Ten primary school teachers on Lihir Island in the New Ireland province graduated in March from Divine Word University with bachelor’s degrees in Primary Education. They are pioneers of the Bachelor of Primary Education upgrade program that was set up under a partnership between Newcrest’s School to Mine Campus (STMC) and the Divine Word University Faculty of Education. Despite having fulltime teaching jobs, the teachers were able to complete the program successfully through a flexible learning arrangement, from April 2021 to September 2022 at the STMC in Lihir. Head of Department of the Faculty of Education at Divine Word University Kelaki Peter in congratulating the teachers on their achievement said, “I foresee a great future and potential for the teachers on the island through this program and see the young generation on this island contribute meaningfully to the development of PNG.” Anastasia Tukata from Londolovit village on Lihir, said the program helped build her confidence, and helped in her writing, thinking and planning. Previously an assistant teacher at Newcrest-owned Lihir International School (LIS), Ms. Tukata commenced classroom teaching this year after completing the program and is the first Lihirian teacher at LIS. She is currently teaching Grade 4. In a thankyou note the Lihirian teachers; Ms Tukata, Daisy Moab (Samo), Donald Tokpalum (Mazuz) and Andrea Kiapital Lamsing (Masahet island) conveyed their deepest thanks to the STMC and Newcrest for this great opportunity to open doors for such programs on the island. The teachers applauded Newcrest’s support in paying 50 per cent of their fees for each semester and for providing them quality facilities and catering for the lecturers at the campus.” “It has been of benefit to us Lihir teachers and we would encourage other Lihir teachers, especially in the field, to take up this program as well.” STMC Deputy Principal Kevin Collins said that the Bachelor of Primary Education (In-Service) Program run by STMC aims to up-skill teachers to improve teaching and learning in primary schools on Lihir. “The teachers had access to our STMC Computer Lab and were supported by the STMC teachers throughout the semester to complete and submit the required assessment,” Mr. Collins said. The STMC through Newcrest supported the program by assisting Divine Word University lecturers to travel to site, paying lecturer fees and travel expenses and providing a venue.

The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Rt. Hon. James Cleverly, paid a visit today to the Port Moresby General Hospital’s Pathology Laboratory to see how machines which were procured through the UK Fleming Fund project were being used. The PHGM Laboratory carried out clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. James Cleverly said that this was his first time to visit the country and he was pleased to see the work the scientist and doctors at PMGH are currently carrying out with the clinical instruments through funding support from the UK government. “The equipment that we’ve just seen, the ability to analyze microorganisms effectively and quickly is incredibly important." "And the work that you do supports your society here and now, but off cause in the future. I’m very pleased that it has been facilitated with the help of the Fleming Fund, funded by the UK people to support our friends here in PNG and here in PMGH.” Meanwhile, PMGH Director for Medical Services, Dr. Koni Sobi thanked the UK president for gracing the hospital with his presence and also continuing support to the PMGH Laboratory. “Through the Fleming Fund country grant, we are able to improve and enhance the capacity of the microbiology activity here in Port Moresby General Hospital." “This goes a long way to serve and improve clinical practice here in the country."

The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) has declared 2023 as the Year of Compliance and Good Governance. PNGFA Member Association Manager Stanley Khanna issued the challenge calling on all 18 Member Associations (MAs) to comply with requirements to become a member of the football family. "The foremost is all MAs must have bank account, must have playing venue or secure a venue, run the weekly competition, must have its statues and by-laws plus others to be recognized." "PNGFA under the leadership of President John Kapi Natto has been too lenient on this since taking office but this has now changed." Mr. Khanna said Mr. Kapi Natto publicly announced during its Congress in Madang last month that any MAs that has a problem must contact Mr. Khanna for clarification or assistance. "Mr. Khanna is the bridge between MAs and PNGFA office. He is the ear and mouth of PNGFA," Kapi Natto told the Congress in Madang. Mr. Khanna since taking office has been working hard to get forgotten MAs back to PNGFA family. So far, Vanimo, Wewak, Alotau and Popondetta have been re-admitted as provisional members and are working towards attaining their full membership. PNGFA is now working to have Kerema, East New Britain, Kavieng, Jiwaka and Hela to be part of the Football family. Khanna said PNGFA has amalgamated Kokopo Soccer Association and the Kokopo Urban Football Association to become East New Britain Soccer Association. They are expected to hold its meeting in three weeks’ time for proper election. "We are working toward going to Jiwaka and Hela in the Highlands region, then we cover whole of Papua New Guinea", Mr. Khanna said. He encouraged all the MAs to contact his office if they have any problems or queries regarding their membership.

