Kavieng Stadium in New Ireland province was packed this morning with people travelling in from all over the province to attend the memorial service for late Sir Julius Chan.
Late Sir Julius Chan’s casket was placed in a tradition house in the middle of the stadium.
The program started off with an hour service conducted by catholic priest Fr. Justin Amino followed by tributes.
After the memorial service, the traditional customary Haus Cry obligation was conducted by various Local Level Governments, communities, business communities, representatives from other provinces and individuals, who came with pigs and traditional food items including traditional shell money (mis) as well as cash and presented all of that to the immediate family members of late Sir Julius Chan.
Even the prisoners from the Kavieng Prison facility along with their Correctional Officers were present at the Customary Obligation Ceremony to pay their last respects.
After a long 5 hours of Customary obligation activities done by others, the Chinese Community in New Ireland Province also turned up to pay their respect and participate in the program.
The Chinese community presented K50,000 worth of food supplies which were already transported to Huris to late Sir Julius’ residents.
A mis and K5000 was presented to Ms. Vanessa Chan by the Chinese Community Chairman, as a token of their contribution to the Chan family.
The Chinese community also gave a mis and another K5000.00 to member for Namatanai, Minister Walter Shnaubelt.
The Chinese community also presented 4 pigs and traditional food items on top of the cash contributions made.
The Customary Obligation program ended at around 3:20pm, with the guard of honor by PNG Defense Force personnel, who then placed the casket on to the transporting vehicle and the casket left the Kavieng Stadium for the final time at around 3:45pm this afternoon, wrapping up today’s program.