A CLIMB TO REMEMBER

 

Sydney Harbour Bridge ticked off the bucket list.

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CHALLENGE

 
By GORETHY KENNETH

One hot sunny day in Sydney, I found myself face to face with one of the city's most iconic landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It was a special birthday gift from my sister, Rubie Kerepa, who knew how much I loved adventure and wanted to celebrate my special day in a unique way.

As we approached the bridge, my excitement quickly turned into nervousness. I had always considered myself fearless, but the thought of climbing such a massive structure made my heart race and my breathing shallow.

I began searching for excuses to back out, thinking of mentioning my recent major operation or even pretending to be pregnant.

However, as I was about to concoct my excuse, I remembered a saying my sister Judge Elizabeth Suelip had once shared with me - "When you give up, that means you will always give up in life."

With renewed determination, I brushed away my fears and decided to take on this challenge head-on.

We arrived at Bridge Climb Sydney, the company that offers climbs of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Since its inception in 1998, over 4 million people have participated in their tours, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The climb requires moderate physical exertion for a duration of up to 3.5 hours over a distance of 1.75 km. As someone who is generally fit, I knew I would be up for the challenge.

Before embarking on the climb, we were given a brief orientation about the history and significance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The three musketeers are all smiles.

It is not only the largest steel arch bridge in the world, but it also spans across one of the most beautiful natural harbors on the planet.

With 1332 steps to conquer, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as I envisioned the sweeping views that awaited me at the summit.

The climb itself was a thrilling experience. Gently ascending towards the top of the bridge, I couldn't help but marvel at the engineering masterpiece before me.

Completed in 1932, it was considered a symbol of progress and industrial maturity during the technical revolution of the 1930s. 

The double-hinged, riveted steel arch bridge with a reinforced concrete deck and pylons represented modern bridge design and engineering ingenuity.

As I climbed higher, the panoramic view of Sydney City and its surrounds unfolded before my eyes. It was a sight like no other. 

Standing at a staggering 134 meters above sea level, I felt a sense of awe and wonder as I took in the breathtaking beauty of the harbour beneath me.

The sparkling blue waters, the bustling city below, and the shimmering skyline created a picture-perfect backdrop.

Throughout the climb, I couldn't help but reflect on the significance of this experience. 

The Sydney Harbour Bridge has not only been a vital link between the city's central business district and the North Shore since its opening, but it has also become a symbol of Australia's progress and ambition. 

It was a reminder that we should never give up, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

As I finally reached the summit, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. 

The view from the top was unparalleled, making every step and every breath worth it. I couldn't help but feel grateful for my sister's thoughtful gift and for pushing me to overcome my fears.

Looking down at the city below, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for being a part of the rich history and vibrant culture of Sydney.

This climb had not only been an unforgettable experience, but it had also given me a new perspective on life - a reminder that the greatest rewards often come from pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones.

As I descended from the bridge, I couldn't help but think of the countless others who have conquered this iconic landmark.

Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, and Nicole Kidman have all stood at the summit, gazing out at the same breathtaking view. I felt privileged to have joined this elite group, adding my own story to the bridge's rich tapestry of experiences.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb may be an expensive endeavor, but it's an investment in an unforgettable memory, a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and the ultimate way to see Sydney from new heights.

 
 
 

 

WHEN VISITING NIPA . . .

 

Owner Felix Orep and his faithful dog in the garden of the resort.

WELCOME TO THE PURIL GUEST HOUSE

 
BY JEFFREY ELAPA

A primary school teacher in the Southern Highlands had invested in the tourism and hospitality sector to make a difference for his family and his community.

After almost 30 years of operation, Felix Orep, the owner of the Puril Guest House near Nipa station, Nipa-Kutubu district of the Southern Highlands is a happy man.

A former primary school teacher, Orep saw life as difficult when working for one source of income.

With many children growing up, the needs were huge and it was forever growing, so he decided to look at other alternate sources to improve the standard of living for his wife and children.

As always, there was always the inevitable community and cultural obligations and school fees for his children.

Orep decided to sacrifice and used his little serving to start up a PMV truck business and small canteen in his village in 1993 and continued to operate the business for the next 10 years.

Motivated by few hectares of undisturbed bush at the back of his store, and the high number of visitors flooding into Nipa and looking for a decent guest house to stay, Orep decided to diversify his PMV and trade store business and venture into the tourism and hospitality industry by converting his canteen into a 5-room guest house.

Not knowing the exact future, the Puril Guest House, situated along the Highlands highway near Puril United Church Headquarter outside Nipa station was opened to the public in 2003.

