Management Committee Update

PNGAA 74th Annual General Meeting 2025

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) require elections for the PNGAA Management Committee. Please see the notice to members on page 7.

Nominations are due by 31 January 2025, and we require a new President, Treasurer, Events Co-ordinator for the Sydney area, PNGAA Collection Co-Ordinator and website assistance.

Please urgently consider these positions, discuss with friends and committee if you like, and fill in the nomination forms available on the website!

If they are not filled, the running of the Association will need to be reviewed.

Events and Assistance

Thank you to those who organise PNGAA events for the benefit of members and friends, and those who contribute items to help the Association raise funds for the education program and the PNGAA Collection—all much appreciated. The events are always happy gatherings and we encourage you to come along and bring any friends along too!

PNGAA regularly receives invitations to events and Management Committee members try to support them by attending where possible.

Recently the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne invited PNGAA to hear about the work of the Modawa Institute—we were grateful to Claire van Bakel who was able to represent PNGAA.

Members attended Battle for Australia Commemorative services in Sydney and Brisbane.

PNGAA Editor, Christine Leonard, attended a two-day consultation in Brisbane on Bougainville’s draft constitution to be instated upon independence.

Recently PNGAA was asked to support the Australia Awards who are looking for stories from Australia Awards recipients about how they have contributed to PNG’s development. If you know someone involved in this program please ask them to contact ashlee_chapman@hotmail.com.

PNG Independence Day 2024

Around PNG and Australia there was a buzz of festivities to celebrate this important day, which many of our members attended.

Events captured the spirit of togetherness and showcased the cultural diversity within PNG. They were a beautiful representation of everything that makes PNG culture so special—filled with bright colours, infectious laughter, and a deep sense of pride and patriotism.

It was a moment of unity, with people from different provinces coming together to share their unique traditions through dance, song and stories. There’s something powerful about the way these celebrations bring Papua New Guineans and Australians together—bridging gaps between generations, provinces and backgrounds.

With 2025, and the 50th anniversary of independence happening in a heart-beat, PNGAA looks forward to building stronger ties and celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant future of the PNG/Australia relationship.

The music and lyrics of Barike Band’s Wan Kantri (One Country), together with the national song, ‘O Arise All You Sons’ inspired all who listen.

Next year will be the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence from Australia.

The question is—how will Australia commemorate this? Googling Australia’s role in PNG produces very little official or substantial information, and much can be incorrect.

Stories for 2025

PNGAA is interested in showcasing stories of Australia’s role in PNG leading up to PNG Independence and beyond! The article about the opening of the Coastwatcher’s Memorial in Memorial News, page 60, describes the wonderful and unique connection between Australians and Papua New Guineans. We know there are many examples of this friendly relationship and would like to hear more about them.

Please also think about a stand-out memory for you about your time in PNG, or as a result of it, and send to coordinator@pngaa.net.

Good Luck to Our Students

Our Association and hard working committee members recently sent a message of support to the students at Anguganak High School and Oksapmin Secondary School to wish them good luck as they attempted exams in October.

PNGAA also expressed thanks to our on-ground liaison and mentor of students, Glenda Giles, whose dedication and commitment to the students is inspiring as are the arduous journeys she makes to get to these remote and rural communities.

Glenda sent an update on her 10-hour road trip to Anguganak. It was the school holidays, but she spoke with the headmistress, who would prepare and send the students’ academic reports after they sit for exams.

To support this PNGAA Education Program we value your assistance with fundraising and donations, which can be made via the PNGAA website, thank you.

Australian Pacific Cultural and Community Centre

PNGAA sent a letter to the Australian Prime Minister in July 2024 requesting consideration for a dedicated Australian Pacific Cultural and Community Centre.

The response of 12 September acknowledges that the proposal has significant merit and would provide the public with the ability to engage with and understand Australia’s role in the Pacific, however, the Commonwealth is not in a position, currently, to provide the required support.

The letter has been sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide them with the opportunity to consider the proposal should funding become available.

Whilst it is felt that Australia needs to acknowledge this unique period in the Australian/PNG/Pacific history, this is an urgent and significant project for the PNGAA to support, and your management committee would appreciate any and all arms to the wheel to make this happen.

