Paula DAVID

The Mapua Primary School (MPS) in the New Ireland province now operates as a Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) satellite centre for the Simberi Gold Company Limited’s (SGCL) FODE program. As a satellite centre, MPS is providing easy access to Mapua and Tatau students to attend classes at the school rather than travelling to Simberi which is located at least 30 minutes away by boat. Mapua, located on the eastern coastline of Tatau, is home to a Catholic mission station that runs a primary school and health centre. The arrangement for MPS to become a FODE satellite centre was recently made between SGCL and MPS. Twenty-eight students from Mapua and Tatau have registered to begin their FODE journey. They include six students each in grades 9 and 12, five in grade 11 and 11 in grade 10. SGCL FODE Coordinator Patrick Nesen who is also one of SGCL’s FODE teachers, is pleased with the partnership. “This arrangement is good for the students. Instead of having the big group of students travel by boat daily from Tatau to Simberi to attend classes, they will now travel a shorter distance to Mapua,” said Patrick. He thanked the MPS administration for allowing the FODE program to run at the school and appealed to the students to make the most of the opportunity and called on students to take their studies seriously. “You have the potential to improve your marks and make it into government tertiary institutions after completing the year 12 FODE program,” encouraged Patrick. SGCL offers the FODE program free to Tabar locals as part of St Barbara’s commitment to building stronger communities. Each student must only pay the registration fee of K50. The Simberi FODE program was established in 2013, a year after St Barbara took over the mine from Allied Gold in 2012. This year, in its 10th year of operation, SGCL FODE has enrolled over 1, 000 locals, including SGCL employees. In 2022, SGCL recorded its first successful enrolment of two grade 12 FODE students, a male and a female, into Divine Word University for the Bachelor of Primary Education program. They both scored a grade point average (GPA) of over 3-points to earn the National Government’s Higher Education Scholarship (HECAS).

With Cameron Munster and Harry Grant coming to the party when it mattered the Storm downed an injury-hit Warriors side 30-22 at AAMI Park on Tuesday night. The Warriors had no players on the bench in the final 10 minutes and it was a line break by Munster and a try to Grant out of dummy half that snuffed out the visitors' brave challenge. Early on it was the Warriors making the ideal start in their bid to avenge last year's 60-point Anzac Day drubbing when edge forward Jackson Ford powered onto a Dylan Walker pass to cross for his second try of the season in the fifth minute. Six minutes later the visitors had a second try when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's slick hands put Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over on the right side and Shaun Johnson converted for 12-0. A monster 40-20 kick by Cameron Munster in the 15th minute gave the Storm the chance to hit back and Justin Olam delivered the four-pointer to make it 12-6 to the Warriors. No sooner had the Storm closed the gap than they let Addin Fonua-Blake march straight through the middle of the ruck to grab the Warriors' third try and the margin was back to 12 points. When Johnson gave away a penalty for going a metre over the goal line when he launched a dropout, the Storm made him pay immediately through a try to Munster and the home side were right back in it at 18-12. Despite being a man down the Warriors struck first in the second when Adam Pompey delivered a superb pass for Watene-Zelezniak to grab his second try and the margin was back to 10. Just three minutes later the Storm hit back when Xavier Coates found space down the left and grubbered back inside for Nick Meaney to regather and score his sixth try of the season. A barnstorming run by Olam and a couple of six-again calls put Melbourne on the front foot and Meaney grabbed his second try off a Jahrome Hughes kick to put the Storm ahead 24-22 with 21 minutes to play. With Nicoll-Klokstad failing a HIA, Jazz Tevaga hobbling off injured and Bayley Sironen forced off for a HIA, the Warriors were down to 13 players for the final 10 minutes and Harry Grant finished them off with a try out of dummy half in the 76th minute. The Storm have now won their past 14 clashes against the Warriors and have climbed to fifth on the ladder ahead of a bye in Round 9. Source: NRL.Com

