SO who was the legendary female who departed this world 45 years ago but still managed to generate almost K20 million last year?
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REGULAR Columnist Steve Manas at PNG Power had few doubts that Marilyn Monroe, bubbly symbol of the cinema in the ’50s and ’60s of the last century, was the gifted actress in question. Thanks for your New Year greetings Steve – and a splendid year to the regular and new readers who kicked off 2008 with the right answer.
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WE note with qualified approval that the East New Britain government has allocated K200,000 to further the status of women in the local community. Perhaps that’s at last a recognition of the very real family and community role that has always been played by Tolai, Bainings, Pomio and other ENB women.
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WHY qualified, you may ask? The answer is simple – throughout PNG both strong support and public funding intended to boost the status of women have disappeared in a welter of jealousy and back-stabbing. Educated women have shown contempt for their rural sisters, while the latter have viewed urban women as brittle, disinterested and superficial.
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THOSE who have worked for decades to gain a voice for women have suffered years of disappointment. One step forward has been matched by two steps backward. Column One will applaud louder than most if and when conflict and character assassination among our women disappear. We hope that 2008 will signify a new beginning for the women of PNG.
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FILM fans are presently suffering through the usual weary pre-season re-runs that pass for television programming; how we wish that people outside the capital could view movies as they are intended to be seen – on a full-sized screen. All credit to the POM Arts Theatre gang who continue to screen current movies for both kids and their parents.
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NOT our favourite film – but some will welcome the chance to re-acquaint themselves with Crocodile Dundee screening on EMTV tonight at 9. The saga of the Australian crocodile hunter and his visit to New York has been family film fodder for a generation. Paul Hogan stars with his partner Linda Kozlowski. Cheers!

– Dee Nesenolis