Please contact admin@pngaa.net if you can participate in any way. Writing to your local member will also help!

PNG—a Haven for Historical Tourism

Recently, the Director of the National Museum of American History and former Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution in America, Dr Brent Glass, made a visit to PNG.

During his visit Dr Glass highlighted the significance of PNG’s war history as a powerful attraction for international tourists.  He highlighted how that war history is compelling, holding global interest, and that developing historical sites that are accessible to tourists will not only preserve the history but also create opportunities for international travellers to engage deeply with both it and PNG culture.

PNGAA sees this growing international interest as another reason for an Australian Pacific Cultural and Community Centre!

ACNC Application

In the meantime, ongoing queries from the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) in our quest for Deductible Gift Recipient (tax deductibility for donations) status have been answered and further work has been required. Whilst it appears our PNGAA activities appear suitable, under ‘Advancing Culture’ and ‘Advancing Education’, our objects need to better align with both our activities and what ACNC see as appropriate.

A Special General Meeting will be held on 8 November 2024 to approve new PNGAA Objects. Members have been advised by email and/or post. Information on PNGAA website. In working towards meeting requirements, your Management Committee sees this as a positive move for the future of the association.

Congratulations Gima Crowdy!

PNGAA congratulates Gima Crowdy who has been appointed to work as the Apprentice Coach for the NSW State 17s Netball Team. In 2025, Gima will continue in the role for the State 19s Netball Team and also take on the position of Mentor Coach for her local Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Association, working with the representative coaches.

Gima, a former member of the PNGAA Management Committee, says:

I’m thrilled to be working with both of my coaches in the NSW 19s State Team. I’m also excited about my new role here at the Woy Woy netball hub. This coaching journey hasn’t been easy. I am beyond grateful for the amazing people and resources that have shaped me as a coach. While there have been many personal sacrifices to improve my craft, no matter how difficult it seemed, I’ve had a strong support system that has kept me going. I hope this achievement inspires those facing challenges to rise and keep moving forward.

Your friends at PNGAA are delighted to see your well-deserved achievements, Gima, and wish you all the best in your new roles.

Membership

Subscription membership of PNGAA comes about through the shared interest in the PNG–Australia relationship. However, PNGAA is also a wonderful network of volunteers that has, and can, quietly boosted many beneficial projects, through individuals seeing opportunities both here and in the quarterly journal, PNG Kundu, and therefore widening the ‘ripple effect’ to help many others. It’s the ripple effect that matters.

Help the PNGAA boost its own programs as well as helping others by becoming a subscription member via the Membership tab on the PNGAA website.

PNGAA New Members

The committee welcomes the following new members: John Gannan, Alexander Gilliland, Arthur Glassby, Wendy Glassby, Sheryn & David Golledge, Paul Mabarrack, Ian Macintosh, Peter McCarthy, Isobelle Morgan, Charles Page, Scott Perry, Valerie Salama & Lorraine Watkins.

The PNGAA Management Committee wishes members a happy and healthy Christmas and looks forward to 2025!
Andrea Williams

 Editorial

Christine Leonard

Thank you, members, for the fascinating stories and tributes that appear in the editor’s email inbox. Some days are like Christmas, and it’s a toss-up what to read first. Wherever possible, we try to fit everything in the current journal, but in the case of vales/tributes and time-specific events, prioritising may see your story moved to a future issue, and I try to tell the authors when this is the case.  

Proofreaders Wanted

As everyone knows, it takes a team effort to get the journal up to scratch and out the door. As an editor, one of the most important areas of support, along with Jeannette Gilligan’s production magic, is proofreading. Without a proofreader’s attention to detail, a love of the English language and an aptitude for grammar, sentences will not flow to keep you, the reader, turning the page.

The PNG Kundu benefits from years of experience and commitment put in by proofreaders, PNGAA Treasurer Murrough Benson, and committee member extraordinaire and Association steward Andrea Williams. Contributions regularly exceed 1,000 words which makes the journal all the more interesting and value for money. 

If you fit the profile of an able proofreader and are willing to help us maintain the standard we aspire for, please drop me a line.  

Member’s New Book

PNGAA member, Michael White, has published a book titled Reminiscences Of the First Baby Boomer.