His business started to improve slowly with more guest visiting and staying at his small guest house but he his luck came when ExxonMobil decided to establish an alternate laydown camp in Nipa during the construction phase of the PNG LNG project between 2008-2010.

Employees of ExxonMobil and its contractors used his area on a long-term basis and he was making some good money in the two-year period.

A guest heading to his room.

This was the busiest moment of his business so he employed more people from the local community. The need for vegetables and other food crops also increased, making an upturn in the local economy.

While the PNG LNG project had a big impact on his business, the unfortunate decision of ExxonMobil to leave in 2010 had a great effect on his business.
All his dream were scattered, as his client base dropped and he was making less money.

Despite ExxonMobil’s decision to leave, he was hopeful that his decision to tap into the sustainable SME space was the best options as people would continue to travel up and down the highway and overnight there.

He did not give up, he continued to reinvest in the business using the revenues received in the first 7 years of operation. He built two more houses and increased the number of rooms to cater for the expected increase in number of guests.

He also included a conference room, a kitchen and few Haus Win (rest house) and beautified the area, making it lovely for his guests to stay and enjoy.
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens, and true enough, ExxonMobil provided another business opportunity for him.

It arranged for him to take care of the Members of the PNG Defence Force soldiers engaged in Operation Vogos.

The Puril Guest House became the operation command center of the PNGDF to monitor ExxonMobil’s vehicles and equipment moving in and out of Kutubu and Hides.

This time his lovely wife Janet resigned as a teacher and joined her husband to manage the family business.

Under her watch, another five self-contained executive rooms were added to the existing 6 twin rooms and 10 single rooms, bring the number of rooms to 21, all installed with hot water system.

The rate for the executive room is K200 per night while the standard rooms with common shared shower and toilet facilities are K150 per night. It can take up to 40 guests at a time while the conference and training facilities can take up to 20 people at time. (prices as at November 2023).

The executive rooms offer comfort and safety and warmth during cool nights.

The guest house also provides printing and stationary services for the guest.

Seeing the need, Janet decided to add another four-unit facility. This facility is designed as a flat (unit), installed with all white goods to be used by working-class families that come to work in the district headquarters on a long-term basis.

As all businesses operate on a client basis, his business also slowed down with the completion of the PNGLNG project, and the client bases also started to decline but the Oreps have not given up.

Guests continue to come and they include the Members of the PNG Royal Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force, education and health officials from the provincial and national headquarters, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other small organizations.

Looking back, Orep and his family took the time to thank all the people and the organizations that have been part of his journey and progress as their contribution has made a lot of impact in the lives of his family and his community.
 
He said the facility has not only improved his life but it had improved the economy base of the local community.

It had also assisted him in meeting some of his social and community obligations while almost a big portion of his revenue was reinvested in the education of his children, who are all employed now.

With the growth of the family business, Felix and Janet are self-employed and enjoying a good life and are providing employment for others.

Nipa is now experiencing an unprecedented change under the current leadership and the people have realized their past mistakes and they are moving away from the cash handout mentality and lawlessness in the district.

The district will not be the same, it is changing and next time you visit Nipa, call in at Puril Guest House for a quiet and peaceful stay.

For reservations, contact the manager- Janet Orep on 73222948 / 70642355 and email oreojanet@gmail.com for reservations.

 

Spacious conference facilities for your convenience for all groups.

BEAUTIFUL BOGIA, MAGNIFICENT MADANG

 

Part of the newly upgraded and sealed road from Bogia town to Awar Plantation site with the Manam Island and its active volcano in the distance. Photo by Dr Kevin Pamba

BOGIA MOVING FORWARD

By Dr KEVIN PAMBA

As you drive into the small town of Bogia on Madang’s far north coast, a derelict building on the left of the road meets your eyes. The old building with the word “hotel” above its entrance immediately takes your mind back to a bygone era.

Owing to the years that passed since the last publican and his patrons stepped out, the word before “hotel” is hardly visible. A close inspection and you see the name “Bogia” appear.

On the side are the words “draught on tap”. That language takes you back to a pub or a budget hotel somewhere in country Queensland, New South Wales, or even the Port Moresby of the 1960s and 1970s.

By and large, the old hotel reminds the curious visitor about what the socio-economic composition of this small town and surrounding areas might have been all those years ago. 

There must have been something going on in this place that drove an adventurous hotelier to invest here in this rural outpost far north of the urban sprawl of the provincial capital, Madang town some four hours’ drive south.

The locals say Bogia Hotel was started by two expats and changed ownership along the way and was eventually acquired by the National Development Bank.

On Saturday December 23, 2023, the Member of Parliament for Bogia District, Robert Naguri hinted of what this small town was like in the 1970s to the 1990s when local icons like Bogia Hotel served niches.