Vital vaccines for COVID- 19 and for Routine Immunization have been discarded at the Kerema Provincial Hospital in Gulf province three days ago due to the power outage. Gulf Provincial Deputy Director for Public Health Mr. Ben Bal said that the hospital has been operating without power for two weeks and have discarded their vaccines due to some of them getting expired and as well as the power outage at the hospital. “The hospital has been operating without power because there is no stand-by generator and there is no support from the National Department of Health (NDoH) and no one is stepping in to help or assist.” Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) Board and the Kerema Provincial Hospital have no appointed Chief Executive Officer for nearly seven months now. Mr. Bal expressed great disappointment of no appointments been done yet and has made a call to NDoH to step-in and do their job.  

Sydney Roosters players are confident axed halfback Sam Walker will quickly bounce back as they welcome the return of Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton for the ANZAC Day clash with St George Illawarra. Roosters coach Trent Robinson sprung the biggest selection bombshell of the season when he dropped Walker and moved Kiwi superstar Joey Manu to partner Luke Keary in the halves after back-to-back losses to the Storm and Sharks. Manu was awarded the IRL Golden Boot before last November’s World Cup final as the 2022 international player of the year and moving him closer to the ball will ensure he has greater involvement. However, Walker made his 50th NRL appearance just three weeks ago and team-mates say the 20-year-old, who is widely touted as a future Queensland Origin representative, will benefit from a stint in NSW Cup. “I am sure he will cop it on the chin, take a lot of lessons from it and work on his craft,” Tonga and NSW winger Daniel Tupou said. He will probably get a bit of time to reflect and work on his game. "He is a confident player and he is going to be a superstar.” [caption id="attachment_39018" align="alignnone" width="840"] Walker was a member of last year's extended Maroons squad and is a touted as a future Origin star ©NRL Photos[/caption] Prop Matt Lodge said it was an opportunity for Walker to enjoy his football with less pressure on him to perform. “Personally, I have played with a lot of halves, but Sam Walker can do things that pretty much no one else can because he is a special player,” Lodge said. I think the game in general puts a lot of pressure on these young guys to nail every part of their game. “[Halfback] is probably the hardest position on the field, and I think history shows that takes time so he is doing an unreal job. “He is a 10-to15 year first grader, easily. He has got the world at his feet and all the time to do it, but no-one can be in top form for 15 years in a career.” Paul Momirovski replaces Walker after making his return last weekend for North Sydney and he will play in the centres, with Manu, who played fullback two weeks ago in the absence of captain James Tedesco, shifting to five-eighth. Manu missed the start of the season after suffering facial fractures during a training camp in Queenstown and received a suspension after the Round 3 clash with South Sydney that sidelined him until the match in Melbourne two weeks ago. He and Tedesco have barely played together this season as the Australian and NSW captain was concussed in the Round 5 triumph against Parramatta and missed the Storm match due to the NRL’s 11-day mandatory stand-down period. [caption id="attachment_39020" align="alignnone" width="840"] Joey Manu will shift to five-eighth against the Dragons[/caption] With Crichton last weekend playing his first match since the World Cup final against Newtown, in a side which included former Eels second-rower Nathan Brown and ex-Maroons prop Dylan Napa, the Roosters are nearing full strength. Crichton will start in the second-row for next Tuesday’s match against the Dragons at Allianz Stadium, while Tonga international Sitili Tupouniua has been named on the interchange after making his comeback for the Bears last weekend. “I think first and foremost it is good to see him healthy and he is happy,” Lodge said of Crichton. “I personally love playing with him. “I rate him as one of the best backrowers in the comp, and I am sure that the physicality he brings to the team is going to get everyone else up. He gets us on the front foot in defence and attack so it is great to have him back.” In a further boost for the Roosters, Tupou revealed that he was close to finalising a new deal with the club. Source: NRL.Com

