PNG’s

49th Independence Cultural Festivities in Beenleigh, Brisbane, hosted by the Papua New Guinea Federation QLD INC. (PNGFQI).

(By Maureen Mopio Vice President of the PNG Federation QLD Inc.(PNGFQI))

The “Avas and Irarabu” drums are beating, the Kundu drums are echoing, the Garamuts and the bamboo pipes ring out with the backdrop of a sea of colours, red, black and yellow, as these are the sounds and sight of a PNG nation celebrating her 49th Independence anniversary from Australia .

On 16th September 1975, PNG, the land of the unexpected, gained independence from its early administrators, Australia and so it was fitting to commemorate the 49th PNG’s independence Day with Cultural Festival in Beenleigh, Brisbane, Australia recently.

Just on Sunday (September 15, 2024) the PNG Diaspora turned out to mark festivities in, Beenleigh, arguably the biggest celebrations and singsings or cultural performances and cultural dancing outside of their homeland and the biggest staged in the world hosted by a not for profit organisation, the PNG Federation QLD Inc. (PNGFQI).

PNGFQI as a coordinated umbrella Association, brought together friends; put smiles on expatriates and families’ faces; provided an avenue for the young and the old; to mingle, who only meet through social media; and work and sporting places, to catch up, enjoy traditional food, and say hello to wantoks and turas in friendship and good-will every once a year around September.

This particular day saw cultural shows and choirs from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Collective, Manus Dancing Group, New Ireland Province, PNG Gulf Association of QLD, Logohu Dancing Youth Group, Milne Bay Dancing Group, QLD Kairuku Association Traditional Dances the Jiwaka Cultural Dance Group from the high lands region, and choirs from young Inala Seventh Day Adventist Adventurer Club Choir. All these was on show case as a sign of a united diverse nation and diverse people in Brisbane.

There are about 850 different distinctive and spoken languages in PNG. PNG languages are the most diverse and distinctive, representing 10 percent of the world’s languages. One can expect different designs, intricate and different patterns, different costumes or bilas and head dresses and grass skirts as well.

Alluding to this, Mr Rob van Menen, representing the QLD Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli, stated the “uniqueness and diversity of the people, and, the culture and, it is fantastic to see so many people here for this morning’s celebrations. We are extremely lucky to have such a diverse and multicultural community in QLD. We quite often boast of the number of nationalities and languages spoken here in our local community, however, I was amazed when my research for today showed that PNG is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries on the planet. In QLD we only speak around 180 languages”.

Echoing the same sentiments was Ms Mel McMahon MP for Macalister representing the Hon Charis Mullen, MP Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Mel McMahon congratulated the PNGFQI especially the women leaders who were in the forefront of organising such a huge event for 8,000 people who came for food, friendship, art and company. Mel McMahon touched on the shared and close bond as neighbours and friends with just, 4,000 kilometres separating Australia and PNG at the closest point. Our ties are through history, trade, investment and education”. Mel said “The Steven Miles government has a vision for a united harmonious and inclusive sate where we can all contribute, connect and belong to share a vision for all. PNG celebrates its rich cultural heritage . More than 17,000 are born in PNG and many more, have connections, through ancestry, religion, groups and communities.” Mel McMahon, has a deep connection with PNG through her mum who was raised in the Highlands of PNG where her father worked as a nurse.

“Our shared love for Rugby League makes our friendships enduring. In politics Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese was the first foreign leader, foreign head of government to address PNG’s parliament last year (2023).

Prime Minster James Marape became the first Pacific Islands leader to address the Australian Parliament in February this year.(2024)”. In all Australia and PNG have a strong economic relations and that PNG’s programme with Australia in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme provides PNG the opportunity to help fill labour shortages in rural and regional Australia as well as any other cooperative programmes and partnerships.

Currently there are 3,000 seasonal workers from PNG. It is anticipated that this will increase to 15,000.

