119 receive independence awards

By SALLY TIWARI
WHILE many Papua New Guineans rejoiced over getting recognition for their hard work from the Government at the Orders of Papua New Guinea 2011 Independence Day Honours and Awards, for one it could have come a little late.
The late Siabugo Ekago from Hela, Southern Highlands, was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal for public service in rural health care.
Doris Pipi, the eldest daughter of the late Ekako, received the award on behalf of her father.
Pipi said her dad served at health centres in Hela, particularly Tari and Koroba, since the 1940s as a colonial health worker.
She said until his passing in 2007, he was the community health worker and was on his way to Port Moresby to receive his award when he died.
An emotional Pipi said her dad would have been very proud of this moment, describing him as a committed man who had high regard and respect for the government.
Also among the recipient was Andrew Warepa who received the National Logohu Medal for his services to the community as a design artist.
Warepa from East Sepik said it took 30 years for the government to recognise his work.
However, he was glad that they finally did.
He says he designed the Bird of Paradise on the South Pacific Brewery white can as well as the Pangu Pati and the National Alliance logos.
Among others who received their awards were: 
l    Rev Archbishop Stephen Joseph Reichert was invested with the insignia of the “Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu with the title of Chief for his Service to the Catholic church and the community of Southern Highlands as a Capuchin missionary priest and later bishop of Mendi diocese for 40 years until his appointment as archbishop of Madang in February 2011; and
l    Rev Michael Finigan for his service to the community and the Catholic church as a church worker and priest in the East Sepik and the Western Highlands for more than 50 years.
There were a total of 50 recipients for the Logohu awards, with one recipient for the Companion of the order of the Star of Melanesia, 11 cross of medical service medals recipients, 7 military service medal recipients, 12 Distinguished Police Medal recipients, 8 Distinguished Correctional Service Medal recipients, 19 Meritorious Public Service Medal Recipients, and 20 Meritorious Community Service me­dal recipients.