After going down 32-18 to the Brisbane Tigers last weekend, the SP PNG Hunters will return home to the Santos National Football Stadium this Saturday, 5th August to host the Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 20 of the QRL Hostplus Cup at 3pm. Saturday’s game will mark two weeks to the day since the Hunters last played at the spiritual home of rugby league in Papua New Guinea, having observed a bye in Round 18 before meeting the Brisbane Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium last week. The Tigers proved too good in that most recent contest, despite the Hunters running out to an early lead. Tries to Rodrick Tai and Solo Wane gave the Hunters a 12-0 lead after 11 minutes played, but the Tigers showed great resilience to fight back under pressure. Ill-discipline proved to be the Hunters undoing in that loss, as penalties and sinbins hamstrung the PNG-based side in the second half. There are positives to take from that loss to the Tigers, though. As they’ve done all season, the Hunters continued to show the improvements they’ve made under Head Coach Stanley Tepend this year. Halfback Jamie Mavoko – playing in just his 24th Hostplus Cup game last week – had a hand in a number of positive actions as he grows in confidence at this level. And Judah Rimbu – plying his trade at dummy-half as he transitions into the starting hooker role – also impressed with his workrate and service around the ruck. In the outside backs, Tai was his usual dynamic attacking self with one try, one assist and 16 tackles for just one miss while his centre partner Brandon Nima was also busy, posting 127 running metres from nine carries in yardage. The Hunters did everything right in the opening quarter last week and only need to replicate those efforts to be a chance against the 4th placed Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday. The Dolphins are in a purple patch of form of late, having registered convincing wins over the Tweed Seagulls and Burleigh Bears in recent weeks. Fullback Trai Fuller was in inspired form for both of those wins, but mightn’t feature this weekend as he prepares for a potential NRL-debut for The Dolphins. Even if Fuller doesn’t run out for the Dolphins Hostplus Cup side this weekend, the Redcliffebased club will still field an established and dangerous outfit. Players like Robert Jennings, Mason Teague, Poasa Faamausili and Harrison Graham will all give Redcliffe NRL experience when they run out on Saturday afternoon. The last time these two clubs met was in Round 9 last year, when the Hunters were still based out of the Gold Coast and playing at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay. Redcliffe ran away 30-16 winners in that contest, but they will field a very different looking side this Saturday. With a finals berth still just in reach, the Hunters must respond this weekend. No doubt a full crowd at the Santos National Football Stadium will inspire their best efforts and help the Hunters finish the regular season on a high. Team List: 1. Morea Morea 2. Siki Konden 3. Brandon Nima 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Joshua Lau 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Epel Kapinias 11. Benji Kot 12. Whallan Tau-Loi 13. Ila Alu (c) 14. Warren Glare 15. Seal Kalo 16. Casey Dickson 17. Valentine Richard 18. Sanny Wabo 19. Joshua Mire

Businesses for Health (B4H) is joining forces with the PNG Cancer Foundation to encourage people who want to end their chewing habit to sign up for the “World No Buai Day” campaign to be held on the 6th of October 2023. B4H and the Cancer Foundation will kick off the campaign on the 4th of August to get the workers of PNG to consider the career, health and financial costs of chewing buai. The campaign is set to run for over 8 weeks. Although the mission of B4H is to end TB, chewing buai has a negative effect on so many aspects of a person’s health and well-being, especially spreading infectious diseases and facial cancers. The team understands that chewing is part of many people’s usual routines, so planning is required if people are going to be successful in reducing their dependency on PNG’s favorite addictive drug – betel nut! B4H Campaign leader and participant TB HEO Teresa said, “The sooner people reduce their chewing, the better it is for their health.” “We also recognize that chewing is an addiction and it’s not something they can successfully achieve without talking to family, friends, and colleagues.” “Addicts need encouragement or friends to join them in the campaign.” “To reduce buai chewing, they need to be surrounded by people who recognize that chewing is associated with so many threats to long-term health and well-being.” “In supporting people with TB or HIV we use care, kindness, and support to help people to achieve better treatment compliance, and it reduces fear.” “We