Remembering those who sacrificed their lives

By His Excellency DAVID DUNN

British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

 

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them" part of the ode repeated all over the world on ANZAC Day and other memorial services throughout the year. 

As we gather for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service this year and young and old together witness the first rays of sunlight illuminating the row upon row of the immaculately-maintained Commonwealth War graves, let us reflect upon the huge debt of thanks we owe those lying at peace in the earth of Papua New Guinea.

These young men and women from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, India, Papua New Guinea, the UK and other Commonwealth nations fought and died together in the defence of common values, democracy and friendship.

But they not only died fighting for each other but also fighting for us.

For without their ultimate sacrifice and bravery we would not enjoy the freedoms and lifestyle that we have today.

As I visit the war graves in PNG I cannot help but be struck by the young age of so many of the of men at rest and I am personally filled with an overwhelming  sense of humble gratitude, sadness and feeling of what might have been?

 How many future fathers, husbands, sportsmen, scientists, inventors and even perhaps Prime Ministers lie shoulder-to-shoulder in PNG?

  So many young lives, hopes and dreams cut short before they had really begun.    

So at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

We will remember their courage and valour; we will remember their sacrifice and the families and loved ones they left behind; and we will remember the folly and tragedy of war and all those who have lost their lives and been injured in past and current conflicts. 

But above all else, we must remember and never forget that they did it for us.

The remains of 466 British Servicemen lie buried at the Bomana Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, joining those of their peers from throughout the Commonwealth who died fighting to ensure peace, freedom and justice for all.  

After the ANZAC Day Service the British High Commission will be informally laying individual flowers on the 466 unnamed UK graves at Bomana.

 Anyone attending the Dawn Eervice on Sunday is most welcome to join us.   

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae (1915)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

'For our tomorrow, they gave their today'

ANZAC Day Message by His Excellency Niels Holm

New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

 

 E nga mate, nga aitua, o koutou, araa o matou

Ka tangihia e tatou i tenei wa

Haere haere haere

 

To the dead and to those being mourned, both yours and ours

We lament them and farewell them

To us the living, greetings to us all

 

As we gather on Sunday April 25, in the beautiful setting at Bomana War Cemetery with the magnificent memorial looking down on us, we know that in even the smallest towns around New Zealand and Australia, and in towns around the world wherever Kiwis and Australians are, people are gathering at their own war memorials to remember their dead.  

 We commemorate no military triumph – but the more humbling triumph of human valour. 

 The courage and endurance of those who did their duty at Gallipoli remains a vivid memory and a source of pride to every New Zealander and Australian.

 Like many operations of the First World War, the Gallipoli operation, however cogent in conception, was inadequately planned and inefficiently directed.

  It became the graveyard for the bodies of thousands of the best men of their generation.

 Our troops at Gallipoli were not professional soldiers; they were not the descendants of a warrior class or men driven by a military tradition. 

 They were teenagers; they were shopkeepers and farmers, they were mostly volunteers, imbued with a concept of duty and a wish for adventure. 

 Their diaries and the written records of their service show an extraordinary acceptance of what our national and imperial masters demanded of them. 

 As any lingering sense of adventure was blasted away on a succession of battlefields, the ghastly conditions in which they lived and fought required qualities of self-sacrifice, tenacity, resilience, courage, and much bravery. 

These qualities forged the ANZAC spirit, which remains a real and powerful force.

Australians and New Zealanders share the knowledge that in times of crisis, we have acted together to defend freedom, our shared values and our common interests.

And we will continue to do so.

On ANZAC Day, as well as commemorating the New Zealanders and Australians who lost their lives in war, we also think about our fellow countrymen and women who right now are serving us proudly around the globe, and also right here in our region.

 It is telling that more often than not these days, our servicemen and women are part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance. 

 We work together in response to humanitarian emergencies in the Pacific, clearing the debris of tsunamis and earthquakes and providing emergency supplies in the aftermath of devastating cyclones. 

In Solomon Islands, at that government’s request, our troops serve alongside members of the PNG Defence Force. 

Together we help provide Solomon Islanders with peace of mind, and a secure space for the country to heal from its conflicts. 

We also take this opportunity to offer our deep respect and gratitude for the contributions of the people of Papua New Guinea to the successful outcome of the bitter conflict that was waged in this country more than six decades ago.

 Many Papua New Guineans willingly, and often at great cost to themselves and their communities, displayed those same ANZAC values in serving the Allied cause.

On ANZAC Day, we give thanks to all who have served their countries so that we might live in peace.

 And we will indeed remember that “for our tomorrow they gave their today”.

Fireworks over Eyafallajökull

Why 75% of Europe's air traffic is shut down.

Massive ash emission from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption late in the evening.
Lightning caused by electrical discharge within the ash column.
The ash column assumes the shape of a plinian eruption.
Overview of Eyjafjallajökull stratovolcano complex and eruption column at dusk.

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.