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MANUS
i go het
!
Issue 04 | November 2014
Better schools for our children
Lundret celebrates new facilities
Children in Lundret will receive a better quality
education after the opening of new classrooms
and facilities for more than 100 students.
The Lundret Primary School in ward 11 of the
Lelemadih Bupi Chupeu LLG received a new double
classroom, administration office, teacher’s house,
separate toilets for girls and boys, and water tanks
for improving water and sanitation. Lundret Primary
was established in the 1950s as a universal school
for all students in Manus Province. Every year for the
past decade, the Lundret community had built or
repaired temporary classrooms and dug pit toilets
in an effort to help their children go to school.
Grade 8 student Bethseba Daniels said the old
classrooms were often flooded during the rainy
season, preventing students from attending
school. More pictures on the next page.
Also in this issue...
Manus i go het! brings you the latest
news and stories about Australia’s
assistance in Manus and the Regional
Processing Centre. In this issue read
about the plans for a new police
station, Manusian women’s views
on the new Manus Market and the
legacy for Manus of the East Lorengau
facility. That and more in this edition!
Pg 3
Pg 6
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DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Message from Australia’s High Commissioner to
Papua New Guinea HE Ms Deborah Stokes
Manus I go het! Issue four brings you all the latest facts, stories and pictures to keep
you up to date on how Australia is supporting Manus and working alongside our
Papua New Guinea partners and the Provincial Government. It’s great to hear the
positive feedback from Manus women on the new Manus market, due for completion in
December, and what it means to you. The new Manus police station, funded by Australia,
will boost the capacity of the local police to protect the people of Manus. It will also be
easier for community members to approach police for information and assistance.
Lundret celebrates new facilities
Year 8 students in the new double classroom
Lundret students
“Thank you Australia for our new
permanent classroom, we are happy
that we don’t have to skip classes during
rainy season. My friends and I are happy
with our new classroom. Every day we
learn something new and exciting,”
Bethsheba said.
Grade 8 student Bethseba Daniels
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A people’s police station
Contract signed for new police station
A contract has been awarded to Papua New Guinean firm Alexander & Lloyd Pacific Ltd through an international open tender
to design a new police station for Manus Island. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent, Alex N’Drasal DPS said he
would like to see people own the Australian-funded police station, valued at more than K5 million.
“We would like everyone to participate and work
together as a team to provide the best services
possible in terms of policing in the province,”
Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent, Alex N’Drasal DPS
Alex N’Drasal DPS Superintendent,
and Provincial Police Commander
on Manus Island
Existing Lorengau police station
The contract signing with PNG firm
Alexander & Lloyd Pacific
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COMMUNITY
My village
Introducing Loniu
Dr Powesiu Lawes was born in Loniu village in the
late 1950s. He has fond memories of his early life
in the village, playing games with other boys and
even admits on occasion he cheated at marbles.
Loniu village has a reputation for great education
and back in the late seventies it had fourteen of
its brightest students at University in PNG.
Dr Lawes was educated in his early years by
Australian teachers, attended University in
Port Moresby and went on to become a general
practice doctor. He returned home to his village
in 2009 and now dreams of establishing a
cultural centre to restore traditional values.
Australia’s education assistance to Manus
includes Australia Awards scholarships and
building 20 school kits across the province.
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Dr Powesiu Lawes at home in Loniu village
Edward Porolak has been playing the organ for the
village church for 15 years
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COMMUNITY
My market
As the redeveloped Manus Market takes shape, Manus i go het! speaks to some of the women who will work in the
new facility when it is scheduled for completion in December 2014.
