Adventist missionary killed in East Sepik accident

Adventist News Network

An accident has claimed the life of John Lello, a Seventh-day Adventist missionary who was serving in Papua New Guinea through Adventist Frontier Missions.

 Adventist Frontier Missions worker John Lello, right, died this week during an accident while serving in a remote territory of Papua New Guinea. Here, he poses with his wife, Pam, and two daughters in 2011, before the family moved to PNG. [photo courtesy AFM]

Lello died while felling trees near a remote project site in the South Pacific island nation’s East Sepik Province, a press release from the Adventist supporting ministry said. He was 46.
“We are greatly saddened to announce the tragic death of John Lello,” the release said. “Please join us in surrounding his family in prayer.”
Lello’s wife, Pam, and the couple’s two daughters, Alissa and Abby, have since been flown to Port Moresby, where they were joined by Stephen and Laurie Erickson, another family working in PNG through AFM. AFM Associate Training Director Dale Goodson, who spent 12 years in PNG with the Dowa tribe, and his wife are currently en route to lend additional support, said James Arkusinski, Communication director for the ministry. 
The Lello family had worked with Adventist Frontier Missions since 2009. They finished fundraising and launched to PNG in March. There, they ministered to the animist Ama people in the country’s northwest. The Ama live along a small tributary of the Upper Sepik River accessible only by plane or dugout canoe, Arkusinski said.
In an article for Adventist Frontiers, the magazine published by AFM, Lello was confident that God was leading his family to PNG, adding that “one thing is certain – He is calling you to give your all.”
Lello was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from church-run Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Washington, United States, in 1991. Later, he graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, United States, with a master’s degree in Science Education.
Before accepting a post with AFM, Lello taught math and physics at church-run Glendale Adventist Academy and Spring Valley Academy.
Adventist Frontier Missions is a Seventh-day Adventist lay ministry dedicated to establishing church-planting movements among people groups with no Adventist presence. AFM currently has 30 long-term missionary families or single missionaries serving worldwide.
Lello is the first AFM missionary to die in the field over the ministry’s 27-year history

PNG hands down big spending K13 billion budget

ABC

 Don Polye, PNG Treasurer

 

The government in Papua New Guinea has handed down a big spending budget with a focus on rebuilding the country's crumbling infrastructure.

At just under six billion dollars (K13 billion)  it's PNG's biggest ever budget and the government is going to have to borrow more than a billion dollars to fund it.
The Treasurer Don Polye told parliament the focus is infrastructure, education, health and law and order.
Some of the big ticket items include 200 million dollars to start rebuilding the country's main economic artery, the Highlands Highway, and 140 million dollars to comprehensively restore the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The budget predicts growth will fall from 9 per cent this year to 4 per cent next year.
Inflation is expected to climb to 8 per cent.
Director of PNG's Institute of National Affairs, Paul Barker has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that although he considers the budget conservative, the government is counting on the situation in Asia improving.
"With a decline in the growth of some of the major Asian economies - like almost recession in India again, Chinese growth back to 7 per cent, this is resulting in lower commodity prices and we're dependent on those commodity prices for getting us the level of revenue that are expected particularly from the mining sector and through taxes," he said.
He said infrastructure, education, health and law and order will take priority -- and insisted communities will benefit.
"What was concerning me was that there doesn't seem to be anything, as far as I can see so far, for building up the capacity building at the local level - the district, local government level- there seems to be an indication that this would be left to the development partners," he said.

Ben Hakalitz drums in final chapter for Yothu Yindi

by ADAM VAI DELANEY

This Thursday, a man from Papua New Guinea, with his ‘sticks,’ will grace Australia’s world-class musical stage in Sydney to perform with Yothu Yindi for its final curtain in front of a world-wide audience and amongst Australia’s recent successful artists including, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, the Jezzabels, and Miss Higgins.

 That man is none other than legendary PNG traditional instrument percussionist and contemporary drummer, Ben Hakalitz. 

Hakalitz (second from left, back row) with Tribe of Jubal in Cairns, Australia

The event - the 26th annual Australian Recording Industry Association's (ARIA) awards. 

This ARIA event will be a particularly special night, when the indigenous band, Yothu Yindi, is to be inducted into the much acclaimed ARIA Hall of Fame.

 Yothu Yindi, (Yolngu for "child and mother” will then join an exclusive club of Artists that includes the Bee Gees, Australian Crawl, the Seekers, Slim Dusty, INXS, the Saints,Men at Work, Little River Band,Midnight Oil, Kylie Minogue and Mental as Anything.

 Yothu Yindi’s induction will cement its remarkable place for indigenous Australian artists and in Sydney, the audience can expect to dance to its number one global success track: “Treaty”.

