News Stories
Childhood dream now a reality
Steven Johnson always knew he wanted to be a healthcare worker. Having a mother who is a nurse instilled in him the desire to help people. While he initially dreamt of becoming a paediatrician, seeing the work his mother did over the years changed his mind. When he...
Clean water saving lives in Kulimbu village
The village of Kulimbu is situated in the mountains of the Mul Baiyer District, Western Highlands Province, where the people must travel long distances to find water. The women trek difficult terrain with dirty dishes, laundry and young children in tow, to bathe and...
Change agent establishes remote childcare center and counselling service
Inspired to create change in her community and encourage people to think critically when making decisions or resolving conflict, Wendy Tame has counselled over 1,000 individuals since opening a counselling practice in 2020. Wendy launched Family Empowerment...
More than just a small business
27 June 2022 - Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day recognizes the role Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in the preservation of economies and advancement of people and planet. A struggling small business owner, Glenda Supring revived her failed...
My Story
Told by Paulon Podomo, Diploma in Primary Teaching graduate from Sacred Heart Teachers College in 2019 This short story is my personal experience of living and teaching in a remote school since January 2020. I am 27 years old, from Marofen village in North Fly...
A student of the sea
Hebou Dago talks about life on the sea and International Day of the Seafarer. Although a life at sea had never crossed Hebou’s mind previously, when she saw a call for applications on Facebook for the Australian Awards PNG’s Maritime Cadetship for Women in 2020, she...
Traditional crafts supporting rural communities
Through her small business venture Anka Crafts, Anne Iauka is supporting rural communities in her home province of Bougainville through the trade of eco-friendly handmade crafts. The travel is also giving her an opportunity to re-connect and she is happy to see...
A nurse on a mission
“Midwifery is a beautiful career. You put a smile on a woman’s face as she steps out of your door and walks away with a silent word of ‘thanks’. You’re blessed to witness the first moment of a life.” Melisha Gilmo had interests and passion to be a specialist midwife...
A nurse on a mission
From one of the most remote parts of Papua New Guinea in Menyama District of Morobe Province, to South Bougainville District in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB), comes the heartwarming story of an individual who wants nothing more than to pay forward the...
Life-changing experience an application form away
“Go for it! The possibility of upskilling or doing something completely different is only an application form away.” Lydia Edoni graduated with a Master of Environmental Science at the University of South Australia in 2019, through an Australia Awards PNG scholarship...
Gender-based violence, a public health crisis
Olivia Ephraim is an Australia Awards scholar with more than ten years of experience in clinical and public health. She commenced her Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne in 2020, specialising in gender, health and society. Olivia is passionate...
When your landlord feels like family
Lydia Edoni from Milne Bay met her friend Michelle Cresp while studying on an Australia Awards scholarship at the University of South Australia in Adelaide. While she began her relationship with the Cresp family as a tenant, Lydia says she very quickly felt like part...
Agents for change
“I believe that, without the opportunity of studying abroad I wouldn’t have realised the significance of being a change agent myself and ensuring the work I do benefits people in the community,” says Donny Kupamu, Australia Awards PNG graduate. “There is a broader...
Successful alumna says scholarship is more than just a degree
“The Australia Awards scholarships are very fitting as they are aimed at the development needs of PNG,” says Jeanne Tareasi (pictured above, far left), alumna and advocate of the Australia Awards PNG. “You will be supported every step of the way by the Australia...
Passion recognised with a Queen’s honour
When disability advocate Ipul Powaseu found out that she would be receiving an Order of the British Empire’s (OBE) Queen’s Honour medal, she felt humbled and determined to finish what she started. Ipul was recognised in October 2021 with a Queen’s Honour medal for her...
A lifetime of education service recognised with Queen’s honours
Papua New Guinea’s first woman university vice-chancellor Dr Cecilia Nembou (pictured above, right) was recognised as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) last month for her services to higher education and as a role model for women. Dr...