Links
Warning: PNG web sites come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site (try -- http://pngwebhost.com -- for an excellent, reliable but cheap deal) and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined then mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.
If links in the newsletter do not work properly, copy and paste the URL into your browser and press Enter. Be sure to copy the entire link, as it may wrap to the next line. If this still does not work please send an email to the newsletter advising of the broken link.
Do you have a web site or link to a PNG related area on the WWW? If so do you want it mentioned here? Then use the submission form located at -- http://pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
PNG in the News
The Governor of Milne Bay in PNG says the executive role of provincial governments needs to remain even if legislative powers are reduced. -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=41857
Trekkers to offer gifts for children -- http://giaman.com/pg/?88c822
'Witch' attacked for causing floods -- http://giaman.com/pg/?078d54
http://islandmon.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/p7160046/
A sentimental bloke -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f4c7da
Blogs About PNG
More on the herbs of PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?2ca0d8
BBQ at the end of the world -- http://giaman.com/pg/?30e06e
Coastwatcher -- http://giaman.com/pg/?27879f
Nancy Sullivan -- http://www.nancysullivan.typepad.com/
Memories of another day -- http://giaman.com/pg/?fdff33
Australia's Imperialist Nostalgia: Papua New Guinea -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ddf262
My first step into third world medicine! -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ec9f1e
Sometimes things just feel too hard -- http://giaman.com/pg/?268831
Lights out in Mt Hagen -- http://mattinpng.com/2008/09/09/lights-out/
Misc Links
Don't forget CyberMasta for web design -- http://www.cybermasta.com/ -- and PNG Web Hosting for that web site -- http://www.pngwebhost.com
A light hearted look at the PNG Gossip Newsletter using RinkWorks Dialect engine -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8a319c -- click on some of the links and it will convert the links as well.
Rapopo Plantation Resort -- http://www.rapopo.com/
Skerah.com is continuing to grow in popularity -- http://skerah.com
PNG items online shop -- http://www.marketniugini.com/
Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council -- http://www.inapng.com/cimc/
Rabaul caldera - Tavurvur -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ff8d12
Alert for Vanimo -- http://giaman.com/pg/?216ab9
Dive Links
DIVErsion Dive -- http://www.diversionoz.com/en/png.htm
Lissenung Island Resort/Lissenung Diving -- http://www.lissenung.com
Kavieng SCUBA Diving -- http://scubakavieng.com
The Dive Centre -- http://www.divecentre.com.pg
Telita Cruises -- htttp://www.telitacruises.com
Golden Dawn -- http://www.mvgoldendawn.com
Tufi Dive -- http://www.tufidive.com
MV Febrina -- http://www.febrina.com
MV Chertan -- http://www.chertan.com/
Walindi Plantation Resort -- http://www.walindi.com
Dive PNG Manus -- http://www.divepngmanus.com
Aquaventures PNG -- http://www.aquaventures_png.com.pg
Kabaira Dive Rabaul -- http://www.kabairadive.com.pg
Loloata Resort -- http://www.loloata.com/
Tawali Resort -- http://www.tawali.com
Spirit of Niugini -- http://www.spiritofniugini.com
News Items
Air Investigations
After a report by Steve Marshall of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the PNG government has moved to establish an accident investigation commission in compliance with law changes made 8 years ago.
see -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/091208/nation2.php
Kokoda Challenge
Once again records have been broken in the annual Kokoda Challenge Race. Brendan Buka was able to complete the course in 16 hours 34 minutes and 5 seconds. What was the course? The Kokoda Track from Owers' Corner to Kokoda. Last year he completed the event in 17 hours and 20 minutes. He now holds the record in both directions.
Swamp Ghost
The permission to export the Swamp Ghost by the National Executive Council (NEC) has been described in a joint statement issued by the deputy chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Governor of Western Province Dr Bob Danaya and Member of the PAC and Governor of Eastern Highlands Mal Kela Smith as an illegal decision and the NEC has actually participated in that conspiracy by giving an approval which it has no legal power to make.