The SP PNG Hunters Head coach Stanly Tepend expressed disappointed with his side's loss after the team couldn’t overcome an impressive Northern Pride outfit on over the weekend, falling short 34-14 at Barlow Park, Cairns in Round 5 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. As they have done in almost every game this season, the Hunters successfully defended their try line in the opening stages. The Pride enjoyed back-to-back attacking sets courtesy of some Hunters ill-discipline but couldn’t find a way through the PNG defence. Taking confidence from their resilience without the ball, the Hunters charged upfield themselves to find easy metres around the ruck. Pride did well to contain PNG’s fifth tackle options through, and the game quickly settled into a grind. Just as the Hunters began looking for someone to swing the momentum, halfback Judah Rimbu faked to kick on the last tackle before quickly swinging the ball to the right edge. Rodrick Tai was his target, and the strike centre made the most of Rimbu’s eyes-up play to burn his opposite man, streak down the touchline and score in the corner. For all their skill in attack, the Hunters ill-discipline in defense continued to make it too easy for the Pride. Six-again infringements and yardage penalties allowed the home side an easy route to the Hunters try line. It looked like PNG had stopped the flow of points at 18-4, but a stroke of luck right on halftime saw Lui bag his second when he charged down a Sakias Komati kick to score under the posts. The territorial pressure eventually drew a penalty for a high shot on Rimbu, and his halves partner Komati sliced through to score just two tackles later. The Hunters had all the momentum and looked like reducing the 14-point lead further, until Pride winger Rhy Young crossed in the 59th minute against the run of play. A perfectly weighted cross-field kick found Young in space out wide, taking the score to 28-10 in the final quarter. Starting down a three-score deficit, the Hunters began throwing caution to the wind. They had some luck in yardage by moving the ball to the edges but the home side stayed resilient, eventually forcing errors with their defense. SP PNG Hunters Head Coach Stanley Tepend was disappointed with his side's performance. "The boys are hurting," said Tepend. "That was a really disappointing performance from us today." "That was a winnable game for us but we've got to be more disciplined." "We know we're a talented side but you don't need talent to get back onside or hold the ball." "We didn't get the basics right." With a quick turn-around this week before facing the Bears at Burleigh next Saturday, Tepend said there is plenty of work to be done. "We'll have a look at ourselves and where we can improve before next week." "It's a tough game coming up but that's what this competition is all about - turning up each week."

The newcomers the EMK Sepik Pride displayed a stunning game of rugby league at the Santos National Football Stadium on Sunday as they smashed Gulf Isou 14-8 in the second match played in Round 1 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. The game was tough as a needle lost in a hay stack as both rivalries physically clashed it out in front of a crowd in favor of the Pride’s which resulted in two fights on the field. Both teams displayed a very strong defense play with only 2 points on the score board at first half. Coming back at second half and only 4mins into the game, Gulf Isou’s five-eight Justin Yoka surprisingly got a runaway with assistance from Eliakim Lukala (right-center) putting their first try with an unsuccessful conversion taking them to 8-0. Meanwhile, Sepik Prides left-center Joe Frank puts their first try with an unsuccessful conversion leaving the scores at 8-4 still in favor of Gulf Isou. With only 14mins left on the clock, another try by Pride’s right-center Lizah Iwa followed by a missed conversion, equalizing the score board to 8-8. The last try by the Pride’s putting them in the lead with 14-8 by John Paul who also got the man of the match award. EMK Sepik Pride Head Coach Joe Bruno said, it’s only round one of the competition and getting the first win is normal because anything can happen throughout the competition. “It’s a great win for the Sepik people back at home,I don’t know, maybe, there breaking the TV screens now , but I don’t know. It’s first time in history for us and our boys back home looking after the fields told us that it’s a must win and with the results, it’s a grand final win feeling for our supports back home.” Coach Bruno also mentioned that, Watson Boas was unable to take the field due to the top management from England and PNGRFL’s decision with no further comments on the reason why he didn’t take the field. This will be further determined by the both top managements on when he will take the field. “We got a last minute call from them advising us that he was not able to take the field that’s why we changed our line-up.” The Pride’s only fielded four experienced players, a few from the Digicel Cup and the rest were all rookies playing in the team.

