Awarded for meritorious feats

SPORT

SIX individuals have been recognised under the inaugural Papua New Guinea National Olympic Committee’s Order of Merit Awards during the PNG Olympic Committee’s (PNGOC) annual general assembly.
The awards ceremony was delivered as part of the PNGOC’s 60th anniversary celebrations, and will now be an annual event, as part of its annual general assembly.
PNGOC secretary-general Auvita Rapilla said: “To coincide with the PNGOC’s 60 years, we have decided to award six recipients for this inaugural award. And we thank the International Olympic Committee for providing six trophies to recognise these individuals for their outstanding services to the PNGOC, Team PNG, and the sports movement nationally and globally.”
The event was held at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
The National Olympic Committee Order of Merit Awards programme seeks to acknowledge and recognise outstanding services to sports, with particular emphasis on immeasurable contributions rendered to the PNGOC and Team PNG, either through their own personal achievement or their contributions through their time, efforts and association to enhance and support Team PNG and PNGOC.
Rapilla said that the awards programme was considered under three criteria which include:
i) Made a significant contribution to sport in PNG and internationally through either consistent effort over an extended period of time or in relation to a specific event;
ii) Has had a positive impact on the PNGOC through their efforts; and
iii) Has displayed values consistent with those promoted by the Olympic Movement and PNGOC values.
These are the six inaugural awardees.

• Sir Henry ToRobert (posthumous award)
  Sir Henry ToRobert devoted part of his life to sport and he served the PNGOC as president for a total of 29 years, making him the longest-serving president of PNGOC.
  At the time of his passing in 2018, the PNGOC marked 57 years of existence and just over half of that saw Sir Henry lead the organisation from 1980 to 2000 and from 2013 to 2012.
  His 29 years of service to the PNGOC and what used to be the PNG Sports Federation was all voluntary driven by his passion for sport, to see Papua New Guineans excel through sport and recognising the benefits of sport for our people and communities. This was his contribution to the community outside of his career and he served with distinction as president until June 2012.
  During his tenure as, he saw PNG’s successful bid and delivery of the 1991 South Pacific Games and the successful bid for the 2015 Pacific Games. He served as deputy chair of the 2015 Pacific Games Authority until June 2012.
  At the end of his tenure as president, he was accorded life membership on June 16, 2012 for his contribution and long service to PNGOC. Sir Henry also served as president of the PNG Softball Federation before he took on the role of president of PNGOC.
  With strong ethical leadership and through his professional background and expertise, he brought knowledge, skills and credibility to the PNGOC.
  His integrity, valued judgement, commitment to high standards and prudence were key qualities guiding and steering the organisation to what it is today, a reputable organisation with strong corporate governance based on transparency, accountability and strategic management. He generously gave his time, knowledge and expertise, and for that PNGOC will always be grateful for.
  Ezzard ToRobert, eldest son of Sir Henry ToRobert accepted the posthumous award on behalf of his late father.

• 

  Sir Mick Nades
  Sir Mick’s passion for education, sport and support for athletes’ life after sport has seen IBS support to PNGOC and Team PNG for almost 2 decades.
  Each year Sir Mick has committed support for Team PNG with the purchase of Trukai Fun Run T-shirts; IBS scholarships for Trukai Fun Run participants; and the Athlete Excellence for Life scholarships for Team PNG athletes to undertake certificate courses. Until last year this was extended to scholarships for Diploma and Degree Programs at the IBSUniversity.
  PNGOC staff have also benefited from the partnership undertaking team building programmes at the IBS Centre of Excellence and staff scholarship for diploma/degree qualifications for accounts staff.
  The PNG said: “Our athletes spend most of their lives representing Papua New Guinea, winning medals and bringing pride to our country. Many of them do not get the chance to pursue their educational qualifications to sustain themselves for life after sport. Sir Micks generous support has been life-changing for many athletes who have undergone the programme over the last two decades and have gone on to secure employment and or pursue further qualifications.”
  Sir Mick has also contributed to sport through cricket where he served as treasurer of Cricket PNG from 2003 before being elected as chairman in 2005, a position he held until 2016. Sir Mick’s leadership paved the way for cricket to greater heights from from amateur status to ICC One Day International Status and set the foundations of strong governance for Cricket PNG to thrive and excel.

• Mel Donald
  Mel Donald served on the board of PNGOC as senior vice president from 2004 to 2020. During her tenure, she led Papua New Guinea Pacific Games Association’s successful bid for the 2015 Pacific Games as chairperson of the 2009 bid committee.
  Mel was the deputy chair of the 2015 Pacific Games Venues Infrastructure and Equipment Committee (VIEC) responsible for the construction and delivery of venues and equipment for the 2015 Pacific Games.
  Mel managed our first Commonwealth Youth Games as chef de mission to the 2008 Pune Commonwealth Youth Games in India.
  She led the working committee of the executive board with oversight of identifying, purchasing and renovation of PNGOC’s new headquarters in 2018.
  Mel served on the Pacific Games Council Executive from 2010 to 2012 and the Oceania National Olympic Committees Executive from 2017 to 2020. During her term on the ONOC Executive, she chaired the ONOC Audit Committee.
  Between 1994 and 2015, Mel has represented PNG in shooting at Arafura Games, Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic qualifiers.
  She was a founding Executive of PNG Archery Association from 2004 to 2014 and is currently the president of PNG Shooting Association since 1998 and Vice President of the Oceania Shooting Federation since 1999.

