Papua New Guinea’s only environmental conservation, education and wildlife rescue hub – Port Moresby Nature Park along Goro Kaeaga Road, Reinbo – is announcing a new management team to guide the Park’s future. The new team is built on diversity and inclusion, with a blend of four PNG & international executives, together providing over fifty years of in-country and global experience in business, conservation and tourism. Dr Adrian Fowler (Chief Executive), Joanne Ponduk (Chief Finance Officer), Brett Smith (General Manager of Life Sciences) and Oliver Isaacs (General Manager of Operations), between them, have experience of managing visitor attractions in the USA, Europe, Africa and Australasia, and over a decade at Port Moresby Nature Park itself. The Nature Park’s new Chief Executive, Dr Adrian Fowler, is a wildlife veterinarian and former CEO of California’s Sacramento Zoo and Director of The National Aquarium of New Zealand. Adrian’s background includes wildlife rescue with SANCCOB’s “Penguin Hospital” in Cape Town and managing some of the world’s biggest zoological parks; most notably the 2,000-acre North Carolina Zoo and Houston Zoo in the USA. “Papua New Guinea is the exclusive home of some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife and incredible cultural history”, says Adrian. “It is a great honour to be a part of the team showcasing the magic of PNG’s natural heritage”. Brett Smith is no stranger to the Nature Park. As the Park’s General Manager of Life Sciences, and an expert on some of Papua New Guinea’s unique animal species, Brett is credited with developing Port Moresby Nature Park into the facility it is today. Brett’s dedication to PNG started 26 years ago as a visiting tree kangaroo researcher, while Curator of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia. Over the last 10 years, Brett has been responsible for not only all the animal and plant collections at the Nature Park, but the wide-reaching education and conservation programmes too. “The Nature Park will continue to expand on the welfare, research and conservation of the animals in our collection and in the wild. Our education programs will continue teaching the next generation of conservationists who will protect the flora, fauna and culture of PNG,” says Brett. The Nature Park’s Chief Finance Officer, Joanne Ponduk, gained her Bachelor’s degree in Business at Pacific Adventist University and spent 10 years with Deloitte, one of the big four chartered accountants, as a Manager of Risk & Consulting. As a Papua New Guinean woman, Joanne has seen a lot of change in PNG equality and diversity. “I look forward to embracing such changes and introducing opportunities for the team at Port Moresby Nature Park”, says Joanne. Oliver Isaacs, the Nature Park’s new General Manager of Operations, has a career in creating the very best guest experiences for some of Australia’s leading attractions. Oliver has run Operations at The National Maritime Museum and Taronga Zoo in Sydney. “Port Moresby Nature Park has grown into a highly-respected environmental organisation while remaining the main recreational park for communities in and surrounding the National Capital District”, says Oliver. “I am very much looking forward to welcoming our guests and working with our strategic partners”. The Port Moresby Nature Park has come a long way over the last decade and has always been supported internationally, both with funding and expertise, to achieve its’ goals. The new Chief Executive says, “Our next step is to ensure Papua New Guineans become leaders on the international conservation stage". "Our mission is simple: Only through developing Papua New Guinea’s home-grown talent, be that at the level of schools or management, can we succeed in protecting PNG’s environment for future generations. It is an enormous challenge but an exciting journey as we look to bring together communities, business, academia, NGOs and government as one team for nature: Team PNG.” 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. Source: Port Moresby Nature Park. org

