MEDIA RELEASE
5 March 2009
For immediate release
GOROKA’S BUSHFIRE AID DEEPLY TOUCHING: KERR
Residents of Goroka town have jumped to Australia’s aid and collected over K4,000 to help the victims of the Victorian bushfires.
On Saturday 28 February, students and staff from the University of Goroka (UOG) and the community of Goroka, Eastern Highlands province, appealed directly to the well-known generosity of ordinary Papua New Guineans.
UOG lecturer Mr Donald Gumbis organised a wheelbarrow push around Goroka town to raise money for Victorians in their time of need. UOG students pushed the wheelbarrow with UOG staff playing a supporting role.
Gorokans dug deep into their pockets to help, with coins and notes collected on the street eventually totalling K1,150.
UOG Management also contributed generously with a K2,000 donation. Campus academic and support staff themselves also made a hefty K1,020 contribution.
The generosity of the people of Goroka caught the attention of Australia’s visiting Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Honourable Duncan Kerr MP, who is visiting Port Moresby and Bougainville this week.
“This is deeply touching,” Mr Kerr said.
“Papua New Guinea’s response has been overwhelming. From the National and provincial governments, to the PNG Red Cross and ordinary Papua New Guineans, the response has been staggering. We are so grateful to have friends who we know are thinking of us in our time of need.”
“The work of the University of Goroka students and staff and the generosity of all those who donated for the bushfire victims shows that the links between the people of Papua New Guinea and Australia are as strong as ever. We will always be there for Papua New Guinea and it is great to know you are there for us, too,” he said.
The total donation, K4,170, was presented to AusAID First Secretary Ms Lindy Fisher at a meeting with UG management and senior staff on Monday, along with messages of condolences and support for the people of Victoria.
The donation will be passed on to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
Media Inquiries: Francina Thomson, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 276