Broncos duo Ezra Mam and Payne Haas will miss the Round 9 clash against the Rabbitohs after both entered early guilty pleas to Dangerous Contact charges. Mam was cited for a tackle on Eel Matt Doorey in the 63rd minute of the clash in Darwin while Haas was charged for an incident involving Reagan Campbell-Gillard one minute later. Mam and Haas will both be back on deck for Magic Round where the table-topping Broncos face the Sea Eagles. Sea Eagles prop Aaron Woods, Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi and Eels forward J'maine Hopgood all entered early guilty pleas to charges arising from Round 8 and have received monetary fines. Meanwhile, Roosters second-rower Nat Butcher will miss the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Dragons after entering an early guilty plea to a Dangerous Contact charge. Also set to miss Anzac Day is Storm forward Tui Kamikamica, who entered an early guilty plea to a Dangerous Contact charge on Daly Cherry-Evans. Kamikamica copped a two-game ban and will miss Round 8 against the Warriors and Round 10 against the Rabbitohs. The Storm have a bye in Round 9. Source: NRL.Com

The punters have written them off and contract negotiations are seemingly wearing them down but Josh Kerr is adamant Anzac Day is the perfect stage to turn the Dragons' fortunes around. The Red V arrive at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday with an unflattering 2-4 record but that's exactly where they stood last year when they stunned the Roosters 14-12 on the back of a Ben Hunt masterclass. “It’s not really a game you need to be coached for, we’re always up for it,” Kerr told NRL.com. “The thing we need right now is this Anzac Day match, it’s not a skill-set thing this game it’s more about our desire to win and our effort and how much we’re going to turn up for each other as teammates. “We have a pretty good record against the Roosters on Anzac Day and it’s a really good platform to slingshot us off for the season.” Since the two sides launched the Anzac Day tradition in 2002, the Dragons hold a 12-8 advantage and a win in this year's clash would be a huge boost for coach Anthony Griffin as he faces continued speculation over his future at the club. Now in his fifth season at the Dragons, Kerr lines up in his second Anzac Day game, keen to avenge a 34-10 loss in 2021 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. When the whistle blows, you’re not playing for just our team, you’re playing for those people that didn’t get the chance to be nervous, they were jumping out of trenches and fighting for their country and their teammates. Josh Kerr “If we get the win here, it will be an important stepping stone,” he said. “In the grand scheme of the season, it’s still early days. We talked about wanting to use the first few rounds as a time to build our identity as a team and this is a game that will prove how tough we are and how hard we’re willing to play. “Hook’s our coach and he’s done a great job to hold his head up high considering what he’s going through at the moment. "We’ve just got to start winning games and then all that external noise goes away.” When Allianz Stadium falls silent just before kick-off in the ultimate mark of respect for those who have served our country, Kerr will link arms with his teammates and steel himself for an intense contest against a Roosters side also under pressure with a 3-3 record. “It’s pretty emotional, I’ve been lucky to be a part of one. I remember going out there and my eyes were welling up, you all stand together and it’s an eerie, emotional silence,” Kerr said. “There are thousands of people in a stadium and then suddenly it just goes quiet. You are pretty emotionally driven and after the Last Post plays and the minute of silence ends, you’re just ready to go, you don’t even need a warm-up. “I get goosebumps when I think about it, I can’t wait to be a part of it again. "When the whistle blows, you’re not playing for just our team, you’re playing for those people that didn’t get the chance to be nervous, they were jumping out of trenches and fighting for their country and their teammates. “We’re doing that in a different form on Tuesday and the sense of knowing we’re about to do something pretty special is exciting.” Fellow Dragon Jack de Belin lines up for the eighth time on Anzac Day in what has become a very important day for the 32-year-old and his family. Representing his grandfather, Fred – the Balmain great who flew suicide missions over Germany with the RAAF – de Belin knows ladder positions count for nothing on the most solemn day on the rugby league calendar. "It doesn’t matter how you are going in club form, it’s the easiest game to get up for," de Belin told NRL.com. "There’s so much on the line that you’re playing for, and it's pretty special that on Anzac Day we get to play a game of football for the people and hopefully make the people that served for us proud. "We only have to play footy for 80 minutes when you think of the people that went away and fought in the war before us, we’re doing nothing in comparison. "My grandfather went away in World War II and served our country, so I definitely don’t take this game for granted." Source: NRL.Com

