Rupa dedicates award to husband

To say he was the proudest man that day would be an understatement.
Vagi Orarigo was at the Government House in Konedobu, Port Moresby, to see his wife, Helen Rupa, receive the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service medal (BEM).
Blending in with the excited crowd, he did a good job at containing his emotions, complete satisfaction and all those other good feelings bubbling within.
To him, the award was the result of his wife’s hard work, but for her it was his understanding, confidence, trust, and most of all, love, which helped her achieve the award.
“Beside every successful woman is a supportive man, and I owe every bit of this award to my very supportive husband. Without him, there is no me.,” Rupa said.
Rupa, who is employed as an executive assistant to the chief infrastructure officer at PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNG Ports), was recognised for her services to state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
She is a long-serving staff member at PNG Ports, having clocked 20 years with the infrastructure division which is responsible for delivering multi-million kina port infrastructural developments throughout the company’s network of 15 ports.
Her work requires extended hours, often under pressure and the work load is immense.
Being the sole bread winner in the family doesn’t make it less stressful, but she does it with the ease of a pro – thanks to her husband.
From chef to chauffer, keeper to fixer, a jack-of-all-trades, he keeps everything together while she worries about her job, says Rupa of her better half.
“There is never a time when he complained. Without an understanding husband who is always there for me, pushing me to do my best, I would not have lasted this long in my 31-year career as a personal assistant,” she said.
Rupa is one of the lucky women, because these days, men like Vagi Orarigo come in short supply.
As if their life had been one pre-written by fate, the couple, from Pelagai in Aroma, Central, share the same birthday – June 25, 1969.
They married on April 17, 1988, and have two daughters, aged 29 and 19, and a son, aged 14.
After working 11 years in other companies, Rupa joined PNG Ports on May 19, 1997, as the secretary to the chief engineer to the PNG Harbours Board, the predecessor to PNG Ports.
Maintaining her position, Rupa has worked under seven different bosses in the infrastructure division where her responsibilities have been endless and vital.
PNG Ports has looked after her well enough that she has bought a piece of prime land at Rainbow, in Gerehu, where she has built a home and bought herself a car to make travelling to work and around the city easier.
The recognition given through the BEM, honours her hard work and contributions of 31 years in the workforce.
She was the only fortunate one to receive an award out of 2000 other administration professionals that were nominated by Office Dynamics International, a company which specialises in training and skills building.
“I would like to thank Office Dynamics International for the nomination and confidence that I was special,” she said.
“I would also like to thank PNG Ports for being my best employer, giving me the opportunity to attend numerous trainings over the years and for grooming me.
“PNG Ports has changed me through quality trainings, attendance and participating in big admin conferences, and the overall experience with the company has made a big impact for me.
“I have been working in this field for 31 years and there has never been a single day that I have thought twice about it. My interest in what I’m doing, the willingness to learn and my love for my profession have played a role in the achievement of this award.”
Rupa said her role was vital in large organisations and sometimes,handling the tasks was difficult.
“We have to run with things, not sleep on things if you are working with a large team of highly qualified people,” she said.