Friday, June 26, 2009
Pop star Michael Jackson has died
Pop star Michael Jackson has died in
Paramedics were called to the singer's home around midday local time on Thursday after he stopped breathing and suffered a suspected cardiac arrest.
He was rushed by ambulance to a local medical centre, but his death was announced shortly afterwards.
The star, who had a history of health problems, had been due to begin a series of comeback concerts in the
Concerns were raised last month when four of his "comeback" concerts were pushed back, but organisers insisted the dates had been moved due to the sheer magnitude of the spectacle.
A spokeswoman for The Outside Organisation, which was organising the publicity for the shows, said she had no comment at this time.
Uri Gellar, a close friend of the star, told BBC News: "I'm devastated - it's very, very sad.
"I'm still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it's not true. It's too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us."
US media reports said paramedics were called to the singer's house in Bel Air at midday.
They performed CPR on
Crowds have begun to gather outside the facility, whose emergency centre has been roped off by police.
He then went on to achieve global fame as a solo artist with smash hits such as "Thriller" and "Bad".
But the singer has been dogged by controversy and money trouble in recent years, becoming a virtual recluse.
He had three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.
Statement in Australian House of Representatives on the Montevideo Maru
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Montevideo
House of Representatives, Thursday 25 June 2009
Mr
What we know of this tragedy comes from Japanese survivors who eventually reached
Through the war, Australian authorities sought information on the whereabouts of those captured at Rabaul. However, they were never informed that the Montevideo Maru was sunk with the loss of all prisoners during the war. It was not until after the war that Australian authorities discovered the tragic story. With 1 July this year being the 67th anniversary of the sinking of the ship, we will pause to remember the loss.
The servicemen lost on the Montevideo Maru are among the 12,104 casualties of World War II who have no known grave.
On 1 July this year, the Australian Ambassador to the
The families and associations with connections to the Montevideo Maru have never lost sight of the tragedy that occurred 67 years ago. That it is still shrouded in mystery must also add to their sense of loss. It is something that we as a nation should never forget, as I am sure all members would agree.
Mrs MARKUS (Greenway) (3.56 pm)—I rise on indulgence, Mr Speaker. I would like to associate the coalition with the minister’s remarks. The sinking of the Montevideo Maru with the loss of 1,053 Australian prisoners of war and civilians on 1 July 1942 is the greatest single tragedy in
More importantly, it is also one of our lesser known.
The Montevideo Maru sank after being torpedoed off the
In placing my condolences on the record today, I wish to help to bring to the attention of the Australian public this little-known sacrifice of 1,053 Australians on board the Montevideo Maru so many years ago. In particular, I wish to thank and acknowledge those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation, a sacrifice that has contributed to the peace that we enjoy today.
I understand that on 1 July on the 67th anniversary of the tragedy the Australian Ambassador to the
A PNG Attitude
Young Jackson - aged 18, taken soon after arrival in PNG in November 1963
Keith Jackson with Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Orange City councillor in Canberra, April 2009
Keith Jackson speaking in front of PNG flag as President of PNG Association of Australia, April 2008
Keith Jackson and Di Siune . Di, from Simbu, looked Jackson in his early PNG years. Photo from 1964
Charles Lepani (left) and Keith Jackson (right) at investiture into the Order of Logohu of Hal Holman OL on Feb 20, 2009
At the base camp at Lake Pindiu 11,000 ft on Mt Wilhelm, Easter 1964
As a returning officer taking votes in the bush south of Chuave in the first House of Assembly elections February 1964An increasing number of Papua New Guineans and Australians are now turning to the ground-breaking PNG Attitude website (http://asopa.typepad.com/) and newsletter, two outlets with growing influence in both countries for their candid commentary on Australia-PNG affairs.
Both are published by former PNG-based teacher and journalist, Keith Jackson, 64, who is chairman of the Sydney-based public relations firm Jackson Wells.
He lived in PNG from age 18 to 31 and still feels a strong sense of commitment to the country and its people.
PNG Attitude offers a range of views on current Australia-PNG issues from contributors such as Paul Oates, Gelab Piak, Ilya Gridneff, Bernard Narokobi, Don Hook and many guest writers.
Mr Jackson is passionate about using communications processes to build closer relationships between the people of Australia and PNG.
He believes the political relationship has been neglected until recently, and that the civil relationship has a long way to go.