Speaking in Tok Pisin (Papua New Guinea Pidgin), Naguri said Bogia district hosted 10 coconut and cocoa plantations that drove the local economy and supported much needed social and economic benefits to the people.

He reminisced his childhood experiences of walking with his mother to Nubia where a nucleus township spawned out of the plantation there and provided many of the services of an urban centre.

He recalled enjoying ice cream in Nubia, saying it was a town of its own, outside of Bogia supported by the plantation.

The remains of the former Bogia Hotel, a reminder of the once-thriving Bogia district economy of the past. Photo by Dr Kevin Pamba

Naguri lamented the closure of all the plantations by the turn of the new millennium, in the early 2000s, due to various reasons. As the plantations and a large cattle ranch not far inland from the township folded, out went the socio-economic benefits they provided to Bogia town and the people of the surrounding village communities.

Bogia Hotel must have been a popular watering hole and stop-over for the myriad of folks from near and as far away as Australia and Germany who had come to work in the plantations and the cattle ranch and make the place tick.

With the demise of the local agriculture economy, Bogia turned to a quintessential rural district lacking in many aspects and dependent on what Waigani could provide annually to fund its services and developments.

This is a similar fate the besieges many of the 111 districts.

Naguri, with the support of like-minded people in his district government and administration and the local communities, wants to change this Waigani-dependent persona of Bogia.

He would like to see Bogia return it to is former days of a viable district economy contributing its share to the national coffers. He wants do this by starting off with the revival of the plantations.

The first plantation that is now up for redevelopment with the support of the Marape-Rosso Government is Awar just north of Bogia town along the coast.

The Awar landowners have organized themselves by getting the title of the plantation land to their name and followed this up with a submission for funding support from the National Government through the guidance and support of Naguri’s Office and his Bogia District Development Authority.

Through the commitment of the MP, the Bogia DDA and the Awar people, the National Government committed K5 million to revive Awar Plantation.

The commitment was announced by Prime Minister James Marape when he visited Bogia and Awar and launched the revival of the plantation a couple of years ago. This commitment complements the recently upgraded and sealing of Bogia town to Awar leg of the coastal road that could one become part of a national highway linking the provinces of the northern seaboard.

Naguri was in Bogia to unveil the trucks and machinery bought with the first K1million allocation out of the K5million commitment. The equipment included a tractor, a three-ton truck, a Toyota Landcruiser utility, one portable sawmill, four chainsaws, a power generator, one compressor, four motorbikes and one Toyota Hilux twin-cab.

Bogia MP, Mr Robert Naguri being escorted to the grandstand for the launch of the equipment by the chairman of the Awar ILG and Guwagen Plantation Services Mr Arthur Leo Abo (in cap and sunglasses). Photo by Dr Kevin Pamba

The equipment will be used to clean up the old Awar plantation and have it ready for seed nursery and planting. The equipment and the start-up of the plantation is being pursued through Guwagen Plantation Services, the local people’s business arm.

Naguri praised the people of Awar for taking the initiative in organizing themselves, registering their integrated land group (ILG) and incorporating a business arm, Guwagen Plantation Services to restart Awar Plantation.

He particularly commended the efforts of two Awar leaders Joseph Basse and Arthur Leo Abo for the dedicated effort to organize their people with the believe that one day they would restart and own the plantation.

As chairman of the Guwagen ILG and Guwagen Plantation Services, Abo thanked Naguri for having faith in them and their submission for the restoration of Awar Plantation.

Abo said the organization of the people, the ILG and making a submission to the National Government through the Bogia DDA and Administration was not an easy task.

The restoration of the old plantations is a key district development focus of his district team taking cue from the “economic independence” policy of the Pangu-led government of Prime Minister James Marape.

“Namba nain praim minista bilong yumi Honourable James Marape, taim em kisim gavman long 2019 tru long vot of no confidens, emi laik Pangu Pati givim ekonomik independens long Papua Niugini.”

“Em driman bilong James Marape, Praim Minista bilong yumi”.

“So mi sanap hia em long miplela complimentim plan na driman bilong Pangu Pati, wea yumi ronim gavman nau.”

Naguri said the next one million kinas is to be allocated to start the nursery of cocoa and coconut and pay for fuel for the machinery and hire of labor. The third batch of K1 million was set aside for operational expenses of the plantation and this would be released in February.

The final two million kinas will be released by the Government after the acquittal of the first K3 million is provided with the report on the resumption of the Awar Plantation.  He said K2 million will be used to continue the operation of the plantation and monitor its performance and generation of revenue.

Bogia District anticipates the Awar plantation to harvest the first cocoa wet beans in 2027.

