout to start next month -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/27175
Mt Hagen Crime Wave
Criminals in Mt Hagen have taken advantage of the security vacuum left by police personnel recently deployed to Port Moresby.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20111221/news08.htm
Deep Sea Tailings
The Supreme Court has given the green light to Ramu NiCo to operate its deep sea tailings placement system (DSTP) at its nickel and cobalt refinery at Basamuk, in Raicoast district, Madang.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/27172 -- and -- http://af.reuters.com/article/metalsNews/idAFL3E7NM1OU20111222
PNG Ramu nickel mine to operate in full swing in 2013 --
Online Opinion
Evisceration of reserve powers causes chaos in PNG -- http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=13040
Read more "The constitutional mess is the direct result of hastily drawn up Constitution which attempts to codify too much but which takes away one of the most important checks and balances on the politicians, the reserve powers".
World AIDS Day
BAHA PNG reports World AIDS Day 2011 was a great success as 52,448 employees registered to Wear Red with 200 companies and organisations around the country registered to hang red on the day.
Horizon Oil Hits Gas
Horizon Oil from Australia has hit gas in the Elevala-2 well on licence 21 in Western province. Horizon operates the well with a 45% stake while Talisman Energy holds 40% and Kina Petroleum the remaining 15%.
-- http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article294823.ece
Denistry Dedication
Two dentists in New Zealand have received the prestigious New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) Outstanding Young Dentist Award. One of the dentists travels as a volunteer to PNG and other Pacific islands, to provide dental treatment for remote communities.
-- http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/192154/duos-dedication-dentistry-recognised
Santa Visits Alotau Hospital
Santa has visited the children's ward of Alotau hospital bringing cheer to the patients. The sponsor, Alotau International Hotel manager Miami Shome, the chief executive officer of the Alotau General Hospital Billy Naidi, provincial administrator Henry Bailasi and staff from the hotel who sung Christmas carols, accompanied Santa.
PNG Logging
Logging companies are continuing to invest in controversial land leases in the country despite a moratorium on development, while a Commission of Inquiry takes place.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?33a4a7
Meningococcal Disease
A National Cpaital District meningococcal disease outbreak, mainly in Hanuabada, has been brought under control with a technical team tracing the contacts of the cases and providing suitable antibiotics.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20111221/news02.htm
Government Update
The Governor-General, Sir Michael Ogio, has sworn in Peter O'Neill as the PNG's Prime Minister. Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio said that following further advice, he had concluded that his earlier decision to swear in the Somare regime over a week ago was wrong.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20111220/news01.htm
Graduates Look For Work
130 students, recently graduated from Australia, are looking for employment in PNG. The Office of Higher Education has appealed to industries, provincial governments, companies and individuals to employ the PNG graduates.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/27159
Kokoda Track Walk
Nine people, led by Fr Denny Bray Guka and John Derrick Eroro, from the Gona Holy Ghost church in Oro province are walking the Kokoda Track to raise money for their new church building at Gona village. The church congregation aim to raise K500,000 to rebuild the old church building which had served them for more than 50 years.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/27166
Coming Events
Note: please verify any date mentioned as dates change and events can sometimes get cancelled. Of course I may also put down a wrong date.
New Year's Eve - 31 Dec 2011
New Year's Day - 1 Jan 2012
Ride the Rivers Enduro - 24 and 25 March 2012
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012
2012 PNG Games - Kokopo, East New Britain
Olympic boxing qualifying tournament - April 2012
2012 Milne Bay Critter & Adventure Expeditions with Bob Halstead & Graham Abbott
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 17th April 2012 to 29th April 2012
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 1st May 2012 to 13th May 2012
Alotau-Adventure Diving-Kimbe Bay: 15th May 2012 to 30th May 2012
-- http://diving4images.com/trips/milne-bay-critter-cruises
Mt Hagen Show - 11th and 12th of August 2012
Samarai and Milne Bay Reunion - Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra, Australia between the 7th and 9th of September 2012 -- http://www.loosenuts.com.au/www/index.php -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/121192744602253/
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Full Pacific Games - PNG 2015 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?081f78
Pacific Mini Games - Vanuatu 2017
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
PNG Media
If a friend has given or sent you a copy of this newsletter and you would like to keep receiving free copies then please visit -- http://www.pnggossip.com/news/index.html -- for instructions on how to join the list.
Articles for this Newsletter
If you think you have a PNG page worth mentioning then please click here and use the submission form
To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter queue please click here and use the submission form.