“We’re like a family that’s drifted apart,” Mr Jackson says.
“We need to do something about that, on both sides.”
He says he has some crucial questions he believes Australians want answered about PNG.
“I asked Sir Michael most of them a couple of months ago through an intermediary, but they obviously didn’t get to him.
“They’re questions Australians interested in PNG worry about.”
And what are Keith Jackson’s worrying questions that Australians would like to ask?
“We’re concerned about corruption, about public money going wrongly into private hands. Is this a serious problem? And if it is, what’s the Government doing about it.
“We’re concerned about violence. How safe would we be visiting PNG as tourists? How safe would we be living in PNG?
“It seems the public service is not really delivering for PNG. Rural infrastructure – health, education, basic services - is in bad shape and the people are not getting what they need. What’s the Government doing to fix this?
“We don’t know whether Australian budgetary support - $400 million this year - is being well spent. Can we get some assurance about this?
“Our aid agency, AusAID, spends a lot of the money Australia gives to PNG on consultants. How come these consultants are not delivering the services that are needed at the PNG grass roots?
“We’re not sure about the next generation of PNG politicians. Are they likely to be nation builders – and friendly towards Australia?
“The recent anti-Asian riots indicate a big problem for PNG. They seem to show that Papua New Guineans are being excluded from commerce in their own country. What’s going on?
“These are tough questions,” says Mr Jackson, “but, where I come from in the Australian bush they’d be considered fair. And they need to be answered.
“Why do they need to be answered? Because there’s an underlying suspicion amongst Australians who would be PNG’s best friends that there’s a lot going on that doesn’t smell right.
“You know, the Papua New Guinea Government doesn’t explain itself very well to the Australian people. It probably should. It should probably also explain itself to its own people.”
After finishing high school, Mr Jackson became a cadet education officer at the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) in 1962-63, arriving in PNG in November 1963 as an 18-year-old school teacher.
His first posting was as head teacher of the Kundiawa Primary A School, where he also established a local newspaper, the Kundiawa News, and became a correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, South Pacific Post and Pacific Islands Monthly.
After teaching for three years, he was transferred to Port Moresby as editor of school publications and, a year later, joined the ABC to write and produce broadcasts for PNG schools.
Mr Jackson left the ABC to join the PNG Government Broadcasting Service in 1970, managing Radio Rabaul and Radio Bougainville.
Around the time of Independence, he was appointed head of policy and planning in the new National Broadcasting Commission.
Reflecting on PNG’s impact on his life, he says: “I built my career in PNG, I married there, got my degree there, my first two kids were born there, and I made many, many friends.
“I retain a great affection for the country and its people.
“It’s in my blood.”
After leaving PNG in 1976, Mr Jackson developed broadcasting systems in Indonesia, the Maldives, India, the Philippines and Fiji.
Back in Australia, he established radio stations in Armidale and Sydney.
In 1983, he became a lecturer at ASOPA's successor, the International Training Institute, ending up as principal.
In 1985 he returned to the ABC as a general manager before establishing his company, Jackson Wells, in 1991.
“I left PNG but it never really left me,” Mr Jackson says.
“When you’re immersed in a different culture at a very young age, large bits of that culture stick. “One of the big bits of PNG culture that stuck with me was a strong desire to seek consensus.”
Mr Jackson has got the credentials and the awards.
His first degree was a BA in economics and political science from the University of Papua New Guinea and he went on to get a Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of New England.
He was awarded the PNG Independence Medal in 1976 and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for services to management and training in media, communications and public relations.
His interest in PNG remains undiminished.
He was president of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) in 2008-2009 and is currently working on a number of projects related to PNG.
After helping to establish New Dawn FM in Bougainville Mr Jackson continues to work with its manager, Aloysius Laukai, on its news website.
He’s chairman of the Montevideo Maru Memorial Committee.
He’s working on a project to recognise the work of kiaps in PNG.
And he’s trying to get books about PNG history into PNG schools.
“PNG has a rich and proud history,” Mr Jackson says.
“There are books that tell that history.
“They are not in the schools.
“They should be.”
Both are published by former PNG-based teacher and journalist, Keith Jackson, 64, who is chairman of the Sydney-based public relations firm Jackson Wells.
He lived in PNG from age 18 to 31 and still feels a strong sense of commitment to the country and its people.