They said the NEC decision totally ignored the law and advice given by the Attorney General, the State Solicitor, the PAC, O'Briens Lawyers and the Gubon Lawyers that the sale was illegal, the export was illegal and the removal from Agaiembo swamp was illegal.
see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080915/news14.htm.
Hard Doing Business
A global survey conducted by the World Bank has ranked PNG 95th out of 181 countries in the overall ease of doing business. PNG Chamber of Commerce spokesman, David Conn, says the results are frustrating. It is the fourth consecutive year PNG has slipped down the rankings. Singapore was ranked first followed by New Zealand and Australia in 9th.
99.99% Pure Gold
A gold refinery to be set up in Alotau will be capable of producing gold bars that are 99.99 per cent pure. The set up will cost around US$50 million (K129.5 million) and will be funded by OZ Mining and Exploration (OME) Ltd of Australia. The company also intends to set up a jewellery business in a joint-venture partnership with a local company that is specialised in the jewellery business.
Port Moresby - Brisbane Fares
The first special air fare for a trip from Brisbane to Port Moresby being offered by the joint venture of Pacific Blue and Airlines of PNG have been announced as being AU$249 one way inclusive of taxes and charges. The offer starts from the third of November with services starting on the 6th of December. Normal fares should start from around AU$289. The introductory fare from Moresby to Brisbane will be K499. Airlines of PNG and Pacific Blue are able to charge independent airfares over the proposed routes so check with each airline for a fare.
see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080912/news10.htm -- for more details.
Jails
A report by PriceWaterHouseCoopers has recommended the permanent closing of Daru, Hawa, Manus, Barawagi, Buiebe, Bundaira and Mukrumanda jails. The Correctional Service Commissioner, Richard Sikani, has indicated that this is not possible without a massive cash injection of K80 million. The report has also recommended upgrading the remaining jails with Baisu being demolished completely and a new complex being built.
Wewak Super Stadium
Wewak is to get a sports stadium courtesy of the Chinese government. Chine provides aid of US$1.3 billion to the developing countries of the Pacific - the stadium part of the aid package to PNG, to the Sepik people to celebrate Independence Day.
Comments have been made in the Post Courier column "The Drum" that the money could be better spent on Aid Posts etc.
see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080912/drum.htm
Showcase PNG
Over 20,000 Port Moresby city residents filed past the gates at the Sir John Guise stadium for the inaugural Showcase PNG event held recently in the National Capital District. More than 100 stalls were taken up by business houses, corporate and State entities.
Hidden Valley Gold
The Hidden Valley gold project operated by Harmony -- http://www.harmony.co.za/ -- in the mountain ranges of Morobe province is scheduled to deliver its first gold in the fourth quarter of next year. See -- http://www.harmony.co.za/b/ops_png.asp -- Harmony is the fifth largest gold producer in the world, with operations and projects in South Africa, Australia and of course PNG.
Fuel Prices
Fuel prices have dropped for the second month but the country's consumer watchdog has warned consumers not to be optimistic of this trend. Petrol should now be selling for K3.62 per litre from last months high of K4.03 per litre. Diesel will be K3.42 per litre while kerosene will be K3.37 per litre. Due to world prices this is expected to increase again very shortly.
National TV
As listed in the coming events for many months now the National TV Service (NTS) is ready to roll today. PM, Sir Michael Somare is set to throw the switch from Wewak, East Sepik Province to allow live broadcasts around the country.
Martyrs Memorial
A service to mark the 60th anniversary of Martyrs Memorial School in the Northern (Oro) Province has been held at the Saint John's Anglican Cathedral in Port Moresby. Martyrs School was established 60 years ago by early Anglican missionaries and teachers in memory of Anglican missionaries who were killed for their faith during the Second World War including a Papuan missionary teacher Saint Lucian Tapiedi, whose statue has since been erected at Westminster Abbey in London.
