Think Positive for the New Year

Walking through freshly cut lawn deep up to my ankle, delighting in the tingling sensation of the soft prickly grass wondering what the new year will bring, I came across this bottle tree located in the heart of Towoomba Park in Queensland. I thought, what an awesome tree - with a supple, generous waistline strong enough to withstand the forces of nature! My cousin Maureen and I had just been to see a new display at the Cobb & Co Museum where a collection of butterflies including from PNG were on show. Maureen is a PhD student at the university in Towoomba completing her studies on the 'effects of climate change on endangered species'. One such species is the  birdwing butterfly; the largest in the world is found in my province, Oro.Only a couple of days after I left Towoomba, the rains and the floods began with nearby town Chinchilla going under. What I did experience though while I was in Towoomba, was a storm with hails as big as golf balls. I hope and pray that the devastating floods in Queensland will subside soon and normalcy will return. 

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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Ho ..ho...ho ...a truly warm and hearty Christmas to you & your families. May you have abundant joy, peace, love and .......prosperity for 2011.

 

 

 

 

                                                       HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Miss South Pacific - an exotic blend of sophistication and native cultures

The grace, the beauty, the poise and an exotic blend of sophistication and diverse native cultures of the South Pacific were undeniably obvious at the crowning of Miss South Pacific at the Waigani Indoor stadium in Port Moresby last Saturday. Miss Cook Islands, Joyanna Meyer (above and middle) was the outright winner scoring high marks in the - talent and sarong categories which were conducted at the Lamana on Friday night and in the national dress and the Final interview categories. The mechanical engineering student from Auckland university walked away with the Miss Photogenic, Miss Sarong & Miss Talent in addition to the major award.

·         The event was the first ever for PNG.

·         PNG was privileged to be selected to be the host. The organising committee made up of volunteers were privileged to have been involved and took the event up as a challenge despite the lack of facilities in Port Moresby

·         The Pageant was seen as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on PNG’s assets, vast resources & potential as this country steps onto the threshold of an economic boom.

·         There were many attendees on Saturday who were in fact blown away by the the unique show put on by the contestants. It was their night; it was about them, their resources, their countries & their qualities.

·         If there is anything to take away from the event, it is the lesson that we Papua New Guineans need to step up to equal or better our smaller South Pacific neighbours. We need to be positive about ourselves, our future and take a giant leap in “polishing our acts” with grace and beauty and respect for our fellowmen/women whilst embracing our unique cultures.

The beautiful line-up with the new Miss South Pacific taking centre-stage.

 

 

 

 

 

                                        

Photos - Rocky Roe

Miss South Pacific Pageant - cast you vote online

To read the profiles of the South Pacific beauties and cast your vote for the Miss South Pacific please go to - www.misssouthpacificpng.com

The crowning ball is on Saturday evening (Nov 27) at the Sir John Guise Stadium and the tickets at K1000.00 pp are going like hot cakes. I have 1 ticket and I'm looking forward to the gala evening which begins at 6.30PM.

2011 Budget - No Super Hospital for PNG

There will be no super hospital established outside Port Moresby and there is no budget allocated for it for 2011.

That was the blazing message from the Finance & Treasury Minister, Mr Peter O'Neill.

I attended the Budget Breakfast organised by the Badili Club and PWC (PriceWaterhouse Coopers) at the Crowne Plaza in Port Moresby yesterday and that was one flashing news that stood out for me.

The minister said the hospital would not go ahead. There is certainly a plan but there is no intention to build it. Instead, Mr O'Neill said money will be spent on much-needed renovations and improvements at the current hospitals such as ANGAU in Lae, Boram in Wewak and the Port Moresby General Hospital in the National Capital.

Hospital upgrading is one of the key priority areas that has been included in the infrastructure budget.

Reserved Seats for Women in Parliament

PNG Women will be watching their MPs cast their vote on 22 seats this session of Parliament.

(Monday, 15 November 2010).

Women around the country will be watching closely this session of parliament for the passage of the bill to enact 22 reserved seats for women by elective process.

Elizabeth Palme Interim provincial council of women’s President of Jiwaka said the focus will be particularly on the Leader of Government Business and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Paul Tiensten to ensure the proposed Bill is put to a vote.

“Women throughout the country have welcomed the commitment made by Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to push for the proposed Bill on 22 reserved seats for women during the coming session.

“We know that the proposed Bill is now on the notice paper of parliament business and our eyes are on Mr Tiensten to ensure that the PM’s commitment is put to a vote,” Mrs Palme said.

“While the 2010 Supplementary and 2011 National Budgets will take priority we feel that empowering women in Papua New Guinea is equally important as it is a vote in recognition of women who have not been adequately represented on the floor of Parliament over the last 35 years.