It’s been over two months since we released news on our first, captive breeding of the Raggiana Bird of Paradise chick here at Port Moresby Nature Park. Born on the 27th June this year, our chick is a healthy bird, being fed lots of spiders, grasshoppers and other insects as well as fruit on a daily basis. We still don’t know the sex of the bird and it could take about 5 years for us to find out. This is when a male reaches maturity and starts to grow its beautiful plume feathers, highly valued traditionally in Papua New Guinea. Until then ‘Bosh’ as the bird is known, will be covered in brown feathers. Traditional ‘Bilas’ (costumes) have been part of PNG culture for generations. Specifically, bird feathers are the key components in the making of spectacular head dresses worn by performers from various provinces around the country. Apart from the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, there are other Bird of Paradise species that are hunted for their feathers such as the Lesser Bird of Paradise and the Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia. Some most sought after bird feathers come from the Pesquet’s Parrot and Papuan Lorikeet for their bright vibrant colours. More than one bird is required for one head-dress, creating a trend of overhunting birds in remote Papua New Guinea and prompting advocacy groups to promote sustainable traditional practices to preserve some of our gradually declining bird species. The ‘Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu’ Campaign is a collaborative campaign carried out by the Port Moresby Nature Park and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Goroko. The campaign emphasises on the importance of preserving traditional costumes with the aim of decreasing the numbers of overhunting bird species in Papua New Guinea. With independence just around the corner, there will be a demand for traditional costumes around the country. It is advisable that as proud Papua New Guineans, traditional costumes are more significant when passed on from one generation to the next as ones tribal/clan heritage. For this reason, safekeeping of your traditional costumes, especially prized headdresses are very important. You can achieve this by following three simple practices:  Wrap your head-dress up in newspaper, making sure they have been aired out and dry after a performance;  Place your head-dress and other traditional costumes in a box with moth balls to keep unwanted pests away;  Keep your box of traditional costumes away from children’s reach and places that are moist. The ‘Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu’ campaign is one of the many campaigns promoted at Port Moresby Nature Park as a way of educating the community in preserving PNG’s endemic wildlife for future generations. With current trends in the harvesting of birds of paradise for the use of feathers in head dresses, the population in the wild are not sustainable and we could lose some of the species that are heavily targeted for their spectacular plumage. Through bird breeding programs and such campaigns like “Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu”, led by the park’s qualified and dedicated wildlife and education teams, the hope is to ensure their survival and protection for future generations. The Port Moresby Nature Park is an international welfare accredited zoo through the Zoo & Aquarium Association of Australasia and is heavily committed to conservation and education, research and most importantly, dedicated to protecting PNG’s wildlife.  

