Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

MR 071011 LES

Media release

11 October 2007

For immediate release

Australian High Commission assists Locally Engaged Staff in their training

 

Australian High Commission Locally Engaged Staff (LES) member, Andrew Arua-Oa, has been selected to attend a Leadership and Management Course in Canberra.

Mr Arua-Oa is one of 20 high-performing Locally Engaged Staff selected by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra to participate in the two-week program after receiving nominations from posts around the world.

Mr Arua-Oa has been the Property Manager at the Australian High Commission for four years and is responsible for managing around 29 staff members.

“One of my main objectives in attending this course is to further develop skills in the area of managing staff from diverse cultural backgrounds and bringing them together to work effectively as one unit,” said Mr Arua-Oa.

Mr Arua-Oa said that the 20 participants from all around the globe have already begun emailing each other and exchanging ideas, ahead of meeting up in Australia this weekend.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the government of Australia, through the Australian High Commission, for this initiative and making my participation in this course possible,” said Mr Arua-Oa.

Australia is a close friend and partner of Papua New Guinea and the bilateral relationship is strengthened by extensive people-to-people links. The development of PNG’s human resources is an important part of this relationship.

The Australian Government, through the High Commission, regularly helps LES to enhance their knowledge by sponsoring them to do courses both within the country and in Australia.

Media Inquiries: Raymond Palangat, Public Diplomacy Officer, Ph: 3259333 ext 454