News

Sixty new short course awardees under the Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam scholarship have commenced their studies, with pre-course workshops in Port Moresby. 

“People with disabilities are experts in their own rights,”
says Maria John, an educator and advocate for disability inclusion.

Sarah Wagang Kasa, Australia Awards alumna and Mental Health Specialist, is championing improved access to mental health and counselling at the Family Support Centre at Angau General Hospital in Lae.

The 2025 cohort of the Australia Awards PNG scholarship program has been given the honorary title of the Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam 2025 Scholars.

Beatrice Aristako is an inclusive education teacher who completed the Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion in 2022 at Queensland University of Technology, supported by Australia Awards PNG Short Course Awards. She is working to transform approaches to teaching to be more learner centred for children with disabilities in Bougainville to thrive in education.

Growing up, Natasha Kema never saw herself in the maritime industry. Today, she is the first marine engineer and seafarer in her family.

Respiratory tract infections are the most common cause of death in Papua New Guinean children. Yet, there are no respiratory scientists or specialist laboratories in PNG. Shalon Taufa from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences is determined to change that.

Working in academia and research is a tough field for anyone, but even more so for women. That’s why the PNG-Australia Partnership, through the Australia Awards Linkage Support for Women Academics Program, is supporting PNG’s women academics to attend conferences in Australia, to build new skills and networks to inspire and advance their research and activities in PNG.

Carol Wallan previously worked as an administration officer at NASFUND before deciding that a life on the high seas was her calling. Today, the proud mum of two is a Chief Officer and second in command aboard KEERA, a blue water tug vessel within the Pacific Towing Marine Services fleet which pulls and guides larger vessels through the Port Moresby Harbour.

“Being a midwife is to make a difference in a woman’s maternal health. People often think it is all about labour and delivery, but it’s also about advocating and caring for the mother.”