The Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) invited Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare GCL GCMG CH CF SSI KSG PC MP to be our guest at the annual Christmas luncheon on Sunday 3 December 2017 in Sydney. Sir Raymond Thurecht OBE travelled to Sydney to attend with Sir Michael. 135 people attended the special lunch. Sir Michael renewed acquaintances with people he had known pre-Independence and who were instrumental in the changeover of government from Australia to PNG in the lead up to 1975. He also renewed acquaintances with old friends and met current Australians and Papua New Guineans living in Sydney and surrounds who retain close connections with a land that is close to their hearts.
Ross and Pat Johnson took along a photo collage which included a wonderful photo of the young Michael Somare, a photo of Pagei Patrol Post near Wewak and a photo of some of the members and staff of PNG’s 2nd House of Assembly Select Committee on Constitutional Development. It was a happy day celebrating our two countries.
Photos with thanks to Alistair Where and Roger Caroll and Yana Di Pietro.
A young Michael Somare
Pagei Station
Early days
Early Days
Early Days
Sir Michael in front of the Original PNG Flag
PNGAA Merchandise on Display
Sir Michael & Liz & Greg Corner
Sir Michael, Kylie Adams-Collier & Sumasy Singin
Ross Johnson, Sara Turner, Andrea Williams, Sir Michael
Yana Di Pietro, Murrough Benson & Doug Wood
PNGAA Committee: Ross Johnson, Sara Turner, Andrea Williams, Sir Michael Somare, Steven Gagau, Yana di Pietro, Murrough Benson and Doug Wood
Andrea Williams, Julianne Ross Allcorn, Amanda Watson and Rebecca Hopper
Ross Johnson & sir Michael
Quentin Anthony and Sir Michael
Sumsay Singin
Sumsay Singin with Sir Ramon Thurecht
Yana Di Pietro & Sir Michael
Jennifer Gagau, Sara Turner, Yana Di Pietro & Steven Gagau
Yana Di Pietro, Sir Michael, Kylie Adams-Collier & Sumasy Singin
Sumasy Singin & Robin Mead
Sara Turner, Sir Michael, Jane Turner & Roger Carroll
Doug welcomes Sir Michael Somare
Doug Wood & Sir Michael Somare
Sir Michael speaking
Sir Michael Speaking
Sir Michael speaking
Sara speaking
Mary Singin & Steven Gagau
Silent Auction
Silent Auction
Sara Turner, Sir Michael Somare, Roger Carroll and Jane Turner
Patron Fred Kaad OBE and Sir Michael Somare
Gaynor, Fred Kaad and Sir Michael
Sir Michael
Sir Michael with Rob Hicks
Sir Michael with Amanda Watson
SIr Ramon Thurecht, Sumsay and Sir Michael
PNGAA Christmas Lunch 2017
Roy
Worked for Burns Philp in Popondetta and Port Moresby from 1980 through 1987
The Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) invited Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare GCL GCMG CH CF SSI KSG PC MP to be our guest at the annual Christmas luncheon on Sunday 3 December 2017 in Sydney. Sir Raymond Thurecht OBE travelled to Sydney to attend with Sir Michael. 135 people attended the special lunch. Sir Michael renewed acquaintances with people he had known pre-Independence and who were instrumental in the changeover of government from Australia to PNG in the lead up to 1975. He also renewed acquaintances with old friends and met current Australians and Papua New Guineans living in Sydney and surrounds who retain close connections with a land that is close to their hearts.
Ross and Pat Johnson took along a photo collage which included a wonderful photo of the young Michael Somare, a photo of Pagei Patrol Post near Wewak and a photo of some of the members and staff of PNG’s 2nd House of Assembly Select Committee on Constitutional Development. It was a happy day celebrating our two countries.