Title: Lea Tupu'anga/Mother Tongue (2024) Director: Vea Mafile'o Genre(s): Drama, short Duration: 17mins Stars: Luciane Buchanan • Albert Rounds • Mikey Falesiu “A simple yet powerful and thought-provoking film.” Lea Tupu'anga/Mother Tongue centers on a young Tongan/European speech therapist named Katherine (Luciane Buchanan) who is disconnected from her Tongan heritage. To secure a job, she lies about her Tongan language skills. However, she must find a way to communicate with her patient Siaosi (Albert Rounds) - an elderly gentleman who has lost his ability to speak English due to aphasia. This film explores themes of cultural identity and communication barriers. Sub-themes include family, grief and loss. The overall tone of the film conveyed was that of somberness. Cinematographer, Maria Ines Manchego does an excellent job establishing the seriousness and desperation of the situation Katherine finds herself in. The ubiquity of the color grey evokes a feeling of a sad depressed state. Director Vea Mafile'o alongside the film’s cast and crew does a splendid job showing the challenges of being culturally alienated and the struggles of learning a new language. Lea Tupu'anga was a simple yet emotionally triggering and thought-provoking film. I recommend this film for all Pacific Islanders regardless of whether you are Polynesian, Melanesian or Micronesian. Issues addressed in Mother Tongue are applicable to us who have experienced a disconnect from our indigenous identity through colonization, displacement, interracial marriages or similar circumstances that which have caused a compromise in our identity.

Student’s enrolled in Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) Early Childhood Education program are currently in the process of sitting their final and second progressive test before graduating in December. The BbP Monitoring and Evaluation team at one Library Learning Center (LLC) is keeping a careful eye on the test outcomes. In collaboration with Sanitarium, Market 2000, and the Australian Export Consortia, BbP has been testing a breakfast program as part of its recently launched Nutrition Education program. The program's goal is to assess the learning impact of consuming a nutritious and high-fiber breakfast prior to class. The first trial began in September and will continue until graduation in 2024. A second, longer trial will take place from January to June in 2025. The benefits of early monitoring are already evident. Before class each day, the students are given a breakfast consisting of Weet-Bix cereal and oat milk. Martin Tawaheyana, BbP’s Monitoring & Evaluation, and Programs Coordinator observed the results. “Beyond the physical benefits of a healthy breakfast, the impact of the Sanitarium Breakfast Project is starting to show within the classroom environment.” “Teachers have noted a marked improvement in the children’s attentiveness and alertness following breakfast.” “This increased focus is contributing to higher levels of engagement and participation across various classroom activities.” “Many children, who were previously more reserved are now actively involved, showcasing greater energy and interest in learning.” “Teachers attribute this positive shift to the sustained nutrition provided by the breakfast program, which seems to be enhancing the students’ ability to concentrate and retain information.” Furthermore, the project is fostering a sense of community among the students. Before the official school day starts, students can engage with their teachers and each other in a casual setting by sharing breakfast together, which has turned into a bonding activity. By strengthening a sense of camaraderie and belonging that extends into the classroom, this shared time fosters an inclusive atmosphere. Absenteeism is currently extremely low as a result of this. The goal of the BbP Nutrition Program is to help parents and kids become "nutritionally literate" and recognize the value of eating a balanced diet for both learning and overall health. Through a collaboration with Trukai Industries, a picture book and a nutrition exercise and guidebook were released in 2024. In the academic year 2025, the program will be fully implemented across all of BbP's LLCs. Buk bilong Pikinini’s published Nutrition Education textbooks are available for purchase from Theodist and CPL outlets and also directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/.

