Photo. (l-r) Interim ICAC Chairman Thomas Eluh, Sir Paulias Matane, his son Edward Matane, Blendina Dipawa (carer) and Ellison Lutton (driver).
By
HENZY YAKHAM
His
mother died when he was a small boy during the early 1940s and his father re-married
a widow who also had a child from her previous marriage.
Rejected
by his step mother, his father’s elder sister took custody of her nephew and
raised him.
Little
did the small community of Toma on the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain
Province realise that one day, the ‘reject’ would grow up one day to be an
inspirational somebody who would put the name of Toma on the world map.
This
is the inspiring story of Sir Paulias ToNguna Matane GCL GCMG OBE KstJ, last
born son of his father Elias Matane and mother Elsa Toto.
Sir
Paulias was born on September 21, 1931 at Viviran village, Toma Vunadidir local
government area of Gazelle district, East New Britain (ENB).
The
boy Paulias ToNguna did not go to school until he as 17 years old when he
enrolled at Toma village school, later renamed Tauran primary school.
After
completing his primary schooling, young Paulias went onto Kerevat high school
not too far from Toma.
From
Kerevat the education journey in 1956 took him to Sogeri, Central province,
where he received teacher training with other pioneer PNG national teachers like
the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare and Sir Ronald ToVue.
Public
Service
After
completing teacher training at Sogeri, Paulias Matane return to teach in a
number of schools in ENB including Toma, Tavui and Kalamanagunan.
He
also established what is today the Hoskins high school in the neighboring West
New Britain province.
His
teaching carrier took Matane to parts of the Highlands region on the mainland
PNG including the Southern Highlands province.
During
1963, Matane attended Port Moresby Teachers' College as well as taking school Inspector’s
Theoretical and Practical Training in Mendi, SHP.
After
his training he worked as an inspector of schools in various parts of then Australia
Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
From
1975-1976 Sir Paulias served as first Papua New Guinea Ambassador to the United
States following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries.
He was also
PNG's Ambassador to the United Nations from
1975 and in 1979 was elected as a vice-president of the General Assembly.
During
the mid-1980s, Sir Paulias was Secretary of PNG’s Department of Foreign Affairs
during which he led delegations to Australia to discuss that country's foreign
aid to PNG and negotiated with Indonesia regarding border incursions and
refugee problems.
Sir
Paulias served as PNG’s 8th Governor General from June 29, 2004 to
December 13, 2010.
Author
A
prolific author, Sir Paulias Matane has written 44 books which deliberately use
simple English, focusing in part on his own overseas travels, including three
on the State of Israel.
His
writing is intended to persuade Papua New Guineans that books are a useful
source of information and that they should not regard them as something only
for foreigners.
His
memoir ‘My
Childhood in New Guinea’ has been on the school curriculum since the
1970s.
As
well, he was a long-time contributor and columnist for daily
newspaper The National.
Upon
his retirement from public life, Sir Paulias has written a book title “From jungle to Government House and back to
jungle”.
The
book, yet to be published is with Ted Wolfers in Wollongong University and is
three parts - Childhood, work and return to village.
Family
Sir Paulias Matane was married to Lady Kaludia Matane, who served
her country with great distinction and sadly passed away on December 20, 2016.
They have three children of their own - Edward, Naril and
Margaret.
As
well, they adopted two other children, Doksa from Minj, Jiwaka province and
Maram a lady from Toma, ENB.
Sir
Paulias is a family man who encourages his children and their children to do
well in the school and workplace to do themselves proud and good citizens.
Dedicated
Service to PNG
During
his working life as a teacher, school inspector, diplomat, departmental head
and Governor General, Sir Paulias was very committed to his work.
Whatever
the task, big or small, when he begins work on something he ensures it is done
properly and completed.
His
is a very time conscious person and does things strictly on time.
During
his working life and even today in his retirement he sticks to doing things on
a timely manner.
He
maintains at all times that time is of great essence and waits for no one and
cannot be reversed.
Sir
Paulias’ long dedicated service to PNG will not be matched or beaten by many.
Obedient,
honest, hardworking, courteous and respect for others and rule law were his
qualities.
Anti-Corruption
Warrior
Sir
Paulias Matane rose in stature as the nation’s vice regal, Governor-General,
Head of State of Papua New Guinea on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
He
maintained a strong stance in the fight against corruption with consistent,
consecutive leadership in word and through Transparency International (PNG) Inc
annual Walk Against Corruption.
