Reports of functions, reunions and ceremonies held throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea. If you have an activity to advertise or promote, please send your information by

29 September 2025, Copy Deadline for the next issue to: editor@pngaa.net

PNGAA Events Co-ordinator

Hello to all our members and friends. Some of you may know me from my past time on the PNGAA Management Committee and I look forward to reconnecting, as well as gaining new friends, who have joined PNGAA more recently.

With the 50th Anniversary Celebrations for PNG’s Independence we are encouraging more local and personal get-togethers, and look forward to hearing about them and having your photos sent in to remember this special celebration.

Sara Turner events@pngaa.net

CHATSWOOD Networking Meeting

17 November 2025

Venue: Chatswood Bowling Club, 655 Pacific Highway, Chatswood—9.30–11.30 am.

RSVP: membership@pngaa.net

You bring your food and drink, and help clean up afterwards. 

At the May meeting, Ross & Pat Johnson presented the original ‘PNG Flag’, made by Pat (below—and also see the article in ‘Unity in Diversity’ on page 45).

SYDNEY: PNGAA Christmas Lunch

Wed., 26 November 2025

This special luncheon will round out PNG’s golden jubilee 50th anniversary of independence year. Gather together and share the stories and the highlights of this year, whilst connecting with others who have enjoyed the amazing culture and experiences of our PNG/Australia relationship. Opportunities to mingle with friends old and new will be an occasion not to miss!

Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 11.30 am.

Venue: Norths Club, Ken Irvine Room, 12 Abbott Street, Cammeray NSW 2062

Cost:  $88.00 per person.

RSVP: By 12 November 2025 to events@pngaa.net

Payment: Bookings by direct payment to PNGAA’s account (see Treasurer’s Corner on page 63 and please email events@pngaa.net); Or via www.pngaa.org, then go to the Events menu and select the Sydney lunch.

Transport: Parking available at the Norths Club. Public bus No. 194 leaves Wynyard Station half hourly and stops in Miller Street, opposite Abbot Street, Cammeray. There is very short walk to the club.

SUNSHINE COAST: South East Queensland Ex-Kiap Reunion

9–10 November 2025

Venue: Kawana Waters Hotel,

136 Point Cartright Drive, Buddina QLD—07 5444 6699

Time: 11 am–4 pm.

RSVP: 15 October 2025, via email kiap@optusnet.com.au

This invitation is extended to all kiaps, their families, their friends and other acquaintances from a previous lifetime such as chalkies, didimen, etc.

The reunion is at the Kawana Waters Hotel, with dining and seating facilities available for our use.

 

Upcoming Papua New Guinea Anniversary Celebrations

PNGAA has listed a number of events related to PNG 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations for your information. They are both PNGAA and other group events in various locations.

BRISBANE: 9 August 2025

PNGAA Brisbane Annual Lunch was held at the Ship Inn, South Bank, and featured artist, Grim Jordan, who was commissioned to design an artwork logo on the K50 note marking the 50th Anniversary of the Bank of Papua New Guinea.

PERTH: 29 August 2025

PNGAA WA Luncheon, RAAFA Club, Bull Creek; 11.30 am–4.30 pm; Pay as you go.

Contact Kylee 0405 334 501.

CANBERRA: 30 August 2025

PNGAA 50th Anniversary Dinner, Canberra;

Organised by the new PNG Kundu Editor, John Reeves, and held at The Pavilion at Dickson.

We were delighted that His Excellency John Ma’o Kali CMG, OBE, PNG High Commissioner to Australia was able to attend with his wife, Mrs Kali, and speak, together with guest speakers, Dr Ian Howie-Willis OAM and Mrs Margaret Howie-Willis, who shared their unique experiences as teachers in New Guinea, and as independent professional historians.

SYDNEY: 2 September 2025

Dr Nicholas Hoare, from the Australian National University, presented an online event, ‘Reporting PNG’s Independence’, looking back at the country’s independence through the NSW State Library’s Stuart Inder collection.

