Highly decorated Brisbane Broncos outside back David Mead has called time on his 14-year rugby league career at the top level effective immediately. Mead played 171 NRL games for Broncos and Titans, scoring 75 tries since making his debut in 2009, as well as 58 Super League games for Catalans Dragons scoring 29 tries. The popular finisher also played 15 Tests for Papua New Guinea and scored 10 tries, as well as captaining his beloved country of birth at the 2017 World Cup. Mead said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the Broncos, Titans, Catalans, NRL and Super league for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream since 2009. “This game has given and taught me a lot. I will always be grateful for my time playing footy. “Thank you to all my teammates, the coaching staff and the many people who have been involved with the game over the last 14 years  you have all played an important and valuable part in my development as a player and as a person. “Thank you to my family who have been with me since day one. A special mention to my wife - you have been a big reason why I was able to play as long as I did. “I look forward to experiencing the next chapter of our life together.” Broncos Coach Kevin Walters said: “Meady has been a great servant of rugby league both on and off the field and we have been lucky to have him here at the Broncos. “His longevity in the game is testament to his professionalism and his attention to detail in his training and preparation for games, plus he is one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet. “We wish David and his family all the best in the future and they will always be welcome here at the club.” Source: Broncos.com.au

Santos PNG Orchids head coach Ben Jeffries has named a 34-player train-on squad ahead of the team’s final selection trial in August for this year’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) campaign. The group features top performers from the recent PNG Women’s Tri-Series that took place in Port Moresby on 9th -10th July, as well Australian-based players who have been monitored by coaching staff throughout 2022 and have taken part in several elite pathway programs. The 34 women will gather in Port Moresby next month for an internal Santos PNG Orchids trial match, where final selections for the 23-player RLWC squad will be made. The train-on squad features several returning Orchids players from RLWC 2017 and the 2019 victory over England, as well as a host of potential debutants. Jeffries said: “I have been really impressed by the standard of talent we have available to us both in PNG and Australia. Although I was unable to attend the PNG Women’s Tri-Series due to unforeseen circumstances, I watched videos of all the matches and addressed the players several times during their camp. I am really excited to see our PNG and Australian-based talent come together in August’s trial match and begin the World Cup journey.” The 34-player train-on squad is as follows (alphabetical by first name): 1. ANGELENA WATEGO WYNNUM (QRLW) 2. ANIKA BUTLER KNIGHTS (Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership) 3. BELINDA GWASAMUN HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 4. BERTSHIBA AWOI SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 5. CAROL HUMEU SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 6. DELAILAH AHOSE HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 7. ELIZABETH KAPA SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 8. EMILY VEIVERS TIGERS (QRLW 9. ESSAY BANU WYNNUM (QRLW) 10. GEMMA SCHNAUBELT SOUTHS (QRLW) 11. GLORIA KAUPA HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG)  12. JANET JOHN SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 13. JANET MICHAEL SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 14. JESSICA CAREY TIGERS (QRLW) 15. JESSIKAH REEVES SOUTHS (QRLW) 16. JOANNE LAGONA SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 17. LAYNA NONA-BUSCH RABBITOHS (Western Australia) 18. LEILAH KEROWA SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 19. LYDIA LUKE NORTHERN CONFEERATE (PNG) 20. LILA MALABAG SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 21. LISA-MARIE ALU HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 22. LYIANNAH ALLEEN HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 23. MARTHA MOLOWIA SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 24. MELI JOE HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 25. MICHELLE JOHN IKUPU NORTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG)  26. REGILA WILFRED HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 27. ROSWITA KAPO SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 28. SERA KOROI SOUTHS (QRLW) 29. SHELLIE LONG TIGERS (QRLW) 30. SHIRLEY JOE NORTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) 31. TALITHA KUNJIL HIGHLANDS CONFEDERATE (PNG) 32. THERESE AITON SOUTHS (Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership) 33. UA RAVU BULLS (NSW Championship) 34.VERONICA WAULA SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE (PNG) Five players are unable to attend the trial match in August due to personal circumstances but remain in contention to make the final Santos PNG Orchids squad. They are: - ELSIE ALBERT: DRAGONS (NRLW) - TARA MOXON: LEEDS (UK Super League) - SAREKA MOOKA: NORTH QUEENSLAND (QRLW) - LA-TONIYA NORRIS: WYNNUM (QRLW) - SHAE-YVONNE DE LA CRUZ: SOUTHS (QRLW) Santos PNG Orchids Chairlady Okaro Yogi said, “I am excited with the selection because it is a good mix of debutants and returning Orchids players who came from the four confederates across PNG which includes our overseas based players.I would also like to thank those ladies who didn’t make this list that they are winners too.” “Last but not the least is our acknowledgement to our sponsors for their continuous support,” she said. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley Hondina speaking on behalf of the PNGRFL Board and Management said that he would like to congratulate these girls for making the final list for the selection trial and wished them all the best. “I would like to extend our appreciation to the head coach and his coaching team for the efforts put in to get to this point. With the challenge of covid and others, you (Jeffries) managed to put together a team that’s appreciated,” Mr Hondina said. “The concept that was put in place has been fair and every PNG girl has been given an opportunity to be selected, and with this trial which includes the overseas girls, assists us not only to get a balanced team but also a quality one,” he further added. “We stand committed behind the team with all our partners in Santos, Digicel, National Gaming Control Board and PacificAus Sports to see this event through and wish the coaching staff the best in picking our PNG Orchids to attend the Prime Minister’s XIII challenge and the RLWC in October