recommending people wanting to quit chewing use the same strategies.” Meanwhile, the PNG Cancer Foundation Executive Manager Ms. Kimberly Kapigeno said, under the ‘Hope for a Healthier PNG’ campaign, the PNG Cancer Foundation is supporting B4H’s ‘No Buai Campaign’. The initiative is in line with the key message of making healthy lifestyle choices to reduce one’s cancer risk. The PNG Cancer Foundation also highlighted a recent finding by Port Moresby General Hospital Head & Neck surgeon Dr James Naipao, which stated 50% of the new mouth cancer cases are Highlanders - giving his best advice, he added to reduce the volume, frequency, and interval of chewing. “PNG Cancer Foundation believes that the No Buai on Workdays is a practical healthy lifestyle challenge that encourages participants to gradually reduce their chewing habit over a period of 8 weeks.” “This can potentially be incorporated into the foundation’s current awareness campaigns.” “We commend B4H for the great work they do in the awareness space, especially with TB and HIV.” Furthermore, B4H Project Manager Dr. Ann Clark said, the campaign specifically aims to quit workweek chewing. “We are not advocating for a global lifetime buai ban.” “It would be disrespectful and foolish to expect people not to chew at a haus krai or other events at which chewing maybe an ancient tradition.” “We want people to learn to better manage their habit and to be successful.” “We recommend registering with the B4H campaign to get reminders and encouragement along the way to NOT chewing in the working week by World No Buai Day.”

As an integral part of the National Education System, Prime Minister James Marape has praised the resounding success of the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) concept, launched in 2020, for providing a "new lease of life" to thousands of school leavers across Papua New Guinea. FODE is mandated to offer open and distance learning pathway as an integral part of the National Education System, where students study the same primary and secondary education curriculum in their own time, in their own homes, and at their own pace. PM Marape praised the Department of Education's 2022 Annual Report, presented to Parliament by Education Minister Hon. Jimmy Uguro on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, for its glowing scorecard on the FODE initiative. The report revealed a significant increase in FODE enrolment, with 82,877 students registering in 2022, a substantial leap from 35,513 in 2020. "I am delighted to see the tremendous progress made by FODE since its launch in 2020, positively impacting the lives of numerous school dropouts nationwide," Prime Minister Marape expressed. He further highlighted the program's achievements, stating, "Many students who have completed Grade 12 through FODE are continuing their education at universities and higher education institutions.” “The Department of Education is compiling a list of these success stories, showcasing the programmer’s effectiveness." The statistics clearly indicate the success of the FODE initiative, with enrolments reaching 35,513 in 2020 and soaring to 82,877 in 2022, with expectations of further growth in 2023. Prime Minister Marape also shed light on the expansion of FODE, utilizing existing secondary school resources and gaining advocacy at all levels. "Formally registered and delivering the FODE secondary programme, 10 schools across East Sepik, West Sepik, Oro, Gulf, Eastern Highlands, and Southern Highlands have embraced this initiative.” Additionally, six vocational education training centers are actively delivering FODE programmes. Among the successful districts delivering FODE, Prime Minister Marape mentioned Tari-Pori, Usino-Bundi (Madang), Imbonggu (Southern Highlands), Kiunga (Western), Yangoru-Saussia (East Sepik), Maprik (East Sepik), Wau-Waria (Morobe), and Ialibu-Pangia (Southern Highlands). Just last Wednesday, July 26, 2023, PM Marape also inaugurated a FODE center at Mt. Diamond Adventist Secondary School on 26th July, underscoring the importance of replicating this initiative throughout PNG. Meanwhile, he has called upon the Education Minister Uguro and Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra to take prompt action in implementing this model across the nation. PM Marape emphasized the significance of incorporating Christian values and ethics into the curriculum, guiding young individuals through 13 years of education, from elementary to Grade 12. He also stressed the need to include practical life skills, such as agriculture, carpentry, and small business, to foster well-rounded individuals. "I urge the Education Department to swiftly implement this model nationwide.” "Transforming all 369 high schools in the country into Flexible Open Distance Education campuses will empower our students and equip them for a brighter future."