Champy Maians has navigated a path from Graduate to Business Improvement Manager, in just four years, showcasing how determination and proactive learning can shape a remarkable career. Graduating in 2020 with a degree in Food Technology from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Champy joined Coca Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) on May 2nd, 2020, as part of the Graduate Development Program. Management was immediately impressed by her ambition, work ethic, and desire to change things. "As a recent graduate, I worked my way through several departments, learning about the manufacturing process and the function of each area in the company." Champy was able to determine where she might contribute, particularly in production, thanks to these rotations. "The management encouraged me to take on business improvement initiatives after recognizing my production strengths." As a result, CCEP gave her a position as a Production Analyst, allowing her to make significant adjustments. In light of her quick development, Champy thinks her proactive strategy helped. "I always look for ways to help the team, even beyond my designated tasks; it's all about your attitude." “Contributing ideas, proposing solutions, and speaking up when I see areas that need improvement are key.” “Management appreciates when you’re not just focused on your job but on making things better for the business overall.” Champy is a firm believer in self-development, taking responsibility for her own growth and actively seeking opportunities to upskill. While her journey has been rewarding, she acknowledges the challenges she’s faced, particularly as a fresh graduate in a traditionally male-dominated environment. “Driving change straight out of school wasn’t easy; you’re trying to introduce new ideas, but it’s tough to be heard; respect and good communication are crucial.” Building relationships with colleagues was essential to her success, and she learned to handle setbacks thoughtfully. “If there’s resistance, I take time to reflect and then have one-on-one conversations with colleagues to understand their perspective.” “It helps to focus on our shared business goals, so everyone feels they’re working toward the same target.” Training received during her graduate rotations has been a significant factor in her growth. “The skills I learned—time management, presentation skills, advanced Excel, and root-cause analysis—were instrumental.” “They didn’t just help me perform in my role; they gave me tools to lead initiatives and drive meaningful change.” These experiences prepared her well when she took on more responsibility, eventually becoming a manager. Now overseeing a Business Improvement Analyst, Champy adopts an inclusive approach to leadership. “My team member’s focus is logistics, but I encourage her to expand into other areas of Supply Chain as well.” “Gaining a broader understanding helps her see the bigger picture and fosters her professional growth.” She finds that offering support and empowering others is as crucial to her role as meeting business targets. Champy believes that CCEP is an excellent place for graduates to grow, and she offers practical advice for those just starting their careers. “Take ownership of your career, know what you want to gain, and be proactive in reaching out for support.” “The opportunities at CCEP are there, but it’s up to you to make the most of them.” “Always build connections across different functions—you’ll learn so much from others.” Mentorship has also played a vital role in Champy’s journey. “Our coaching and feedback sessions provided structure and guidance that have been key to my development.” Her focus now is on gaining a well-rounded understanding of CCEP’s supply chain operations and how they drive the company’s success. “In the next five years, I want to be fully equipped with insights that contribute to CCEP’s growth and to be someone others look to for support and guidance.” Driven by strong work ethics, Champy constantly challenges herself to improve. “Every day, I aim to be a better version of myself - setting high standards is what keeps me moving forward.” Balancing work with personal life is essential, too. “During work hours, I’m fully focused, but after work, I value my family time. “Recharging over the weekend keeps me ready for the week ahead.” For Champy, family, faith, and career remain her anchors, and she’s eager to continue contributing to CCEP’s success while encouraging future graduates to embrace growth and learning along the way. CCEP is committed to local capability and creating a sustainable, locally led future for our business.

Markings for Grade 8 National Examinations have wrapped up, concluding the overall markings for all National Examinations in the country. The markings for grade 8 examinations began on Tuesday 29th October and ended on Wednesday November 6th, 2024. Unlike the Grade 12s, markings for Grade 8s (and Grade 10s) took place in NCD as well as in respective provinces. Speaking to PNG Hausbung, Principal for New Erima High School Mr. Yalo Kipunigi, stated that examination results should be out withing three to four weeks' time. “Results should be out by late November, that’s within four weeks,” he said. “It really depends on how fast each province completes marking. If there are delays, we might see results out by early December.” In spite of the possibility of a delay, he was positive that results would be ready on time. Grade 8 National Examinations began on October 21st and ended on October 24th, 2024. The Grade 8 Examination Timetable was as follows: October 21st (Monday), Session 1: English Paper 1. October 22nd (Tuesday), Session 1: Mathematics. October 23rd (Wednesday), Session 1: Combined Subjects. October 24th (Thursday), Session 1: English Paper 2.

Gordons Secondary School’s Kokofa Athletics Club will be holding a fundraising walkathon on Saturday November 16th in order to support their 25 athletes who will participate in the Athletics PNG’s National Championships next month. Speaking to the contact person John Gitiri, he stated that the athletes also require new sets of uniforms. “Basically, we want to purchase new uniforms as well as other necessary equipment such as medical kits.” The club’s target amount is K3, 000, however, Mr. Gitiri believes the club may reach more than that due to overwhelming responses from interested parents and former students. He added that the inclusion of social media in spreading the message has helped greatly. The Walkathon will begin at Hunter Street at 6:30am and end at Ela Beach. K1, 000 for a group of 10 individuals and K5 or more for individual sponsors. Participants are to walk up and down Hunter St, turn right through Champion Parade, then turn left along Stanley Espalande around Bramell St (Paga Ring Rd), and finish at Ela Beach. The Kokofa Athletics Club was established in 2013 during the Inaugural Southern Regional Championships.

