With three more days to go before the annual staging of the Goroka Show, the Provincial Administrator of Eastern Highlands Province, Mr John Gimiseve has released the following media statement advising all concerned: We understand and acknowledged that a lot of time, preparation, commitment by individuals, groups, communities and business houses, have been made towards the Iconic global event- Goroka Show. However, it is with regret that the show will not proceed as scheduled given our current COVID 19 situation in the Province. From experience, our province suffered 16 deaths and over 50 people admitted to our hospital between March and April 2021, from COVID 19. The situation subsided from June to August 2021. However, in the first two weeks (3-12 September) alone, 24 new cases and 4 deaths were recorded in the hospital. That is very alarming and serious for our province. As we speak, our hospital does not have the capacity to manage over 20 critically ill COVID 19 cases. The hospital’s capacity to effectively deal with such is stretched to the maximum. COVID 19 and its recent variant are also unpredictable. To further complicate the situation, our population in general are not adhering to the New Normal Measures. Even the vaccine uptake among our frontline population in the province at 33% is risky. The huge number of unvaccinated (unprotected) population accessing the show places a greater risk and will culminate in enormous calamity after the show. In light of all the above, I have no choice but to immediately cancel the Goroka Show from proceeding as planned. The health and wellbeing of the bulk of the population of EHP takes precedence over all other considerations. I cannot and will not take the risk of compromising the people’s health. This also means all other public events that attract the congregation of people should also be put off until further notice. Thank you all for your understanding.

Police Commissioner and Controller of the PNG National Pandemic Response David Manning today authorised the release of new measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The key changes are to international and domestic travel as well as social and business. For international travel, the new measure are as follows: 1. New Quarantine periods - seven days quarantine for incoming persons who are fully vaccinated and 14 days quarantine for partially vaccinated persons. PNG citizens and permanent residents who are unvaccinated are to be quarantined for 21 days. Any foreign national who is unvaccinated will not be allowed entry into PNG. Children under the age of 18 years who travel with a parent or guardian will be quarantined for the same period as their parent or guardian. Children under the age of 18 who are unaccompanied will be assessed and quarantined on a case-by-case basis. Children under five years are exempted; 2. These new quarantine periods do not apply to all persons currently in quarantine - unless provided an exception which will continue to apply; 3. Approvals to arrive in PNG are valid for 60 days rather than the previous 90 days; 4. Approvals to enter PNG shall not be provided to persons travelling to PNG for the principal purpose of holidaying, vacationing or similar activity; 5. All persons travelling to PNG must have a valid COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to their original port of departure, rather than 7-days prior to departing for Port Moresby. For clarity and as an example, if a person initiated their travel in the United States of America and their flight transited through Singapore to Port Moresby, they would need to be tested 72 hours prior to their flight departing the United States of America, not the flight departing from Singapore. Children aged five years and under are exempted from being tested; 6. All people arriving into PNG must be tested upon arrival and whilst in quarantine. This is the responsibility of the facility hosting quarantined persons. The cost may be passed onto the individual by the facility, but it is the responsibility of the quarantine facility to organise the tests and pass the test results onto the NCC; 7. If an individual refuses to be tested, they will be quarantined for an additional 14 days; 8. There is no restriction on which medical providers may conduct these tests, except that the medical providers and their staff must be properly licensed. The NCC will accept results from all such medical testing providers; 9. Tracking of individuals for the purposes of quarantine is now only for home quarantine. Persons quarantining in scheduled quarantine facilities are not required to be tracked; and 10. All Charter Flights must - in addition to the normal approvals - have the Controller’s written approval. This power has not been delegated. Domestic travel and social measures have been merged into Measure No. 3 “Domestic Measures”. Mr Manning said due to the increased threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant all provinces are now classified as a medium risk. He said it is the responsibility of Provincial Health Authorities to advise Provincial Administrators as to what their risk of COVID-19 is on a weekly basis. The Provincial Administrator is then required to communicate this to the Controller. The Controller will make the final decision to classify a province from a medium risk to a high risk. Failure to report and to test by any province will be taken into account by the Controller when making this determination, as will a number of other factors. The Controller has classified Western Province and Sandaun (West Sepik) as High-Risk Provinces. Restrictions will be based on whether a province is High or Medium Risk. For high-risk provinces the following will apply: • Gatherings of only 20 people allowed; • All persons leaving a high-risk province must undertake a rapid antigen test prior to departure; • Night clubs, pubs and similar venues must be closed; and • No sporting activities over 4 persons are allowed. For medium risk provinces, gatherings of only 100 people are allowed. Other domestic restrictions continue to apply, including; (a) No person may fly if they are symptomatic for COVID-19, and (b) All travelers must have their temperature checked by airline staff and no person may travel if their temperature registers at or over 37.5C (except for medivac and emergency flights). The measure on no sale of alcohol on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nationwide still remains in force. Mr Manning said these new measures which come into effect on September 15, 2021, have been made taking into consideration the continuous threat of COVID-19 whilst at the same time ensuring continuity and normalcy in all facets of life.

