Pacific History Conference to be held at the University of Goroka

The Pacific History Conference will be held at the University of Goroka , Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, in September of this year (please click on picture to enlarge). 

The conference theme is: Pacific at the Crossroads - Reflecting the Past, Adjusting the Present and Directing the Future. 

The conference seeks to address a range of issues associated with the theme.

For more information, contact:

 Ms Kate Gunn
The University of Goroka
PR & Marketing Officer

Ph: (675)  5311 877

Email: gunnk@uog.ac.pg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's visit to Rotorua, New Zealand

Above are photos from Day 2 of PM Somare's visit to New Zealand.  Details for the attached photos are as follows:

• Wreathlaying: PM Somare lays a wreath at the Muruika Urupa (the Maori Battalion cemetery) at Ohinemutu, Rotorua. Sir Michael is wearing a korowai (ceremonial cloak) provided by the Rotorua District Council for the civic welcome and the wreathlaying as a mark of respect for Sir Michael's status.
• No 067: Sir Michael is greeted with a traditional hongi by Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters.
• No 056: Rotorua Mayor Kevin winters presents Sir Michael with a taiaha (traditional Maori weapon) as a symbol of respect and peace
• No. 048: Sir Michael, delegation members and advisors with the taiaha presented to the Prime Minister by Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters
• No 019: Sir Michael shares a joke with Rotorua Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell at this morning's Rotorua mayoral reception
• No 027: Sir Michael responds to Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters' welcome speech this morning and thanks Rotorua for the warm reception he received.
• No 002: Sir Michael receives a traditional challenge from a Maori warrior as part of the Prime Minister's official welcome to Rotorua at the Rotorua District Council Civic Centre 

Papua New Guinea's latest hotel soon to commence operations

The countdown is on at Kokopo in East New Britain province with the Gazelle International Hotel (pictured) scheduled to begin operations in early July.

Papua New Guinea’s latest international hotel is nearing completion.

Final stages of construction will be completed within the next weeks, leaving painting and fitting of furnishings to complete this massive project.

Developed by the Lamana Group of Companies the Hotel is being operated by Gazelle international Hotel Limited, owned by Nambawan Super Airways Hotel and the East New Britain Provincial Government.

The construction phase has employed in excess of 200 over the past 18 months and ongoing operations as Gazelle International Hotel will see 100 team members employed.

Mike and Jane Garvey, both New Zealanders,  will manage the hotel.

Mike Garvey said: "We have started recruiting in anticipation of an intensive training programme.

"An internationally-renowned trainer will be dedicating hours to ensure team members deliver service and standards appropriate for such a beautiful property and location.

"The response to advertisements placed was overwhelming: 3000 were received with 700 coming from East New Britain province.

" To maintain the local focus and friendliness most of the team will be from the province.

" I am impressed with the standard of applicants and their desire to be a part of our team.

"Unfortunately there are a large number of applicants who will be disappointed as they have not had the opportunity to prove themselves.

"Team members chosen will indeed have a great opportunity to provide service to our guests in a hotel and environment to be proud of."

"Gazelle International Hotel is themed on Emma Eliza Coe [ 1850-1913] referred to as 'Queen Emma' of the South Seas with key areas of the hotel named in her honour.

" We are privileged to offer a safe haven to the preservation of the 'Queen Emma' steps, protected in the north-western corner of the property.

" These steps originally leading to Queen Emma’s two story residence are sited looking out over the Ralum Golf Course and the ocean beyond.

"This conjures thoughts of a bygone era, of grandeur and tradition which surrounded Queen Emma and her entourage.

"Her business acumen, interests and gestures of good will are legendary throughout the South Pacific dating back to the late 1800s."

Facilities available at Gazelle International Hotel include Emma’s Restaurant, Chino’s Coffee Shop, Club Coe entertainment and bar area, pool and conferencing for 150 participants.

 Business presentations, conferences, meetings, social gatherings, family celebrations are all activities catered for in this purpose-built venue.

The pool area is adjacent to the conference room and is an ideal location for outdoor entertaining.

 The well-appointed guest rooms are a haven for the business or leisure guest.

The views from the hotel rooms of Tavurvur smoking and the oceans are awe-inspiring and provide the backdrop to any guest's memorable stay in Kokopo, East New Britain province.

Australian report raps Papua New Guinea universities: What?

From BAPA BOMOTENG

The Aussie has done injustice again to try and under-mine the Papua New Guinea university education system again. 

Through the top-up system they tried systematically to kill the brains of this nation by saying PNG is not able to do it. 

With the outcome based education (OBE) and education reform system all paid for by the Aussie tax monies, they try to produce illiterate grade elementary to secondary drop outs.  

 Through the successive government funding, they try to dry up the cream of the intellects of this nation. 

 This is all a systematic ploy by the colonial masters to continue to suppress PNG education system. 

What was wrong with the old Standard 1-6, forms 1-4 and National High School System? 