Tubusereia Primary School in the Central Province recently received 17 desks and chairs for its lower primary students with the assistance of Kina Bank through its Kina Bank Strongim Komuniti Grants (SKG) program. Small-scale initiatives that complement Kina Bank's sustainability and community service values are supported by the SKG program, which is only available to Kina Bank employees. Staff members are invited to apply for grants every three months to help them carry out a small community initiative in their local communities. One of the grant beneficiaries, Senior International Operations Officer Susanna Guru, applied for seats and desks for her community school. She expressed gratitude to Kina Bank for the support, stating that the school desks will be of tremendous service to both the Tubusereia community and the school. "I am grateful to my employer, Kina Bank, for this grant, which will support the education and growth of Tubusereia's children." As part of their community service project, Guru and her coworkers from Kina Bank's International Operations division also donated school supplies in addition to the desks. After accepting the donations, school principal Kwara Kwara thanked Kina Bank. "There are not enough desks and chairs at our school to accommodate the 937 students." “The majority of our pupils sit on the classroom floor, particularly those in lower primary school. These resources will enable our pupils to grow, learn, and achieve.” Through a number of community initiatives that prioritize issues including women's empowerment, environmental preservation, water and sanitation, education, and health, Kina Bank is committed to helping its local communities.

The PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) in partnership with the Oro Provincial Government, has launched a new Site Management Plan for the Kokoda Plateau Memorial Park. In order to better document each site and guarantee sustainable use while maintaining each site's distinct military legacy, archaeological potential, and environmental values, a series of site management plans, including the Kokoda Plateau Site Management Plan, is being prepared for important locations along the Kokoda Track. These plans cover hiking and other tourism infrastructure, military legacy management, archeological and environmental preservation and management, new interpretation (signage, etc.), and memorial. On Sunday, November 3rd, the Plan was introduced at Kokoda as part of a local celebration of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Day (PNG) and Kokoda Day (Australia), which marks the 82nd anniversary of the reoccupation of Kokoda by Papuan and Australian forces during World War II. A Deed of Agreement was signed by: - NMAG Board of Trustees President Terence Moka, - Governor Gary Juffa representing the Oro provincial government, and - Member for Sohe Open Henry Amuli representing the local community Each party agreed to work together in close partnership with the local community to preserve the site and manage its heritage values. The signing ceremony was attended by Kokoda District officers, local PNGDF veterans, a representative of the Australian High Commission, an Australian tour group and large numbers of people from local community who provided a traditional welcome to the visiting dignitaries. NMAG Board of Trustees President Terence Moka as well as the other two signatories stressed the importance of protecting and developing Kokoda Track history and heritage. “The Kokoda Track is an important touchstone for our nation’s war history and heritage, closely shared with Australia, and an invaluable tourism asset which needs looking after.” “These management plans will ensure a strong partnership between the National Museum, the Provincial governments and local communities towards protecting and promoting this shared heritage for generations to come.” While other sites lie on customary land, with local community landowners the main partners for NMAG on heritage management, the Kokoda site lies on state land, making the provincial government the legal ‘landowner’. However, Governor Juffa acknowledged the traditional resource custodians who help look after the site. As part of the Site Management Plan, Governor Juffa announced plans for a new memorial at Kokoda commemorating the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB), composed of Papua New Guineans who fought alongside Australian forces on the Kokoda Track and elsewhere. Beyond the PIB memorial, other highlights of the Kokoda Plan are: - New interpretive signage at the entrance to memorial complex, telling a concise the story of the place - its history and what’s there today. - Explore prospects for a ‘peace garden’ on the Plateau, including a hauswin-style sheltered reflection area. - Refurbishment of existing four memorials. - Maintenance and repair Kokoda Track Archway at the northern terminus of the Track. - Further historical and archaeological research on the undeveloped area north of memorials and Museum, and surrounding slopes. By strengthening the preservation, administration, and accessibility of the area's military and cultural legacy, the new Site Management Plans are a component of the NMAG's Kokoda Track Military legacy Management Plan, which aims to improve the hiking experience and benefit the community more broadly. The PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) is a primary partner agency of the Kokoda Initiative (KI), along with the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA), Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA), Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) and Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA). The Australian government closely supports the Kokoda Initiative through the Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP).