There is a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, including additional deaths being reported in Western Province at the weekend. OK-Tedi Mine- run hospital in Tabubil, Western Province, has reported four deaths at the weekend. This is now Tabubil’s 3rd surge since the outbreak begun two years ago and this time the hospital has recorded 176 cases as well as 12 deaths. While confirming  these deaths, Deputy Controller for the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom has appealed to everyone in the country to listen and follow the COVID protocols. “There’s mass gatherings taking place for 46th Independence celebrations.  We’ve observed that people are not adhering to COVID protocols like mask wearing, hand sanitizing and physical distancing,’’ he said. “Currently, we have a delta surge in the country. Ontop of the non-compliance to COVID protocols, there’s a high hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccines. I strongly urge people to go back and re-visit the protocols and make sure they are adhering to them. “We are expecting a very big surge in delta cases, starting this month and the mass gatherings with no adherence to COVID-19 protocols will facilitate this.’’ Dr Daoni said Delta variant is a new variant of COVID-19 which spreads faster and is deadlier. Tabubil health facility has also reported that majority of the cases have not been vaccinated, including the deaths. Like many parts of PNG, Western Province is facing huge issues such as lack of capacity to test and care for the sick. “At the moment, our testing has been very low despite the fact that we’ve been seeing increases in respiratory illnesses in June, July, and August in many provinces notable ones, being Morobe, West New Britain, East New Britain and NCD,’’ said Dr Daoni. Head of NCC Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Dr Gary Nou said at a meeting this morning that his team is looking at how they can help Western Province which will include deploying an international team. However, he said EMTs can only work with the teams on the ground to beef up the ongoing operation which is almost non-existent in Western Province.  “We can bring in equipment, but there are no nurses. We need nurses to look after the patients. Most of the people are presenting late,’’ he said. He also said it is hard to know the real situation in Western Province because testing is low and is mostly done at Tabubil health facility. Emergency Physician at the Port Moresby General Hospital  Dr Scotty Kendelyo, who is also the clinical cluster lead at NCC,  also reported that PMGH is also experiencing a surge and its isolation ward is more than 50 per cent occupied, which has resulted in a decision being made to re-open the Taurama Acquatic Centre. They are also looking at bringing in extra-manpower to cater for the increasing number of patients being admitted with COVID-19. West Sepik Province is also experiencing a surge so a team from NCC is currently on the ground to give support.

