Forestry stakeholders in East New Britain province were part of the funeral program for forestry champion and Tura Dawai Project Team Leader, the late Dr. Tony William Page on Wednesday, July 17, via live stream from Australia. The Gunan Na Niuvia Conference Center in Kokopo city hosted a memorial for the late Dr. Page, a key figure of the Tura Dawai project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Dr. Page, who passed away in June just before his 48th birthday, left behind his wife Anna and three children. Key partners such as PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment, OISCA Rabaul International, Women and Youth in Agriculture, and the ENB Provincial Government praised Dr. Page’s contributions to the forestry sector. Attendees were urged to honour his legacy by continuing to plant trees like teak, eaglewood, and sandalwood, which not only generate income but also provide quality timber for building homes. Florence Paisparea, Coordinator of the Natural Resource Management and Development Unit under the East New Britain Provincial Administration (ENBPA), spoke on behalf of the provincial forestry sector. She acknowledged Dr. Page’s significant contributions to East New Britain over the past decade and praised OISCA Rabaul International for their collaborative efforts with him to expand the forestry sector. Paisparea also highlighted the ongoing support from the ENB Provincial Government towards the project. “We are progressing with both Eaglewood and Teak trees, and after discussions with the late Dr. Page to do further research into eaglewood, a pathologist was being arranged to assist with the program.” “However, amidst these dialogues, the late Dr. Page lost his life.” “I only hope that the project can provide us with someone as compassionate as Dr. Page, to progress the work he has initiated in the province,” Ms. Paisparea said.