300 receive medal in appreciation for their work

THREE hundred people received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Medal at an investiture ceremony for Morobe residents in Lae on Monday.
It was a token of appreciation and recognition for their valuable contribution to the growth and development of Morobe and PNG in politics, public service, higher education and research, police, military, Correctional Services, judiciary, churches, business, agriculture, sports, music, arts and culture, and not-for-profit organisations.
Sir Bob thanked the recipients for their services.
“There are many of our people in rural areas in all of the nine districts who dedicate their lives to serving our people, some have passed on,” he said.
“There are some new ones who have dedicated their lives, and if we are to list everybody, the number will exceed maybe 1,000.
“But you (the 300 recipients) have stood out a little bit above our colleagues who have served the people of this province. On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Papua New Guinea, other realms and the Queen of the Commonwealth, I thank you all for your contribution to our beautiful province, Morobe.”
The medals marked the 60th anniversary of the Queen in the British throne – since Feb 6, 1952, at the age of 27. Created in 2012, the medal was a tangible way to honour her for her service to this country, and commemorative medals served to honour significant contributions and achievements by Papua New Guineans.
Provincial administrator Bart Ipambonj said the Morobe government was honoured to name the recipients of the medals.
“At least we are able to give recognition to 300 people. We want to give as much as possible to many; we have left out some of our important people like ward councillors, the women leaders and the ward development committees in villages,” he said.
“Those who have been given the awards now are those who are living in the cities, but what about the rest? We have so many who are working so hard to look after our people and our communities.
“But this is a time that we will not miss and it is a history that will be written in books.”