Opening of the 2007 PNG-Australia Alumni Conference
15 November 2007; Port Moresby, PNG
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, HE Mr Chris Moraitis
It’s a great pleasure to be here this morning to informally celebrate the first birthday of the PNG-Australia Alumni Association and formally open this year’s conference.
It’s been twelve months since the first conference, where the idea for a PNG-Australia Alumni Association was born.
Following the conference resolution to develop the Association, progress has been swift. The Association only became a legal entity in April this year but already it boasts over 500 members, a number which continues to grow. Your Association is emerging as a well-known and respected entity within PNG.
The first year’s activities are testament to your enthusiasm and commitment.
Events such as a breakfast hosted the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Temu, and the recent launch of the Alumni website by his Excellency the Governor General – the Patron of the Alumni Association – give some indication of the esteem in which your association is held.
And now here we sit here at a major conference with an impressive two day agenda – well done.
The message this sends is that there is a growing core of educated and motivated professionals in this country who are prepared to give their time and energy for the betterment of their country in forums that encourage and proliferate the exchange of good ideas.
I applaud this effort and am pleased that Australia is a key link in this.
Australia’s relationship with PNG is one of our deepest and most enduring.
It is strong on many levels, including the people-to-people links formed by the large number of Papua New Guineans who study in Australia.
You will no doubt agree that long-lasting personal and professional friendships and relationships are formed among students during their time at university. This conference offers a wonderful opportunity to renew those friendships and to forge new ones.
It also gives people a forum to contribute to debates about PNG's future.
The PNG-Australia Alumni Association is already providing constructive and supportive opportunities for Alumni to exchange views on significant national and development assistance issues. A continual influx of new members with fresh ideas will ensure the continuing success of the association. The pool of potential new members grows each year with scholarship holders heading off to Australia to pursue further education.
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with the thirteen recipients of scholarships under this year’s Australia Leadership Awards scholarship program, all of whom are with us today – welcome to you.
This group will be studying in Australia next year at a range of institutions, for a range of awards in a wide range of subject areas.
What I said to them and what I will reiterate now is that you are the cream of the crop.
It is you people who have a unique opportunity to not only increase your knowledge and skills base but to also make a significant contribution to your country. This contribution manifests itself in myriad ways including strengthening PNG’s work force, contributing to the improved performance of organisations and promoting the broader development of Papua New Guinea.
Equally important from my point of view, studying abroad provides the opportunity to build strong personal links between Papua New Guineans and Australians. As I said earlier, in many cases this leads to long-lasting friendships and strong networks. It is also a way to share cultural experiences and learn more about the cultures of other countries – as past scholarship holders will no doubt agree it is not just about being in Australia and meeting Australians, it is about interacting with people from all corners of the globe in an atmosphere of learning and sharing.
Modern business and government operates on a global scale and the experience gained while studying abroad can help develop the skills needed to work effectively in this environment.
And if I could make one entreaty to the scholarship holders heading off to Australia: when your time abroad is over I would encourage – in the strongest terms – that you become an active participant in the Alumni Association.
Before I conclude let me say again, well done alumni. What you have done in twelve short months is nothing short of impressive. Looking at the conference agenda I have no doubt that the next two days will be rewarding for everyone involved.
And this will no doubt be a catalyst for further growth and development within the association.
And now it only leaves me to officially declare this year’s conference open.
Thank you.