Papua New Guinea’s 16-year-old long-distance runner Christina Moiyang from Simbu Province will proudly carry the flag for Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. Moiyang is slated to compete in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events at the Games. Moiyang started to make her mark in the athletics arena when she won the 1500m Under 16 races at the 2020 National Championships, and she has continued to show her mettle ever since. Despite missing the 2021 National Championships, she excelled at the Highlands Momase Regional Championships, taking top honours in the Open 3000m and 5000m races. With the support of Athletics PNG, she showcased her prowess at the 2022 National Championships, sweeping the board in the open 5000m, Under 18 3000m and Under 16 1500m events. Her commitment, discipline, and self-motivation have earned her not just accolades but the respect of her peers and mentors. She has shown immense potential, with her parents offering her a year-long hiatus from full-time studies to pursue her passion and open doors for long-term opportunities. Team PNG's Chef de Mission, Mrs Iammo Launa, stated, "Being a flag bearer signifies leadership on and off the field, and is a source of pride and joy for the individual.” “We couldn't be happier for Christina." Team PNG, consisting of six athletes across Athletics and Swimming, will arrive in Trinidad and Tobago on August 3, having left from Brisbane, Australia, on August 1. The team is scheduled to return home on August 13, 2023.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will make his highly anticipated return to football, in what will be 384 days since he suffered his knee injury in Round 18, 2022. The Melbourne Storm fullback will play for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Q Cup on Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet so I’m sort of just going through the training week and trying to prepare like it’s a normal game,” Papenhuyzen said. While it’s been a long journey, Papenhuyzen said he sees this as another milestone to achieving his goals. “It’s just been a while between drinks. It’s had its ups and downs and setbacks, and it’s probably taken a little bit longer than expected but at the same time I’m happy I did that. It’s been long enough now that I feel ready, and I guess that’s the main thing about long-term rehab is that resistance to being ready. Ryan Papenhuyzen “There are so many people to thank, and I’ll probably save that for another day, but I think it’s a big milestone and I need to celebrate the small wins along the way, and this is another one of them. “It’s a big step to be back after such a significant injury. I want to be playing NRL, so I have a little bit to go to achieve the goals I want – I’ve just got to keep doing the work.” Storm General Manager Football, Frank Ponissi said it was an exciting milestone for Papenhuyzen and the club. “It’s been a long time since he’s played football, so it was really important for us to ensure we left no stone unturned in his recovery,” Ponissi said. He’s been on quite the journey since the initial injury and then after suffering a setback earlier this year, but to his credit he has shown a lot of resilience and determination to get to this point and we’re really proud of that. Frank PonissiGeneral Manager Football, Melbourne Storm “It’s a testament to Paps [Ryan] and the team of medical and football staff behind him that has got him back on the field.” Source: NRL.Com

In preparation for the Grade 12 Written Expression Exam, many High schools across the country are already getting their students ready to sit for the Exam next week Monday 7th August. Don Bosco Technical School Principal Mr. Martin Dai said, they already started coaching classes last week and will see around 120-130 Grade 12 students from their school to sit for the exam. “I cannot give the exact number of students because some may fall ill on the day or have other reasons to not attend the exam.” “But we have around 120 to 130 grade 12 students at Don Bosco.” Mr. Dai said, these days are busy, and many kids are occupied with technology (Phones) and whatever interesting that’s going on around them. “Nowadays, kids are always occupied with something.” “So, in order for them to archive their goals and pass the exam, they need to zero down and focus on the exam because it’s achievable and they can do it.” He is also encouraging all students to give nothing but the best and to study smart for the exam next week.