Kupun Wisil, brother of Pacific Sprint Queen Toea Wisil says that his decision to join the JPG Whagi Tumbe coaching staff this season has truly paid off and he is excited at the prospects of a 2021 premiership win for his home team this coming Sunday. The athletics turned rugby league trainer has been working behind the scenes with coaching staff from a few other Digicel Cup franchises since 2013 with the most prevalent club being the Lae Snax Tigers rugby league club where he spent a total of seven years playing supporting roles to the coaching staff there. Wisil decided to take a break from his already budding athletics career in 2013 and switch codes to rugby league by becoming a member of the Lae Snax Tigers coaching team and has not looked back since. “In 2013, I decided to take a break from athletics and divert my focus to the game that every Papua New Guinean is so passionate about and has come to love and that is rugby.” “Before that, I had been representing the country in athletics since I first entered into sports at the Grassroots Games (now known as the Pacific Games) in 2003,” Wisil said. From 2016 onwards, Wisil has fully committed to the rugby league code and has been instrumental in assisting the Tigers win 3 premierships (2016, 2017 & 2019) and the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis win 1 premiership in 2018. Last year, Wisil took to the finals yet again with the Lae Snax Tigers however, they were unlucky for another premiership win as they went down to the reigning premieres the Kroton Hela Wigmen. This year, Wisil said that his coaching team currently being led by rookie coach Baundo Abba and Head Trainer Ezekiel Ben, has had a lot of work to do in terms of grooming the boys most of whom are unknown players making their debuts in the Digicel Cup. “Most of the boys on the team in the likes of Michael Tom who forms part of our forward packs and Bobby Joel who has been creating a lot of impacts off the bench, are only new and have had little experience as far as Digicel Cup is concerned and so we have have tried our best to train and discipline them into getting this far.” Wisil said having a young and inexperienced team this year, they were only looking to make it as far as the knockout finals however, having made it to the 2021 Grand Final is indeed a dream come true for the team. “When we started out this year, we challenged ourselves that we will make it as far as the finals only and then next year is when we will win the Digicel Cup because our team is still a fairly young team.” “However, things have turned out to be different for us and we now find ourselves having a chance at the Cup in such a short time,” Wisil stated. Wisil said he has full confidence in Joe Frank who has been with the JPG Whagi Tumbe since debuting in the Digicel Cup in 2015 that he will lead the boys to their first ever Grand Final victory and is looking forward to another great performance from the boys. The man who has been working behind the scenes of premiership winning clubs said that there is no secret to winning and that every win is a direct result of hard work in the form of training, commitment and discipline. Wisil further added that this Grand Final game is dedicated to the whole of Jiwaka Province and that they will get out there and make the people proud. “Jiwaka is only a few years old and it has taken us up to 10 years for us to have our own province.” “Just like we are a young province, we are going into the Grand Final as a young team to take on a more experienced team and so we are not taking things lightly,” Wisil said. “It is however our wish that our supporters and fans get behind us in the true spirit of the game and support as unified Papua New Guineans,” Wisil added. The JPG Whagi Tumbe will be led by rookie coach Baundo Abba and Captain Joe ‘6 cylinder’ Frank as they take on the crowd favourites Lae Snax Tigers in the Grand Final clash on Sunday. Photo credits: RJTotsia Photography&Media

Fostering a strategic partnership with the local communities’ results in meaningful development that benefits the whole community. The recent handover of a building for use by the Papa community as a resource center highlights what can be achieved by such partnership. “Collaboration between EMPNG and the Gas Resources Company, Veadi Koita Association , past and present ward councilors from Papa village, Laba Holdings and the local workers from Papa who Scott Sandlin. “ExxonMobil PNG is proud to do its part to support the people of Papa. The community now have a building that can be used for meetings, to carry out capacity building training and host other formal and social events.” He also added that since 201 5, ExxonMobil PNG has spent PGK 3 million on various community initiatives in Papa village. These community investments are focused on creating sustainable benefits in education, health, agriculture, the environment and opportunities for women. EMPNG has fostered strategic partnerships with local Papa schools to support the delivery of various training activities including a School Board of Management and governance training. In addition, EMPNG has constructed a staff house for the elementary school head teacher, conducted renovations to classrooms, built a new classroom for the Papa Community Pre-School, improved the Papa sub-health facility, and supported sewing training for the Papa Koita Magia (women's) group. "Our efforts in the community comes from a long legacy of commitment to supporting communities where we operate. We are happy to know that this common facility will benefit the wider population of Papa village and we trust that the Veadi Kiota Association will manage the facility Well," Mr. Sandline said in closing. The new building includes a pantry, office space, meeting rooms, and restrooms facilities, making it a very modern facility that can cater for various community events.