Issues relating to kidneys can now be treated at the Mendi Hospital in Southern Highlands province after the hospital received its new Kidney Dialysis Unit. This was made possible through the support of the national petroleum and energy company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), through a commitment made to support the establishment of the Unit at a cost of K1million and after some years, the dialysis unit is finally officially open and ready to take in patients. At the 2020 ground-breaking ceremony, KPHL made their first instalment of K500, 000 towards the Sothern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (PHA) project and by mid-2021 building construction was well underway. Since then, the facility has been fully kitted out with the necessary water treatment other necessary equipment and medical staff trained in Port Moresby to operate it. KPHL Managing Director Mr. Wapu Sonk said, “Kumul Petroleum Holdings is proud to have partnered with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority in ensuring that this important life-changing medical facility is established and operational in a Highlands location, in a region where a large percentage of the country’s population lives. It is the second government kidney dialysis centre in PNG after Port Moresby. “Kumul Petroleum has always had a health focus, we want to help save lives. We have supported the National Heart Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital and also financed cancer treatment at that hospital and ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae. This support of the Mendi Dialysis unit is a logical extension of KPHL’s health sector programs.” Equipped with six dialysis machines each costing K85, 000, the Kidney Dialysis Centre at Mendi will serve patients from throughout the Highlands region. Two of the dialysis machines will be provided by PNG Kidney Foundation while the other four are funded by the PNG Government. An important part of the facility is the water filtering and treatment system, which cost over K200, 000. “As PNG develops there is an increased incidence of lifestyle diseases such as cancer and diseases that affect organs such as the heart and kidneys, which often results in death. At Kumul Petroleum we hope that our financial support can assist the National Department of Health, such as today where we see the first Highland regional dialysis facility.” “Kumul Petroleum Holdings hopes that the dialysis unit here in Mendi properly serves its purpose, which ultimately is to save people’s lives - to become a kidney dialysis centre of excellence, providing training and development for our doctors, nurses and technicians.

The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup first double header match played at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby this afternoon saw the Central Dabaris secure their first win of the season against Gulf Isou. However, the first half started with the Gulf Isou leading the match with a penalty kick by Gabby Taune securing 2 points followed by a try by himself taking the lead to 6 points to 0. The Dabaris on the other hand won’t go into half time scoreless and at the last minutes of the half, Dabaris’ centre Wala Samoa scored their first try followed by a successful conversion to level the score 6 points all. Coming back at second half, the Gulfs boys extended their lead through a try by halfback Michael Timothy followed a successful conversion, putting them in the lead 12-6. Playing in the second half, both teams also had two of their players sin binned for high tackles and were a man short. Things went bad for the Dabaris when a penalty was given to the Gulf Isou, of which they took a penalty kick and putting two points on the score board to lead 14 to 6. However, the Dabaris were not going to go quietly and with only fifteen minutes on the clock, the boys from Central province fought back through a try from Wala Samoa with a successful conversion. Another try by his team mate Rex Kaupa put the Dabaris further ahead on the score board. They would have gone further had the conversion kick was successful. Nevertheless, the Dabaris were in the lead 16 to 14 and held on until the full time hooter went off to win the match. Dabaris fullback Junior Bobby took out the man of the match award.