The rugby league world is in mourning after the sudden death of Paul Green at 49 years old in his Brisbane home on Thursday morning. The Daily Telegraph reported that Green had not said anything about feeling ill before his sudden passing, with a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death. Green had been in Sydney last weekend for the Cronulla ex-players’ reunion, one of five teams the former Australian and Queensland representative halfback played for during his career. Green had a decorated playing career which spanned 162 games, suiting up for the Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos. He then made the switch to coaching after he hung up the boots, taking the Cowboys to their first-ever premiership in 2015 before also taking over the Queensland Maroons Origin side. Former Melbourne Storm and Maroons hooker Cameron Smith called it “shocking news” on SEN Radio. “A very sad part of the day,” Smith said, reacting to the news alongside Denan Kemp, who was coached by Green in the early stages of his rugby league career. “It’s certainly rocked myself and Kempy in the studio and everyone in the rugby league world. “It’s a sad day for everyone involved in the rugby league family and community. We send our best wishes and condolences out to the entire Green family.” Kemp spent a bit of time learning from Green in the early stages of his career and paid tribute to his ability to turn around Queensland Cup team the Wynnum Seagulls after a challenging start to the season. “I was fortunate enough, he was my kicking and catching coach when I was coming through at the Broncos and he was also my coach when I was at Wynnum,” Kemp said. “I had a small amount to do with him but in the time I did, it was actually really interesting the year I was at Wynnum I ended up signing with another club to leave but we had a really tough start to the season. Greeny managed to turn the Wynnum Seagulls around and we won the premiership that year. “He’s a fighter. It’s a very sad day to see Greeny go like that.” In a playing and coaching career of many highlights, Green’s greatest would be his role in taking North Queensland to its maiden premiership in 2015. Green first took the helm at the Cowboys in 2014 and saw immediate results as the Cowboys won the inaugural NRL Auckland Nines tournament. North Queensland carried the pre-season form into the season proper, finishing in fifth spot on the ladder before being eliminated by the Roosters in dramatic fashion in the semi-finals. The Cowboys improved to third in the 2015 season and this time around went all the way to the title, taking down the Broncos in a golden-point thriller for the ages. North Queensland got back to the grand final under Green’s watch in 2017 too, even without legendary halfback Johnathan Thurston, but were outclassed by Melbourne. Last year Thurston revealed the first conversation he had with Green that led to the drought-breaking title triumph in 2015. “He arrived to the club in 2014 and I remember the first meeting we had at the Dally M’s of 2013,” Thurston told WWOS. “He asked me what was the perception of the Cowboys at that time. I said, ‘We’re pretty inconsistent’. He stopped me pretty much and said ‘You can’t win away from home, and you can’t win when you’re on the sidelines’ so what do I need to do to change that? “We needed to get everyone training to an intensity that is required and he did that, and over those years we went on to win a premiership, make four straight finals and another grand final so he’s a great coach. “I was bought to the club in 2005 to win a premiership. He got everyone to that level and won that first ever premiership for the club which was great scenes for North Queensland and we’ll never forget it.” Green said he would “always treasure” the premiership-winning year with the Cowboys upon his exit from the club in 2020. “I am grateful to the board for allowing me to lead this club whilst creating some lifelong memories,” he said at the time. Source: Foxsports.com

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports 477 people to graduate from financial literacy training in Lae, Morobe Province, with a majority 415 (87 percent) of the total number of graduates all women. This is part of USAID’s commitment through the PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) and its partnership with Center for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) to deliver financial literacy training for Papua New Guineans, with a focus on economic empowerment of women and people from rural communities. For many people in PNG, especially women and marginalized populations living in rural and remote communities, it can be difficult to access basic financial services like banking, and saving and loan schemes to grow their small-scale business and improve their livelihood prospects. With USAID support, eight CEFI certified trainers conducted financial literacy training between July 25 to August 5, at seven different locations in Morobe Province, including Tent City Primary School, Abong Literacy School, Tent City Stage Three, Kamkumung, Poaba Village, Tanam Village, and Nasuapum Village. As a result, 477 participants graduated with financial literacy certificate and now have an improved understanding about the basic principles of saving and budgeting, which are the foundational skills for creating new enterprises and increasing household and personal financial security. Elizabeth Bou, a teacher from Tent City Primary School said, “I’m so happy that I attended this training. Even though I’ve been a teacher for 39 years, I haven’t been very good at budgeting and saving. Through this training, I have realized my mistakes. This will be my last year of teaching and I plan to pass on the skills and information I’ve learnt from this training to help others in my community like our local women’s and church groups”. Participants who complete the financial literacy training are given the opportunity to open saving accounts with MiBank, a nationwide micro-bank. In addition, graduates become eligible to apply for access to MiBank’s lending options for growing their small-scale or improving their livelihood activities. Lanes Jeari, a resident of Abong said “Thank-you to USAID for this training, it has helped me open a new bank account with the bank (MiBank). I can now visit the bank and save some money from my table sales business”. Led by Cardno International Development – a DT Global Company, USAID’s PNG LGP works in partnership PNG Government, local communities, and a range of implementing partners from the private sector, faith-based organizations, and civil society organizations. The overall objective of USAID’s LGP program is to empower traditional landowners to sustainably manage their resources and particularly to economically empower women as full participants in PNG’s economy. By improving people’s livelihood prospects USAID is building local capacity by helping communities to reduce pressure on forest resources and contribute to protecting PNG’s rich biodiversity for future generations.

