Robert@PNG

The following story as it appeared in Friday’s edition of The National…

(Note the reference to Robert Schilt in the story!)

Kevin Rudd,
yu trupela man

By HARLYNE JOKU
GOROKA town came to a stand still, excitement filled the air, as crowds
of people lined up the main drives and the fence along the Goroka
airport to watch the C130 RAAF Hercules land on Friday morning, March
07.
Waiting on the tarmac were Foreign Affairs minister Sam Abal, Eastern
Highlands Governor Mal Smith Kela, administration officers and
traditional dancing groups to welcome Australian Prime Kevin Rudd and
his entourage.
We (media) had traveled earlier in the morning with Minister Abal and
Foreign Affairs Secretary Gabriel Pepson on the PNG Defence Force Casa
to cover the event. Comparing the C130 Hercules to our Casa, the RAAF
plane was huge.
When the plane stopped, its ramp opened and several RAAF soldiers
stepped out to secure the path for Prime Minister Rudd to follow.
About 30 Australian journalists from different television stations,
radios and newspapers emerged before Prime Minister Rudd, the Eastern
Highlands Governor Mal Smith Kela and the Australian delegation
disembarked.
Mr Rudd smiled at the crowds and the traditional dancers and Asaro
mudmen who greeted him enthusiastically.
He paused in front of children from Faniufa Sacred Heart Primary School
who sang to him a touching Goroka welcome song. “Welcome to Goroka, the
land of Nokondi. We can assure you Goroka is No 1,” they sang. Towards
the end they cheered “Welcome to Goroka Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’
throwing into the air colorful sweet smelling flower petals that rained
down on Prime Minister Rudd.
He was escorted to his official vehicle and followed by a convoy of 33
vehicles. The road sides were packed with people all the way from the
Goroka airport to the Institute of Medical Research (IMR).
He was met by Director Professor Peter Siba who took him on a tour of
the Institutes Microbiology and Bacteriology Laboratory.
Professor Siba briefed him about the operations of IMR and Australian
support towards the auditorium. There was an exchange of gifts.
Leaving IMR and heading towards Pacific Gardens Hotel, Mr. Rudd made a
surprise stop at the Tumbuna Market, one of Goroka towns daily
attractions, where vendors mostly mothers sell bilums, artifacts and
handcrafts.
“Prime Minister Rudd wants to buy some bilums,” we were told. The whole
convoy stopped. We hurried down to where he was, on the footpath in
front of the Goroka police station admiring Goroka bilums hanging on the
fence.
Policemen hurried ahead asking the mothers to stand near their bilums
and observers to keep to the other side of the road.
Mr Rudd seemed little concerned about his security. He walked casually
taking cash out of his pockets to buy several bilums. He shook hands and
greeted the mothers who were overwhelmed by his sudden presence, some
gave him bilums free.
Men folk, observing from the other side of the road could not contain
their admiration.
They converged onto the footpath to surround Prime Minister Rudd.
“Kevin Rudd yu trupela man. Nogat wanpela prime minister i wokabout
namel long mipela olsem yu. Kevin Rudd yu pikini Nokondi stret. Paitim
han long em. (Kevin Rudd you are a true man. No prime minister has
walked amongst us like you. You are a son of the Nokondi. Applaud him,”
they said.
They followed him, wanting an opportunity to shake his hand.
Mr Rudd walked towards the end of the Paradise Hotel, boarded his
vehicle and was driven back to Pacific Gardens Hotel for lunch.
After lunch he was taken through a coffee tree to cup display where he
sampled PNG coffee. He viewed a mumu display, picking up an ear of corn
from the mumu to taste.
He then visited the Goroka Base Hospital where he met with Dr Joseph Apa
the Chief Executive Officer, the hospital board and senior management as
well as Australian volunteer surgeons (RAC) and IT volunteer Robert
Schilt.
His final briefing was with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Assembly
where his delegation met with the Provincial Government administration.
They held frank discussions before gifts were exchanged and farewells
were made.
Mr. Rudd and his delegation left for the airport still followed by the
crowds.
After the C130 Hercules took off the crowds remained, still in awe of
the Australian Prime Minister.
“What leader would come down so humbly to meet with women at Tumbuna
market and on the footpaths of Goroka? This day will be remembered for
the rest of our lives. It will go down in Goroka history,” someone in
the crowd said.
Eastern Highlands Governor Mal Smith-Kela said he was pleased and proud
of the people of Goroka for making Prime Minister Rudd’s one day visit
to Goroka as success.
For some of us from other parts of Papua New Guinea who had the
privilege of visiting Goroka that day, we were proud Papua New Guineans
because of the way Goroka and the Eastern Highlands province represented
us.
The Eastern Highlanders were peaceful, respectful, and receptive. They
showed genuine Goroka and Melanesian hospitality.