Stuart Inder had a legendary reputation in the Pacific as editor and publisher of Pacific Islands Monthly.  He was a well-known PNGAA member, regularly attending events and assisting with Una Voce (former name of PNGAA’s quarterly journal) over many years to 2013.

BRISBANE: 6 September 2025

East New Britain Guria Gala Ball; Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane, QLD.

RSVP Iava Parapa-Falvey: iparapafalvey@yahoo.com

SYDNEY: 7 September 2025

PNG 50th Independence Lotu, Turramurra Uniting Church, 10 Turramurra Avenue, Turramurra, (02) 9144 1853

GOLD COAST: 9 September 2025

Gold Coast PNG Club Cultural Cocktail Party; HOTA, Gold Coast, QLD.

RSVP Iava Parapa-Falvey: iparapafalvey@yahoo.com

CANBERRA: 12 September–June 2026

Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT.

SYDNEY: 13 September 2025

PNG Cultural Family Day, Sydney;

Email: sydwantok@gmail.com

BEENLEIGH: 13 September 2025

PNG Federation Qld Inc Cultural Day, Bill Norris Oval, 39 Boundary Street, Beenleigh; 8.30 am–3 pm. Tickets available: www.pngfqi.org/events

CAIRNS: 13 September 2025

PNG Wantoks Association, Cairns;

PNG 50th Anniversary Ball; Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, 35 Wharf Street, Cairns, 6 pm.  Information: 0419 977 898

PERTH: 13 September 2025

PNG Association of WA Inc.; 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations. Details TBA.

Gold Coast: 14 September 2025

Gold Coast PNG Club 50th Independence Luncheon, Southport Golf Club, QLD.

RSVP Iava Parapa-Falvey: iparapafalvey@yahoo.com

Felixstow: 20 September 2025

PNG Independence Day Gala; 6 pm, Fogolar Furlan, 69 Briar Rd, Felixstow, SA;

PNG Association of South Australia; event sponsored by South Australian Government.

RICHMOND: 20 September 2025

Richmond Church Hall, 304-314 Church Street, Richmond VIC; 12.30 pm. Bring your family, a pot of kaukau, banana, taro, tapiok to share, and byo drinks. Sit roast of pork, lamb and chicken will be provided. RSVP Julius Jacobs 0450 560 357, Teresa Cox 0435 716 693.

BRISBANE: 20 September 2025

Consul General (Brisbane) Kumul 50th Independence Ball; Brisbane Ent. Centre.

SYDNEY: 27 September 2025

Sydney Wantok 50th Independence Ball; Showroom, Hornsby RSL, 6.30 pm–11.30 pm, Dress: Formal; Cost: Early bird $150 (before 27 August), $180 after 27 August 2025; 3-course meal with drinks and canapes on arrival.

BSB: 062 000/Account No: 17021082. Please add payment description: Last Name_PNG50 and then email: sydwantok@gmail.com for confirmation and ticket collection.

CAIRNS: September 2025

‘The Invisible Line: Stories, Legends and Connections’—Cairns Regional Council, Mulgrave Gallery. This exhibition will highlight the ancestral and continued connections between PNG and Australia through art and stories.  These stories celebrate Australian First Nation and PNG cultures as well as contemporary interpretations and PNG diaspora voices in Australia.

BRISBANE: 1 November 2025

PNG Gulf Association of QLD Inc—

2025 Annual Gala Dinner, Hillstone, St Lucia. Tickets: www.trybooking.com/DDCMH or FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1141503524663266

CANBERRA: 14–15 November 2025

OAS Canberra Forum, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Further information: (email) info@oceanicartsociety.org.au

CANBERRA: 14 November 2025

Oceanic Art Society XIII Forum Dinner, Canberra, details to be advised.

SYDNEY: 26 November 2025

PNGAA’s Sydney Christmas Lunch; This special luncheon will round out PNG’s golden jubilee independence year and will be held at Norths Club, Cammeray, from 11.30 am. See page 12 for more details.

PERTH: 5 December 2025

PNGAA WA Christmas Lunch; RAAFA Club, Bull Creek, 11.30 am–4.30 pm; Pay as you go. Contact Kylee 0405 334 501.