Reminiscing the Bully Beef Club

SHARING hard biscuits and corned beef on a mid-road snack with Imbonggu MP Pila Niningi on the way to Mt Hagen from the day’s celebration of PNG’s 44th Independence Anniversary in Walum, Imbonggu, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare reminisced the days of the Bully Beef Club – down past memory lane.
The Bully Beef Club were young aspiring public servants receiving their training and one of them was very young Sir Michael Somare.
Sir Michael belonged to an era in which the nation saw the rise of some of PNG’s brightest political stars such as Sir John Guise, Sir Albert Maori Kiki, Sir Ebia Olewale and Sir Kingsford Dibela, among others.
The road to Mt Hagen was far and the night fast approaching but the Grand Chief knew he was in the care and company of his country’s new leaders as he recalled, well long into the night, him and those bright young men would discuss the future of PNG where it could be able to determine its own destiny.
He recalled independence was marked by flurries of activity and stately rites, anxiety as well as elation as the Australian flag was lowered with solemn respect.
Later that evening he hosted dinner as Prime Minister-designate in a house above Fairfax Harbour, to watch the midnight fireworks.
Speaking without notes and with rare passion, he paid tribute to his colleagues and his subordinates, then he turned to the Prime Minister of Australia.
The two were at loggerheads over Australian aid but Somare ignored that issue to extol Gough Whitlam’s role in bringing Australia’s colonial role to a close.
His praise was much more than courtesy required: Whitlam — an orator never lost for words — astounded his audience when they saw him weep.
For many in that room and elsewhere, the separation of Australia and Papua New Guinea was cathartic. Across town, negotiations had to be completed before midnight to secure the future of the Ok Tedi copper mine.
At midnight, judges and the Governor-General were sworn in, and the Finance Minister, Julius Chan, became the first naturalised citizen.
Overnight an out-of-season shower provided ambiguous omens.
Next morning, the Southern Cross and Bird of Paradise flag was raised near the new Parliament House.
With the lowering of one flag and the raising of another, our fate as a new born nation was sealed – Papua New Guinea was no longer an Australian Territory but a sovereign state.
Rolling into Aken Taun in the twilight – beckoning a bright and promising morning – Somare was contend, he knew he had reached destination.
Looking across the driver’s seat was Pila the young law student he took under his wings as a PANGU novice and set him on the political trail in 1982.
Imbonggu commemorating independence in lavish and style with the Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare in his post-retirement is an honour befitting the Father of the Nation.
For Pila Niningi, he who honours his teacher honours himself.
Thank you Marape-Steven government for making the Imbonggu festivals a national event.

David Lepi,
Pan-Melanesia