A second medal for the Pasemo family

By ZACHERY PER
JAMES Pasemo, 79, is a hero at his Sairumpa village in Henganofi district, Eastern Highlands.
The chief was recently awarded by the Queen the Meritorious Community Service medal for his work as the district peace mediation committee chairman and ward councilor.
The Queen had in 1968 awarded his late father Pasemo Kiwasa the Queen’s Medal.
“I am the second member of the Pasemo family to be awarded by the Queen. Fifty years ago, my father received the Queens Medal for his services to the people as a ward councilor and village court magistrate.
“When he died in 2002, his medal was pinned on my chest by the then Henganofi Member of House of Assembly Bono Azanifa. The challenge is now on my siblings, children and grandchildren to get another award from the Queen.”
James Pasemo is the second eldest in a family of eight. Namaname is the eldest and after James are Sibiri, Thomas, Tony, Steven, Kumo and Hama. His parents Pasemo Kiwasa and Iyayo Pasemo had passed away.
He is married to Agnes from Madang and have sons Max, Willie, Dion and daughters Dona, Rachael and Iyayo.
After leaving the Four Square School at the end of Grade Three in 1966, he joined the Handiman Flour Distributors as a paymaster based in Mt Hagen.
He was promoted to be the Highlands regional manager looking after flour distribution in Southern Highlands (including Hela and Jiwaka), Western Highlands, Enga and the Kandep district. He served the company from 1967 to 1982 before returning to the village. In 1984, he won the Ward Five council election which he held for 15 years. He was also the vice-president of the Fayantina Local Level Government for five years. He unsuccessfully contested the LLG president’s seat in 2008.
“Despite the loss, I maintained my services to the people as a community leader in Fayantina and the entire district.”
On March 12, 2010, he was appointed a district lands dispute mediator. He still holds the position today.
Pasemo was surprised when he was told that he was to receive a New Year’s gift from the Queen – a Meritorious Community Services medal. He was one of the 20 people who received it.
Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae bestowed the award on him two weeks ago at Government House.
“I thought I was only providing free service to the people of Fayantina, Henganofi district and PNG. But I am happy that my contribution was recognised.”
He thanked his family for putting together a reception for him when he arrived back at Goroka airport with his mdeal. He later shared a feast with his brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren. Younger brother Thomas challenged the family to emulate what James had done.
“The challenge is now on us the younger Pasemo generation to work hard and get recognised too by the Queen.”