The Central Queensland Capras have produced a blowout 62-24 win over the SP PNG Hunters at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay in Round 15 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Just a week after beating the then third-ranked side in Wynnum Manly the Hunters couldn’t back it up against another top team over the weekend in the Capras, who ran in 11 tries to four in a dominant attacking display. Despite how the scoreboard read at fulltime, both teams started the game with a clear defensive mindset as they traded shots at the other’s line. The Capras would earn first crack, compressing the middle with some hard running settlers before some enterprising play from Jack Madden saw the halfback chip an attacking kick in behind the defensive line for teammate Brandon Roberts, only for the Capras winger to go into touch. The Hunters would reply in kind, marching upfield and setting up for a right edge shift of their own that looked like it would end in points until winger Solo Wane was herded towards the corner and lost the ball diving around the defence. Both teams seemed to be frontloading their defence to begin the game but as the clock wound down and fatigue entered the contest, the points started flowing. After both sides failed to capitalise on their first attacking chances, it was the Capras who would adjust quickest. They continued to work into attacking field position courtesy of a dominant forward pack and a good kicking game from both halves, and eventually the momentum began to swing in the visitor’s favour. The Capras scored on their left edge through Jonus Pearson in the 15th minute and then five eighth Radean Robinson backed him up three minutes later. The PNG side fought to halt the flood of points but as the Capras dominated in yardage the possession count was heavily in their favour and the Hunters were starved of the ball to concede four quick tries with halftime approaching.

Ialibu Pangia MP and People's National Congress Party Leader Peter O'Neill has been officially declared on absolutely majority votes, a total of 37,501 votes on Tuesday night. In his address to the crowd at his declaration, O’Neil said that we all have to put our differences aside and work together for our people. He added that by working together, we can deliver peaceful elections. He thanked Ialibu RO Ronald Rambu and Provincial Election Manager, Mr Jimmy Alwyn for their excellent work in delivering a transparent and fair election in the province.

A family from Babaguna village in Kikori, Gulf Province has thanked Santos for a medevac that may have saved their nine-year-old son. Self-employed couple Hibi and Cathy Hawa have four children including Jonah. Just like other kids his age, Jonah is fun and energetic and enjoys nothing more than playing with his friends and swimming in the river. Jonah was enrolled in the local elementary school and was always early for classes until one morning everything changed. “We heard him crying to us for help as he could not move his legs. I thought he was joking when he told us that he couldn’t stand up,” said dad Hibi as he recalls that morning in March. Jonah was immediately taken to Kikori hospital and to his family’s dismay, his health deteriorated very quickly. “The hospital then told us Jonah had a rare health condition known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS),” said Hibi. GBS severely affects muscles in the upper and lower limbs including breathing ability. [caption id="attachment_24048" align="alignnone" width="830"] Picture: Jonah and his family[/caption] “It was a very painful experience, watching our son fighting to live another day,” said mum Cathy. The family remained in the hospital until they were told that a medevac had been arranged for them to seek further medical attention for Jonah in Port Moresby. “We then found out later it was Santos who came to our rescue. Not only did they organise the medevac, but they also provided ongoing support to our son when we were at the hospital. They then gave Jonah a wheelchair after he was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit. “We could not give him the medical attention he needed. Santos made it easier for us. All accommodation and flight expenses were taken care of while we were in Port Moresby. Not everyone gets the kind of support that Jonah received, and we feel very blessed.” The family also extends their gratitude to health workers at the Kikori Hospital, the Port Moresby General Hospital and family members for the care and support. Jonah celebrated his 9th birthday while in hospital, but the family is excited now that he is in good spirits and ready to return home to Kikori. “There will be a few changes to our home to provide Jonah with easy accessibility, but we believe he will recover well,” says dad Hibi. For little Jonah, his education is far from over. “I have a wheelchair to get to school. All I need to do now is regaining the ability to hold a pencil and to write,” says Jonah. GBS is a disorder of the immune system where the nerves are attacked by immune cells that cause weakness and tingling sensation in arms and legs. There is no known cure and urgent medical assistance is usually recommended in severe cases. This year Santos has assisted with more than 30 medevacs and medical transferrals in its project impact communities in Southern Highlands, Hela and Gulf. Other recent medevacs have been done in the remote Bosavi region where health services are non-existent

