Lady Veronica saluted

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
They say behind every successful man is a strong woman.
However, some would say this would be an understatement if one was to describe Lady Veronica, the wife of the country’s founding prime minister Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
Sir Michael described Lady Veronica as his friend and guide since they were young.
Apart from bidding farewell to the Parliament House and politics, Sir Michael also paid tribute to Lady Veronica, his six children and grandchildren, on Tuesday.
“There are many things to discuss here today. I bid you all farewell and say this. I am a man of principle,” Sir Michael said.
“This rule has determined my conduct throughout my life.
“I am blessed with a woman who has been my friend and my guide since we were both young people.
“We have six children who trust us because we built that trust by respecting them as they were growing up.
“We have grandchildren who we think of when we make our private and public decisions.
“I hope Papua New Guineans will find their own ways to live and trust and care for their family units.
“I tried to do that my whole life and I think my family can be proud of that.”
One would say Lady Veronica was blessed with so much patience to support Sir Michael throughout the decades of his political and public life.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, while thanking Sir Michael for his wisdom and guidance in building the nation, also thanked Lady Veronica.
“It remains for me to pay a very special tribute, to Grand Chief’s family who have been his rock for over such a long period of public life,” O’Neill said.
“I know that the house and the nation will join me in expressing our gratitude and best wishes to Lady Veronica.
“We thank her for her wonderful support to Grand Chief, right throughout his long career in this house.
“I would also like to thank his children who have supported him, and have contributed in their own ways to our nation and community.”
Opposition leader Don Polye described Lady Veronica as a great  and quiet woman.
“Around the world, women of her caliber make grandstanding speeches.
“However, her leadership in silence is powerful.
“Her quietness and openness is a great speech.
“She made (Sir Michael) Somare a great man. Let’s emulate her. We need that partnership.”