Some of the equipment for Awar Plantation revival assembled in the centre of Bogia town before the launch by Mr Naguri on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Photo by Dr Kevin Pamba

He said the Awar Plantation can generate around K8 million per year from cocoa alone from the 500-plus hectares of its land once it is in production.

Bogia District has the potential to generate such revenue through agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and other niche economic activities and contribute to the national purse “instead of waiting for Waigani to provide for the district all the time”.

Naguri said he aims to ensure Bogia District is a notable contributor to the national economic purse and not just a recipient of what Waigani gives.

Besides the revival of agriculture in Bogia, tourism is also high on the District agenda. They intend to take a cue from the ongoing interest of Japan and the United States of America in the remains of World War II where the Japanese had an airfield in Nubia north far from Awar and war ships used the Hansa Bay.

According to Abo, the Americans are still looking for the plane code-named “Heaven can wait”. The tourism potential of Bogia based around the WWII sites, the breath-taking natural environment and the indigenous cultures of the people, is a story for another day.

 

 

'MAF Brings The Schools from The Sky'

 

Children of remote Dusin in Papua New Guinea. The education hangs on the wings of a prayer.

 

Enables education in remote villages of 

Papua New Guinea

• The benefits of investing in education
• MAF supporting a school extension at Yifki

Not only does this school provide access to quality education for Yifki and the surrounding villages, but more importantly, it enables children to hear the Gospel.

Starting a new school at Iteri

The communities of Iteri and neighbouring Nakui also previously had full-time NTM missionaries who planted indigenous churches.
MAF Wewak had the privilege of flying in teams with representatives from NTM and Samaritan Aviation, plus tools and materials, so that over two multi-day visits a new classroom and office block, plus two teachers' houses, could be constructed.
The plan is for NTM to fund and oversee the school initially, with input and funding also coming from the local education authority.

Each year, our aircraft transport many boxes of school material from our various bases to schools in rural areas on behalf of the Minister for Education to support the students in their preparation for their end-of-year exams.

These were flown from Mount Hagen to Dusin, a rural community in the mountains of the Jimi Valley of Madang Province. 

Without the logistical aid that MAF provides via flying, rural schools would never be able to receive the required resources in time, nor send out their exam results before the marking deadlines, adding more stress to an already stretched education system.

Students of Mougulu High School in Western Province of Papua New Guinea.

MAF continues to work alongside both mission and government education providers to help bridge some of these gaps by flying around 300 hours each year in the transportation of:

• Building supplies necessary for the establishment and maintenance of school buildings

• Teachers to and from rural communities

• Educational resources such as curriculum and equipment for rural schools

The constant need

Regularly, we are approached by those in the remote communities who let us know that MAF is their lifeline for medical evacuations, necessary supplies, and the transport of educational materials, students, and teachers. 

Provincial governments also understand the logistical nightmare of providing education to their rural communities. 

A child gets his weight taken before he boards the flight.

Their involvement comes through the voicing of their tremendous need for assistance – both as we meet them at their individual airstrips and by official government communication.

It is a statistically proven fact that restricted access to education is one of the surest ways of transmitting poverty from generation to generation.

It also leads to increased maternal deaths and the rise of such diseases as HIV/AIDS.

Increased education allows for increased income and gives people the opportunity to leave their rural communities and have a career outside of them, which in turn allows them to bring development into their communities and increase the standard of living.

This is what we are hoping to achieve, better living standards that in turn help people become more productive so the overall development of the country can rise.

Yifki is a village situated in a remote side valley, off the major Lagaip River valley in the highland province of Enga.

New Tribes Missions (NTM) have established a vibrant church there, with many local believers. 

MAF the rural outback taxi that brings hope to the most remotest people in Papua New Guinea.

The missionary families who lived there full time have been able to leave the church in local hands, but the missionaries still have close links with the community, visiting regularly.

The village school is thriving and has outgrown the current building, as they seek to extend the capacity up to Grade 8 and to respond to the local hunger for education.

The school is staffed by Christian teachers and runs with a Christian ethos, holding regular faith-based assemblies.

In 2022, MAF aircraft made multiple cargo flights from Wewak to Yifki, taking in much of the building material for the project. 

Work is progressing well with local labour and help from visiting NTM teams. 

The village of Iteri is in the far west of East Sepik Province, in a valley at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

There are still close links between the mission and communities. NTM and Samaritan Aviation have been working together in the planning to start a school there, where, to date, there has been no education provision at all.

The community provided plenty of willing labour and put in the backbreaking work to clear the dense bush next to the airstrip where the buildings now stand.

Education supplies for Dusin school at MAF base in Mount Hagen, ready to be flown out.