Parramatta have fended off a brief second half surge from the Bulldogs to record a comfortable 30-4 victory at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A double to Maika Sivo and captain's knock from Clint Gutherson helped the Eels to their third win of the season against a Bulldogs outfit who are becoming more depleted by the week. The Eels took advantage of some early injury carnage for the visitors to pile on three tries in seven minutes and set up a 16-0 lead in front of a near sell-out crowd in Parramatta. Despite the Bulldogs enjoying possession rates in the second half, the Eels kept their lead for most of the contest before tries to Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Sivo blew the scoreboard out. Knee injuries to Jacob Kiraz, who left the field in the 12th minute, and centre Jake Averillo, who managed to play through the pain, disrupted the right edge defence for Cameron Ciraldo in a concern ahead of next week's clash with Cronulla. Will Penisini finished off a Ryan Matterson offload for the Parramatta's first of the afternoon before Sivo got in on the action on the left edge via a Clint Gutherson cut-out pass. Mitchell Moses then delivered another blow by collecting a Penisini pass after the kick restart for the Eels to go 100-metres to the try-line. Canterbury needed to be first to strike in the second half and started to build some momentum through the middle with both sides trading some big shots throughout the contest. Matt Burton's spiralling bomb kicks were on show throughout but it was his deft kicking game that enabled Paul Alamoti to go over on the left edge in the 49th minute. Just as the Bulldogs looked to be surging home, an error from Tevita Pangai jnr, who was otherwise strong in his return, enabled the Eels some rare field position in the second half. A charging Campbell-Gillard, who was among his side's best of the afternoon, proved too strong for the Bulldogs defence in the 62nd minute to help seal the win. Source: NRL.Com

The Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers opened their 2023 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season campaign with a win on home ground at the Santos National Football Stadium (NFS) this afternoon. The Port Moresby Vipers defeated the Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles 30-10 this afternoon in front of their loyal fans. As both teams battled it out in the afternoon's heat, the Eagles tried their best to score against the host, but the Vipers proved too strong by displaying a strong defence making it hard for the boys from Mt. Hagen to equalize at first half. The match went into half time with the score line set at 10-4. Coming back in for the second half, the Vipers extended their lead by adding another 20 points, while the Eagles tried their best and scored another try before the full time. Meanwhile, Moni Plus Vipers hooker Bernard Noel took out the man of the match award.

The much anticipated rugby league season will kick-off on Sunday after the inaugural launch of the newly named Digicel ExxonMobil CUP 2023 season. In his opening remarks, PNG National Rugby League General Manager Leith Isaac thanked all sponsors and the 12 participating franchise teams including the naming rights sponsors. “This competition wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for you all, and I thank you for that.” Co-naming Rights Sponsor, Digicel PNG Senior Vice President Lorna McPherson said they are proud to continue to sponsor the sport of rugby league and to grow new competition through the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. “McPherson said, as sponsors, not only do we sponsor the Cup but we also sponsor the Kumuls, the Orchids and the Hunters and we know that Exxon has that same vision as we do to grow and develop young raw talents out there.” McPherson said it’s a privilege to be co-naming rights sponsors and acknowledged ExxonMobil PNG for coming on board with the same goals and visions to create development pathways for young talented players. She also welcomed the new comers, the EMK Sepik Pride Rugby League Club. “The Cup is a platform for young talented players and this year, we got a new team which is the Sepik Prides. And there are more opportunities for the game having youngsters like this to flourish.” Rugby League is the number one sport in the country and it will continue to be especially, through the new NRLC plan and the high performance pathways, players will have that chance to develop their talents and make it in the big leagues. “This is one of the best plans and now we have to execute it to make it work, said McPherson.” New Co-Naming Rights Sponsor, ExxonMobil PNG Vice President-Production Mr. Scott Sandlin said, by investing in rugby league through this high performance programs, were not creating opportunities for the development of new players but are hoping to instill values as well. “Values that will last a life time and will go beyond rugby league. Hard work, discipline, dedication, respect and personal integrity. We have partnered with Justin Olam as our first PNG LNG Community ambassador and Justin is a great example of what such good things can happen through having this values.” Sandlin said, they are excited to work alongside PNG NRL and Digicel to grow the Cup in the next three years. Meanwhile, a double header match at the Santos National Football Stadium, Sepik Pride v Gulf Isou and the Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers will host the Mt Hagen Eagles. In round one’s other double header at Lae Rugby League Ground, the Mendi Muruks will face Kimbe Cutters while the Lae Tigers host Central Dabaris. And the Goroka Lahanis will host defending premiers Hela Wigmen at the National Sports Institute in the Eastern Highlands capital while Enga Mioks will host the Rabaul Gurias at Aipus Oval in Wabag, Enga.