PNG Attitude offers a range of views on current Australia-PNG issues from contributors such as Paul Oates, Gelab Piak, Ilya Gridneff, Bernard Narokobi, Don Hook and many guest writers.
Mr Jackson is passionate about using communications processes to build closer relationships between the people of Australia and PNG.
He believes the political relationship has been neglected until recently, and that the civil relationship has a long way to go.
“We’re like a family that’s drifted apart,” Mr Jackson says.
“We need to do something about that, on both sides.”
He says he has some crucial questions he believes Australians want answered about PNG.
“I asked Sir Michael most of them a couple of months ago through an intermediary, but they obviously didn’t get to him.
“They’re questions Australians interested in PNG worry about.”
And what are Keith Jackson’s worrying questions that Australians would like to ask?
“We’re concerned about corruption, about public money going wrongly into private hands. Is this a serious problem? And if it is, what’s the Government doing about it.
“We’re concerned about violence. How safe would we be visiting PNG as tourists? How safe would we be living in PNG?
“It seems the public service is not really delivering for PNG. Rural infrastructure – health, education, basic services - is in bad shape and the people are not getting what they need. What’s the Government doing to fix this?
“We don’t know whether Australian budgetary support - $400 million this year - is being well spent. Can we get some assurance about this?
“Our aid agency, AusAID, spends a lot of the money Australia gives to PNG on consultants. How come these consultants are not delivering the services that are needed at the PNG grass roots?
“We’re not sure about the next generation of PNG politicians. Are they likely to be nation builders – and friendly towards Australia?
“The recent anti-Asian riots indicate a big problem for PNG. They seem to show that Papua New Guineans are being excluded from commerce in their own country. What’s going on?
“These are tough questions,” says Mr Jackson, “but, where I come from in the Australian bush they’d be considered fair. And they need to be answered.
“Why do they need to be answered? Because there’s an underlying suspicion amongst Australians who would be PNG’s best friends that there’s a lot going on that doesn’t smell right.
“You know, the Papua New Guinea Government doesn’t explain itself very well to the Australian people. It probably should. It should probably also explain itself to its own people.”
After finishing high school, Mr Jackson became a cadet education officer at the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) in 1962-63, arriving in PNG in November 1963 as an 18-year-old school teacher.
His first posting was as head teacher of the Kundiawa Primary A School, where he also established a local newspaper, the Kundiawa News, and became a correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, South Pacific Post and Pacific Islands Monthly.
After teaching for three years, he was transferred to Port Moresby as editor of school publications and, a year later, joined the ABC to write and produce broadcasts for PNG schools.
Mr Jackson left the ABC to join the PNG Government Broadcasting Service in 1970, managing Radio Rabaul and Radio Bougainville.
Around the time of Independence, he was appointed head of policy and planning in the new National Broadcasting Commission.
Reflecting on PNG’s impact on his life, he says: “I built my career in PNG, I married there, got my degree there, my first two kids were born there, and I made many, many friends.
“I retain a great affection for the country and its people.
“It’s in my blood.”
After leaving PNG in 1976, Mr Jackson developed broadcasting systems in Indonesia, the Maldives, India, the Philippines and Fiji.
Back in Australia, he established radio stations in Armidale and Sydney.
In 1983, he became a lecturer at ASOPA's successor, the International Training Institute, ending up as principal.
In 1985 he returned to the ABC as a general manager before establishing his company, Jackson Wells, in 1991.
“I left PNG but it never really left me,” Mr Jackson says.
“When you’re immersed in a different culture at a very young age, large bits of that culture stick. “One of the big bits of PNG culture that stuck with me was a strong desire to seek consensus.”
Mr Jackson has got the credentials and the awards.
His first degree was a BA in economics and political science from the University of Papua New Guinea and he went on to get a Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of New England.
He was awarded the PNG Independence Medal in 1976 and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for services to management and training in media, communications and public relations.
His interest in PNG remains undiminished.
He was president of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) in 2008-2009 and is currently working on a number of projects related to PNG.
After helping to establish New Dawn FM in Bougainville Mr Jackson continues to work with its manager, Aloysius Laukai, on its news website.
He’s chairman of the Montevideo Maru Memorial Committee.
He’s working on a project to recognise the work of kiaps in PNG.
And he’s trying to get books about PNG history into PNG schools.