 They have produced the leaders of today? 

No wonder they are trying to say, our economists, accountants, engineers, lawyers and you name it, cannot negotiate and be marketable in the world. 

PNG can be reckoned with.

John Howard’s government shamed our Prime Minister couple of years ago. 

They tried to pipe the gas to Queensland and re-sell it from there.  

No wonder they are trying to say our economists, accountants, engineers, lawyers and you name it cannot negotiate and be marketable in the world. 

 PNG can be reckoned with. 

 Papua New Guineans can also ask for better deal comparable to counterpart expats like the OK Tedi miners are doing.

Look what has happened with PNG LNG.

They can lick their wounds, as PNG looks north and to North America with LNG.

Product of the old school.

Bapa Bomoteng

Pirates get a lifeline from Bismark Maritime

Captions: 1. Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black hands over the uniforms to Pirates’ secretary Jackson Varcilli watched by players at SCRUM Oval last Friday. 2. Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black (left) with Pirates players and officials at SCRUM Oval last Friday.

 

 

Lae rugby union side Pirates is continuing its relationship with shipping company Bismark Maritime.

The company has supported Pirates for the last seven years with two sets of jumpers and this year will be the eighth year running.

Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black was at the SCRUM Oval at the Lae Showground last Friday to deliver the two sets of jumpers to the buccaneers.

“This year, we’ve gone for a new design with new materials, in traditional read, white and black Bismark Maritime colours, which are also the colours of Pirates,” he said.

Pirates’ secretary Jackson Varcilli said without the support of corporate sponsors, the club would not be able to survive and players would not be able to play rugby week-in week-out.

“It is my privilege and honor to accept these brand-new quality jerseys on behalf of the club and its supporters, and I would like to thank Jamie and Julian Sharp and Bismark Maritime shipping company for its ongoing support in ensuring we are fully kitted for another season,” he said.

“These jerseys are much lighter than our previous set, and will boost out team’s image and our efforts towards winning the competition this year.

“We can assure you that we will take good care of them and wear them with pride and dignity throughout the competition.”

Minor sponsors are Designscope Architects, who are sleeve sponsors.

Pirates have made some strategic improvements to management this year including appointing John Posanei as president, backed by Varcilli as secretary, Maurice Owen as fundraising chairman and Sonny Songake as club treasurer.

On top of that, the Pirates have former representative player Ephraim Tavua, who is also a qualified and very-experienced coach.

Meanwhile, Chemcare Defence spoiled Bismark Maritime Pirates’ celebration of their new uniforms with a late comeback from behind to win 10-7.

Hornibrooks Harlequins opened their season on a high note with a closely-fought 14-13 win over Dulux Viking Dogs and Riback Unitech Reds nailed an under strength reigning champions Consort Reds 22-0.

Kokoda stamp joint issue

From  PAUL OATES

Tomorrow is the release day for the joint issue of Australian and Papua New Guinea stamps in remembrance of the Battle for Kokoda in World War 2.

Rice fields of Japan

From PAUL OATES

Stunning crop art has sprung up across rice fields in Japan, but this is no alien creation.  The designs have been cleverly planted.
Farmers creating the huge displays use no ink or dye.
Instead, different color rice plants have been precisely and strategically arranged and grown in the  paddy fields.
As summer progresses and the plants shoot up, the detailed artwork begins to emerge.
A Sengoku warrior on horseback has been created from hundreds of thousands of rice plants.
The colors are created by using different varieties.  This photo was taken in Inakadate, Japan.
Napoleon on horseback can be seen from the skies.
This was created by precision planting and months of planning by villagers and farmers located in Inkadate, Japan.
Fictional warrior Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife, Osen, whose lives are featured on the television series Tenchijin,appear in fields in the town of Yonezawa in the Yamagata prefecture of Japan.
This year, various artwork has popped up in other rice-farming  areas of Japan, including designs of deer dancers.
Smaller works of crop art can be seen in other rice-farming areas of Japan such as this image of Doraemon and deer dancers
The farmers create the murals  by planting little purple and yellow-leafed Kodaimai rice along with their local green-leafed Tsugaru, a Roman variety, to create the colored patterns in the time between planting and harvesting in September.
The murals in Inakadate cover 15,000 square meters of paddy fields.
From ground level, the designs are invisible, and viewers have to climb the mock castle tower of the village office to get a glimpse of the  work.
Closer to the image, the careful placement of the thousands  of rice plants in the paddy fields can be seen.
Rice-paddy art was started there in 1993 as a local revitalization project, an idea that grew from meetings of the village committees.
The different varieties of rice plants grow alongside each other to create the masterpieces.
In the first nine years, the village office workers and local farmers grew a simple design of Mount Iwaki every year.
But their ideas grew more complicated and attracted more attention.
In 2005, agreements between landowners  allowed the creation of enormous rice paddy art.
A year later, organizers used computers to precisely plot planting of the four differently colored rice varieties that bring the images to life.