The pride of the Amazing Port Moresby and flag carrier of the nation's capital the Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers, launched their 2023 campaign at their new home ground at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium yesterday. Patron Governor Powes Parkop and City Manager Ravu Frank, major sponsor Heduru Moni Plus represented by Managing Director Mr Aho Baliki, and other sponsors were in attendance to launch Viper's 2023 season. Chairman of the Vipers, Dr Newton Albert, thanked all sponsors in attendance, 15 in total, a record number of sponsors for any Digicel Cup team. The message was loud and clear from all the sponsors. Break the 10-year premiership drought! NCDC committed K1.5 million to the Vipers for the year 2023, and Governor Parkop challenged the team to not only win the competition but stay true to the values that have made the Vipers a benchmark team in the PNGRFL. "Play strong, play hard but play fair and always conduct yourselves as ambassadors of the game and nation." "We carry the pride of our country because we represent the capital city." Governor Parkop continues to support the Vipers in his 16th year because he believes it is a tool for development. "Rugby League is more than a game. It is also business, entertainment, recreation and a powerful tool for development. The game is also the pulse and passion of our people." Governor Parkop also handed an official request on behalf of the Vipers Management to PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina to support their bid to join NSWRL in what he described as another journey for the Vipers. "We have to push the boundaries and market our players. Set new horizons." City Manager Ravu Frank also thanked the sponsors who have come on board to support the Vipers in their 2023 rugby league season. “NCDC has been and will remain committed to supporting our city team, and this year is our year to lift the Digicel Cup trophy.” “Sir Hubert Murray Stadium is the home of Port Moresby Vipers, which has been built to a high standard with world-class facilities, so there is no reason or room for excuses that we will be victorious in this season.” Said Mr Frank.

Jarryd Hayne has been jailed after a bid to remain on bail before his sentencing for rape was denied. The 35-year-old disgraced former NRL star hugged his crying wife before he was taken into custody by court sheriffs today when Crown prosecutors succeeded in having his bail revoked in the NSW Supreme Court. Hayne had been allowed to remain on bail since he was found guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent earlier in April after a judge found he could be "vulnerable" in custody ahead of sentencing on May 8. Justice Richard Button said on Friday Hayne was "remarkably" still on bail after being found guilty and it was "inevitable" the 35-year-old will be jailed. "It is proven that Mr Hayne is a man who sexually assaulted a woman," Button said. The question was when. Hayne's barrister Margaret Cunneen SC argued there were "special" or "exceptional" circumstances requiring the bail he has complied with for more than four years be continued until he is sentenced. Then he can be almost immediately be classified as a prisoner in need of protection, rather than placed on remand with other prisoners awaiting sentence. He would be held in "oppressive" and isolated conditions while on remand. Hayne's crime has attracted an unprecedented amount of attention, more akin to a high-profile murder, and out of proportion with the actual gravity of the two sexual offences he has been found guilty of, she said. Many details of the case remained unknown to the general public. "There was a closed court for evidence, as there should be," Cunneen said. However, it meant a "baying mob" had become involved in a "toxic" social media campaign in response to his crimes, committed over 30 seconds by someone with no other criminal history, Cunneen said. "Mr Hayne suffers from the default position he is a sex offender of the most debased and worst kind," she said. The "terrifying" posts also reach the prison population, she said. Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield said some of the posts were years old. The restricted conditions required by his need for protection were no different from others in protective custody or isolation, for various reasons, Hatfield said. Many offenders have young families whose lives are disrupted by them entering custody. "It is not by itself special or exceptional such that it would justify being released on bail," he said. Hayne previously spent more than nine months in custody before an earlier guilty verdict was overturned, requiring the third trial, and the resumption of a prison term. "To recommence it with something as oppressive as 25 days in isolation, represents something that is exceptional," Cunneen said. The judge was not convinced. "The fact is, all prisons are inherently places of deprivation of liberty," he said. "If Mr Hayne should otherwise be in custody, that circumstance should hardly stand in the way of it," Button said, before revoking Hayne's bail. 9News understands he will be taken to Silverwater Prison and will remain there until he is sentenced on May 8. Hayne faced a third trial and spent nine months in custody following an earlier guilty verdict that was overturned on appeal due to "profoundly wrong" legal directions given to the jury before it deliberated. The jury in the first trial was discharged without reaching a verdict. Hayne was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman with his hands and mouth after attending her home on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final. She cannot be identified. A taxi Hayne paid $550 to drive him to Sydney following a bucks weekend waited outside the suburban Newcastle home while he played the woman songs on a laptop and watched the end of the grand final as her mother sat in the living room. Following the assault, the pair cleaned blood off of themselves in the woman's ensuite and Hayne continued to Sydney, the trial heard. Source: NineNews.com.au