The signing of a tripartite partnership agreement through an MOU today between National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) and Department of Community Development & Religion (DfEDR) paves the way forward for the engagement of our rural youths at the LLG levels to be given the opportunity to participate meaningfully ii sporting activities that will be hosted at the district level. The National Youth Policy has four (4) Pillars. Pillar 4 on Health, Sports and Culture with a key objective to see ‘A young generation that have healthy lifestyle, physical fitness and cultural uniqueness’ can holistically be achieved through the concept of the Regional Youth Games (RYGs) Pillar 4 of the NYP can only be effectively rolled out through collaboration and partnership; therefore, today we witness this important occasion to see NYDA Director General-Joe Itaki, PNGSF Executive Director-Albert Veratau, and Dept of Community Development & Religion a/Secretary-Jerry Ubase joining hands together to ensure that the RYG provides the avenue to identify raw talents of the youths in the rural areas. The three (3) agency heads believe that engagement of youths in sports is a catalyst for character development, provides identity and purpose for the youths; keep youths occupied and out of trouble; has social benefits and enforces a growth mindset; instils discipline and team work; expose youths to positive role models; and bring opportunities to be selected to represent their district, province and country nationally, regionally and internationally in the name of sports. RYG is an intervention that underpins the basic underlying principles on value adding, promoting unity and respect; participatory; rural development and identity of their culture and the promotion of tourism that will offer exciting and inspiring experiences as a sports-culture-creative-education-health tourism platform and product by providing benefit sharing opportunities and pointing visitors its way and giving access to ground breaking exhibitions and enrichment programs. The Regional Youth Games (RYG) is district focused, and will be held in a selected district within a province in each of the 4 regions of PNG biennially. Through the RYG, rural youths are given the opportunity to participate and be selected in the inter-LLG games to represent their districts in the RYGs. The RYG creates the pathway for youth to be selected to PNG Games, and then on to representing PNG in regional and international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Youth Games, mini pacific games and so forth. The first trialled RYG was held in Wewak District of East Sepik Province in July last year (2020) which saw a number of districts within the Momase region participate. With the MOU signed today, the rrst Inaugural Papua RYG will commence in Alotau, Milne Bay Province where selected youths in all districts within the Southern region will be attending. The games will be held on the 28th November-8th December 2021. We invite partners to support this new concept to see our young people progress in sports development that will have a positive impact in their lives; and to also visit Alotau to see for yourself the games and how you can be engaged to complement your programs alongside the RYGs in the years to come.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the Bilum Campaign and the 2021 State of the World Population Report in partnership with the National Museum of Papua New Guinea and Florence Kamel, founder of the Goroka Bilum Festival recently. UNFPA also shared the Preamble to the Constitution - for the first time available in both English and Tok Pisin with the Government, NGOs, media, and other partners at the launch ahead of PNG’s 46th Independence Day. Dr. Eric Kwa, Attorney General of Papua New Guinea, opening the Bilum launch declared: “The spirit of the Bilum Campaign is inspired by the preamble of the PNG Constitution. We declare that we, the People of PNG, acknowledge the customs and traditional wisdom of our people which has come down to us from generation to generation.” The purpose of the Bilum Campaign is to tell the story of women and reproductive health through the iconic woven string bags of Papua New Guinea (PNG) known as “bilums”. By giving voice to a female tradition, we focus on the deeper meaning of the bilum patterns that link specifically to women’s status and reproductive health. In doing so, UNFPA raises awareness about the urgent need to address gender inequality and invest in reproductive health services for the country to achieve its development goals. The campaign leverages the Preamble as part of haus man and haus meri discussions aimed at sparking conversations among the public about creating healthy social norms for a modern PNG. “We discussed things that used to take place around the traditional Haus Man values and tried to contrast what’s happening today with young PNG Men. There seems to be such a large disconnect between how men behaved 30 years ago and how young men or boys are behaving today. And we are trying to figure out where we may have lost these connections,” explained Governor Allan Bird, East Sepik Province and Member of the GBV Coalition and Parliamentary Inquiry. “The Preamble speaks of building on past wisdom and the need to harness science and new knowledge to create equal opportunities for men and women to safeguard PNG’s future as a modern nation. added Marielle Sander, the Representative UNFPA in Papua New Guinea, “The Constitution is the original sustainable development roadmap for PNG, so it is important that it is shared.”

In light of the country’s 46th independence anniversary, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel has made a call for government heads to do their part in fighting nepotism and corruption by refraining from making politically convenient appointments. Governor Muthuvel said as the country gears up for the independence celebrations, public servants are seemingly less interested and have lost the feeling of patriotism and sense of pride serving the country compared to the past. He said this is simply because corruption and nepotism have made people less motivated to do their job. “Nowadays, it has become all too common for appointments of wantoks just for convenience and not based on merit,” Mr Muthuvel said. “On the government’s end, we must do our part and not entertain politically convenient appointments from the Secretary down to the driver, but appoint based on qualifications irrespective of where you’re from.” “There must be stringent processes for recruitment and selection.” “Also, general knowledge and aptitude tests is one thing we should consider.” He further adds that it is important that the country has a robust public service mechanism in order for PNG to move forward.

The Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership in collaboration with the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) is supporting an initiative by the West New Britain Provincial Government to boost financial literacy. Fifty-one women and men from the Talasea District took part in a two-week intensive training on financial literacy conducted by the BPNG’s Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion Initiative (CEFI) - a component of the Cocoa Livelihood and Financial Inclusion Project. The Australian funded Cocoa Livelihood and Financial Inclusion Project aims to improve smallholder livelihoods through strengthening the business competency of farmers through financial literacy and business management training. Those certified are now able to train over 800 smallholder farmers from cooperatives and women’s groups across 12 Local Level Governments in the Province – which is consistent with the Provincial Administration’s vision to support farmers and businesses. The CEFI graduation ceremony was held in Kimbe and was attended by Governor and local MP, Francis Maneke; the Governor for Bank of PNG, Loi Bakani; and Australian High Commission First Secretary, Amanda Young. During the ceremony the Governor commended the Australian Government for backing his Government’s vision of empowering people through supporting financial literacy. Mr Maneke also commended the graduates for successfully completing the training program. “Through the CEFI initiative the number of people with formal bank accounts will increase,” Mr. Maneke said. “With this training, as the money you earn and save increases, you will be able to make more effective decisions for your businesses which in turn will drive our local economy”. Australia’s support to the District through the Cocoa Livelihood and Financial Inclusion Project includes cocoa husbandry training, construction of a commercial grade storage shed, construction of a dryer, and provision of rainwater tanks to provide irrigation for the planned 35,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed among farmers in the District.

The challenges of remoteness are a daily reality for the teachers of Middle Ramu, Madang Province. Getting to the district from Madang town means a two-hour drive to the Usino-Bundi boat stop followed by an eight-hour trip along the banks of the winding Ramu River to the furthest village. Villages are mostly situated close to the river, but it can be a three-hour walk to reach communities further inland. Many schools in the district have limited teaching and learning resources, often relying on community volunteers to teach children given the lack of qualified teachers. But today teaching and learning is improving at remote schools through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership supported Together for Education project. The project is delivered by World Vision in collaboration with the National Department of Education, Child Fund, the Consultative Implementation, and Monitoring Council, Library For All and the University of Canberra. Last year at Annaberg Station, nearly 40 teachers from 19 Middle Ramu schools participated in a week-long Standards Based Curriculum (SBC) English Syllabus training which helped them understand how to better teach the English syllabus. Seven of the participants were Missingi Elementary School volunteer teachers who took part in the training to help their schools and communities. Theresita Saka had been volunteering at the school for three years and found the program to be an eye-opener. “I have never received such training before,” she said. “Now I understand very well how I can use the teachers’ guide and I am confident in my teaching.” Donatus Egimi, also volunteer teacher at Missingi Elementary, said the training helped him understand different teaching strategies and how to use them correctly. “I thought the only way to teach children to read was by giving them reading books,” he said. “The training taught us how to create teaching aids with materials to help the students learn to read. “I am very happy to receive this training and I am now confident to teach the English syllabus.” Other participants also grew in confidence and were more open to joining discussions as the training progressed. It also boosted their abilities to effectively use SBC scripted lesson plans in classroom teaching and assessment activities to enhance students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Middle Ramu District elementary trainer and coordinator Peter Atau was pleased to see the positive outcomes. “Teachers are now equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to teach their students,” he said. “I have seen how the teachers have embraced the concept of scripted lessons and how the training will help our children’s futures.”

