Honoured for loyal service PNG

BY JEFFREY ELAPA
OUSTANDING People who serve others often go unrecognised.
However, a few whose work gets recognised are honoured and awarded medals for their services by PNG’s monarch.
The award system stated in 1975 when PNG decided to remain part of the British Commonwealth with the Queen as head of state.
While she is millions of miles away, representing her here is the governor-general.
In 1975, Sir John Guise became the first governor-general (vice regal) and held the office untill March 1, 1977.
After him, there were nine other vice regals: Sir Tore Lokoloko (1977-1983); Sir Kingsford Debela (1983-1989); Sir Ignatius Kilage (1989); Sir Vincent Eri (1991) Sir Wiwa Korowi (1991-1997; Sir Sailas Atopare (1997-2003); Sir Paulias Matant (2004-2010); and Sir Michael Ogio (2011- 2017).
After the death of Sir Michael, incumbent Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae was elected the 10th governor-general on Feb 28, 2017 and was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth 2 in June 30, 2017 in London.

PNG honours
After independence, the Imperial Honours system was used, however, on the nation’s 30th anniversary, a new awards system was adopted. The new honours system came into existence in October 2005. The Order of PNG is the main system of honouring citizens and it consists of three orders and several medals. The official announcement of its creation was made by Prime Minister Sir Michel Somare on Nov 12, 2004 and the first investitures were performed by the Princess Royal in early October 2005.
The Queen as sovereign and head of the Order of Papua New Guinea issues a list as part of every Birthday and New Year honours.
The governor-general of PNG is the Chancellor of the Orders of the Order of Papua New Guinea and Principal Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu who performs her duty in the country.

Royals honoured
Prince Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales), and Princess Anne (Princess Royal) have received the award of Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu.
Princess Anne’s husband, Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence has also received the award of the Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia.
The first honours list announced on the occasion of PNG’s 30th Independence anniversary recognised former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan for his contribution to nation-building. Others recognised were former Governor-General Sir Tore Lokoloko, Anglican Archbishop Sir David Hand, PNG’s first woman MP, Dame Josephine Abaijah, former Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi and one of the fathers of the national constitution, John Momis. They were all conferred the title of Chief and made Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu.
Heading the first list were the Governor-General, Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane and founding prime minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare who were made Grand Companions of the Order of Logohu (Grand Chiefs).
The awards were presented on behalf of the Queen by her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal who was special guest at the 30th anniversary celebrations.
Also included in the first list as Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL) with the title of Chief were the Governor-General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, who served in PNG during his long career in the Australia Army, and Gough Whitlam, who was Australia’s Prime Minister when PNG attained Independence in 1975.
Three other foreign statesmen have also been awarded the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu. William Jefferson, former President of the United States of America and Andrew Peacock, former Australia Foreign Minister, were awarded in 2006. Former Australain Prime Minister Bob Hawkewas awarded in 2009.
The Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) has been awarded to the prime ministers of the Melanesian states, Air Allan Kemakeza (Solomon Islands), Ham Lini Vanuaroro (Vanuatu) and Laisnia Qarase (Fiji). The Governor of the Autonomous Province of Papua in the Republic of Indonesia, Barnabas Phengga Suebu was bestowed the same honour.

Order of Papua New Guinea
The Order of Papua New Guinea consist of three separate awards; the Order of Logolu is the principal order. (Logohu is the Motuan word for the Bird of Paradise). The lessor awards are the Star of Melanesia and the Order of Valour.
The Order of Logohu comprises of four classes; Grand Companion, Officer, Member and National Logohu Medal.
Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu is awarded to citizens and others for service, achievement, and merit in the highest degree, sustained over a period of 20 years.
It may be awarded to no more than 50 living citizens and recipients are titled as Chief except for the Chancellor of the Order who is titled Grand Chief. One additional living Papua New Guinean may also be titled Grand Chief, and that at the moment is Sir Michael Somare.

