Shrine for war heroes

 AT least 20 Australians gathered in Aitape, West Sepik, on May 5 to launch the monument of World War 11 soldier Sgt Leonard George Siffleet at Central Park.

Siffleet was executed on Aitape beach on Oct 24, 1943, along with his two Ambonese comrades H Pattiwal and R Rehearing after being detained and interrogated for two weeks.

The shield or plate is provided by the Ali Island project for the monument and it is now recognised as the Siffleet Park, which will be used as a tourist attraction.

Community leader John Willieberth said the Australian Government was going to fund the Siffleet Park to be one of the ANZAC Memorial sites in PNG.

Willieberth said two sites were located at Vokau where more than 200 soldiers were buried.