As part of the 35th Anniversary Celebrations, PNG Air is pleased is announce the Write and Win Essay Competition. The competition aims to showcase the many destinations we fly to in Papua New Guinea and encourage domestic tourism post covid-19. The competition is open to students in Grades 9-12, who must write and tell us in 1,000 words or less ‘Now that International Travel is on the rebound, which province would you like Tourists to visit in PNG and why?’. The winning entry will receive return tickets for 5 people anywhere on our network and a feature in our PNG Air Magazine, which is distributed to thousands of readers on our flights. In addition to this, the winner’s school will receive two brand new laptop computers, to assist in learning. The competition is now open for submissions, and closes on Monday 1st August. Students should preferably submit entries via email to media.relations@pngair.com.pg, or using other acceptable methods listed on the competition submission criteria. For full details and terms and conditions please refer to Promotions webpage, or communicate through social media.  All students are encouraged to participate, and PNGAIR looks forward to receiving all entries and sharing our country through your words.

Ela Motors PNG continues its support to the Port Moresby Nature Park with a donation of a Hino Tipper truck presented to the Park this week. The donated truck would especially assist Nature Park’s grounds and maintenance teams in its daily upkeep of the Park. Port Moresby Nature Park’s Interim CEO, Kelsey Engle, expressed great thanks to the Management of Ela Motors PNG for continuing its support to Port Moresby Nature Park. “We are truly grateful for this donation and thank Ela Motors for the wonderful support in helping our team maintain the Park through this donated truck”, added Kelsey. Nature Park's missions are in line with Ela Motors Corporate Social Responsibility under Education, Environment and Safety. Ela Motors has been a continued supporter of the Port Moresby Nature Park since 2013 and continues to support this worthy cause by supporting its operations and educational programs. Ela Motors PNG, Marketing Manager, Benjamin Niligur said, “Ela Motors through its Corporate Social program, was happy to further assist the Port Moresby Nature Park. Ela Motors believes in educating children about the environment and animals, and conservation for the future. By donating this Hino Dump truck, we support the park in enabling them to keep the park functioning”. Port Moresby Nature Park is home to over 550 animals with a large collection of plants, within over 30 acres of land. A lot of effort is put in by the grounds, wildlife and maintenance teams to ensure the facility meets international accreditation standards through the upkeep of its facilities and the donated truck would greatly assist the team in achieving this goal on a daily basis. The Park and its management extend its thanks to Ela Motors PNG for giving the park necessary assistance that will help in its operations as PNG’s only international welfare accredited wildlife park. Port Moresby Nature Park is a charity organization that relies on grants and donor funding to operate. By visiting the park and joining our Membership program, you help support the Park’s efforts in preserving PNG’s unique natural environment for future generations, including the Park’s 550 resident animals, majority of which have been surrendered to the Park for care.

“A letter I wrote recently to the PNG Electoral Commissioner is now the subject of much debate in the social media, after the Member for Ialibu Pangia Peter O’Neill released a media statement questioning my motives", said Police Commissioner David Manning. “I have no other interest than to ensure that the election is done transparently and in a safe and secure environment. But we are going against a huge tidal wave of so-called leaders who want to get into office by any means possible. “My office received a written complaint from a candidate in the Ialibu Pangia Open electorate in the Southern Highlands including witness statements alleging among others that over 12,500 ballot papers for the Kagua Erave Open Electorate were hijacked during polling and stuffed in the ballot boxes of nearby Ialibu Pangia Electorate. “That letter was copied to the Prime Minister, PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai, the Ialibu Pangia Returning Officer, the Provincial Election Manager and other candidates, hence the reference in my letter to Mr Sinai. “I wrote to the PNG Electoral Commissioner to alert him to the alleged election fraud and for him to consider setting aside the ballot boxes until the allegations could be substantiated. "While I note PNG Electoral Commissioner has the final say on administration of the elections and whether or not disputed ballot boxes are set aside, Police have constitutional and legislative powers concerning criminal investigations, and laying chargers in relation to criminal offences. “My letter was intended to have the Electoral Commissioner realize something was wrong and only he can make a decision before it becomes subject to a criminal investigation, and worse still, the cause of further violence and bloodshed. “Police will share the evidence it has obtained for the Electoral Commission to consider and make its decision. We will on the other hand continue with our own investigation as it relates to a criminal complaint of election fraud. “I was not in contact with the Prime Minister over this matter and my decision to write to the Electoral Commissioner was based on the merits of the letter of complaint to me and of course on police intelligence reports and eye witness accounts. “We will continue to do our part to hold the process accountable to all. Ballots have been cast and our challenge now is to ensure counting is conducted securely, safely and as transparently as possible. “I note that counting of Ialibu Pangia votes has commenced and according to the Electoral Commissioner he had instructed other electorates of Imbongu and Mendi Minihu to be counted concurrently. We hope to speed up counting of Southern Highlands Province and have the winners declared soon. “Finally, I appeal to all leaders to respect the process, and government officials who have been tasked to deliver the 2022 National General Election. The results may not go in your favour, but be a true leader and accept it. Do not blame the process, the electoral officials or the security forces.”