The SP PNG Hunters are back in Australia this weekend to take on the Burleigh Bears at UAA Park, Gold Coast in Round 6 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. The match will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, 22nd of April. It’s been a short week for the Hunters who returned to Port Moresby following their disappointing loss to the Northern Pride last weekend. The travel to and from Papua New Guinea means the Hunters observed a restricted training schedule this week, but no doubt they’re eager to take the field on Saturday and respond to their Round 5 loss. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for the Hunters to take away from last week’s match against the Pride. The PNG-based side showed that when they hold the ball and control their discipline, they can pile on the points quickly. They also produced some compelling defensive efforts on their own try line to repel an expansive Pride attack. It often took multiple repeat sets for the Pride to crack PNG’s line, and if the Hunters can limit their opponents’ attacking chances, they will be confident in defending their line. SP PNG Hunters Head Coach Stanley Tepend has made a few minor changes to his side for Round 6. Benji Kot moves back into the centres where he enjoyed a steller start to the season, while Julius Yakoba returns to the backrow after missing last week. In the spine, Jamie Mavoko has been recalled at halfback and gets a chance to resume what was a promising combination with Sakias Komati and Morea Morea over the opening four games. How the Hunters forward pack performs on Saturday will go a long way to bringing Mavoko, Komati and Morea into the game. The Hunters forwards were beaten through the middle by Pride in Round 5 but they get a chance to respond against the Bears on Saturday afternoon. The Burleigh Bears will also be stinging after a heavy loss in Round 5 at the hands of the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Falcon’s Melbourne Storm affiliated players ran riot against the Bears in Round 5, who struggled to contain the NRL-quality attacking talent across the park. Don’t let that score line fool you, though. Burleigh have once again assembled a quality roster this season and will provide a stern test for PNG when playing at home this weekend. Team List 1. Morea Morea 2. Brandon Nima 3. Benji Kot 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Sakias Komati 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Wesser Tenza 10. Epel Kapinias 11. Sherwin Tanabi 12. Julius Yakoba 13. Ila Alu (captain) 14. Trevor Solu 15. Tom Moide 16. Koso Bandi 17. Henry Noki 18. Sanny Wabo PC : Travor Mallen

Motorists in the Nation’s Capital are currently being hit with another fuel crisis. This time, a fuel shortage of unleaded petrol with some service stations closed and others still operating on whatever fuel they have left. Koki Puma Service Station has closed indefinitely due to no fuel since Monday. Supervisor for the Koki Market service station Dada Kairi told PNG HAUSBUNG they had lost customers since Monday due to the fuel shortage. “We have plenty of dingys coming in and this has brought a huge loss on our side for cost. Our petrol and zoom are out, and we are waiting for the order and hopefully reopen by next week.” Meanwhile, the 4mile Puma Service station is running low on petrol currently. Assistant Manager Jasmine Mana stated that they have 3,800 Litres remaining and will only serve 1, 800 litres of petrol fuel and will close for today. “We will cut off at 2, 000 litres, close for today and wait for the tanker to come in to re-fill the petrol tank.” She added that since the morning, motor vehicles have rushed in to re-fill their tanks. “The line went out to the main road and slowly went down by 9:30 to 10am that’s why we’re running short of fuel now.” Meanwhile, over at the 5 mile Mobil Service station, Supervisor Eugene Orea said, they are serving their last petrol fuel and will close of the line once it finishes. “We have 2 tanks for diesel. Tank number three has 13, 000 litres of petrol and tank two has 6, 000 litres but has already gone down due to the demand and we do not know when and what time the fuel truck will come to refill.” Orea further indicated that if the servo runs out of petrol they will close by 4pm this afternoon. All services stations contacted have confirmed though, that all prices for fuel are stable at this time.

The Dolphins will have the services of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow until at least the end of the 2027 season after extending his current deal out to a five-year contract. After initially signing a two-year deal in 2022 to become the club's inaugural fullback, the 21-year-old has been rewarded for a stunning start to the season which has seen him score eight tries in seven games, including the club's first ever four-pointer against the Roosters in Round 1. Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Tabuai-Fidow's outstanding form had been a key factor in brokering the long-term deal. “It is so pleasing that Hamiso has shown the form we believed he was capable of and demonstrated just what a match winner he can be,” Reader said. “He came to the Dolphins on the chance to assert himself as a fullback - an opportunity we must sincerely thank the Cowboys for in allowing Hamiso a release to take up that challenge. “We look forward to the many years our members and fans will enjoy seeing ‘The Hammer’ stride out into open space for the Dolphins.” Tabuai-Fidow joins incoming signings Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth as players signed beyond the 2025 season with the NRL's newest club. Source: NRL.Com