With the Grade 8s concluding their National Examinations on October 24th, 2024, markings were underway for the completed papers of Grades 8s, 10s and 12s beginning at approximately late October. Grade 12 markings were conducted from October 22nd – 30th in Port Moresby. Grade 10 markings were completed within the week of October 21st – 27th in respective provinces. Speaking on behalf of his school in East New Britain, Malabunga Secondary, Principal Bruno Kulai stated that the results for Grade 10s should be out by week 10 of term 4 which should enable selections for Grade 11. In the meantime, selections for Grade 12s, Mr. Kulai confirmed was to be done online. When asked about students who may have difficulty accessing the internet, Mr. Kulai stated that students and parents were made aware of the selection procedures. “Parents were informed along with their children earlier during the year that selections are going to be done online, hence, nobody has any excuse of being unable to access their results online.” “We advised students to be in possession of a smartphone.” Mr. Kulai also spoke positively about the progress, Malabunga has made in the number of Grade 12s entering university in his school. “Back in 2011, we had less than 30 students entering university but since 2019 till the present year the number has increased to more than 60 students.” Mr. Kulai, however, believes that Malabunga can send 100 students to universities and colleges. He further explained that when students score As and Bs they are selected to universities, whereas students who score Bs and Cs are selected to colleges. “Any student who scores a D grade or below is automatically disqualified from selection.” “We encourage our students to score in the A and B grades, so that if their grades drop a little, they are still able to make it into colleges.” Mr. Kulai also stressed the importance of students being disciplined. He stated that one of the factors contributing to poor grades is students’ attitude. “You can have the brains but if you’re not disciplined, you will not perform well.” In 2023, there were roughly more than 23,000 but only 11, 000 made it into tertiary institutions; 6000 Grade 12 students were selected it into universities and 5,000 to colleges.

Title: Venom: The Last Dance Director: Kelly Marcel Rating: PG-13 Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Duration: 1h 50min Stars: Tom Hardy, Chitiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple Tom Hardy once again returns as Eddie Brock in the latest installment of the Venom franchise – Venom: The Last Dance. Investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) along with his symbiote companion, Venom are on the run after authorities find detective Patrick Mulligan’s dead body in a cathedral at San Francisco. This is the least of Brock’s worries however, as one of the most powerful villains in venom-verse has sent his Xenophage army to retrieve a key that can grant the imprisoned villain his freedom. In this third installment, the friendship between Eddie and his symbiote has grown deeper after surviving one too many life-threatening experiences together which is shown through their conversations of casual banter, cursing and occasional deep reflection, although their levels of mutual respect towards each other could be argued. Despite it being a superhero movie, Director Kelly Marcel did not properly execute its climax, that is, when Venom fights against the xenophage army, which is most likely due to the plot focusing heavily on escaping rather than fighting. Consequentially, Venom’s final fight felt predictable and lacked the adrenaline rush that comes with seeing a hero go up against bad guys. Venom: The Last Dance also introduces audiences to the concept of a Codex – a piece of symbiotic material created when a symbiote saves the life of its host. Although this knowledge is not new to avid comic book readers, it may be new information to movie watchers. Such introduction to new material if not executed well can confuse those unfamiliar with the Marvel Universe. This also applies to the introduction of new characters on screen. Venom, similar to Deadpool, destroys the cliche do-gooder trope and is instead an anti-hero with a sort-of moral-compass. Tom Hardy’s chemistry with himself playing the character Eddie Brock and voicing Venom simultaneously, is impeccable and hilarious. Rating-wise, I believe the film’s current stance being PG-13 is not proper because of mild inappropriate language used as well as blood and gore. Perhaps audiences 17 and above would be more suitable for a movie such as Venom: The Last Dance. All in all, if you wish to watch Venom: The Last Dance and not be disappointed, I highly recommend you watch purely for entertainment instead of critiquing for maximum enjoyment.

