Former Aust PM awarded top honour

FORMER Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser has been awarded the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu.
He was conferred the title “Chief” for services to PNG in the early years of nationhood.
Mr Fraser was among more than 100 people who have been recognised for the 2010 New Year Honours in the Orders of Papua New Guinea were announced by Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane.
Mr Fraser was caretaker prime minister of Australia from Nov 11, 1975, after the
governor-general Sir John Kerr dismissed the Whitlam government, and a
month later, his government coalition won office with the largest landslide of any federal election.
He was prime minister from 1975 to 1983.
He was recognised for his services to PNG in the early years of nationhood in his capacity as prime minister, for his work in helping to develop a strong
bilateral relationship and his significant contribution to the wide global community through his services to the Commonwealth and his work as chairman of Care International.
Two other Papua New Guineans to be awarded “Chiefs” along with Mr Fraser are Boyamo Sali and Mathew Siune, who are former members of Parliament and served as ministers.
The Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) have been awarded to Most Rev Gerard Deschamps for his service to the Catholic church and Western province, Les Gavara-Nanu for services to judiciary, Roger Hau’ofa, former Eastern Highlands premier Walter Nombe, John Poe and Sir Robert Sinclair.
Officer of the Order of Logohu included Australian High Commissioner to PNG Chris Moraitis and former US Ambassador Leslie Rowe for strengthening relations between Australia and US.
A full list of appointments and awards are in the full page advertisement in The National today.