Team Papua New Guinea will arrive back in the country at 5:10am on Friday morning (August 12) from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The contingent departed Birmingham on Wednesday, August 10 and will transit through France and Singapore and on then on to Port Moresby. Three members will go through Dubai and then meet up with the rest of the contingent in Singapore for the final leg home. The US based athletes of Team Papua New Guinea are already en route back to their respective states. The swimming team have already arrived safely back in Brisbane, Australia. The official welcome back function for Team Papua New Guinea will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Taurama Aquatic Centre from 12pm-2pm in Port Moresby. Team Papua New Guinea finished 35th at the Games with one silver medal.

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has thanked all his electoral officials across the country for doing a tremendous job and returning majority of the Election Writs in time of 11th Parliament to convene and conduct the first business of the day in electing a new government. He said about 109 Writs were returned after counting for Provincial and Open Electorate were completed in many parts of the country. Mr Sinai thanked all election officials in doing a tremendous job under difficult circumstance, particularly in the Highlands Region in making  sure counting was completed and winners declared. The commissioner urged electoral officials in those electorates that are still counting to speed up and complete counting before Monday 151th August and have the remaining Writs returned. "While I have returned majority of Writs last Friday to the Governor General, the remainder will follow as they are  received by the Commission. This is provided for under the legal frame work, and I will evoke Section 81(3) of the Electoral Law to extend the date for the date of the return of Writs for those specific provincial and open electorates," he said. Mr Sinai appealed to all leaders, political parties, candidates, and scrutineers and their fellow supporters to respect the electoral process and allow counting to progress until the remaining seats are declared. The Electoral Commissioner also clarified the position of the commission on the declaration he made for Markham and Kabwum under the Special Circumstances provision of the Organic Law. He said the decision to declare the leading candidates of the two electorates following the burning of ballot papers and destruction of counting centers and property was made after careful consideration. " The decision was not taken lightly. Wider consultation was required and I consult my lawyers and seek legal advice and sit with my senior management team, the provincial election manager and the respective Returning Officers for the effected electorates before we took a decision to accept the Writs for Markham and Kabwum." he said. The Commissioner said the destruction of  ballot papers and the counting  centers were pre planned to sabotage the electoral process by disgruntled candidates and their supporters particularly to disturb and deny the leading candidates from winning. "The Commissioner took the view that to conduct a supplementary or by election in these two electorates would mean the commission is surrendering its powers and authority to the criminal element to disturb counting processes in any time and with intention to call for a by election.  These incidents are first of its kind in PNG and decision we take now in election management body must serve as a deterrent so such is not repeated in the future."   Pic: Ruben Giusu

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is committed to ensuring the closure of the mine is done in accordance with the approved mine closure plan when the mine ceases production. The plan which has been developed and updated since 1997 includes the decommissioning of mining infrastructure, the rehabilitation of operation sites, the ongoing monitoring of the affected environment the transfer of public infrastructure or services currently provided by OTML and the establishment of a fund to implement the plan. The Company stated this during a Mine Closure Consultation Meeting that was held in Port Moresby from August 03rd - 05th 2022 which was organised by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and attended by landowners, government and OTML representatives. The meeting was held to discuss OTML’s closure plan which is being reviewed and will be submitted to the MRA before the end of this year. OTML is required under the Ok Tedi Act to review and submit an updated closure plan to the MRA every 3 years. One of the key challenges is the transfer of public infrastructure and services which include the Kiunga power, water & sewerage systems, the Tabubil Hospital, the Tabubil township, and the maintenance of the Tabubil/Kiunga highway to third parties before mine closure but is not that simple since the operations of these facilities and assets are heavily subsidised by OTML. Third parties have shown interest but have been reluctant to take on these assets since they are not viable without OTML’s subsidies. For example, each year the Company spends over K10 Million to subsidise power, water and sewerage services in Kiunga, a government township that has a population of over 20,000 people. OTML continues to have discussions with potential partners including the Fly River Provincial Government to develop a practical model that will sustain these services post closure and OTML’s plan is to handover these services to the new owners while OTML is still operating. It was also revealed at the meeting that the Company has set aside USD245 million for the sole purpose of implementing the closure plan when the Company ceases production. The amount is reviewed every 3 years as part of the closure planning process and additional contributions to the closure fund will be made if the estimated closure costs exceeds the current amount.

