Speech by the High Commissioner at the Leadership PNG breakfast function during Australia Week 2008
11 March 2008; Crowne Plaza, Port Moresby, PNG
Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
I am very pleased to be speaking to you this morning. My comments will be brief because I know we are all here to listen to Ernie. But I would like to quickly set out the context in which this event is taking place.
This event is part of Australia Week 2008 which began yesterday and runs until the end of this week, Sunday 16 March.
Australia Week is about highlighting the strength of the bilateral relationship between Australia and PNG and promoting a better understanding of Australia in PNG. It is about celebrating our relationship, as neighbours and friends.
The week opened yesterday with a morning event at the Australian High Commission to mark International Women’s Day and an evening reception at my residence.
The Australian movie star and TV personality, Ernie Dingo, was the guest speaker at both of those events. As well as speaking to us here today Ernie will also be addressing a fundraising dinner organised by the Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS this evening.
We are all really delighted that Ernie is here in PNG for Australia Week.
Another exciting element of the week will be the performances at the Moresby Arts Theatre of a fabulous musical collaboration between Australia and PNG called We Don’t Dance For No Reason.
This musical collaboration includes one of Australia’s brightest young jazz stars, Aaron Choulai, and a traditional choir from Tatana Village right here in Port Moresby. The group has already played at the Queensland Musical Festival and at the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the ABC gave them four and half stars out of five.
I would encourage you to go and see the show at the Moresby Arts Theatre on Friday or Saturday evening. It really is wonderful and it symbolizes what Australia Week is all about: PNG and Australia working together, as friends and neighbours.
Other highlights of the packed program of events during Australia Week 2008 include a public lecture by the well-known Australian journalist, Sean Dorney tomorrow; promotional wine tasting functions in Lae and Port Moresby with top-selling Australian wine producer Casella Wines; Australian films on EM TV, business promotions and sporting events.
This is the second time that the Australian High Commission has staged an Australia Week in PNG. The first Australia Week ran from 26 January to 2 February 2007. We hope that it will become an annual event from now on and of course it comes on the back of a very successful visit by Prime Minister Rudd last week – the first Prime Ministerial visit to PNG in 6 years and an excellent start to the new chapter in Australia-PNG bilateral relations.
Returning to this morning’s breakfast function, I would like to express my thanks, on behalf of the Australian Government, to Leadership PNG for their organizing this wonderful event. In particular I would like acknowledge Rhoda Moses, who has put in a lot of work over the last few months. It is really good to see young PNG professionals hosting an event which helps to foster our bilateral relationship. Thank you for your effort and thank you for being part of Australia Week 2008.
Similarly, to the sponsors of today’s event – your support is much appreciated.
And thank you to all of you for helping us celebrate Australia Week 2008.
I hope that by attending some of the events during the week you may appreciate, just a little bit more, the strength and diversity of the bilateral relationship between Australia and PNG and perhaps also understand a bit more about Australia and all that Australia has to offer.
Thank you.
End