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  Tamzin Wardley
  Tamzin Wardley was an executive member of the PNG Yachting and Sailing Federation when she took on the role as treasurer for PNGOC from 2002 to 2020 contributing to PNGOC’s strong governance and financial management. During her tenure as treasurer, she led Team PNG as chef de mission to numerous games including: The 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games; 2003, 2007 and 2011 Pacific Games; 2005 Pacific Mini Games; and most recently as chef de mission for Team PNG to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021

In what was one of the most challenging times of uncertainty with a postponed Olympic Games, Tamzin diligently managed Team PNG’s participation prioritising Team PNG’s health, safety and welfare amidst the Covid-19 pandemic with changing protocols and measures.
Tamzin was also part of the 2009 bid committee that saw Papua New Guinea awarded the 2015 Pacific Games and was appointed director on the 2015 Pacific Games Organising Committee and 2015 Pacific Games Authority responsible for finance as a full-time volunteer over two years for the Games. She also managed the 2006 and 2010 Queens Baton Relay and the 2015 Pacific Games Relay.
She was re-elected vice president – Finance and Administration in 2021 on the Pacific Games Council Executive and has served in this role since 2016. During this time, she has been involved with the delivery of the Samoa 2019 Games and the Vanuatu 2017 Games and reviews of the Pacific Games sports programme and the constitution. She continues to serve sports through PNGOC and is a current member of PNGOC’s audit and investment committee and recently stepped in to assist PNG Weightlifting Federation as its treasurer.

• Syd Yates
  Syd Yates was president of PNG Swimming Inc when he was appointed chairman of fundraising on the PNGOC Executive in 1998. During his term on the PNGOC executive, Syd was appointed Team PNG chef de mission to the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. In 1998, he was team manager for the PNG Swimming team to the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. Syd also represented PNG in swimming at the 1994 World Masters Games.
  He chaired the Team PNG Marketing and Revenue Committee for 22 years raising much-needed funds for Team PNG to its four-year cycle of events and was a member of the PNGOC Justification Committee.
  He was a member of the 2009 bid committee for the 2015 Pacific Games, ensuring a professional production of PNG PGA’s 2015 Pacific Games bid manual.
  Syd’s corporate governance experience and business acumen contributed towards building PNGOC’s strong corporate governance, strategic management and performance.
  In 2018 he was appointed chairman of the interim Board of PNG Rugby Union to re-establish the governance structure of PNGRFU, and mediate and resolve the impasse that lasted several years. He served in the role until 2021.
  He is currently a member of PNGOC’s audit and investment committee.
• Sir John Dawanincura
  Sir John has been instrumental in building the image and growth of Papua New Guinea Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (PNGSFOC) since 1984 from humble beginnings as the first official staff member to what is now a high profile and a widely respected entity known as the PNGOC today.
  This is largely based on good governance, transparency, and accountability in one capacity or another over the past 37 years as a sports administrator and is well respected nationally, regionally and internationally for his immense contribution to sport in the respective organisations he has been involved with.
  Sir John was PNGOC secretary-general from Sept 24, 1984 – to Dec 31, 2010, a total of 26 years. In June 2012 he was elected president and currently serving his final term up to June 2024.
  Sir John has been involved in the sport and Olympic movement as an athlete and administrator for a total period of 56 years, 38 years of which has been with the PNGOC.
  He was a member of the 2009 bid committee that successfully won the bid to host the 2015 Pacific Games and assumed the role of deputy chairperson for the 2015 Pacific Games Authority from June 2012 to 2016.
  Sir John served as president of the Pacific Games Council from 1995 to 1999 and vice president of Oceania National Olympic Committees from 1993 to 1997 and from 2001 to2005. During his tenure on ONOC executive, he chaired the ONOC Development Commission from 1993 to 1997.
  He was also a member of the executive board of the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) from 1993 to 1997 and 2001 to 2005. He currently serves on the ANOC Marketing and New Source Finance Commission since 2015.
  Sir John is an honorary life member of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and current member of the CGF Ethics Commission since 2018.
  Sir John was an athlete in the Papua and New Guinea rugby union team to the 1966 and 1969 South Pacific Games and captained the team in 1966.
  He is the current president of the PNG Olympic Committee since 2012, president of PNG Weightlifting since 2011 and vice president of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation since 2014.

– Article supplied by PNGOC