MP for Lae John Rosso was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea for the eleventh parliament. DPM Rosso and three other ministers were sworn in on Wednesday afternoon at the Government House at Konedobu by Governor General His Excellency Sir Bob Dadae. Prime Minister James Marape also announced a caretaker cabinet comprising to run the nation's affairs while awaiting a full cabinet comprising members of the coalition. The caretaker are as follows; 1. James Marape Prime Minister, National Planning, Police, Defence and Correctional Services 2. John Rosso, Deputy Prime Minister, Lands & Physical Planning, Housing, Education, Health and Higher Education 3. Soroi Eoe, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Justice & Attorney General , Bougainville Affairs, Petroleum and Tourism 4. Ian Ling Stuckey, Treasury, Finance and Rural Development, Labour and Industrial Relations, Immigration and Border Security 5. William Duma, State Owned Enterprises, Mining, Agriculture, Fisheries and Works & Implementation PC: Lae Open Electorate- John Rosso Dps MP

 The Commonwealth Games -Birmingham 2022 drew to a close yesterday Monday 8th August, 2022. Team PNG, led by Flag Bearer and Silver medallist Morea Baru, joined thousands of athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth as well as local Brummies, for a spectacular showcase put on by the Games Organising Committee. The next edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held Victoria, Austalia, in 2026. Source: Team PNG

A leading Solomon Islands opposition MP has called on Australia to offer funding to try and ensure the country can hold elections next year. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's government has said it wants to extend parliament until after it hosts the Pacific Games in November 2023, for which China has donated a stadium and other sporting venues that are being built by Chinese companies. Australia will be the second largest contributor to the games, after Pacific Minister Pat Conroy announced in Solomon Islands that Australia would contribute almost $17 million towards the landmark event. The United States and other Pacific nations have expressed concern over Solomon Islands' security ties with China, which they say have regional implications. China has also sought to strike a sweeping regional trade and security deal with Pacific islands, including governance exchanges. The Prime Minister's office said in July that Solomon Islands did not have the resources to host the Pacific Games and hold an election in 2023. National elections are held every four years, and parliament is due to be dissolved in May 2023. Vote on delay likely next month A bill submitted to parliament and endorsed by the speaker on Monday seeks to alter the constitution and suspend the dissolution of parliament until December 31, 2023, officials said. An election would need to be held within four months. A change to the constitution requires two-thirds of parliament to support it. It is likely to be voted on next month. Solomon Islands MP Peter Kenilorea Jr told the ABC Australia should offer to fund elections in 2023, to help deal with Mr Sogavare's concerns about having enough resources to have an election and host the Pacific Games. "I would like to see similar investments in our democracy and elections, including signals to the government in terms of quelling the argument being made there is no money for elections," he said. "This is something that I would also like to see our partners – particularly democracy loving countries – to step up and send those messages. "Australia has been supportive of Solomon Islands elections historically, but I think those messages and signals need to be made louder and be made known to us in the public as well … while sports are important, so are our democratic processes." Mr Kenilorea warned that deferring elections could provoke more civil unrest. "This is very much in the hearts and minds of Solomon Islanders and the opposition to it is overwhelming — it's perhaps universal — in terms of opposition to an extension," he said. "People just see it as an extension of a corrupt government, so this is something people can't swallow really … definitely there is a high risk of a flare up again of violence, based on these kinds of moves." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said election funding was "a matter for the Solomon Islands government". But it stressed Australia provided significant support for the last Solomon Islands election in 2019, and continued to plough money into programs designed to sustain future elections. "In the lead up to and during Solomon Islands' 2019 election, the Australian Government provided support through the Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Electoral Commission, Australia Assists and the United Nations covering critical electoral processes and logistics," DFAT said in a statement. "We continue to partner with the Solomon Islands Electoral Office to support electoral reform and administration, voter awareness and women's participation in the political process." Opposition leader Matthew Wale has also criticised delaying elections, and wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that citizens should "air their views" through parliamentary processes. "There is concern in churches, business and communities," Douglas Marau, the opposition leader's press secretary, told Reuters. He added it was "nonsense" to amend the constitution for a two-week sporting event. "There have been consultations held and the negative response to the government's plan is very clear," he said. Source: ABC News

