PNG's female flag bearer at the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, Georgia-Leigh Vele recently discovered a journal she had kept since she was eight years old. She had stated in it that her life's ambition was to compete in the Olympics and win a medal, albeit a gold one would suffice. 17 years later, on August 3, 2024, in the Paris La Defense Arena, the 8-year-old girl's written dream came true. She made a tremendous effort to fulfill her dream of being an Olympian by placing fourth in her heat of the 50-meter women's freestyle, even though she was unable to advance to the following round and win a medal. As one of the five debutants for Team PNG at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Vele powered through but fell short to qualify for the semi-finals. She swam a time of 27.61 behind Montenegro’s KULJACA (27.19), Eritrea’s RACH (27.20) and St Vincent and the Grenadines GREENE (27.23). Vele expressed that her dream to be an Olympian passed in the blink of an eye. “It felt like such a whirlwind, like in a matter of seconds it had come and gone.” “It hadn’t sunk in until about an hour later, what I had just done, but I just felt so proud of myself and what I had accomplished. Dreams, goals and prayers had all come to fruition.” Swimming Coach Rick Van Der Zant, in congratulating Vele for her efforts and courage at the Olympic Games said he was very proud of Georgia-Leigh, who has been a stalwart of the PNG swim team. Ryan Pini, Chef de Mission of Team PNG stated that Georgia-Leigh’s performance in the 50m Freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympics was outstanding. “Her journey from an 8-year-old with a dream to an Olympian is nothing short of inspirational.” “Having personally watched Georgia-Leigh grow in this sport, I have seen her commitment and passion for swimming and to help the younger generation of swimmers back home in Papua New Guinea.” “Georgia-Leigh’s achievement is a testament to the power of perseverance and the support of our team and family.” “Congratulations, Georgia-Leigh—you have made us all incredibly proud.” Team PNG now looks forward to Morea Baru’s competition in the Men’s 61kg Weightlifting event on Thursday 7th August at 3pm (11:00pm PNG time). Athletes yet to compete are Weightlifter Morea Baru in the 61kg division on Wednesday 7th of August, followed by Taekwondo athletes Kevin Kassman in the -68kg division on Thursday 8th August and Gibson Mara in the +80kg division on Saturday 10th August.

For My Father was written with the intention of telling everyone’s story – which in my opinion did exactly that. What can I say? Excitement was already in the air as I stepped into one of the few territories of Port Moresby’s thespians – Moresby Arts Theatre. Prior to attending, I received an informal invite from the writer himself, Andrew Kuliniasi who was also part of the cast. Him being the friend who introduced me to theatre and one of the few individuals who’s influenced me to embrace performing arts, I couldn’t turn down the offer. Knowing Andrew and the kind of material he creates, I knew this show had a powerful setting and message that would resonate with all Papua New Guineans regardless of our diverse ethnicities and cultures. As expected, the play introduced the audience to a classic PNG experience, that is, a haus krai filled with financial burdens and cultural expectations. The cast used the theatre’s lounge as a performance space instead of a traditional stage which was perfect as it created a feeling of involvement between the cast and audience. I remember feeling like I was observing actual family drama violently unfold right before my eyes. For a moment I forgot that this was just a play. My mind however snapped back to the present when I noticed tears streaming down my face. That was when Andrew’s character Elisha delivered a shocking twist amidst the chaos. It was an emotionally charged experience that I still felt even after I stepped outdoors. Brief interviews from audience members followed once I stepped outside. One attendee, a young man named Jurel from Southern Highlands, admitted that it was his first time attending a live theatrical production. He did not hold back from complimenting the cast on their outstanding performances stating that the play left him speechless. Furthermore, he encouraged more Papua New Guineans to watch such productions as it depicts the gritty realities of PNG. Despite the play making references to being set in a coastal environment, aspects of the play are still relatable to him, a person from the Highlands region. His response successfully enforced the writer’s intention of telling everyone’s story regardless of who they are. As I reflect on my experience, I must admit, For My Father could potentially become one of PNG theatre’s timeless masterpieces. This play not only addresses pressing issues in the country but also challenges the underlying culture of shame towards certain subjects that permeates our traditional communities but has also seeped into modern society. An art that shows the complexities of life and human nature while also being relatable to a local audience, For My Father is truly a voice for all Papua New Guineans.