“PNG has a rich and proud history,” Mr Jackson says.
“There are books that tell that history.
“They are not in the schools.
“They should be.”
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Papua New Guinea's Bank South Pacific likely to take over Fiji's Colonial National Bank
From FijiVillage.com
Publish date/time: 25/06/2009 [16:56]
Commonwealth Bank of
Bank of South Pacific has approached Commonwealth Bank regarding its regional expansion goals and therefore its interest in acquiring National Bank of
A consequence of these discussions is that Bank of South Pacific has made an indicative non-binding offer and requested a period of exclusive due diligence.
It has been confirmed that Commonwealth Bank Board of Directors in
Bank of South Pacific is PNG's largest retail and commercial bank with 35 branches. It also has regional representation in
BSP currently holds in excess of 50 percent of market share in both deposits and loans in PNG and as at 31st December last year held total assets of 3.2 billion Australian dollars.
This one's a winner!
Here's an excerpt from Barbara Johnson's book I'm So Glad You Told Me What I Didn't Wanna Hear (pp.178-179)
This is a true story that a friend of the author told her about another couple:
The husband and wife were both late for work on a Monday morning and were frantically hurrying to get dressed when the zipper on the back of the wife's dress got hopelessly stuck. She struggled to free it, but the dress was one of those slim, fitted styles, and try as she might, she just couldn't get a good enough grip on the zipper to work it loose.
She asked her husband to help, and with an exasperated sigh, he hurried over to her, grabbed the zipper, gave it a mighty yank--and broke the tab off! The woman was livid. "You broke it?" she cried, squirming around to see her back in the mirror. "This is my favorite dress, and you've broken the zipper!"
Unfortunately, as the man tried to help her with the zipper his wife squirmed and turned frantically, trying to get out of the dress, and the poor man got tickled. That didn't help matters one bit! Finally the wife gave up, jerked open a dresser drawer, pulled out a pair of scissors, and pointed them at him with a glacier-forming stare.
The husband thought at first she might be planning to attack him with the weapon, but instead she barked at him, "You'll have to cut me out of it."
He quickly snipped away the dress and the wife rushed to find something else to wear, then the two of them headed off to work in opposite directions, both in a state of frustration.
The wife was still fuming when she returned home that evening and found his car parked in the garage with a pair of familiar-looking, denim-clad legs sticking out from beneath it. When she thought of her ruined dress, she momentarily considered kicking those long legs that protruded from under the car. Then a better idea came to her. She bent down, grabbed the tab of his trousers zipper, and roughly zipped it up and down half a dozen times.
She secretly enjoyed hearing him bang his head on the car's axle and cry out in alarm as he reacted in shocked terror. Smiling with satisfaction, she went on into the house...and was ASTONISHED to see her husband standing in the kitchen, cooking supper.
"What are you doing in HERE?" she croaked.
"I'm cooking your favorite dinner. I thought it would be a good way to apologize," he said sweetly.
"Wh-wh-who is that out there in the garage under your car?" she managed to stutter.
"Oh, that's our new neighbor. He came over to help me work on the transmission."
Stoned wallaby crop circles
By Damien Brown in the Courier Mail
June 25, 2009 12:01am
WALLABIES are breaking into
The strange occurrence that was revealed in a State Government Budget Estimates hearing, has also solved what some growers say has spurred a campfire legend about mysterious crop circles that appear in northern
In true X-Files-style, Attorney-General Lara Giddings said the drugged out wallabies had been found hopping around in circles squashing the poppies, creating the formations – and hence solving the mystery.
"The one interesting bit that I found recently in one of my briefs on the poppy industry was that we have a problem with wallabies entering poppy fields, getting as high as a kite and going around in circles," Ms Gidding said.
"Then they crash. We see crop circles in the poppy industry from wallabies that are high."
Tasmanian Alkaloids field operations manager Rick Rockliff said wildlife and livestock that ate the poppies were known to "act weird" including deer in the state's highlands and sheep.
"There have been many stories about sheep that have eaten some of the poppies after harvesting and they all walk around in circles," Mr Rockliff said.
"But as growers we try our best to try and stop this sort of consumption particularly by livestock due to concerns about the contamination of the meat.
"There is also the risk to our poppy stocks, so growers take this very seriously but there has been a steady increase in the number of wild animals and that is where we are having difficulty keeping them off our land."
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