 “All Artists aspire to one day perform at the ARIAs. 

"It’s even sweeter to be in a keynote performing act that night. 

"There’s many great bands lining up, so you need to take the chance and give it your best shot. "Global super-star, Taylor Swift, will also be there as a special guest. 

"I am thankful for the privilege and journey that I have had with my brothers and sisters from Northern Territory.

" Yothu Yindi deserves to be in the ARIA Hall of Fame. 

"I can’t express the amount of hard work and commitment that goes into achieving this level of recognition."

 Originally from Bougainville, Ben was recruited by Yothu Yindi soon-after the band toured Papua New Guinea in early 1990s. 

Back then Yothu Yindi was a non-mainstream band by Australian standards and seeking its rightful place amongst Australia’s music icons. 

Ben’s natural, musical talent and local experiences, grabbed the attention of the band’s management during a performance with Sanguma in Port Moresby. 

With him joining Yothu Yindi for four years was fellow PNG keyboard maestro, Buruka Tau, from Tubusereia village.

 It seemed surreal, but being recruited was no small feat then. 

Ben was expected to step into the shoes of his predecessor - international drummer of Village People fame and get ready for Europe. 

Buruka and Ben did it, and more, touring Europe and then USA.

 I was privileged to have seen them play in Manhattan, New York City, with. 

“That was an incredible tour. 32 shows in seven weeks!” exclaimed Ben.

Adam Vai Delaney said: “This ARIA awards is going to be a remarkable and memorable moment for Yothu Yindi and, I believe, for Ben. 

"It’s a shame that Buruka isn’t able to join them. 

"To be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame is truly invaluable and superb.

" It means that the band has, for the last 20 years prior, achieved significant prominence in its work and has had a cultural impact and recognition within the world marketplace. 

"For Ben to play amongst the musical elite is an awesomeness that we should all be proud of."

 Adam said: “I stress the cliché; PNG is dripping of creative talent, and a wealth of cultural diversity to draw from and compose musical arrangements from, but the opportunities for standing on the world stage can only be realised if there are progressive leaders to support an industry beyond what is being churned out for radio and bars.

" It’s not about being bureaucratic, or giving seminars about copyright to“Rice imo ianinia”, and blah blah, which is rhetorical. 

"Melanesian musicians and performers do aspire for grand things, but sadly, it’s fruitless, if there’s no financial incentives, no proper stages, and mentors in their market to develop an industry for world-class acts. 

"Sports is the big thing in PNG for sponsorships and tireless government bid for a team in the NRL. "You would think those interested in the ‘industry’ at home would learn a few things from it’s developed neighbour and promotion of artists.

 “I wish Ben the very best as he gets up on Thursday with Yothu Yindi to celebrate this moment. 

"He stood by them during some difficult times, sacrificed family time, and this is where the rubber has met the road on the way to the largest Hall of Fame in our Pacific."

Adam Vai Delaney is Motu and an independent International Development and Marketing Consultant who coined the term “Arc of Opportunity” to describe the Melanesian countries. He had managed the Melanesian funk bank, Tribe of Jubal, that was founded by Ben, Pius Wasi, Airileke Ingram and Richard Mogu and featured Vanessa Quai.

adamvai@bigpond.net.au

A ride into paradise

By MALUM NALU

My good mate in Lae, PETER BOYD, just sent me this picture of a motorbike ride past Lake Wanam on Sunday. 

 This is a shot of local rider DANIEL HARGREAVES as the bikers attempted to ride around Lake Wanam on the Lae - Bulolo Highway.-Picture by PETER BOYD

 Makes me homesick for all the fun and outdoor life we had in Lae!

Passing of Rhonda Holzknecht

 Rhonda Holzknecht nee Dieckmann : 3.1.1945 - 27.11.2012

Family and friends in Butibam Village, Lae; Salamaua; Markham Valley and Morobe Province are advised of the passing of RHONDA HOLZKNECHT (, wife of our good friend and brother, Philip Holzknecht, early this morning, at Ipswich outside Brisbane.
Philip would be grateful if this information could be passed on to the elders of Butibam, especially Mesach and Bart Philemon, and also at Situm in the Adzera resettlement areas.
He would also be grateful if this message could be passed on to Andrew Baing, wife Sue and daughter Jennifer Baing-Waiko, who live on the right side of the Highlands Highway after the Umi Bridge.

Philip Holzknecht's direct contact is [614] 382 6 1030 and email is sampai2610@gmail.com
Other details will be advised in due course.

He writes: Rhonda passed away in the early minutes off this morning of sepsis,respiratory failure and the effects of scleroderma. 

She had been ill for a short time, was admitted to Ipswich General Hospital two weeks ago, and into Intensive Care last Thursday. 