Title: For My Father Director: Ziggy Yominao Writer: Andrew Kuliniasi Rating: M17 Duration: 60minutes Actors: Emmanuel Simeon ∙ Daniel Romney ∙ Hannaniah Dickson ∙ Andrew Kuliniasi ∙ Denzel Apelis After the passing of their father, four siblings are burdened by the financial costs of haus krai, funeral and burial. Consequently, they reach out to their long-neglected, estranged half-brother who has the means to pay for it all. For My Father is a play by KnackStudios in collaboration with Dare2Create, performed at the Moresby Arts Theatre. It covers themes of physical and sexual abuse, LGBTQ+, financial hardship, youth unemployment, neglect, and family brokenness. The play artfully blends realism and naturalistic style purposefully to enable the performance to be relatable to a Papua New Guinean audience while also addressing the gritty realities of life. The production uses the theatre’s lounge as a performance space instead of the traditional stage which not only gives the audience a feeling of involvement but also gives an advantage to the setting of the entire living room scene. For My Father stands out among most plays I’ve watched, because it’s a play written by Papua New Guineans for Papua New Guineans. Despite most of the cast being young, their ability to present the complexities of life and the condition of human nature while experiencing grief was masterfully executed. Each actor excelled in portraying their respective characters. Each character is unique with their own personal struggles and backstories which make the play all the more captivating. Michael Katau (Denzel Apelis) is the eldest half-brother who lives overseas and is the most successful out of all his siblings; Elisha Katau (Andrew Kuliniasi) is a member of the LGBTQ+ community who engages in prostitution to provide for his siblings; Braxton Katau (Daniel Romney) is a pastor concerned for his father’s and siblings’ spiritual well-being; Benny Katau (Immanuel Simeon) is the unemployed brother who hangs around with a bad crowd; and Anita Katau (Hannaniah Dickson) is the youngest and also their father’s favorite. Despite each character being so different from one another, audiences can still find something to relate to. For My Father was written with the intention to tell every individual’s story which in my opinion was successfully done. The average Papua New Guinean may not relate to Elisha’s story, but they can relate to Benny and his struggle of living as an unemployed youth. Others may relate to Michael’s feeling of abandonment by parental figures and also his drive to become successful. Whatever the circumstance, the play will tell someone’s story directly or indirectly – through words, actions, emotions or situations. I encourage more Papua New Guineans to watch For My Father. It is both a realistically and emotionally driven play that will leave you crying tears of laughter, sadness, anguish and bitterness.

Nine days have passed since the opening of the Paris Olympics and Team PNG’s fourth athlete Georgia – Leigh Vele is set to compete in the sport of swimming. Vele will participate in the Women’s 50m Freestyle at the Paris La Defense arena, 7:09pm PNG time. She has received much love and support from Papua New Guineans on social media wishing her the best and good luck. The young swimmer alongside counterpart Josh Tarere entered the games via universality placing, a system aimed to improve the gender parity and diversity of participating nations in all Olympic sports, accessible to national Olympic committees that typically have small delegations. Her previous competitions include the Women’s 100m freestyle at the World Aquatics championships held in Gwangju, South Korea (2019), and the 50m breaststroke at the Pacific Games (2023) which she secured a bronze medal. Vele will be competing against Kaiya Brown (Samoa), Ionnah Eliane Douilet (Benin), Jovana Kuljaca (Montenegro), Kennice Aphenie Greene (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Khema Elizabeth (Seychelles), Christina Rach (Eritrea) and Sophia Latiff (Tanzania).

Equal Playing Field’s (EPF) signature annual event the Corporate Health Challenge is back in 2024 encouraging a culture of health and fitness. EPF states that the Corporate Health Challenge raises funds to support communities in need and to promote a healthier lifestyle because in today’s urban setting’s most children and families consume meals of low-nutritional value. “In contrast to earlier times, when hospital deaths were primarily caused by infectious diseases, presently, working-class and educated individuals are primarily affected by lifestyle disorders.” “Many young and productive Papua New Guineans have lost their lives due to the four main non-communicable diseases of kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.” “In light of this, the corporate health challenge aims to encourage a culture of fitness and healthy eating while also raising money for EPF's upcoming programs.” In 2023, EPF had the privilege of hosting the first EPF Corporate Health Challenge, the challenge consisted of childhood games, which were handball, rugby tag, tin game and the watermelon challenge. “We were delighted to see participation from well-known corporations that understood how important it is to put employee well-being first.” “Their involvement demonstrated their dedication to fostering a positive work environment in addition to adding another level of competition.” EPF is seeking organizations to sponsor the health challenge: - Top Tier K20, 000 - Second Tier K10 000 The Corporate Health Challenge kicks off on Sunday 25th, August 2024.