Using his own experiences, Michael White, sets out to explode some myths perpetrated by later generations that baby boomers were an over-privileged, idle, self-indulgent generation that ruined the world.

What role did they play in the transition of Australia from a White Australia to the multi-cultural phenomenon of today?

To purchase a copy, please email the author at mwhite46@outlook.com. The book costs $27.50 inclusive of postage within Australia.

Spam Issues

Roy Ranney, Membership Officer, does a striking job looking after the Association website and disseminating the digital copy of the PNG Kundu to relevant subscription holders.

The PNGAA sends out periodic emails to members about new developments through a bulk email facility called MailChimp. It appears that a large number of emails are not being opened because they are being caught in SPAM filters. Most email applications have a mechanism to permit emails from a defined source to pass through the Spam filter. If you cannot find this setting in your email application, ask a tech-savvy friend for assistance.

Please check your spam folders, and if you find there is an ongoing problem, let Roy know.

Correction

The September issue of PNG Kundu included a tribute to Professor Hugh Lucius Davies AO, OL. It has been brought to my attention that some clarification is required regarding a statement on page 46, which claims, ‘He created and led the UPNG’s Earth Science Department’.

The University of Papua New Guinea’s Earth Sciences Division was formerly known as the Geology Department and Division of Geosciences in UPNG’s School of Natural and Physical Sciences. The former Geology Department began operation in 1973. More can be read about UPNG’s geoscience education, research and community services in the following link UPNG Earth Sciences Division on LinkedIn: #earthsciencesdivision #goldenjubilee #frankgriffin #jerrygarry… | 14 comments

PNG Kundu December 2024

For this issue the Front Cover features a photo of a Canna Lily at Bitapaka Cemetery, Rabaul, taken by Andrea Williams, during the Rabaul Memorial Tour in April this year.

Thanks Andrea, and we look forward to receiving other members’ photos suitable for future front covers!

This issue includes more articles and stories from members than usual, which means you’ll have lots to read over the holiday period.

However, the March 2025 journal will be a couple of weeks later than usual, but certainly worth waiting for!

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 will be the Copy Deadline. Contributions should be sent to me at editor@pngaa.net.

Tenkyu tru

Merry Christmas from all of us on the PNG Kundu Team

 

Papua New Guinea Association of Australia Inc.

74th Annual General Meeting

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) will be on Sunday, 27 April 2025.

Every two years elections are held for the PNGAA Management Committee. All positions, executive and general, are automatically vacated, and a new committee is voted into office.

All committee members are volunteers and PNG enthusiasts. Management Committee meetings are normally held by email or Zoom, so location is not necessarily an issue, although some face-to-face contact is helpful.

Please give urgent thought to the PNGAA Management Committee and the future direction of the Association. 

For some time now, the PNGAA has needed a new President, Treasurer, Events Co-ordinator for the Sydney area and website assistance. Requests have gone unheeded. Nominations now needed!

The PNGAA Management Committee also needs someone to take on the role of co-ordinating the PNGAA Collection. Both the Events and PNGAA Collection are General Committee roles.

The PNGAA needs all positions filled to operate smoothly.

Several members of the current PNGAA Management Committee have volunteered for eight or more years and would like to step back. Rotating the roles among the members helps keep the Association current and engaged.  

It helps the Association to have a range of backgrounds and skills on the committee too, so please do consider volunteering.  Being a team player is important. Please don’t assume the same people will keep doing the same jobs. Voting for the Management Committee is an integral part of this Association. 

This is also a great opportunity for anyone wishing to contribute spare time, whilst exercising their skills, to a worthwhile and highly-regarded organisation, surrounded by a supportive team.

2025 is a significant year, being the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence from Australia. PNGAA is looking for working groups in each state to assist with events. Please volunteer with an email to admin@pngaa.net.

Nomination forms, together with further information, are available on the PNGAA website. Click on the following menu tabs: PNGAA>Official Business (Members Only)>Annual General Meetings>2025.

If you cannot access this website, please contact the Secretary (see inside Front Cover of PNG Kundu) and ask that the forms be emailed or mailed to you.

All nominees and those nominating must be current members of the PNGAA. Nomination, seconding and acceptance can also be sent via email to admin@pngaa.net.

Please help your Association and send nominations in now.

• Nominations are due by 5.00 pm 31 January 2025 •