Launch of Australia Week 2015 program
The Australian High Commission today launched the Australia Week in Papua New Guinea program for 2015.
Now in its ninth year, Australia Week is packed with 19 events over seven days from 28 May to 3 June.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, said the events will connect Papua New Guinea’s youth to Australia through music, film, sport, food and debate.
“Papua New Guinea’s young people are its greatest resource. Australia Week will provide opportunities for youth in both nations to link up, seek new experiences, collaborate and grow the people-to-people connections that are the foundation of our relationship.”
Australia Week launches with a music workshop and concert by the headline visiting musical act, Fatai, in collaboration with young PNG artists.
With an online appeal to over 50 million people and having penned a label and publishing deal, Fatai will share her experience and knowledge with aspiring young PNG musicians at the University of Papua New Guinea before performing at the Gold Club in the live concert to launch Australia Week.
Australia Week will present the launch of Tep Tok: Reading between our lines, a fascinating and engaging documentary following four women of PNG and Australian descent as they explore their tattooing traditions. A selection of the latest in innovative, creative short films from young Australian filmmakers will also be screened in the Flickerfest short film festival.
The Australia Week guest speaker is Benson Saulo. Born to a Papua New Guinean father and an Indigenous Australian mother, Benson was raised in an environment dedicated to helping community, values he has taken into his adult life today, founding Mind Garden Projects in PNG. During Australia Week, Benson will speak about influences in his life and the role young people can play in their communities to lead positive change. His appearances include a facebook Q&A and speeches at universities and to young entrepreneurs.
The full Australia Week program is available at png.highcommission.gov.au