Ten primary school teachers on Lihir Island in the New Ireland province graduated in March from Divine Word University with bachelor’s degrees in Primary Education. They are pioneers of the Bachelor of Primary Education upgrade program that was set up under a partnership between Newcrest’s School to Mine Campus (STMC) and the Divine Word University Faculty of Education. Despite having fulltime teaching jobs, the teachers were able to complete the program successfully through a flexible learning arrangement, from April 2021 to September 2022 at the STMC in Lihir. Head of Department of the Faculty of Education at Divine Word University Kelaki Peter in congratulating the teachers on their achievement said, “I foresee a great future and potential for the teachers on the island through this program and see the young generation on this island contribute meaningfully to the development of PNG.” Anastasia Tukata from Londolovit village on Lihir, said the program helped build her confidence, and helped in her writing, thinking and planning. Previously an assistant teacher at Newcrest-owned Lihir International School (LIS), Ms. Tukata commenced classroom teaching this year after completing the program and is the first Lihirian teacher at LIS. She is currently teaching Grade 4. In a thankyou note the Lihirian teachers; Ms Tukata, Daisy Moab (Samo), Donald Tokpalum (Mazuz) and Andrea Kiapital Lamsing (Masahet island) conveyed their deepest thanks to the STMC and Newcrest for this great opportunity to open doors for such programs on the island. The teachers applauded Newcrest’s support in paying 50 per cent of their fees for each semester and for providing them quality facilities and catering for the lecturers at the campus.” “It has been of benefit to us Lihir teachers and we would encourage other Lihir teachers, especially in the field, to take up this program as well.” STMC Deputy Principal Kevin Collins said that the Bachelor of Primary Education (In-Service) Program run by STMC aims to up-skill teachers to improve teaching and learning in primary schools on Lihir. “The teachers had access to our STMC Computer Lab and were supported by the STMC teachers throughout the semester to complete and submit the required assessment,” Mr. Collins said. The STMC through Newcrest supported the program by assisting Divine Word University lecturers to travel to site, paying lecturer fees and travel expenses and providing a venue.

The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Rt. Hon. James Cleverly, paid a visit today to the Port Moresby General Hospital’s Pathology Laboratory to see how machines which were procured through the UK Fleming Fund project were being used. The PHGM Laboratory carried out clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. James Cleverly said that this was his first time to visit the country and he was pleased to see the work the scientist and doctors at PMGH are currently carrying out with the clinical instruments through funding support from the UK government. “The equipment that we’ve just seen, the ability to analyze microorganisms effectively and quickly is incredibly important." "And the work that you do supports your society here and now, but off cause in the future. I’m very pleased that it has been facilitated with the help of the Fleming Fund, funded by the UK people to support our friends here in PNG and here in PMGH.” Meanwhile, PMGH Director for Medical Services, Dr. Koni Sobi thanked the UK president for gracing the hospital with his presence and also continuing support to the PMGH Laboratory. “Through the Fleming Fund country grant, we are able to improve and enhance the capacity of the microbiology activity here in Port Moresby General Hospital." “This goes a long way to serve and improve clinical practice here in the country."

The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) has declared 2023 as the Year of Compliance and Good Governance. PNGFA Member Association Manager Stanley Khanna issued the challenge calling on all 18 Member Associations (MAs) to comply with requirements to become a member of the football family. "The foremost is all MAs must have bank account, must have playing venue or secure a venue, run the weekly competition, must have its statues and by-laws plus others to be recognized." "PNGFA under the leadership of President John Kapi Natto has been too lenient on this since taking office but this has now changed." Mr. Khanna said Mr. Kapi Natto publicly announced during its Congress in Madang last month that any MAs that has a problem must contact Mr. Khanna for clarification or assistance. "Mr. Khanna is the bridge between MAs and PNGFA office. He is the ear and mouth of PNGFA," Kapi Natto told the Congress in Madang. Mr. Khanna since taking office has been working hard to get forgotten MAs back to PNGFA family. So far, Vanimo, Wewak, Alotau and Popondetta have been re-admitted as provisional members and are working towards attaining their full membership. PNGFA is now working to have Kerema, East New Britain, Kavieng, Jiwaka and Hela to be part of the Football family. Khanna said PNGFA has amalgamated Kokopo Soccer Association and the Kokopo Urban Football Association to become East New Britain Soccer Association. They are expected to hold its meeting in three weeks’ time for proper election. "We are working toward going to Jiwaka and Hela in the Highlands region, then we cover whole of Papua New Guinea", Mr. Khanna said. He encouraged all the MAs to contact his office if they have any problems or queries regarding their membership.