Her illness progressed very quickly and she was placed in an induced coma last Friday morning
from which she never recovered. 

The illness progressed much quicker than any had anticipated and the last couple of days saw quick trips into the hospitals as doctors requested us.
The final call came at 10.30 pm Monday [last] night as Rhonda became more and more distressed with organ failure.
She will be remembered as a loving and incredibly supportive mother, a breeder of fine chickens, a friend in need, an incredible family day care mum to many children and families in need of care, a mean and competitive card player, a generally wonderful individual who made the world a better place, and for many many other things. 

She will be sorely missed by all who knew her and were touched by her. 

Sleep in Peace, my beloved.

Artist Larry Santana to present first solo exhibition since 1983

By AMANDA ADAMS

Art Stret is very proud to be able to present the first solo exhibition at home for Larry Santana since 1983. 
Larry has travelled extensively representing PNG contemporary art internationally and is one of our great art ‘rock’ stars. 

Larry Santana in Madang in 2006.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Usually based at the University of Goroka he will be in Moresby this week for the opening of the show and will be available all of Wednesday for press if you are free.
 I’ve attached the link to his exhibition on our website here so you can get an idea of his work.
http://www.artstret.com/Papua-New-Guinea-Art-Gallery/27/
He consistently presents works discussing the environment and his traditional heritage and is a fascinating man to talk to.
I do hope you can find time to come and meet him and see the exhibition in the flesh.
Take care and talk soon,
Amanda
Art Stret Ltd
PO Box 720,
Gordons, NCD,
Papua New Guinea
www.artstret.com
Tel: (+675) 325 4199
Fax: (+675) 325 0640
Gallery: Steamships Hardware Compound, Waigani
Production Haus: Ago Street, Gordons

Rent Papua New Guinea Art on www.artstret.com | PNG Art Gallery

www.artstret.com

Papua New Guinea art collection | Rent Papua New Guinea Art | Rent art on www.artstret.com | Rent art of artists from Papua New Guinea

Puggle births a boon for rare PNG echidnas

ByJoanna Egan of Australian Geographic 

Puggle at two months of age. (Photo: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary)

FOUR BABY ECHIDNAS, or puggles, born in Queensland are being hailed as a lifeline for their critically endangered cousins in Papua New Guinea.
The Australian native short-beaked echidna puggles were born over the past two months at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) on the Gold Coast, as part of a research program run in conjunction with the University of Queensland (UQ).
Through the study, researchers aim to learn more about the physiology and mating behaviour of the short-beaked echidna, common throughout Australia but notoriously difficult to breed, in an effort to save the long-beaked echidna, which is endemic to PNG.
The long-beaked echidna is fighting a losing battle against habitat loss and overhunting.

Fight for the long-beaked echidna

Lead researcher Dr Steve Johnston, a UQ reproductive biologist, has been involved in the program since it began six years ago. “The short-beaked echidna is common but cryptic and up until a few years ago, it was thought to be almost impossible to breed in captivity,” he says.
The new arrivals bring the program’s total births to six, following the birth of two puggles at Currumbin last year. “Producing four puggles out of about five attempts this year was a big surprise,” Steve says. “The success has changed our expectations and we’re now looking at getting a baby nearly every time we try.”
Already, the program has led to significant discoveries about the mating behaviour and reproductive cycles of echidnas.
“It was thought that females could only have one puggle every three years, but we have now had a female produce a puggle two years in a row,” says Andrea Wallage, a UQ PhD student involved in the breeding program. “We also discovered that females can go through multiple oestrus cycles each season.”

Puggle breeding caught on video

The echidnas at CWS are monitored around the clock via a series of video cameras. “We’ve been able to capture footage of some of the matings,” says Steve. “That’s been really helpful in giving us the fine detail we need to properly understand their biology and it is one of the secrets of our success.”
Using the cameras, researchers have detected a probable link between an echidna’s body temperature and its breeding rate. Prior to breeding, echidnas put on significant amounts of weight. As a result, their metabolism increases, helping to sustain thermoregulation, which encourages reproduction. By placing infrared lamps in the breeding enclosures, the researchers have seen an increase in breeding rates.
Steve and his team hope that, in the long-term, their discoveries will help bring the long-beaked echidna back from the brink.
“We’re very keen to develop our skill base with breeding short-beaks so that ultimately we can get directly involved in a captive breeding program in Papua New Guinea, or potentially even create an insurance population of long-beaks here in Australia,” says Steve.
In the meantime, Steve has invited staff from Port Moresby Nature Park, PNG, to train with him in Queensland. “The long-beaked is a different animal,” he says. “There are going to be changes that we’ll need to make, but in terms of its reproductive biology, there are certainly lessons we can learn from the short-beaked.”