In
June 2008, while addressing over 1,000 people who joined a walk against
corruption at Port Moresby’s Ela Beach, Sir Paulias urged all Papua New
Guineans to get rid of the disease called ‘corruption'
so PNG can be a better place to prosper and live in.
He told that gathering that corruption
is the reason why people still poor and poverty stricken in such a resource rich country as PNG.
In April 2009, Sir Paulias expressed
his distaste with tardiness, inefficiency and lack of productivity in PNG’s
public servants.
“I
am totally disappointed and sickened by their work attitudes and inefficiency,”
he said launching a Walk Against Corruption at Government House.
“Every
public servant should be at work no later than 7.45 am and begin their normal
duty at 8 am, working until 4.06 in the afternoon from Monday to Friday.
“Public
servants are turning up late for work and sneaking off [early] and having extra
hours for lunch and commercial breaks.”
He
termed such behaviour as “corruption”, as public servants were not honestly
discharging their constitutional roles and duties.
Speaking on the fight against corruption, Sir Paulias said it
should not be defined only as stealing money or unlawful acts.
He said unfaithfulness, inefficiency and lack of productivity also
count as corruption.
He was sad to see people being turned away by public servants when
they go for assistance, telling them to come back the next day. Such attitudes
were unbecoming in the public service, he added.
Sir Paulias urged public servants to be proactive and productive
in serving the people because that was what they were paid to do.
In April 2016, even after his term as governor general, when
addressing the launch of Transparency International PNG exhibition in Kokopo,
ENB, Sir Paulias described corruption as a social disease that hinders
development of a society.
“I have always seen corruption as a
social disease,” he said.
“There are human inter-relational
practices that hinder development of a society based on fairness and equality
for all in a true sense.”
Sir Paulias told exhibitors that
corruption was a social problem that could be effectively tackled if people in
the country “stand together” against it.
“It takes a collective effort to make
our society a better place for everyone,” he said.
Sir Paulias said traditional values
were “very important” as they would keep corruption at bay.
“In the past, our society had no law
and order problems, no mismanagement and no misappropriation.
“We did have problems but no
corruption issues such as those that we face today,” he said.
“There are two main reasons. Firstly,
your family and your clan were everything to you; you would not do anything to
shame and bring dishonour to your family and clan. Secondly, respect of others
and elders were paramount.
Sir Paulias said these fundamental
beliefs were instilled within people from infanthood and became their habits as
they grew older.
He said the values gave people the
motivation to do what was right because the consequences of their actions would
bring honour to their families and clans.
The
role model in Sir Paulias Matane
A role
model is someone others look to as a good example and who is worthy of
imitation.
In
another words, a role model is someone who inspires others to imitate his or
her good behavior.
Sir
Paulias is person of strong faith in Christianity belonging to the United
Church.
His
strong conviction is that no person is a full human unless he/she takes God in
his/her life.
As
well, the senior statesman also emphaises the important of good education as
key to success in life.
Coupled
with Christian faith, Sir Paulias has been a very strong advocate of upholding
the rule of law, following established processes and adherence to rule of law.
He
also talks about commitment and perseverance in individuals lives of people -
known as “Kankaeidik” in Kuanua language.
In
his work life and now in the village Sir Paulias is very courteous, respectful
and kind to others.
He
makes every attempt to participate in community gatherings even if he is not
asked or invited.
He
participates in community gathering and activities that help improve the people
livelihoods.
Sir
Paulias recites what his maternal grandfather ToKanagol (His mother’s father)
used to tell him that nothing is free in life.
One
has to work hard and strive to honestly achieve things in life.
Sir
Paulias now lives a quiet life at his Viviran village and commands the greatest
of respect from his and neighboring Toma communities and ENB province.
This
story can provide a good lesson for primary school children PNG-wide.
On
August Saturday August 7 2021, Interim Chairman of the Independent Commission
Against Corruption (ICAC), Thomas Eluh and this writer paid a courtesy visit to
Sir Paulias in his Viviran village home.
We
wished him the best of health and may Lord God continue to bless him and his
family.
Suggest
other PNG role model persons to email: henzyhyakham@gmail.com or text message to
telephone 76260060.
Henzy Yakham is a freelance
writer.
