June-August 2022 | Issue #27
PASSING OF FOUNDING FATHER
Founding Father of Melanesian Tourist Services, SIR PETER LC BARTER PHD (HON), OBE, GCL, KT
Sir Peter Barter passed away at the age of 82 at Cairns Hospital on June 22, where he was receiving treatment for a medical condition. According to his son, Andrew Barter, Sir Peter developed a rare heart condition and passed peacefully in his sleep. Upon Sir Peter’s final wishes, his son was appointed as Managing Director of MTS. Andrew, his wife Juanita and their two children are now working closely with the members of the management team to continue Sir Peter’s legacy. Born in Australia, Sir Peter first went to PNG in 1967 working as a pilot for Divine Word Aviation in Goroka. Copyright, Melanesian Tourist Services Ltd 2022
He established Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS), which was formerly known as TALCO. In 1979, the Barter family acquired the old Hotel Madang and over the years have totally rebuilt it with with conference facilities, restaurants, a dive shop, marina and variety of water front guest rooms. Today it is known today as the Madang Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, and also includes Kalibobo Village which offers long term accommodation options. The Late Sir Peter became a prominent businessman and member of the parliament for three terms. As a member of parliament, his achievements were remarkable but one of the most notable was restoring peace in Bouganville. Sir Peter’s Legacy remains with the people, as represented in the many lives he touched. Not least with his dedicated and long serving staff and their families of MTS and Madang Resort Hotel. Sir Peter is survived by his wife Lady Janet Barter, their son Andrew and grandchildren Jordan and Amaiya. marketing@mtspng.com or Call: (+675) 79991668
ANDREW’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Andrew Barter, MTS Managing Director
On behalf of the Barter family, I thank each and every one of you for standing with us during our time of great sadness and loss. My family and I, also stand beside you because you also mourn the loss of a Papa, Uncle, and Bubu to many in Madang and around PNG that he embraced. It was comforting to hear the many stories of the different connections you all had with my father. Hearing these stories and knowing my father was in your prayers gave me and my family great comfort during the most challenging days of my life. Thank you for your compassion and kindness at such a difficult time. Sharing grief is a positive aspect of Melanesia and me, my wife, Juanita, and my children are moved by the 2 services today and the outpouring of the affections towards Sir Peter and our family. Please accept our deepest thanks. Death is final and we did not expect it to happen so soon. My mother lost a husband, I lost a father, my children lost a grandfather, and you lost a papa, friend and guardian. The nation of Papua New Guinea lost a great pioneer statesman and former political leader. While this loss came at a time when we least www.facebook.com/salesmts
expected it, I feel we are all better people for knowing Sir Peter. Amongst the many other good things he did, he led by example and taught us all to be more compassionate people. My father displayed all the qualities of what it takes to be a true leader. To the management and staff of the Madang Resort and Melanesian Tourist Services, I am truly grateful for all your work and support during the past two months. I would like to assure you that, with my family, I will do everything I can to keep my father’s legacy alive. After tomorrow, although we will read from the same book, we start a brand-new chapter, and I hope you will all join me in turning the next new and exciting page. Tomorrow, when we lay his ashes to rest in the gardens of the Madang Resort Hotel, we will rest his body but not his spirit; for we remember forever the good deeds that came from his hands, the love he gave from his heart and the great memories we all have of him in our minds. A special word of gratitude to Fr Jan Czuba, the Somare family, Sir Arnold & Hitolo Amet, the delegation from the Autonomous Region of Bouganville, and Management & Staff of Divine Word University for their guidance, love and support as my family and I navigated uncharted waters. To everyone who played a part in my father’s farewell Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was moving and just how he would have wanted it. In closing, I thank you all for attending the Haus Krai and for supporting us with your prayers, kind words and gestures. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Sir Peter’s Farewell Gallery
MAUREEN HILL SERVICE AWARD
Award presented to Mrs Hills (Right) by Father Phillip Gibbs on-behalf of Late Sir Peter Barter
A Special Tribute After Madang Nursery Early Childhood Centre Closes after 50+ years In a small and intimate ceremony, members of the Madang community came together to celebrate the extraordinary life-service of
long-term resident Mrs. Maureen Hill. At 87, Mrs. Hill inally decided to hang up her boots and close the doors of renowned Madang Nursery and Early Childhood Learning Centre, located at Kina beach. The centre – a pioneer learning
MR & MISS MADANG – DWU PRECONTEST 23 JULY
DWU selects its contestants for the Madang Pageant through mini pageant. Divine Word University hosted a successful “Mr and Miss Divine Word University” pageant to select its contestants to participate in the 2022 Madang Pageant. This years 2022 “Mr Divine Word University” title went to Jamaine Elisha Selam “Mr Faculty of Business informatics” and “Miss Divine Word University” was bestowed on Kappa Gaoma “Miss Faculty of Arts and Social Copyright, Melanesian Tourist Services Ltd 2022
Sciences”. The contestants were marked according to criteria during their three-state walk; traditional, faculty and formal walk. Credits were given to the University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) for hosting a successful event for student sto showcase their talents. Among the guests were Mrs Hill, Andrew Barter (son of Late Sir Peter Barter) and other members of the Madang Business Community.