Gas and Oil Finds
Oil Search Ltd has made a gas and light oil discovery in onshore Papua New Guinea that could be put towards a third processing `train' at the $11 billion PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, if it turns out to be a large find.
see -- http://www.compareshares.com.au/~compare1/show_news.php?id=S-514047
Employment
The PNGBD Web site people have upgraded the Employment Section at -- http://www.pngbd.com -- making it much easier to use. The site is free to job seekers and employers. The link is -- http://www.pngbd.com/forum/f20s.html
Internet Connections
Madang - ples bilong mi -- My Bleeding Internet Connection -- http://giaman.com/pg/?6bb018
Daltron -- http://www.daltron.com.pg
DataNets -- http://www.datanets.com.pg - and -- http://www.online.net.pg
Datec -- http://www.datec.net.pg
Global Technologies -- http://www.global.net.pg
ATM Connectivity
After many years ANZ Access Card holders will be able to use their Access Cards on Westpac ATMs for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries. Westpac customers also now have access to ANZ equipment as well. Both bank is will charge K2.50 for the privilege.
Milne Bay Fire
The two-storey building housing the Government's finance and treasury offices, personnel management, health and education and the deputy administrator's offices among others went up in flames over the weekend. Fire fighters experienced water pressure problems and although attending promptly could not put out the fire even with the help of back-up from a water carting company. A senior provincial treasury officer said a substantial amount of money was lost in the fire.
Election Void
The Court of disputed returns has declared the election of former PNG chief justice and Madang governor Sir Arnold Amet void after a petition was filed in September last year by Peter Yama. A by-election will now have to be held for the seat. Presiding Justice Sakora described Sir Michael Somare "As a witness on a serious matter before this court, the PM was not an impressive witness . . . not a good witness in court, but a good politician, and I am not at an election to vote. He was evasive, omissive, and dismissive, in his responses, interspersed with an inability to recall some things that appeared to be too pat, and convenient."
see -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/091208/nation1.php -- for full story and -- http://www.messersmith.name/wordpress/2008/09/12/the-silly-season/
and -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/091508/nation2.php
AFL PNG
The Aussie Rules team from PNG won its first International Cup in the curtain raiser to the Hawthorn-Western Bulldogs match recently held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), defeating 2005 winners New Zealand by eight points. -- http://afl-png.com/int_cup.html
The score was PNG 7 goals 12 behinds (54 points) to NZ 7 goals 4 behinds (46 points).
In the 2002 International Cup they lost to Ireland in the Final and again in 2006 they were narrowly defeated by New Zealand in the Grand Final.
Coming Events
The Goroka Show has already been run so here are two webs sites about the show -- http://www.gorokashow.com/ -- and -- http://www.trupela.com/2008/09/06/goroka-show-2008/
PNG Independence Day Celebrations -- 16th September
NBC to launch its National TV Station -- 16th September
International Orchid Show -- 4th and 5th of October
Morobe Show -- 18th and 19th of October -- the Show is held on the weekend closest to the full moon in the month of October each year in Lae, Morobe Province. -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
Sprint Triathlon -- 1st of November at Ela Beach, Port Moresby
Milne Bay Canoe Festival -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ab7f63 -- always held during the first weekend in November.
International Conference on Deep-Sea Mine Tailings Placement (DSTP): Madang Resort between the 4th and 7th of November, 2008
2008 Kokoda Reunion Dinner - Friday, 7 November 2008 - Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Hiri Moale Festival -- Chairman of the Motu Koitabu Assembly Miria Ikupu said the festival which is the premier cultural event of the city and coincides with the country's Independence celebration in mid September was deferred to between the 7th and 9th of November, to allow proper planning and preparation due to the recent Motu Koitabu elections.
Anti Corruption Day - 9th December 2008
Inaugural Madang Golf Classic February 2009 - sponsored by Airlines of PNG
Arafura Games - 9 to 17th of May 2009 -- http://www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au/
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - use the submission form located at -- http://pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html.
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