Sir John hails Sir Michael

By Sir John Dawanicura
I HAVE been asked by the media: “How long have you known Grand Chief?”
My simple answer is, Sir Michael is such a legend that those of my age will recall as far back as 1973 when we transitioned from a colonial territory into self-government, it was a process in which he fiercely led us to our Independence in 1975.
At that time, everyone certainly knew who Michael Thomas Somare was, his aura was so great that to this day, we all feel that we have known him our entire lives.
In the late 1970s, I had been in his company at official functions and met him enjoying one of his favourite pastimes out on the golf course.
I recall in 1985, during the Mini South Pacific Games at Athletics Stadium in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, when Takale Tuna won four gold medals on the track, Sir Michael was in town for the Pacific Islands Forum.
During Tuna’s first gold medal presentation, when our anthem was played and the flag was being raised, I noticed that Sir Michael had tears of joy streaming down his face.
Since Independence, Team Papua New Guinea has proudly represented the country and flown our flag at all the Games we have attended.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, in greeting Sir Michael and Lady Veronica on arrival at the airport, I strongly recommended that he agree for the PNG Commonwealth Games Association (now known as the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee) to be responsible for all of their protocol requirements.
Because this was an international sporting event, we were better placed to facilitate all their necessary sporting protocols – including accreditation requirements – than government processes, to which he agreed.
We also facilitated Sir Michael and Lady Veronica’s visit to the Games Village and the cafeteria, a major hub for athletes and officials from all participating nations.
Sprinter Mae Koime will confirm that in speaking to Lady Veronica during lunch and being asked: “Who looks after you people?”
I explained generally that PNGOC looks after travel, accommodation and uniforms with a small hardship allowance, and individuals and their national federations support their athletes and officials.
I did, however, qualify that most of our athletes were either students, unemployed, or of the low-income bracket. I was advised later by Koime that Lady Veronica had sent her A$200.
Unfortunately, Sir Michael and Lady Veronica returned home prior to Ryan Pini’s 100m Butterfly event.
After Pini’s victory, Sir Michael rang me from his Parliament office (amid all the cheering) to congratulate him and I informed the Grand Chief that Ryan was in the warm-down pool.
However, I hastened to advise Sir Michael that the Australian prime minister was walking towards me and I asked John Howard to talk to him, which he did.
I could hear Sir Michael tell Howard in no uncertain terms, that we got them with Pini’s gold medal.
One of my treasured moments was a time when I arrived at the Members VIP dining room at Parliament House just as Sir Michael walked out.
He greeted me with some cheeky Motuan slang and I returned the compliment in the presence of his staff.
They looked at me in shock, so I said: “He started it!”
Sir Michael continued on with a wave and “bamahuta” (goodbye), and they noticed that he was still laughing.
That was indeed a special moment.
On behalf of the board, management and staff of PNGOC, I extend our sympathies and condolences to Lady Veronica and the Somare family.
As a nation we absorb the lessons Sir Michael has taught us.