Walter follows dad, siblings into law

By HANNAH NERO
AS the youngest in a family of six, Walter Potane knew he had to reach/surpass the academic level set by his three sisters and two brothers who had graduated with degrees from universities
“All my siblings did well in school as well as my uncles who are all learned individuals. There was no room for error. In a way it put pressure on me to reach that same level.”
He now has a law degree and has to go through the one-year prerequisite stint at the Legal Training Institute so that he can be admitted to the PNG bar.
Dad Pato Potane is the principal of Wabag-based law firm Potane Lawyers.

All my siblings had their degrees. I had to have mine too. And since I wanted to be like my dad I took up law.”

Mum Margaret is the director of Enga’s commerce, culture and tourism division.
Eldest sister Anne-Marie is a doctor, brother Jacky is the Enga provincial manager, Fiona is an accountant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Pamela is a lawyer, and Bryan graduated as a lawyer in 2021.
Walter, who will be turning 23 in June, last month graduated as a lawyer, following in his dad’s and two siblings’ footsteps.
“Growing up, I always wanted to be like dad, because despite his busy schedule, he always had time for us his children. I saw that as something to live up to – earning money and have time for family.
“All my siblings had their degrees. I had to have mine too. And since I wanted to be like my dad I took up law.”
He breezed through university enjoying the support of his family.
“My family was always there for me. I did not need support from the Government or anything like that. There were some personal struggles but I won’t go into details. They stemmed from bad choices. Then there were personal struggles of going through law school itself. And I am just thankful to God and family for being there.”
He is already busy helping his mother Margaret who is involved in a group called Enga Enda Anda Association for women engaged in small-medium enterprises for downstream processing of strawberry, turmeric, garlic, onion, spices and honey.
The Enga Enda Anda is trying to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration so that members can send supplies to overseas markets.
“Hopefully we get good results because, to be able to sell locally in PNG is one thing, but to import worthy exports, there has to be additional tests run to receive a final approval.
“I help those mothers to sell their produce. Twice a month, the Pom-City markets is hosted by Silvia Pascoe and since most of the mothers are based in Wabag and Enga, they send all their produce down to Port Moresby.
“I go and sell their produce for them, make them money and send it back to them in the village. Produce include strawberry jam, honey, turmeric, parsley flakes.”
When the association was formed last year, Walter helped his mother in drafting its constitution. The provincial government helped the association financially in 2011. It now has more than 35,000 members.
“When I did that, I realised that I could be of help to people. The mothers in that group have other issues too. So I provide legal advice to them as well.”