Leonie Beu took the 100m track in front of a crowded Stade de France at 6:35PM PNG Time. In Heat 4 of the Preliminary Round, the 25-year-old from Morobe and Oro Province placed behind Bolivia's Guadalupe Torrez (11.6s) and Sao Tome & Principe's Gorete Semedo (11.44s). Beu qualified for Round 1 after coming third in the preliminary round with a personal best time of 11.63 seconds. Round 1 saw 17 of the 36 competitors from the preliminary move on. Beu advanced to Round 1 and faced 71 other competitors in Heat 5 to secure a spot in the Semi Finals. Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain (world ranked #6) and Ewa Swoboda of Poland (world ranked #5) were on the starting line alongside Beu (world ranked #561). Following Brazilian competitor Carolina Azevedo's false start, Beu finished the race with a slower response time of 0.252 seconds compared to her previous best of 0.182 seconds. Beu, who placed eighth in Round 1 with a time of 11.73 seconds, expressed satisfaction with her performance. “I feel so good about the preliminary round.” “Standing at the start line for round 1, I could feel that the race was going to be a fast race.” Beu said her motto is: “Nothing Secret, Just hard work.”

Air Niugini will resume Fokker jet operations to Tokua airport, Rabaul effective from Saturday, 10th August 2024. The decision to resume flights follows the completion of airport runway repair works by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). With the resumption of jet operations to Rabaul, there will also be changes to Kavieng flight times and aircraft overnight in Hoskins. The Hoskins/Kavieng flight, PX 262 will now be cancelled as well as the Rabaul overnight flight PX206, instead its passengers will be accommodated with Rabaul and Kavieng passengers on flight (PX 4274) and Hoskins passengers on flight PX4244. Flight times out of Kavieng and Hoskins are also retimed to depart early back to Port Moresby with Kavieng flight enroute Port Moresby via Rabaul. Flights between Port Moresby/Buka and Rabaul will also see an upgrade of equipment from Dash 8 to Fokker jet aircraft. For those passengers who have already booked their travel and ticketed, please check with your nearest Air Niugini Sales office, preferred travel agents or call toll free 180 3444 for new flight times for Rabaul, Kavieng and Hoskins. Air Niugini thanks the NAC for completing the runway repairs to enable the resumption of jet operations. It has been over 12 months since Air Niugini was able to operate jet services to Rabaul. This has had a major impact on tourism and trade into and out of East New Britain and is also not the first time the runway was repaired. In 2021, Tokua reopened after runway repairs were undertaken. Unfortunately, due to the poor quality of repair work, and potentially jeopardising the safety of jet operations, Air Niugini chose to downgrade to a smaller Dash8 service. Fit for purpose airport infrastructure is essential to the successful operations of Air Niugini and Tokua hasn’t been fit for purpose for over 2 years. Air Niugini CEO, Gary Seddon stated that using bigger aircrafts can ease travel costs but will require better facilities. “If we can use our larger aircraft, more frequently to airports around the country, Air Niugini could offer more affordable airfares to the traveling public.” “We need good airport infrastructure that can meet the increasing demand for air travel.” Air Niugini expresses its gratitude to its customers for their continuous patience and understanding throughout the disruption to services to and from Rabaul.

Team Papua New Guinea (Team PNG) Swimming athlete Josh Tarere swam a personal best of 53.58 seconds in the 100m Freestyle event on Tuesday 30th of July. Finishing first in his heat, Tarere was happy with his swim, bettering his previous best by .53 seconds, and placing him 72 out of 79 athletes. The youngster expressed great delight over his accomplishment. “I have been swimming since I was 12 years old; after 13 years of Swimming, I made the Olympics, and I am happy with my results.” Chef de Mission to Team PNG and former Olympic Swimmer Ryan Pini was also delighted at Tarere’s outcome complimenting the swimmer’s development in the sport. "As Chef de Mission to Team PNG and a former Olympic swimmer myself, I am incredibly proud of Josh’s performance in the 100m freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympics.” “Josh executed his race exactly according to plan, demonstrating his maturity and growth in his swimming career.” “His ability to maintain such intense focus and deliver under the pressure of the world’s biggest stage is truly impressive.” “This level of dedication and composure is a testament to his hard work and commitment, and it sets a strong example for aspiring athletes in Papua New Guinea.” Team PNG’s next athlete to compete is Leonie Beu in the 100m Athletics event. Leonie takes on the track at 10:35am (18:35 PNG time), today Friday 3rd August 2024. Coach Brett Green said that Leonie has been training well since arriving in Paris. “Leonie has done everything required of an Olympian in her preparation – her last week has been great, and we are looking forward to a fast run in the preliminary round to progress to round 1.” Athletes yet to compete following Beu’s competition are Georgia-Leigh Vele in the 50m Freestyle on Saturday 3rd August, Weightlifter Morea Baru in the 61kg division on Wednesday 7th of August, followed by Taekwondo athletes Kevin Kassman in the -68kg division on Thursday 8th August and Gibson Mara in the +80kg division on Saturday 10th August.