Star of Melanesia
The Order of the Star of Melanesia has only one class, that of Companion and the Order of Valour also has one class and that is of the Cross of Valour and it is awarded for bravery.

Officer of Logohu
The Officer of Logohu (OL) is awarded for distinguished service to Papua New Guinea, or to a local community, sustained over a period of at least 10 years.

Member of Logohu
Member of Logohu (ML) is awarded for commendable service to a particular area of endeavour, to Papua New Guinea, or to a local community, sustained over a period of at least seven years.

National Logohu Medal
The National Logohu Medal (LM) is awarded for exemplary service in a profession, career, or industry group, or to the general community, over a period of at least five years.

Order of the Star of Melanesia
This order also consists of one level, the Companion of the Star of Melanesia (CSM). It is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Papua New Guinea and Melanesia, sustained over a period of 15 years.
In ranking order, Companion of the Star of Melanesia follows Grand Companion of the Logohu and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, husband of the Prince Royal, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, and Sir Brian Bell were among those that have been awarded.
The honours and awards in order of precedence are: Cross of Valour (CV), Grand Companion of Logohu (GCL), Companion of the Star of Melanesia (CSM), Officer of Logohu (OL), Member of Logohu (ML), National Logohu Medal (LM), Cross of Medical Service Medal (CMS), Distinguished Military Service Medal (DMS), Distinguished Police Service Medal (DPS), Distinguished Correctional Service Medal (DCS), Meritorious Emergency Service Medal (MES), Meritorious Public Service Medal (MPS), Meritorious Community Service Medal (MCS) and Commendation for Valuable Service Medal (CVS).
In the 2019 hounour list, 102 Papua New Guineans were invested on Thursday, Oct 31 at Government House.

Koromba made Chief
During the ceremony, former Southern Highlands Premier Yanungtine Koromba and former Speaker of the National Parliament and current Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Simon Pentanu were conferred the title of Chief (GCL). Pentanu, who was also recognised for his service to Ombudsman Commission, was not present to pick up his medal. Koromba brings to two the number of people in the Highlands region conffered the title of Chief, the other being Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas.
Also recognised was Tapol Konjop, one of the longest serving village court magistrates and village councillor for over 54 years in the Mendi Miunhu district.
Another notable person is long-time academic and Deputy President of the Divine Word University Professor Pamela Alice Norman who was awarded Officer of the Order of Logohu (OL).
Also among those conferred the Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (CSM), the third highest award, was former member for Komo-Magarima Francis Potape.
Potape who served as a two-term open MP and governor of the new Hela province after the death of the late Anderson Agiru, was awarded for his services to the people of Komo-Magarima and Hela.
Potape said the award was due recognition for his services to the people of Komo-Magarima and Hela, including establishing peace and harmony throughout the province besides the delivery of basic goods and services.
Others who were also recognised with the Companion of the Order of the Start of Melanesia were Dr Marie Ernest Apana for service to the community, medicine and public health, church and charities, Paula Mek, for service to the community, Reverend Jan Sjoerd (John) Pasterkamp for service to community and for contribution as the founder of the Christian Life Centre Church in 1969 ,and Sumasy Singin for service to law and public administration including as the PNG consul-general in Sydney, Australia.
Those who were awarded Officer of the Order of Logohu (OL) included Prof Norman, Tapol Konjop, Gudmundur Fridrinksson, Ralph Dungit Kaule, and Pastor Michael Wilson.
The Member of the Order of Logohu (ML) was conferred onGedi Dabu, Ted Kennedy, John Clelland Hocknull, Kapumi Marabuman, Catherine Florence Natera and Finkewe Quasung Zure Zurenoc.
In other awards, 15 people were awarded the Logohu medal, five were awarded the Cross of Medical Service medals, 12 received the Distinguished Military Service Medal, 12 received the Distinguished Police Service Medal, 13 were awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal, 19 received the Meritorious Community Service Medal, and eight police officers received the Commendation Medal for Valuable Service.