McLay takes over as honorary consul for Australia

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday September 2nd, 2013

 LAE Chamber of Commerce president Alan McLay has been appointed the new honorary consul for Australia in the city.

He took over from Phil Franklin who held the position for 18 years.

McLay said during a dinner last Wednesday in Lae it would be his second time to take over a position held by Franklin. 

He had taken over as president of the Lae Chamber of Commerce from Franklin 12 years ago.

Franklin had spent 35 years in PNG, with most of it spent in the private sector in various senior executive capacities.

McLay is a prominent figure in the business community in Lae with more than five decades spent in the country.

He assured Franklin and Australian High Commissioner Deborah Stokes that he would continue to promote the interests of Australia in Lae and Morobe.

“They are big shoes to fill, but I will try as best to fit into them,” McLay said.