The PNG Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA) today celebrated its 44th year in translation work in the country. PNGBTA Executive Director Mr. Nelson Tapineng, spoke passionately about the work of translating bibles to serve the people who do not understand the English language. "PNG Bible Translation does this work because we believe that true transformation comes from the word of God." "As the scriptures say, 'Man cannot live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord'." "Bread can satisfy physical hunger but it cannot satisfy the needs of the inner man." Meanwhile, Chairman of the PNGBTA Board, Ganjiki Wayne, expressed his gratitude towards God for bringing PNGBTA this far in translation work. He also stated critical facts regarding the state of language survival in PNG. "PNG likes to boast about having the most languages in the world but the truth is languages are dying." "Our country has 12% of the world's languages; there's still a lot of work to do." "Part of our work is to forge relationships with other churches to help with bible translation work." "Bible translation should not just be PNGBTA's work but also the work of local churches." The Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association is an indigenous Christian organization dedicated to training mother-tongue speakers for Bible translation. Their vision is to see the people of Papua New Guinea transformed by the translated word of God. Apart from translation work, PNGBTA also produces Christian films, audio bibles, literacy curriculum, materials, dictionaries & hymn books in local languages as well as training individuals to be teachers of the Bible, linguists, administrators and community leaders.

This August, gear up for a thrilling journey as Coca-Cola Papua New Guinea collaborates with Marvel for the special release of ‘Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ limited-edition cans and your chance to win epic prizes. Coca-Cola’s relationship with Disney began more than 60 years ago, and the two iconic brands have continued their strong collaboration across projects, universes and multiverses – such as the iconic Marvel Universe. In Coca-Cola and Marvel’s latest campaign, the brands have joined forces to bring the world of Marvel to life in an exciting new way with a brand-new TV commercial which will be posted in CocaColaPNG Facebook and by delivering a never-before-seen consumer experience. Launching in PNG on 20th July 2024, Coca-Cola lovers and Marvel fans are invited to dive into the action-packed world Marvel with specially designed limited-edition Coca-Cola Classic cans featuring four iconic Marvel characters: Deadpool, Wolverine, Daredevil and Elektra. Assemble a team of 4, Collect all four special edition cans, take a group selfie, and share it on Facebook while tagging Coca-Cola PNG, for a chance to win tickets to an exclusive cinema screening of the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie on Saturday, 28 September 2024. The uplifting cinema experience from Coca-Cola will cover accommodations and airfare for those outside Port Moresby. But the excitement doesn’t stop at the cans! Join us on a thrilling road trip across PNG’s four major regions aboard the spectacular Coca-Cola x Marvel Truck. Loaded with fun games, photo ops, live music and heaps of surprises, you won’t want to miss this mobile festivity. Plus, those purchasing two cans of Coca-Cola can show their receipt to participate in marvellous games and win official Coca-Cola x Marvel merchandise. Sr Brand Manager at Coca-Cola PNG, Rachel Nainggolan stated that Coca-Cola’s goal is to spark moments of happiness and unity. “With this new venture into the Marvel Universe, we’re not just sharing a drink, we’re sharing a thrilling experience that brings the community together in new and joyful ways.” Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes designs will feature on 330ml Coca-Cola Classic cans and be available for purchase in stores across Papua New Guinea for a limited period starting on 20th July 2024. The four characters featured on Coca-Cola Classic cans in Papua New Guinea are Deadpool, Wolverine, Daredevil and Elektra. Prepare to collect, post, and win with Coca-Cola and Marvel as we bring heroes to life in a store near you! Follow Coca-Cola PNG on social media for updates.