Ivy Karue, 27, is the winner of the first national PNG ‘What’s Your Style?’ search by Lily PNG Women’s Magazine in conjunction with Cherish Boutique. The accounting/finance student at IBS runs an SME with her brother called Jossie’s Crafts (named after her late mother) where she sells Sepik baskets, bilums, bilum caps and other crafts from Wewak. Ivy describes her style as “somewhere between trendy and boho”, with her artsy look appealing to guest judge and fashion designer Natasha Tamanabae because: “We get a real feel for her personality from what she’s wearing and that’s what style is all about.” The runners-up are Inali Kurumbi, 24, from Mt Hagen with a ‘grunge-emo style’, and Cecilia Pirah, 28, from Port Moresby who accessorised well to create a ‘dressed-up meri blouse’ look. The three were chosen from about 200 entries and on Friday (September 10) were presented with K2100 worth of prizes at Cherish Lady Boutique at Vision City by owner Cherry Lin and Lily editor Margo Nugent. The prizes are a K1000 gift voucher for the winner and K500 vouchers for each of the two runners-up to spend at Cherish fashion shops or their affiliate stores, plus K100 worth of free copies of the new September issue #24 of Lily magazine. The competition was promoted by Lily Magazine via its social media platforms earlier this year, generating entries encompassing a wide range of styles – from traditional meri blouses, bilum wear and tropical island kaftans to graduation gowns with tribal motifs, and modern corporate wear. Ms Nugent said the vast range of styles made selection difficult, but it was those with a strong sense of who they were, and who boldly, confidently expressed this through their fashion choices, that made the winners’ list. Ms Tamanabae, who is a fashion show regular in PNG with Oro tapa-inspired collections under her label Baiwa, praised winner Ivy for taking a risk by pulling in different elements to make her look. “I’d like to see us all doing this more often, expressing our individuality through fashion, and seeing the confidence coming out,” she said. She also had encouraging words for runnersup Inali, whose ‘grunge’ look of boots, lots of denim and a graphic tee had stood out, and Cecilia, who had found a nice balance in accessorising her meri blouse with a floral hair pin, shell money necklaces and a Siwai (Bougainville) basket. The new issue of Lily – dubbed The Style Issue, and which went on sale last week – includes an overview of the three winners, along with 40 other entrants whose style impressed the judges. The style theme continues with a peek inside the wardrobes of three style leaders – Olympic athlete Rellie Kaputin, top model Alang Isaac, and singer in a girl band Tinzey Mau, while three of PNG’s biggest sporting stars – Dika Toua, Toea Wisil and Rose-Lee Numa – shine off the field in the high-glam fashion centre spread.

A Chinese national who overstay his visa and work permit but continue to reside unlawfully and work in a retail outlet in Kimbe, West New Britain province was identified by Immigration officers during a week-long spot check operations in the province and was airlifted to Port Moresby and detained at the Bomana Immigration Centre (BIC). The Chinese man married to a local woman overstayed his work and entry permits by three (3) years. He was caught working as a retail manager in a shopping centre in Kimbe town and was escorted by Immigration and Police officers to Port Moresby and detained at BIC this week. Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau cautioned foreign nationals not to rely on their PNG spouse with the hope that the marriage to local woman would guarantee access to reside and work in the country. “Your marriage with a local woman does not give you the right to reside, work or operate businesses without lawful entry permit. You must operate under the conditions provided in your visa and work permits,” Mr Hulahau stress. The Chinese national will be subject to further investigations before a decision is made for his removal from the country. The spot check operations targeting retail, wholesale and logging companies were conducted in Kimbe, Bialla town and at logging camps in Ulamona and Mekar. Almost 40 foreign nationals operating businesses and working in those areas were penalized for various minor beaches of their visa conditions. The spot check team collected over K150,000 in fines and penalties. “The spot fines and penalties imposed for the breach of visa conditions are prescribed under the Migration Laws and we apply them when the breaches are minor or not serious that does not requires removal,” Mr Hulahau explains. “However, we may arrest, detain and remove or deport non-compliant foreign nationals if they overstay their visa or conduct themselves in a manner that is criminal or serious under PNG laws.” Mr Hulahau says West New Britain is a significant contributor in terms of tax and levies from commercial and logging activities and there is still need to ensure compliance in all the sectors. Apart from the usual visa checks, the Spot Check team sighted non-compliance of other PNG laws in the two logging sites operated by Vanimo Jaya in Ulamona and Mekar in Bialla. The team reported unregistered fleets including heavy duty machineries and trucks that transports logs and passengers. Mr Hulahau says there are allegations of mistreatment and low salary rates reported by local workers at the two logging sites and he is urging respective government authorities to step up their efforts to make sure companies are compliant with the domestic laws. “My officers who goes out to carry out checks cannot charge or penalize non-compliant companies for breaches outside of the Migration Laws so I’m urging other State Departments/Authorities to step up their efforts in protecting our local businesses and workforce,” says the CMO. The Immigration led Spot Check operations in Kimbe was carried out with the support from PNG Customs and Police.