‘Why Does the Workplace Need More Women CEOs?’ was the question, EVE was determined to answer. The Christian magazine held a panel discussion on Tuesday morning (29/10/24) at Gateway Hotel with Development Specialist & Keynote Speaker, Dulciana Somare-Brash as well as panelists, Jennifer Baing-Waiko, Director of Mainland Holdings Ltd and Lesieli Taviri, CEO of PNG Sustainable Development Program. Dulciana Somare-Brash, said that women naturally have a comparative advantage due to their natural inclination to take care of others. “Women have a physiological advantage, right from the beginning we take care of others.” “We house human life and make sacrifices.” “These attributes can be brought into the workplace.” During the discussion, Taviri was asked if she has seen an increase of young women being interested in leadership. She confirmed that there has indeed been a rise in women being more interested in becoming leaders. “When young women see and hear more stories about women role models being successful in leadership, it encourages them to participate.” “It is a great motivator.” She spoke about her personal experiences when starting Business Coalition for Women ten years ago, stating that less than 0.1% of women were represented on boards and in CEO roles. However, ten years later that number has increased to 17% and 20% respectively. The panelists further encouraged women to be each other’s support, saying that we should lift each other up after achieving success.

Sixty- six (66) local entrepreneurs from the Naewab District of Morobe Province graduated from a two-week business training on Friday 18th October 2024 to empower them with skills and knowledge to grow their tourism business in the district. The individuals completed their training program under the "Start Your Own Business" (SYB) initiative. The training was facilitated by the Small & Medium Enterprise Corporation (SMEC) in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), as part of an effort to boost local tourism businesses across the country. The participants are from the Local Level Governments (LLGs) of Labuta, Nabak, and Wain Erap. They were awarded certificates for their commitment to enhancing their entrepreneurial skills. The main goal of the SYB program is to provide prospective and current tourism business owners with the necessary knowledge and skills to support future tourism ventures that will support economic growth and cultural preservation in Naewab. The curriculum covers business planning, record-keeping, basic accounting, marketing, and product management. All of which are intended to strengthen sustainable tourism development in the region. The training is in line with the TPA's Tourism Sector Development Plan (TSDP) 2022-2026, which places a strong emphasis on the expansion of tourism-related Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) throughout PNG. Through yearly training sessions, TPA has set a goal of reaching 1, 000 tourism MSMEs by 2026, with the goal of growing the SME sector to 500, 000 by 2030. The training is expected to lead to the creation of new, sustainable tourism businesses, with many participants already showcasing ideas that could become successful ventures. To ensure the longevity and success of these businesses, TPA will continue to support participants by providing grants and guiding them through its newly established business incubation center. Additional management training, including specialized skills in marketing and product development, will also be offered to further assist these new business owners in navigating the complexities of running a tourism enterprise. Beyond business development, the program is also committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Naewab District. Tourism ventures born from this initiative will not only contribute to the local economy but also help sustain traditional practices, arts, and crafts that are integral to the district’s cultural identity. TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo commended the participants and highlighted the importance of the participants to explore business ideas that utilize realistic resources available in their local communities. "The focus of this training is not just on theoretical knowledge but on empowering participants with practical skills they can apply immediately.” “We want to see these entrepreneurs create sustainable tourism businesses that will contribute to the economic development of their communities.” “By aligning these efforts with our Tourism Sector Development Plan, we are ensuring that this initiative directly supports our national goals.” “We plan to conduct four training sessions every year to give more entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed in the tourism industry.” Uvovo also added that TPA plans to offer follow-up training to further enhance the participant’s skills. “There will be future trainings conducted under the "Improve Your Business" (IYB) module, which will help existing businesses refine specific skills and further their development. Through these ongoing efforts, TPA and SMEC are both dedicated to promoting a strong and sustainable tourism industry that will benefit both entrepreneurs and their communities for years to come.”

World Polio Day was marked on Wednesday, October 24th and many organizations recognize the importance of this day to keep children safe from this disease. This year’s theme, “A Global Mission to Reach Every Child,” focused on the consistent efforts to ensure all children receive vaccination against polio, especially in regions where the virus remains a threat. Usually contracted through tainted water, polio primarily affects children under five. It attacks the nervous system and causes irreversible paralysis in one in 200 cases, with 5–10% of those who are paralyzed dying as a result of their breathing muscles becoming immobile. The poliovirus has no known cure, but there is a vaccine that is both safe and effective. All country's children are susceptible to polio, and if the disease is not eradicated, even one child infected could lead to a resurgence. Children must receive vaccinations to protect them from the disease. Even though 1.28 million children under five received vaccinations, more children are still at risk if more vaccinations are not administered. In 2018, PNG confirmed that the poliovirus was recirculating after an 18-year hiatus. All children worldwide are at risk if even one child is still infected. Unless polio is eradicated, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 new cases could occur around the world each year. In the past few years, only two countries have had reported cases caused by the wild virus, but no child anywhere is safe until every child is vaccinated.