Sir Mick passes away

The National Main Stories

By MALUM NALU
WELL-known businessman Sir Michael Curtain, the founder and managing director of Curtain Brothers Group has spent the last 50 years in Papua New Guinea, died in Townsville on Sunday afternoon.
Justin McGann, general manager of Curtain Bros PNG, yesterday described Sir Mick – as he was popularly known – a “great leader” of the company and “visionary statesman” for PNG.
He said Sir Mick passed away peacefully at 3.30pm on Sunday in hospital in Townsville, with his wife of more than 50 years Lady Jennifer Curtain, by his side.
He was 75.
“Sir Mick was with family and friends and had his dear wife of more than 50 years by his side,” McGann said.
“I spoke with Lady Jennifer Curtain late yesterday (Sunday) and she said that Sir Mick was at peace.
“Our prayers and thoughts go out to Lady Jennifer and her children Peter, Louise, David, Christopher and Sean. They have lost a great husband and father.
“We have lost a most wonderful leader and fantastic innovator, someone who was so far ahead of all of us that at times he seemed to be generations away.
“Sir Mick was the greatest promoter of Papua New Guinea’s potential and the capability and capacity of Papua New Guineans.
“Out of respect for Sir Mick, and in honour of his memory, Curtain Bros will continue to develop the dreams that he initiated to their full potential.”
According to the company website, the Curtain Group was established in PNG in Oct 1966 with the start of operations by the company known as Curtain Bros PNG Ltd.
“The company was formed by three brothers: Dan, Mick and David Curtain,” it said. “The brothers had travelled to Papua New Guinea for work with the Territory Administration.
“Not long after arriving in Port Moresby, they realised the potential for business opportunities and established their Curtain Bros business.
“In the early days, Curtain Bros PNG was solely a civil engineering and construction company, focusing on roads, subdivisions and airstrips.
“The business today, controlled by Sir Mick Curtain, extends into mining, bridge construction, dam construction, shipping, wharf construction, dockyard construction and operation, major infrastructure establishment, property development and building construction.”