Kevin Rudd, yu trupela man
By HARLYNE JOKU
GOROKA town came to a stand still, excitement filled the air, as crowds of people lined up the main drives and the fence along the Goroka airport to watch the C130 RAAF Hercules land on Friday morning, March 07.
Waiting on the tarmac were Foreign Affairs minister Sam Abal, Eastern Highlands Governor Mal Smith Kela, administration officers and traditional dancing groups to welcome Australian Prime Kevin Rudd and his entourage.
We (media) had traveled earlier in the morning with Minister Abal and Foreign Affairs Secretary Gabriel Pepson on the PNG Defence Force Casa to cover the event. Comparing the C130 Hercules to our Casa, the RAAF plane was huge.
When the plane stopped, its ramp opened and several RAAF soldiers stepped out to secure the path for Prime Minister Rudd to follow.
About 30 Australian journalists from different television stations, radios and newspapers emerged before Prime Minister Rudd, the Eastern Highlands Governor Mal Smith Kela and the Australian delegation disembarked.
Mr Rudd smiled at the crowds and the traditional dancers and Asaro mudmen who greeted him enthusiastically.
He paused in front of children from Faniufa Sacred Heart Primary School who sang to him a touching Goroka welcome song. “Welcome to Goroka, the land of Nokondi. We can assure you Goroka is No 1,” they sang. Towards the end they cheered “Welcome to Goroka Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’ throwing into the air colorful sweet smelling flower petals that rained down on Prime Minister Rudd.
He was escorted to his official vehicle and followed by a convoy of 33 vehicles. The road sides were packed with people all the way from the Goroka airport to the Institute of Medical Research (IMR).
He was met by Director Professor Peter Siba who took him on a tour of the Institutes Microbiology and Bacteriology Laboratory.
Professor Siba briefed him about the operations of IMR and Australian support towards the auditorium. There was an exchange of gifts.
Leaving IMR and heading towards Pacific Gardens Hotel, Mr. Rudd made a surprise stop at the Tumbuna Market, one of Goroka towns daily attractions, where vendors mostly mothers sell bilums, artifacts and handcrafts.
“Prime Minister Rudd wants to buy some bilums,” we were told. The whole convoy stopped. We hurried down to where he was, on the footpath in front of the Goroka police station admiring Goroka bilums hanging on the fence.
Policemen hurried ahead asking the mothers to stand near their bilums and observers to keep to the other side of the road.
Mr Rudd seemed little concerned about his security. He walked casually taking cash out of his pockets to buy several bilums. He shook hands and greeted the mothers who were overwhelmed by his sudden presence, some gave him bilums free.
Men folk, observing from the other side of the road could not contain their admiration.
They converged onto the footpath to surround Prime Minister Rudd.
“Kevin Rudd yu trupela man. Nogat wanpela prime minister i wokabout namel long mipela olsem yu. Kevin Rudd yu pikini Nokondi stret. Paitim han long em. (Kevin Rudd you are a true man. No prime minister has walked amongst us like you. You are a son of the Nokondi. Applaud him,” they said.
They followed him, wanting an opportunity to shake his hand.
Mr Rudd walked towards the end of the Paradise Hotel, boarded his vehicle and was driven back to Pacific Gardens Hotel for lunch.
After lunch he was taken through a coffee tree to cup display where he sampled PNG coffee. He viewed a mumu display, picking up an ear of corn from the mumu to taste.
He then visited the Goroka Base Hospital where he met with Dr Joseph Apa the Chief Executive Officer, the hospital board and senior management as well as Australian volunteer surgeons (RAC) and IT volunteer Robert Schilt.
His final briefing was with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Assembly where his delegation met with the Provincial Government administration. They held frank discussions before gifts were exchanged and farewells were made.
Mr. Rudd and his delegation left for the airport still followed by the crowds.
After the C130 Hercules took off the crowds remained, still in awe of the Australian Prime Minister.
“What leader would come down so humbly to meet with women at Tumbuna market and on the footpaths of Goroka? This day will be remembered for the rest of our lives. It will go down in Goroka history,” someone in the crowd said.
Eastern Highlands Governor Mal Smith-Kela said he was pleased and proud of the people of Goroka for making Prime Minister Rudd’s one day visit to Goroka as success.
For some of us from other parts of Papua New Guinea who had the privilege of visiting Goroka that day, we were proud Papua New Guineans because of the way Goroka and the Eastern Highlands province represented us.
The Eastern Highlanders were peaceful, respectful, and receptive. They showed genuine Goroka and Melanesian hospitality.
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