Now, Serena Williams has amassed over 15 million Instagram followers and even more fans over the years. She is a literal icon. She has won a whopping twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles and, as a result, she is now considered one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Serena has been ranked as the No. 1 in singles on 8 separate occasions during her career and in total, she has been No. 1 for 319 weeks, which ranks third in the Open Era among female players behind Graf and Martina Navratilova. Williams is understandably considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time and she’s one of the hardest players to beat.But she’s not just a tennis superstar she is also a powerful woman and won’t let anyone stand in her way when it comes to topics that matter to her. She advocates strongly for the equality of women – in particular, female athletes but it hasn’t been an easy ride to success. During her women’s finals match against Naomi Osaka (who went on to win the title), the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, gave Serena a violation for a supposed “code violation for coaching.” She held her own during the heated confrontation. She was simply standing up for herself. Pointing out that male tennis players get away with a lot more than what she was accused of and disciplined for. Serena has had to get past a lot of obstacles to get where she is now. Serena, as well as her sister Venus, have been scrutinized in the past for the way in which they wear their hair, as well as being cruelly trolled and discriminated against because of their race. Even though thousands have flooded to the Williams sisters’ defense, there’s no doubt that racism is still a huge problem. Despite her ever-growing fan base. There’s no doubting who her biggest fan is… And that is, of course, her daughter. Serena Married her husband Alexis Ohanian back in 2017 and just before their marriage, their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. was born but her birth came with some terrifying complications and she’s now opened up about her experience, and how nurses ignored her plea for help. She revealed in an interview with ELLE, that the hospital staff failed to listen to her concerns. “So much of what happened after that is still a blur,” Serena shared. “I may have passed out a few times. In my haze, I wondered if I should ask someone about my drip. In 2010, I learned I had blood clots in my lungs — clots that, had they not been caught in time, could have killed me.” Since her terrifying experience, she has always been cautious of getting another clot. “It wasn’t a one-off; I’m at high risk for blood clots. I asked a nurse, ‘When do I start my heparin drip? Shouldn’t I be on that now?’” But the nurse’s response was less than satisfactory: “The response was, ‘Well, we don’t really know if that’s what you need to be on right now.’ No one was really listening to what I was saying,” she added. After repeatedly asking her nurse over and over to be put on blood thinners and for a CT scan, she finally got a doctor to agree with her… “I fought hard, and I ended up getting the CAT scan,” Serena said. “I’m so grateful to her. Lo and behold, I had a blood clot in my lungs, and they needed to insert a filter into my veins to break up the clot before it reached my heart.” Being vocal about her experience has shone an important light on the treatment of marginalized groups during childbirth. Many social media users have thanked Serena for speaking out… Serena shared with ELLE that “black women are nearly three times more likely to die during or after childbirth than their white counterparts” here in the U.S. More needs to be done to prevent this shocking statistic. Now, Williams has confirmed she is hanging up her racket following the US Open. “I have never liked the word retirement,” she began. “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution.” “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” It’s the end of an era. Source: 22 Words

The Santos PNG Orchids selection process ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) will continue in Port Moresby this week, with 34 eligible players to face off in a trial match on Saturday 13 August at the Santos National Football Stadium to assist with final squad selections. Orchids coach Ben Jeffries will travel from Australia to Papua New Guinea this week to observe training sessions and the match, which are being delivered by PNG-based Orchids staff and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL). Initially it was hoped that 10 Australia-based potential Orchids players would travel to PNG to participate in the trial match alongside their PNG-based counterparts, but this has been deferred in line with a recent decision by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to delay the SP PNG Hunters’ season return to Port Moresby out of an abundance of caution due to national election processes. Instead, Jeffries will continue to consider the selection claims of overseas-based players while having the chance to watch an additional 10 PNG-based players in Saturday’s clash. “It’s unfortunate that our Australia-based cohort will be unable to travel for this match, but I have been fortunate to see many of them play live already whereas this will be the first opportunity for me to see some of our PNG-based cohort in action rather than just on video,” Jeffries said. “For the additional 10 PNG-based players who have been promoted to the extended squad to play in this match, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to stake their claim for selection.” The 34 players that have been named in two teams, black and red, to contest Saturday’s match are as follows: Team Black 1. Joanne Lagona (Southern) 2. Maria Simon (Northern) 3. Belinda Gwasamun (Highlands) 4. Martha Karl (Northern) 5. Freda Waula (Southern) 6. Shirley Joe (Northern) 7. Elizabeth Kapa (Southern) 8. Talita Kunjil (Highlands) 9. Mellie Joe (Highlands) 10. Gloria Kaupa (Highlands) 11. Bethshiba Awoi (Southern) 12. Vero Waula (Southern) 13. Janet Michael (Southern) 14. Lisa Bina (Southern) 15. Erswin Kaiat (NGI) 16. Seroges Sabumei (Highlands) 17. Doreen William (Southern) Team Red 1. Lyiannah Allen (Highlands) 2. Lisa-Marie Alu (Highlands) 3. Martha Molowia (Southern) 4. Lancy Laki (Southern) 5. Lidia Luke (Northern) 6. Delilah Ahose (Highlands) 7. Lila Malabag (Southern) 8. Regila Wilfred (Highlands) 9. Roswita Kapo (Southern) 10. Michelle John (Northern) 11. Carol Humeu (Southern) 12. Benoti Kuman (Southern) 13. Leilah Kerowa (Southern) 14. Lorraine Tarao (NGI) 15. Shirley Luke (Southern) 16. Brenda Goro (Southern) 17. Janet Johns (Southern) The 17 players based in Australia and the UK who are still being considered for the final Santos PNG Orchids squad are (in alphabetical order): Angela Watego (Wynnum – QRLW), Anika Butler (Knights – NSW), Elsie Albert (Dragons – NRLW), Emily Veivers (Tigers – QRLW), Essay Banu (Wynnum – QRLW), Gemma Schnaubelt (Souths – QRLW), Jessica Carey (Tigers – QRLW), Jessikah Reeves (Souths – QRLW), Latoniya Norris (Wynnum – QRLW), Layna NonaBusch (Rabbitohs –Western Australia), Sareka Mooka (Gold Stars – QRLW), Sera Koroi (Souths – QRLW), Shae Yvonne de la Cruz (Souths – QRLW), Shellie Long (Tigers – QRLW), Tara Moxon (Leeds – UK Super League), Therese Aiton (Rabbitohs – NSW), Ua Ravu (Bulls – NSW Country). The final Santos PNG Orchids 23-player RLWC squad will be announced in late August.

