Launch of the 2016 ‘PNG-Australia Bung Wantaim – Yumi Poroman!’ Week program

The Australian High Commission today launched the PNG-Australia Bung Wantaim – Yumi Poroman! Week program for 2016.

Now in its tenth year, the PNG-Australia Bung Wantaim – Yumi Poroman! Week (known formerly as Australia Week) is packed with eight key events from 8 to 14 May 2016.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Bruce Davis, said the events will connect youth, from the two countries through music, film, sport, and knowledge-sharing discussions.

“The PNG-Australia Bung Wantaim – Yumi Poroman! Week will provide opportunities for our greatest resource – our youth - from both countries,  to connect, share knowledge, seek new experiences, collaborate and grow the people-to-people connections that are the foundation of our relationship,” he said.

The week launches with a film screening in Lae, and also includes a young entrepreneur’s roundtable, a music workshop, golf and cricket matches, and concludes with a music concert by the headline visiting musical act, Matt Gresham, in collaboration with PNG artist Alyson Joyce and PNG Idols Sentanya Gewang and Stanley Mark.

Matt Gresham is an Australian balladeer, songwriter and was a top contender in Australia’s 2013 X-Factor competition. He has almost ten years of independent recording and touring experience in Australia and will share his experiences and knowledge with aspiring, young PNG musicians at the University of Papua New Guinea before performing at the Gold Club in the live concert.

The week will also feature a young entrepreneur’s roundtable, held in collaboration with the Lowy Institute and the Australia-PNG Network, led by key Papua New Guinean and Australian speakers equipped knowledge in business or social enterprise.

During the week, the visiting Australian speakers will also meet with other young Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs, who run their own businesses, to share their knowledge and expertise, and also learn from the PNG entrepreneurs’ experiences.

The full Australia Week program is attached and also available at http://png.highcommission.gov.au/pmsb/home.html