The SP PNG Hunters travelled to Totally Workwear Stadium to take on the Brisbane Tigers in Round 19 of the Hostplus Cup but couldn’t build on their early 12-0 lead, falling 32-18 after 80 minutes. A poor end to a Tigers set ended with the Hunters hot on the attack and with the first real opportunity to produce points. Passing and offloading, a sweeping Morea Morea played Jamie Mavoko through a flimsy Ryley Jacks tackle before the halfback sent Rodrick Tai over for the opener. With a chance of their own to attack the Hunters line the Tigers again looked in the direction of Lehmann but a superb solo effort from Wane put an end to a sure-try for the visitors to keep their 12-0 lead through the first quarter of the match. Coming back, the Hunters continued to build pressure by turning the ball over in the right parts of the field. That pressure forced loose passes from the Tigers as the home side desperately looked to flip the momentum. An error in defence from Henry Wan Noki saw the veteran forward marched to the sin bin in the 36th minute in what proved to be a pivotal moment in the match. With the extra man, the Tigers went to where they’d found previous success and scored through Solomona Faataape down the left edge. Despite starting strong and refusing to concede while the starting middle rotation rested on the bench, another late blemish saw the Hunters’ lead cut to eight by the break. The Hunters started the second half with six minutes still to play with only 12 men but didn’t get through one before conceding again. Geyer spotted Lau late to the short side and targeted the five-eighth to crash over the line. What looked to be a strong yardage set in response ended with an error as the Hunters again gave up cheap field position to the Tigers. Another penalty kicked the Tigers further up the field and inside the Hunters’ 30-metre line. Finally, the pressure turned into points as Jennings made no mistake on his second crack at the line for the Tigers to take a 14-12 lead in the 57th minute. With all the running, the Tigers cruised into the final 20 minutes of the match 18-12 in front. On top and with the lead, former Hunters coach Matt Church looked to keep his side moving forward while Stanley Tepend responded with the reintroduction of Rop and Alu. Another Lehmann try and a third lifting penalty saw the Hunters chasing a 26-12 deficit heading into the final ten minutes. Leaving no stone unturned, Alu went close to crashing over in the middle and Tai threw his opposite man away with the line in sight shortly after. But it was Benji Kot scoring his seventh try of the Hostplus Cup season who gave life to the idea of a late comeback. Alu’s captain’s knock continued with two strong carries in three tackles as he finished with a team-high 180 metres. However, a clunky end to the set after points saw Alu’s effort go unrewarded before an 11th penalty conceded saw Corey Thompson and the Tigers put the game beyond doubt. The Hunters now prepare to take on the 4th-placed Redcliffe Dolphins at the Santos National Football Stadium in Round 20.

In the month of July, Gulf and EHP governments both formally appointed the PNG St John Ambulance, a PNG civil defense organization, to operate its emergency ambulance service in the province. This marks the 8th province to appoint St John with this imperative role. Plans and discussions are underway for East Sepik, Madang and Western Highlands Provinces to also engage such a vital emergency service for its people. These partnerships will ensure integrated emergency services will be available in the provinces, ensuring swift and effective emergency response for the people. Last year St John attended to 21,500 emergency cases and that’s from the ambulance stations in Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo, Kundiawa and the substations of Kupiano and Bereina in Central. With the new partnerships, more people will be reached. One of the great benefits of St John is St John’s fundraising. This year, the ambulance service expects to fundraise around K6m which is in addition to any grants from the government to the ambulance service. This vital fundraising is achieved in a couple of ways. Donations from individuals and businesses are one. Another is the first aid training that workplaces engage St John to provide, along with the first aid kits and equipment businesses buy from St John. All these come together to ensure vital funds can be raised which benefit services for the public. As an entirely not-for-profit Papua New Guinean emergency service charity, every toea raised is used to benefit people and ensure entirely free services for the vulnerable and those most in need. St John welcomes partnerships with the provincial administrations to establish ambulance stations and substations making emergency medical services accessible to the people and strengthening the prehospital care system.

