Some wishes for 2011

Was it really the year of the "noughties"? I began to wonder before Christmas.Then I realised there were highlights as well as some lowlights. Below is my list and what to look forward to in 2011.

Cricketers head to overseas clubs

When businessman and philanthropist Sir Brian Bell passed away recently, many remembered him as having left a significant legacy. And so he has. One example is the announcement made this week that 14 young PNG cricketers will have places in Australian cricket clubs - thanks due mainly to the Brian Bell Future Star Scholarship 2010-2011.

The selected players are :- Rarua Dikana (Bentleigh Club - Melbourne), Kila Pala (Airport West Club - Melbourne), Loa Nou (Box Hill Club - Melbourne), Jason Kila (Box Hill & Coles Sharks - Melbourne, Pipi Raho (Dhoutta Stars - Melbourne) Mahuru Dai (Broadmeadows - Melbourne), Sese Bau (Bentleigh - Melbourne), Tony Ura (Broadmeadows - Melbourne), Hitolo Areni (Broadmeadows - Melbourne), Lega Siaka (Dhoutta Stars & Coles Sharks - Melbourne), Raymond Haoda (Norths Club - Brisbane), Asad Vala (Ginniderra Club - ACT), Jack Vare ( Ginniderra Club - ACT) and Norma Ovasuru (TBC Club - Tasmania).

The Brian Bell Future Stars scholarship program is designed to select Papua New Guinean cricketers with great potential who will benefit from exposure to elite competition and coaching  in another country.

Vale Sir Brian Bell, I salute you

Many people have come and gone. Many people have loved PNG but have left. One man stood out as a shinning example of an extraordinary life spanning over 50 years of caring, giving and sharing his life, his wealth and his time with ordinary Papua New Guineans.

I knew him and met him on numerous occasions at charity events. He would always walk across the room with that small swagger to embrace and kiss me.

He was a staunch Anglican and lived in a humble abode behind the St Martins Anglican Church in Boroko, Port Moresby. I remember clearly the time when my friend Kathy Johnston and I went to his house one Sunday afternoon to take him to the salon to get his toe nails clipped. He was appreciative of a simple gesture like that, even though what he did for us Papua New Guineans was & is immeasurable!

Sir Brian Bell was a true pioneer in business as well as philanthropy who has left a significant legacy in Papua New Guinea. He had a genuine passion for the people of this country and will be fondly remembered.

Rest in God's Eternal Peace Sir Brian.

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21 (RSV)