The East Coast Football Club (ECFC), a newly established soccer club based here in Port Moresby will be hosting their first ever Corporate Fundraising Dinner at the Lamana Hotel Grecian Ballroom on Thursday 9th September to raise much needed funds for the club and its’ activities. Managing Director and President of the East Coast Football Club, Mr Shannon Andrew said this Corporate Fundraising Dinner is intended to raise funds for the 2021 – 2022 Soccer team registration and association activities, culture and educational programs within the club, academy programs for kids under 10 years and the 2021 ECFC Annual Charity Drive and Contributions. The East Coast Football Club was established in 2017 and since then has grown into a football club that is currently participating in the Port Moresby Soccer Association in Division 2. “As young as we are, our vision is a very unique and ambitious one, to be the most attractive and competitive football organization in the pacific by 2026,” said Mr Andrew. Mr Andrew said “we believe in sports (in our case soccer) now more than ever as it is evolving into not just being a competition, but a great way to engage a consumer, engage someone running a business and also is an amazing platform to drive certain campaigns throughout the community.” He added on that one of their programs set for this year under the ECFC Kids Academy Program will be launched in October this year and will run annually with the support of coaching materials from Papua New Guinea and Australia. “ECFC aims to be the first football club in PNG that is committed to building its’ soccer academies out of Port Moresby and Lae and with direct pathways to competitive football carnivals in Australia,” Shannon said. He added that also this year, ECFC under their Annual Charity Drive and Contributions will bring together family, friends, fans and partners through its platforms to support a worthy cause. “2021 has prompted our support to the ‘I Care 4 U’ Charity Organization run by a generous couple, George and Krystal and the charity is dedicated to giving abandoned babies from the Port Moresby General Hospital a second chance in life.” Mr Andrew added that TE PNG has come on board as the Official Naming Sponsor, Lamana Hotel as the Official Hotel & Venue Partner, NP & LEV Production as the Production Partners and Vakaloloma a proud sponsor. For interested Individuals or business houses/companies who would like to support, Tickets are going for K300 and a table of 10 is K3000. Dress Code – Formal. For more information on tickets, you can contact 72207661/75961358 or you can email ecfcmagicians@gmail.com

The Vice Chancellors Cup grand final match that was called off due to bad light on Monday August 23, 2021 at the UPNG oval in Port Moresby will be replayed this weekend. PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina in a statement said the rematch between UPNG Pythons and Unitech Spartans will be played as a curtain raiser to this Sunday’s Digicel Cup grand final at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. “The teams will have an opportunity to play in a world class stadium and in front of an expected huge crowd and will be televised ‘live’ via TV Wan throughout PNG from 12 noon on Sunday September 12, 2021,” Hondina said. “The ‘live’ telecast will continue throughout the afternoon for the Digicel Cup Grand Final between Lae Snax Tigers and JPG Waghi Tumbe.” He said: “We have shared values and will work together with these institutions to see how best we can develop and build good young men and women into the community. “Our vision is all about discipline, teamwork, commitment, hard work and for all to be successful.” Hondina said starting this year, the PNGRFL fully recognises and sanctioned the institutional competitions. “We are happy to support this cause and showcase this relationship to a wider community,” he said. The PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Board has committed its support to seeing the VC Cup grand final replayed. “PNGNRLC is pleased to give the UPNG and Unitech teams this opportunity to showcase their talents and potential, Chairman Adrian Chow said. “Stars such as Justin Olam and Jokedi Bire who played for the Lae Snax Tigers while attending Unitech have shown that the same qualities of discipline, commitment and goal setting are required to excel in studies and sport.” VC Cup tournament co-ordinator Max Andrew on behalf of the organising committee said they were grateful to the PNGRFL and the PNGNRLC for the support in organising to replay the grand final. “When the game was called off due to poor lighting, both teams were declared dual winners,” Andrew said. “However, we are thankful for this opportunity to see a fair game to be replayed and a winner declared to claim the 2021 Vice Chancellors Cup.” The VC Cup grand final replay between current holders Unitech Spartans and UPNG Pythons kicks - off at 12 noon at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Sunday September 12, 2021. The Digicel Cup grand final kicks - off at 3.00pm later in the day. Picture courtesy: MIALOLO PICTURES

Air Niugini Destinations Loyalty Program proudly welcomes onboard Rapopo Plantation Resort in East New Britain Province as the recent inclusion to its program. This brings the total Destinations corporate partners to 12. The airline’s General Manager Commercial Services, Mr Dominic Kaumu welcomed Rapopo Plantation Resort to the program highlighting Air Niugini’s commitment to focus on the domestic market and promote local tourism. The two-year partnership provides Destinations members the opportunity to earn and burn loyalty points when staying at Rapopo Plantation Resort either for business or leisure. Rapopo is also offering exclusive discounts to our Destinations Executive Club members. Mr Kaumu said, “Air Niugini is working with the hotel industry to encourage individuals to take trips and enjoy the diversity and beauty of Papua New Guinea.” “Each time a Destinations member visits Rapopo, they earn points, which can then be redeemed for airline tickets or goods and services from our other corporate program partners. “We want to provide Air Niugini customers an exciting way to earn points whilst enjoying the experience at our beautiful domestic destinations,” Mr Kaumu added. Rapopo Plantation Resort Manager, Darryl Viray said, “We are excited with this partnership.  It would be a pleasure to showcase our resort domestically and internationally.  Our motto is “to strive for excellence”. Viray added that Rapopo was the first in PNG to be awarded as 2018 Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best Hotel in the South Pacific and also Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice awardee from 2015 – 2021. Air Niugini’s Destinations Loyalty Program was launched in August 2009 as PNG’s first Frequent Flyer Program with currently over 123,000 active members. Please visit the Air Niugini Destinations website www.destinations.com.pg for more information on similar partnerships with other hotels and organisations in the country and how you can earn more points.