“I like the new market
because it will have a
special section just for
handicrafts and not
with all of the fish”
Dorothy Pominis – vendor
“I am excited that
my fruits like these
pawpaws will be sold
on proper benches
and I don’t have to
worry about the
heat causing them
to rot quickly”
Elizabeth Tommy – vendor
“The new market will
be good as there will be
different sections and it
will be better organised”
Dorothy Nolet – vendor
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“The old market was
run down and the
roof leaked – this one
will be better. The
market is important
to the women and the
people of Manus. It is
where people meet, it
is where families and
wantoks gather”
Maggie Vanasi – market shopper
The facts
K112
million
K1 billion
The approximate investment by the
Australian Department of Immigration
and Border Protection in infrastructure
upgrades in PNG. This includes a
new office for PNG’s Immigration
and Citizenship Services Authority
in Port Moresby and facilities at
Lombrum and Lorengau in Manus.
Australia’s aid commitment
to Manus Province
K1.4
million
1000
Approximately the number of
extra jobs for Manusians than
before the Regional Processing
Centre was established.
The value of goods
and services from
PNG companies is
purchased by the
Regional Processing
Centre per week.
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MY SCHOOL
Each edition of Manus I go Het! will bring you photos
of some of the 20 school infrastructure kits funded
by Australia that are completed or near completion
around Manus Province. Each kit consists of a
double classroom with an administration office,
teacher house and ablution block. The schools
that receive kits were selected by the Manus
Provincial Division of Education, in consultation
with the National Department of Education.
Harengan Primary School double classroom
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M’Buke Primary double classroom
Inside new double classroom at Lomoei Primary School
Lundret Primary School Teacher Mrs Mary Lolou
in front of a new teacher’s house
Andra Primary School double classroom
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OUT AND ABOUT
Regional Processing Centre staff member Johnny Truong,
a former refugee from Vietnam, visiting Nutt Point village
with teammates to experience life in a Manus community
Australian High Commission staff update Manus
Provincial Administrator Andrew Posong and
Deputy Administrator Oka Nungu on the latest
news and developments
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor,
Development Cooperation, Mr James Hall,
handing over radio equipment to Radio Manus
for improving the training of journalists
Hubert Tinge Meta from the Manus Amateur Boxing Association.
The Association’s team of boxers returned triumphant from the
East New Britain Boxing Championship. The Association was
one of 16 sports groups to receive grants from Australia
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Nathan Batley and Greg Hosea are supporting
sports development and management of
range of sporting options to improve health
and wellbeing within local communities
Dr Shane Stockil from IHMS takes time out from
his work at the Regional Processing Centre to
share knowledge with Lorengau Hospital staff
INFRASTRUCTURE
A legacy for Manus
PNG Chief Migration Officer Rabura tours East Lorengau facility
CMO Rabura tours East Lorengau facilityThe East Lorengau facility has been completed and is ready to open its doors. Papua
New Guinea Chief Migration Officer (CMO) Matio Rabura, inspected the new East Lorengau development and was happy with
the work. The infrastructure has been built using modern materials to withstand earthquakes and local climatic conditions.
“This project will remain a legacy for Manus. I have had a look at it. It is going to
last more than 25 years and I have been told if we look after it, it will last longer.
Very impressive, very impressive, yes, I didn’t expect
it to be this big and this modern”
CMO Rabura
Chief Migration Officer Matio Rabura
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MY STORY
Betty Palaso has been working with the Finance Team at the Regional Processing Centre for more than a year. While working
at the centre, Betty has learnt new payroll skills including the SAP software system – the core software management tool
at the centre.
In her work leading the Finance team, Betty takes after her mother Ms Betty Palaso, Commissioner of Papua New Guinea’s
Internal Revenue Commission.
“This is the best job I have
ever had as I get to interact
with lots of people.
A lot of people who used
to be unemployed are now
working here. They can
now sustain their families”
Betty Palaso
Betty Palaso – Finance Team Leader
Keep in touch with the Regional Processing Centre and
happenings on Manus via your community liaison officers.
Emily Brissenden and Sahar Bender
are your point of contact.
Keep in touch!
They can be reached via email [email protected]
or 7091 3682.
Sahar Bender
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Emily Brissenden