hub for the township since before Independence and has had many, many Madang kids pass through its doors over the years. Mrs Hill said she has taken great pride in watching many of her children go on to esteemed professional careers throughout the world. During the dinner, hosted by Late Sir Peter Barter at Madang Resorts Haus Kibung, it was a special moment to look back on Mrs. Hill's achievements and selfless commitment over her years of community serviceincluding childhood education, philanthropic work with Red Cross, Women, Creative Self Help, and Rotary. Mrs Hill embodies a ‘service before self’ ethos towards her many community focused projects.
Madang Resort Hotel New Dessert Menu
Madang Resort’s pastry chefs creates new dessert menu for Haus Win Restaurant. Thanks to Madang Resort’s pastry chef, John Killa, desserts in Madang resort hotel went to a whole new level. With style, taste and different varieties, there are over 12+ dessert you can choose from. John Killa who hails from the Milne bay Province of Papua New Guinea has been working for Madang Resort for almost 35 years, since then, his passion for baking has never changed. With all those years of experience, his desserts are arguably the best in town. marketing@mtspng.com or Call: (+675) 79991668
NEW NDA WEBSITE ON THE WAY
NDA’s old website http://www.niuginidiveadventures.com/
Melanesian Tourist Services is taking a step forward to upgrade all its websites, starting with Niugini Dive Adventures (NDA). The new website is currently in the design phase and is planned to be published by the end of September. The website revamp will replace the 15+ year old site. Amaiya Barter who is leading the project, said it is a fresh slate to kickstart tourism back into PNG -
Starting with our websites. “We are emerging into a new world post-covid-19, and as travel restrictions begin to ease, we hope to bring more tourists into Papua New Guinea through SCUBA diving.” “Not only is NDA modernizing its shopfront, but also the way we operate. All we can say is watch this space!” she said. MTS also has plans to renovate the dive shop in the not-so-distant future to complement their digital facelift. “Madang was once a great diving hotspot. Let’s make it great again” Amaiya Barter said.
MADANG RESORT HOTEL HOSTS PAGEANT
Mr & Miss Madang 2022( Joedahl & Phyllia)
Madang’s greatest social event; “The Mr and and Miss Madang 2022” was held at the Madang Resort Hotel on August 27th, 2022. The Madang Resort catered for 240 guests and sponsors who gathered for the annual crowning. The prestigeous title of “Mr and Miss Madang Pageant 2022” was bestowed upon Mr Jordahl Vic Gemo (representing Country Women’s Associations) and Miss Phyllia Pisep (Miss Madang Resort Hotel 2022). “Mr and Miss Charity 2022” was awarded to Mr and Miss Madang Lodge Hotel, Miss Ardel Lucian and Mr. Patrick Aero. All contestants performed very well as they answered on-the-spot questions from www.facebook.com/salesmts
the the judges. The contestants’ sponsors; Madang Resort Hotel, Madang Lodge Hotel, Country Women’s Associations, Ela Group of Companies and Divine Word University were also given gifts by the Rotary Club to acknowledge their time, commitment and resources. The pageant commenced 7 years ago with the help of Rotary Club of Madang, Mrs Maureen Hill and Late Sir Peter. Just last year it became inclusive with both young men encouraged to participate. Sadly, it was the first pageant without Late Sir Peter. “His staff are still here, and Andrew is with us, but nevertheless, it is not the same, we miss him”, said Fr. Phillip Gibbs, President of Divine Word University. Prior to the evening starting there was several minutes silence to in respect of late Sir Peter Barter for his love, effort, commitment, support and resources towards this charity platform. The funds raised for this year pageant will go towards the Creative Disabled Help Centre, to help with staff accommodation. https://www.instagram.com/salesmts8392
MR & MISS MADANG RESORT RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY
DWU students and FoneHaus staff kayaking
Representatives of Madang Resort Hotel raised charity funds with the help of Niugini Dive Adventure and support from Students. Yongohilly Mengeap and Phyllia Pisep who represented Madang Resort Hotel in the Madang Pageant 2022, hosted a fundraising event to contribute towards the Disabled Creative Help Centre. With the help of NDA, kayaks, life jackets, and paddles were provided with a safety briefing to DWU students and some staff from FoneHaus before their kayaking trip. It was a new learning experience for students, however, with a short lecture from the NDA staff, it turns out most who participated took to kayaking naturally with only 10 minutes practice. They started at Madang Resort jetty and paddled to the famous Kalibobo Lighthouse to watch the sunrise. The participants were escorted by NDA staff aboard the Reef Explorer throughout their kayaking trip. The event ended with fun volleyball and a good hearty breakfast to start the day. www.mtspng.com