Newcrest Lihir is using a new training simulator to boost its Heavy Equipment Operator training program and to ensure that trainees and operators learn and practise skills in a safe environment. Senior Specialist – Mining Systems, Yanzan Aki, said the new simulator, PRO4-B, is optimised for surface mining and comes with different kits for various equipment training. So far, 40 employees have gone through the practical simulator training for shovels, diggers and haul trucks using the PRO4-B. “PRO4-B training simulator has a curved, seamless 180-degree visual experience, allowing trainees to view hazards and external objects expected in actual operations. It also gives trainers control to view and administer training sessions. Essentially, the simulator allows for current virtual mine site views, which can be updated regularly to depict the actual mine environment,” Mr Aki said. Mine Trainer Philip Libai said the simulator is enhancing the training process, making it more robust and efficient, and is assessing trainees at a level deemed competent for heavy equipment operations. “Another good thing about the new model is it offers training schemes that can be effectively tailored to meet specific site operating practices and requirements. The data it captures is also important because we can use it for improvements that will enable efficiency,” Mr Libai explained. Superintendent – Production Engineering & Planning, Noven Giuna, said the simulation-based operator training approach is also improving training delivery in Lihir. “Previously, we used real machines or fleets to train new hires, and that was challenging, especially with production targets to meet every day. As a result, new hires went through a prolonged training program,” he said. Mr Giuna praised site (Lihir) and Newcrest corporate teams for ensuring that PRO4-B training simulator got successfully launched despite several COVID-19 pandemic challenges. He said Lihir Mine department’s training approach reflects Newcrest’s strong commitment to promoting safety, production and reliability. “The new model is providing safe and efficient training for new trainees and allowing current operators to do refresher trainings. As a business, we are empowering our local people with exportable skills using latest training platforms,” Mr Giuna highlighted. “Newcrest continues to bring in new technology for training purposes to Lihir to help our people be their best in their roles. Ultimately, that makes us a safe and sustainable business operating in Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Giuna.

One of the major challenges limiting the growth and expansion of innovative enterprises in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is lack of skills and knowledge, author of PNG NRI’s Spotlight Volume 14, Issue 10, says. Innovation using new technology and methods of production requires knowledge, skills and capital, but many entrepreneurs lack these inputs, says Dr. Elizabeth Kopel, PNG NRI’s Informal Economy Program Leader and Senior Research Fellow. “This partly explains the lack of diversity in activities, leading to oversupply, strong competition and poor sales which are recurring themes. This evidence raises the need for policy interventions to be strategic and holistic, from different entry points to address a range of different issues simultaneously,” she stated. “A good starting point for intervention to promote innovation and diversification would be to support informal enterprises established by trained people with specialised skills and those with a spark of originality.” These enterprises are most likely to grow, become sustainable and transition to formal SMEs; thereby, contributing to achieve the SME policy target of reaching 500,000 SMEs by 2030. Other challenges, highlighted by Dr. Kopel, that limit these enterprises include: lack of finance, shortage of technical and material resources and need for better access and connectivity.