The “Public Island Society” brand in Australia will feature at the 2023 PNG Fashion and Design Week runway on the 19ht of Aught 2023. Australian born Tongan fashion designer and founder of the Public Island Society brand, Iki Haangana, will this year showcase his designer collection at the 2023 PNG Fashion and Design Week (PNGFDW) Runway. CEO of the PNGFDW Runway 2023, Mrs. Janet Sios said she’s excited to see how this runway, over the years, has been able to inspire a lot of great talent and creativity by designers not only in PNG, but also abroad. She pointed out how important it was to have international designers on their platform each year and how collaborations and networking can also assist many of our local designers as well, at different levels. For Iki Haangana, it all began with him growing up surrounded by sewing machines his whole life, he comes from a long line of seamstresses. His mother learnt how to sew from her grandmother, who had in turn learnt from her mother. “My grandmother told me how her mother taught her to sew using the treadle sewing machine which is powered by a foot pedal that is pushed back and forth to run the needle.” However, growing up he had no interest in these machines or in becoming a fashion designer, he turned to showing more interest in becoming an artist like his grandfather. Iki was always seen with a sketchbook in hand and in Year 12 topped the school in visual Arts. It was not long after he won a $5000 shopping spree from his artistic hands that he really turned his attention towards the fashion industry. He fell in love with everything, creativity, the fashion shows, the cut throatiness of it all, the runway productions, but most of all the clothes. Since then, Iki has gone on to work and showcase with Pacific Runway, Pacific International Runway, Westfield’s, Western Sydney Fashion Fest, Global Indigenous Runway, Australia’s Next Best Designer and many more. Public Island Society is a co-ed ready-to-wear brand that blurs the lines of high-end fashion and streetwear creating a vibrant and over the top & off beat elegance. Its rebellious, it’s playful and its main aim is to make a humble mark in the fashion world while creating a fun new niche-like sub-culture, one of creativity and inclusivity. Iki added it’s more than just t-shirts and pretty dresses, it’s about journeys, relationships, ideas, and cultures. “It’s about storytelling and our history.” “it’s also about creating a different world with a different society, a Public Island Society.”

The Titans have put an end to North Queensland's six-game winning streak by beating their rivals 22-13 at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday. In a see-sawing Queensland derby, the Titans took a unique nine-point lead shortly after half-time through tries to Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira after the Cowboys led 13-10 at the break. Both sides had their chances in the final 35 minutes but neither team could get over the line for the remainder of the second half with the Cowboys' loss putting a dent in their finals hopes with the Knights and Sea Eagles hot on their heels. For the Titans, it was a crucial win after four straight losses of their own with David Fifita and Jayden Campbell strong while Phil Sami caused havoc with eight tackle busts and over 209 metres. The Titans crossed early through AJ Brimson but the fullback was taken after the field shortly after with a torn abdominal muscle - an injury he was able to return with after a pain-killing injection during the first half. North Queensland went over twice in Brimson's absence with Semi Valemei crossing on the right edge through a Scott Drinkwater pass before Coen Hess outleaped Titans defenders to score under the posts off a Chad Townsend kick. Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes found himself in the sin-bin for a second time in a fortnight after collecting Campbell high which is likely to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Committee. The Titans took just two minutes to take advantage of the overlap with Sami crossing out wide. Townsend put the Cowboys ahead by three before half-time with a standard field goal on the siren but that proved to be worth little when Campbell crossed just 30 seconds into the second half. The Titans were in again five minutes later when David Fifita got into some space to send Khan-Pereira over the line for his 18th try of the season in as many games. North Queensland came home strong with a weight of possession in the final 15 minutes but unlike the trend of their second halves this season, the Titans aimed up in defence to deny the Cowboys including an effort on Jake Granville late. Source: NRL.Com