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has reopened its Kerema sub-branch on 6thSeptember, 2021, after eight months of shutdown since 14th December, 2020, following  breaking and entering of the branch.   On 12th December, 2020, the BSP Kerema sub-branch was broken into by criminals with approximately K220, 000 in cash stolen. As a result of the theft, the sub branch was closed for all most 10 months to allow for police investigations to be carried out and for recovery of as much of the proceeds of the robbery as possible. BSP also had to carry out repairs to improve security at a cost of more than K200,000, with the Gulf Provincial Government providing financial support for the repairs and upgrade of security. In reopening the sub branch, BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said, “while BSP is pleased to return and resume services for the people of Kerema and the Gulf Province, this is the third instance where BSP has reopened doors due to theft and robbery at the local branch. Any further criminal act against Kerema branch will make it difficult for BSP to once again consider re-opening the sub branch.” “BSP sub branches in rural areas are increasingly becoming frequent targets of criminal activities, which not only cost money for BSP to repair the damage caused but also puts the provision of banking services at risk for customers who rely on BSP in their local communities,” said Fleming. He added that: “BSP is the only bank that has representation in Kerema, no other banks are willing to offer services in this province, or many other areas in PNG. We call upon the people of Kerema to support and look after the bank facilities that provide essential banking service for the community.” BSP Kerema is one of the 21 locations in PNG where BSP is the only bank operating and withdrawal of services would have a detrimental impact on the community. Not only does the bank provide banking services but also investments in supporting the development of the township through its annual community projects in health, education,  sports, culture and Financial Literacy.  Despite the cost associated with running 42 branches and 42 sub-branches, BSP is committed to expand and extend its services to cater for the number of customers it has. Proof of its commitment to its customers was the recent opening of a larger sub-branch at Namatanai, New Ireland Province, in July. The bank is actively working to open new banking centres in Eriku, Lae, and in Mt Hagen to cater for its high number of customers.    The Kerema sub-branch reopening its doors on 6th September, 2021, will provide essential banking services once again to the people of Gulf.  The Bank is calling on all stakeholders, the local community to take care of the branch and its staff as it is the only bank willing to serve the people and residents of Gulf Province.

Chef Julz Henao and Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp recently joined Papua New Guinean volunteers from the High Commission to prepare and taste traditional dishes from PNG’s four regions to celebrate Independence Day. After some taste testing, the team delivered the dishes to Cheshire Homes in Hohola, where more than 30 people living with disabilities and staff gathered for an Independence Day feast. In true PNG style, all four dishes featured coconuts (and lots of scraping). Representing the Highlands region, Willie Koi prepared a Western Highlands Mumu, cooking a whole pig marinated in ginger, garlic, onion, carrots and green fern in coconut milk. For the Momase region, Michelle Alung-Megiarni and Josephine Barrum prepared Nangu, a sago dish served with smoked fish and greens in coconut milk. The Southern region’s Delsia Sariman prepared Rabia Irara, a coconut creamed trevally in sago. Finally, Charmaine Sialis-Misiliu represented the New Guinea Islands, using heated stones to make an Aigir of chicken, aibika leaves, capsicum, bananas, and you guessed it… coconut! High Commissioner Philp enjoyed all of the dishes prepared so much he could not pick a favourite. “Papua New Guinea is the land of a thousand tribes. What better way to recognise that than to celebrate the food of Papua New Guinea. We know that every island, every valley, every province, every tribe has their own special food, and their own way of cooking things” he said. The High Commissioner even tried his hand at some of the steps in the cooking process but noted there was some room for improvement. “Clearly, I need to build my skills a bit more before I can make a perfect saksak dumpling ball like Josephine, but I’ll get there.” High Commissioner Philp thanked Chef Julz for coming along to help out on the day. “Our volunteer cooks from the High Commission worked very closely with Julz Henao, an amazing chef who has worked very hard to help educate the people of PNG about healthy eating, something that’s very important to us in Australia as well.” Chef Julz is currently working on the Eat Smart campaign, a nutrition education program for PNG. “The Eat Smart Campaign is the first of its kind in PNG. We’ve travelled to the regions and met some amazing farmers, and we’re going to be sharing nutritional education with the next generation of Papua New Guineans and school kids,” he said. Chef Julz said he was inspired by each of the local cooks, and the way they incorporated new cooking methods into traditional dishes. He was also proud to be able to share the healthy meals with the Cheshire Homes community. “It was really special to come to Cheshire Homes and share that moment with our fellow Papua New Guineans. Just to serve some food and sit around and talk while the community ate their Independence Day meal was very rewarding,” said Chef Julz. To conclude the event, High Commissioner Philp wished all Papua New Guineans a happy Independence Day with their families and friends.