Prima Smallgoods is continuing its support of Athletics PNG training programs around the country with fortnightly donations of their products being directed where they are needed. A small group of distance runners based at Utmei Secondary School in East New Britain received their third donation of the year last Saturday in Kokopo. The group includes 2019 Pacific Games representatives Monica Kalua, Mary Tenge and Siune Kagl and the three athletes were on hand to receive the product from Prima Sales staff. Athletics PNG President Tony Green thanked Prima for its ongoing support of training programs both at Utmei and in Kerowagi, Simbu Province. Green also acknowledged the support of K Central in transporting the products from Lae. Mary Tenge was one of the star performers at the PNG Air Athletics Grand Prix in Port Moresby in July, winning the 3000m and 5000m, with Kagl setting a huge personal best in the 1500m and contributing to some very good times in the mens 3000m and 5000m by setting a strong pace in both races. Kalua was the winner of the womens 1500m and the three athletes, along with their training partners and school mates Adolf Kauba, Sialis Passinghan and Israel Takap are looking forward to the second part of the series in Kimbe from November 26 to 29. This will be followed by the PNG Air National Championships (Dec 3 - 5).

There are 400,000 reasons to be excited this Independence season thanks to Roots Rice. Lucky customers nationwide will get a chance to walk away with a share of K400,000 in the BIKPELA CASH GIVEAWAY promotion which started off on August 9th. In total K5000 will be given out each fortnight till the end of promotion on October 1st. Brand Manager, Casey Kwasam says that this promotion is a way for the company to show their support to consumers on a personal level this Independence period. “We always aim to connect with our consumers with the promotion time frames so that the cash giveaway can have impact on them. “What better way to celebrate this Independence than with some free cash to help with spending for your family and traditional bungs. The prize pool will see K5,000 given out per draw. In terms of prize break up: 1st Prize is K2,500, 2nd Prize is K1,500 and 3rd Prize is K1,000. Consumers are guaranteed a good chance to win as the promo is spread across 20 locations nationwide. Consumers are encouraged to look for and buy any Roots Promo Pack, write their name and contact details on the back on the empty bag or packet and place at entry boxes at participating stores nearby.

The Government's policy on COVID19 vaccination still remains as voluntary and not to be forced on individuals. Prime Minister James Marape reaffirmed this in Parliament today in light of the recent incidences in Lae where employers of several business houses protested against their respective companies ‘policy on the termination of employees who refused to be vaccinated. Mr Marape says by far no industrial dispute was made to the Labour Department regarding this issue hence the government has not made any response to the complaints raised. However, he says with the issues in Lae, he has dispatched a team from the COVID19 National Control Centre led by the Controller David Manning to Lae today to investigate these issues and submit a report to the government. “The investigation is to find out if those companies have adhered to the government’s New Normal COVID 19 practises or not before resorting to the ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy as reported,” Mr Marape said. “The report will help us to find a balance between the safety of the workplace, the operation of the workplace and to ensure that the rights of the employees are protected.” He further acknowledged the protests by the employees as well as the University of Technology students in advocating on the plight of ordinary citizens at this time.

Twenty-four (24) participants successfully completed one-week MA Coaching Course in Mt Hagen recently. Mt Hagen Soccer Association president Samuel Kini said the MA Coaching Course was part of building and  upgrading coaching skills to move and popularize soccer in PNG’s third city, Mt Hagen. Kini said his soccer association is supporting the vision of the PNG Football Association president John Kapi Natto to upskill its technical department (coaches and referee) to take football forward. Mt Hagen president was pleased to see that business houses such as Airport Resort through its owner Nelson Tengi paid the participation fees while the Mt Hagen Urban Lord Mayor Jacob Michael recognized the importance of the course by attending the closing ceremony and presenting the certificate to the course participants Mr Tengi encouraged the participants to utilize their skills to help grow football in the highlands region. PNG Football Association General Secretary Pius Letenge gave the powerful statement via video conference urging all the participants and soccer followers to work together in moving football forward in Mt Hagen and the highlands region. “I am very humble by their contribution and presence which showed the trust in my leadership to lead football in the province,” Mr Kini said. Mr Kini said many course participants have expressed their sincere gratitude to PNGFA stating that it was an eye opener for them. This is the first time PNGFA has come down to member associations to conduct such coaching course. Mt Hagen soccer chief said there is bright future in football.”It is like getting the house in order before Hagen Soccer Association can move forward. The participants have pledged to work with Mr Kini’s newly elected executive moving forward. “The association is in re-construction phase in technical department. I am very blessed in completing referees course last month and now the coaching course. I now already have the manpower to move forward the association vision to develop some best players in Hagen,” he said. PNGFA Coach Mentor Harrison Kamake conducted the course with the assistance from Highlands region football development officer Robert Upaiga.