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) children have today had the opportunity to visit the exciting Hastings Deering compound to celebrate Book Week and launch a new reader entitled “When I Grow Up I want to be a Heavy Equipment Operator”. 6-year-old Tryphina Elai, who is featured in the book as a mini professional heavy equipment operator got to launch the reader, alongside his Hastings Deering role models, with Hastings Deering PNG & Solomon Islands Area Manager, Andrew Dare. Sonia Lakani, Hastings Deering Service Administrator, read the book to the children. The 20 children were able to inspect all sorts of mining and construction equipment and were so excited to get into an excavator simulator, which gives a real-life experience of what it feels like to operate one. After the tour and book launch the Hastings Deering team treated the children to a lunch with hotdogs and cake. Buk bilong Pikinini is grateful to Hastings Deering for their long-term support for the organisation and for providing the children with a fun and educational field trip, which will no doubt influence their future career choices. Hastings Deering PNG & Solomon Islands Area Manager, Andrew Dare: said “The opportunity for HDPNG to invest in the future of young Papua New Guinean’s is an absolute pleasure for us to be a part of. Days like today we hope are not only lifelong memories for the children, but our staff as well, as they also learn another important part of our business – which is giving back to community. We would like to thank all Management, Staff and Volunteers of BbP as well as all Corporate Supporters in any capacity that have contributed to grow this wonderful opportunity for the past 15 years. We look forward to playing a small part for many years to come. “ This Book Week will see the launch of 7 new books in the organisation’s own published series “When I Grow Up, I want to be a …” series. This includes a Pastry Chef with Airways Hotel, a Heavy Equipment Operator with Hastings Deering, - a Pharmacist and a Nurse with CPL, a Banker with BSP, an Architect with Pacific Palms Property and an Engineer with ExxonMobil PNG.” The 7 additional books have been produced by BbP together with the organisations’ partners and with the financial support from the Sir Brian Bell Foundation. The children have been beautifully captured by BbP and Photographer Roan Paul with editing carried out by BbP Founder/ Chairperson Anne-Sophie Hermann and Wild Dog books. These new 7 readers are in addition to the 6 launched in 2021, which included: a Pilot, a Teacher, a Store Manager, an CT Officer, a Farmer and a Paramedic.” Further titles in the series are currently in production. Buk bilong Pikinini is grateful for the generous financial support it has received from the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, a Platinum Sponsor of the organisation, to produce this inspirational series of books. bThanks to the sponsorship, PNG children are able to read books which feature children just like themselves in leadership roles, learning about jobs that are needed locally and which are fun to read. The readers aim to teach the children what it takes to become the different professions and to inspire the children to think about their future careers and understand the importance of education.