Other esteemed guests were Shadow Assistant Minister for Multicultural Engagement and QLD Senator Paul Scarr. Senator Paul Scarr was the key note speaker at the PNGFQI hosting of PNG’s 49th Anniversary in Brisbane.

Before being introduced to the microphone, Senator Paul Scarr further added, “Why don’t we have a cultural centre and have a talk about it”, in support of the Masters of Ceremony, Melanie Reeves advocating for a need of a PNG Cultural Centre on behalf of the PNGFQI.

In addition to a PNG Cultural Centre, Senator Paul Scarr said “you have my 100 percent support in making 50th celebrations hosting a special and huge festivity for the PNG diaspora in QLD. Let’s make our celebrations a historical and the biggest one of all. Let’s make it. (APPLAUSE) Let’s make it the biggest a special one, (APPLAUSE) a huge festivity, and singsing outside PNG, next year,(2025) which will be a historical celebration of Papua New Guinea’s diverse culture outside of PNG”.

Senator Paul Scarr worked in PNG from 1999 to 2001 as a lawyer and sat for a PNG Constitutional Law, Land Law and Customary Laws test which he successfully passed amongst 5 foreign lawyers. Senator Paul Scarr expressed his dismay that even to date Australian children and Australians do not know much about the Pacific countries including PNG.

“ It will be a wonderful journey for Australian children to learn more about PNG. Australian children need to learn more about PNG, our closest neighbours. There is a strong vibrant PNG diaspora who have a deep, deep abiding connection to Papua New Guinea (PNG) ”. For the PNG diaspora, thank you for keeping and instilling the culture amongst the young ones. Let’s take the opportunity next year to widen the deep relationship and widen the bond we have instilling a sense of pride and a sense of identity for the PNG diaspora living here in QLD. It is important”.

Amongst other esteemed guests, was the PNG Consulate General of PNG, Brisbane Office, the PNG Consul General, Mr Reatau Rau. In delivering his speech Mr Reatau Rau said “For those of us born before 16th September, 1975, we have our own memories of that special day when the flag of Australia was lowered and the PNG flag raised for the first time at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby to signify the birth of a new sovereign nation of Papua New Guinea.”

“Australia and PNG today share a warm, broad-ranging relationship of deep historical and contemporary importance to both countries. Our modern partnership is underpinned by joint commitments to the PNG-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (2020) and most recently the Bilateral Security Agreement (2023)which provides a framework for closer security relations”. Mr Rau added, “PNG has enduring people-to-people links as Australia’s large trading partner and through Australian investments in PNG as well as through their Fist nations people and wide range of institutional, cultural and sporting relationships. Australia is a trusted security partner for PNG through an extensive defence cooperation programme and a longestablished policing partnership.

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My primary priority since assuming the office of the Consul General is to seek a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU between the Independent state of PNG and State of QLD.”

“Work is now in progress with PNG’s Department of Foreign Affairs taking the lead coordination role on PNG’s side to prepare a draft MOU. Through this new MOU we will identify and deliver on key priorities that are for our mutual benefit, under the Government to Government, Peope to

People, Business to Business cooperation and relations, We are hoping to sign this well before the 50th independence Anniversary in 2025”

Mr Reatau Rau concluded with a word of thanks in Motu (tanikiu badaherea) and Tok Pisin (tenkiu tru) and recited the Unity Song called ‘PNG our Motherland”.

Our land is the land of high mountains, of sunlit palms and coral sea,

Where our people sing while the drums are beating

For our land is strong and free

Papua...New...Guinea

Papua New guinea our motherland

Every tribe and race let us work tighter

United we shall stand There’s a bright new day dawning for our land

As every tribe and race unite Sons and daughters arise, will advance together

With God to guide us in the night

Papua ...New....Guinea..

Papua New guinea our Motherland,

Every tribe and race let us work together

United we stand

I conclude in stating that after 49 years PNG is still a democracy, has an independent judiciary and freedom of speech and these are all the things that PNG should be so proud of and is a great success story.