The Bulldogs survived a late comeback from the Dolphins to claim a 23-22 win on Sunday afternoon in Bundaberg. Up 23-18 with two minutes to play, the Bulldogs leaked a try to Anthony Milford and had to watch nervously as Jamayne Isaako – the NRL's leading point scorer – pushed what would have been the game-winning conversion across the face of the posts from out wide. In the end it was a Matt Burton field goal in the final minute of the first half, which had appeared strange at the time given it stretched his side's lead to three points, which was the difference and gave Canterbury-Bankstown their seventh win of the year. It means the Bulldogs pull further clear of the Wests Tigers at the bottom of the ladder, ahead of a bye in Round 23, while for the Dolphins the result may have killed off their faint hopes of making the top eight in their inaugural season. Boosted by the return of five frontline players, the Bulldogs overcame an early eight-point deficit which came via a penalty goal and converted try from Isaako. Star off-season recruit Viliame Kikau made a noticeable difference in his first game back from a pectoral injury which had sidelined him since Round 4, scoring his side's first try and adding some much-needed variety to the Bulldogs' attack. After Kikau crashed over and centre Braidon Burns – himself back from time out injured, torched his marker down the left – the Dogs had a two-point advantage, with Burton's field goal making it 11-8 at the break. After missing out on a potential try when Jacob Preston fired a wayward pass at him following a line break early in the second half, Jake Averillo got over in the 53rd minute to stretch the lead to nine. But it was quickly cancelled out by a strike from Anthony Milford, whose 56th minute effort was followed up by a barnstorming run from Valynce Te Whare that saw him reach out and add a third for his side. What could have been the game-deciding try from Isaako was rubbed out for obstruction in the lead up and instead the Bulldogs went down the other end and sent Blake Wilson over for the ninth try of his rookie season. The game remained in the balance right up until the flags stayed down on Isaako's conversion in the dying seconds, after Kodi Nikorima put Milford over for his second out wide. Source: NRL.Com

Storm stars Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant produced an attacking masterclass to lead Melbourne to a commanding 46-16 victory over the Eels on Friday. With Grant bagging a double off some brilliant running from the ruck and Hughes chalking five assists, three line breaks and a try of his own, the Melbourne duo controlled proceedings at Marvel Stadium after being upset by the Knights in Newcastle last week. Buoyed by the occasion of Old Boys' Day, Craig Bellamy's side well and truly staked their claim as 2023 premiership contenders, putting last year's grand finalists to the sword at home and securing their place in the top four. The Eels struck the first blow in the fifth minute with Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson combining with a slick play to put winger Sean Russell through with an acrobatic finish in the corner. But after 12 minutes Grant took matters into his hands and went back-to-back, scooting from dummy-half to score in the 11th minute before combining with Hughes from close range in the 22nd minute and put the home side out to a 12-4 lead. Come the 27th minute, momentum was all behind the Storm and Grant returned the favour for his halfback, scooting from dummy-half to split the Eels markers and passing across the grain to Hughes who sliced through the line and ran 30m to score next to the uprights. Eels forward J'maine Hopgood got one back for the visitors in the 32nd minute, receiving a no-look pass from Eels utility Ryan Matterson before carrying Nick Meaney and Eliesa Katoa over the line to score. Moses' conversion reduced the deficit to ten. But just two minutes before the buzzer the Storm restored some breathing room when Hughes bagged his second assist for the night, putting Katoa through with a short ball from close range and the Storm took a threatening 24-10 win into the sheds. Three minutes after halftime and Melbourne had Brad Arthur shaking his head when Grant and Hughes continued their masterclass, combining again to put Josh King to cross under the sticks. Come the 58th minute and Hughes was starting to show off in front of the old boys in the stands, with an impressive line-break carrying the home side downfield and the halfback put Marion Seve through on the next play. Meaney's conversion made it 36-10. Sticking to their guns, Luca Moretti dived over to score his first NRL try in the 63rd minute but it was all too little too late for the visitors. The Storm put the finishing touches on the victory when Cameron Munster got in on the action in the 67th minute, darting and weaving his way through Eels defenders to score before Hughes put an exclamation mark on a dominant performance when he set up Will Warbrick for Melbourne's eighth try of the night. Source:NRL.Com