QueenPads in partnership with PNG NRL Bid recently conducted two menstrual hygiene awareness sessions at the National Sports Institute, Goroka, targeting participants of 6 teams who participated in the PNG NRL Bid National School Championships. These were Under18 females and Under19 male teams representing the Highlands region – Goroka and Mt Hagen, Southern Region - Port Moresby and Central, Momase Region - Lae and the NGI region. The session held in Goroka was the first to include male players as attendees. A total of 240 athletes (120 females & 120 males) including their respective team trainers and support staff were present at the session led by - MH Awareness Coordinator Ms. Dange Barziring and Queenpads Founder Ms. Anne-Shirley Korave. Dange Barziring stated that the session focused on normalizing menstrual conversation within the sporting code. “We want athletes to be respectful individuals on and off the field, to instil values and to recognize the importance of prioritizing menstrual health.” Additionally, separate talks were given to the male and female athletes. “Male audiences were asked more “did you know” and “true/false” Questions to help them better understand the special days and how to be respectful men.” “They also recognize that they have female loved ones that they care for, and that they will one day be husbands and fathers too hence this info session was very helpful.” “For female audiences the sessions outlined basic info about menstruation, its importance and recognizing it as a normal fact of life, how to be respectful when it comes to these special days and why menstruation is everyone’s business.” “More details on tracking of the menstrual cycle, good menstrual hygiene practices and health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene practices were shared with the female athletes.” Notwithstanding the delicate nature of the subject, the athletes—male and female alike—as well as their support staff and coaches gave positive feedback on the sessions. “Each club and team should provide a secure atmosphere and enable its female players to interact freely and take part in practices or games.” Prior to this session, the athletes themselves informed the MH Awareness team that they had learned about the subject from their mothers or at school. One individual also asked, ‘Is it safe for females to play or train during their special days?’ PNG NRL Bid in recognizing the importance of Menstrual Health for its female players, sponsored 120 QueenKits which was made up of Queenpads, PantyLiners, WetBags, Underwear, Handtowel, bars of Soap. This was distributed to all female players after the Menstrual Health session. Apart from the awareness at NSI, Queenpads also conducted a Menstrual Health & Hygiene awareness on 28th August 2023 with the PNG NRL Women’s Rugby teams from the four regions who were in Port Moresby for their tournament. This was in collaboration with the PNG NRL Women’s Management team with the help of Mr. Paul Joseph. QueenPads wants to continue to amplify the message that menstruation is normal and special. Furthermore, because it is a normal process it should not be a hindrance to women and girls when it comes to participating in sports. QueenPads also commended the PNG NRL Bid management for recognizing the importance of educating young local players on this still very sensitive yet important topic. “This partnership is helpful to build talents to be respectful individuals and to be equipped with lifelong information specially to do with women’s health.”

The Voice Inc recently marked 17 years of impact through its growing network of leaders, coalitions and communities who are driving change throughout Papua New Guinea. Through a seventeen-day media campaign TVI aimed to amplify its story from a whisper to a roar, highlighting significant achievements and raising awareness about its new Strategic Plan 2024–2027. Over the past seventeen years, the Voice Inc’s network of leaders has expanded to include state-run universities, high schools, and community groups in both urban and rural areas across the country. The formation of issue-based coalitions among our partner organizations were facilitated and programs have reached over 40,000 people across 20 provinces in Papua New Guinea. This week includes the first visit to Papua New Guinea by Professor Matthew Andrews of Harvard University. Professor Andrews is a global leader in supporting public policy reform through problem driven and locally led solutions. He has worked in more than 150 countries and will be launching TVI’s third cohort of leaders, joining a practical 12-week course under our Local Leadership and Collective Action Program (LLCAP). LLCAP is supported by the Australian Government through the PNGAus Partnership. The 17 days will culminate in the launch of TVI’s new strategic plan 2024–2027 which outlines our vision for the future, emphasizing innovative approaches to leadership development and community engagement. These initiatives include: • Institutionalising our Leadership Programs: Embedding our DREAM and leadership program in universities and learning hubs around the country. • Supporting Public Policy Reform: Expanding support to our leaders around the country working together on complex public policy and implementation challenges. • Youth Empowerment Programs: Continuing our core programs to engage more young people in civic activities and community service. • Innovation Projects: Expanding grant support for leaders who are promoting sustainability and resilience in their communities. • Digital Transformation: Leveraging technology to enhance our outreach and impact, including the development of a digital platform for leadership resources and networking. Another key component of this celebration will be a flagship week in August, including public policy roundtables with government, a public seminar on the nature of the state, the screening of a new movie on Sorcery Accusation Related Violence and the organization’s new strategy launch. As they embark on this celebration, the Voice Inc invite all citizens, partners, and stakeholders to join in recognizing the achievements of the past seventeen years and looking forward to a bright future. PNG’s participation and support are crucial as the organization continues to build a more inclusive and democratic society.