Counting officials for Nabak and Labuta LLGs in the Morobe Province have raised concerns over non payments of their allowances this morning at Boana Station where the counting is going on. More than 20 counting officials had a meeting this morning with Returning officer Bamun Bange and raised this concern. The officials claimed their allowances were not being sorted for two weeks now. Nabak LLG has three more boxes to count while Labuta and Wain Erap LLGs completed their counts. Wain Erap did quality checks yesterday while Labuta has resolved to arrange counters from different counting centres for quality checks. The only LLG still going on with counting is Nawaeb Urban with nine more boxes to count. RO Bamun addressed the counting officials and said to respond to the officials' concerns after a talk with Morobe Election manager Simon Soheke. Counting officials are still waiting for the response.

In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers used data contributed by Port Moresby Nature Park in collaboration with other zoos and aquariums to examine 52 species of turtles and tortoises. The data recorded by Port Moresby Nature Park in the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) enabled researchers to discover that, unlike humans and other species, turtles and tortoises defy common evolutionary theories and may reduce the rate of aging in response to improvements in environmental conditions. Evolutionary theories of aging predict that all living organisms weaken and deteriorate with age (a process known as senescence) – and eventually die. Now, using data captured by Port Moresby Nature Park and others, researchers from the Species360 Conservation Science Alliance and the University of Southern Denmark show that certain animal species, such as turtles and tortoises, may exhibit slower or even absent senescence when their living conditions improve. “As part of our commitment to conservation and animal welfare, our organization records data on the animals in our collection to ensure our animals are well cared for and can contribute to species population management and conservation. We are proud that the data we have collected and curated on the turtles in our collection has contributed to this study, and helped researchers better understand aging in these species,” said Brett Smith, Nature Park’s, General Manager of Life Sciences. Port Moresby Nature Park is a member of Species360, a non-profit organization which maintains the Zoological Information Management Systems (ZIMS) – the largest database on wildlife in human care. As part of Port Moresby Nature Park’s commitment to conservation and providing high standards of animal welfare, it uses ZIMS to keep detailed records of its animal collections. And as a holder of turtles, the Nature Park has actively collected and shared data in ZIMS on this species which has directly contributed to this study. Port Moresby Nature Park is a charity organization that relies on grants and donor funding to operate. By visiting the park and joining our Membership program, you help support the Park’s efforts in preserving PNG’s unique natural environment for future generations, including the Park’s 550 resident animals, majority of which have been surrendered to the Park for care.

Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Operations Mr Anton Billie has praised the people of Western Highlands, Jiwaka and Simbu provinces for a peaceful polling. Mr Billie said, “So far, the polling in Jiwaka last Friday and Western Highland and Simbu today have been reportedly peaceful. There are nil reports of major incidents and or hijacking of ballot boxes thus far and I must commend the people for their cooperation and good behaviour. “Some districts in Western Highlands and Simbu were unable to poll today and will continue today due to the geographical terrain and weather challenges. We expect smooth polling right across the Highlands Eastern Command,” a happy Mr Billie said. Mr Billie said in a democratic society leadership must be given freely by the people without violence or force and the people in these three provinces have done well and must be commended. He said it also goes to show the qualities of the leadership in the three highlands provinces.

The USA bowling attack came up with a brilliant performance, which restricted PNG to a low score. The entire bowling unit was in top form, as the PNG batting innings never quite got going. Only opener Lega Siaka (28) managed to put up some sort of fight. The rest of the scorecard was a poor reading for PNG, as they faltered to 97 all out in 16.3 overs. For USA, Juan Theron, Nisarg Patel and Vatsal Vaghela all picked up two wickets each. In reply, PNG fought valiantly with the ball, sealing a nervy victory. They had USA in all sorts of trouble at 36/6, a situation from which they could never quite recover. Chad Soper and Assad Vala would both scalp three wickets each to do the bulk of the damage. For USA, only Vatsal Vaghela (29) could make any sort of a significant contribution with the bat. I n the end, the match would be decided in the final over, with PNG holding on for a five-run victory. This brought an end to their tournament where they finished third. Source: icc-cricket.com