Wangi the longest serving retiree signs off

By MICHAEL PHILIP
AFTER completing fourth form (year 10) in 1972 at the Boisen High School, Rabaul, East New Britain, Leo Wangi was selected to be part of the Interior Department Cadetship Training Employment Programme.
As the longest serving retiree from the Finance Department, it was an emotional moment for him when he signed off after 48 years during a farewell dinner in Port Moresby recently.
“It will always be an emotional feeling when we see ourselves retiring after our long service in the department and then to see the new ones taking over us,” Wangi said.
“I am happy that I have played my part in this department and I am going out for retirement with joy because I know I have done a lot of service to the department as well as contributing to nation-building.”
Wangi is from East Sepik but was brought up in East New Britain where he spent his childhood with his family.

“ I am happy that I have played my part in this department and I am going out for retirement with joy because I know I have done a lot of service to the department as well as contributing to nation-building.”

During the 1960s, primary education stopped at grade six where they were required to sit examinations to see if they could make it through to high school.
High school was for forms one to four.
After passing his grade 6 examinations in 1968 at Tsobera Primary School in Rabaul, Wangi was selected by Boisen High School to do forms 1-4.
“Back in my days we had this system called forms and not grades in high schools, like today we have grades 9-12.
“When we do well in grade six, we secure space in high school to undergo the forms.
“Only at the primary level we have grades and that’s grade 1-6. As for me, I was happy when I got the offer to study at Boisen High School,” Wangi said.
In 1969 he entered Boisen High and completed fourth form in 1972 but didn’t get any offers from colleges or universities.
The Department of Housing and Urbanisation, then called the Department of Interior, offered Wangi a job in 1973.
In 1974 he moved to the Finance Department as a provincial treasurer.
“They started me off in Rabaul as ENB treasurer and then transferred me to the head office in Port Moresby at Vulupindi Haus after the (volcanic) eruptions in 1994.
“At Vulupindi, I worked at different divisions and then my bosses decided to send me back to work at the provincial level so again they transferred me to Central to become the provincial treasurer.
“From Central office they pulled me back to the head office for a little while and then sent me to Northern and from Oro back to the head office. From the head office they sent me to Manus and I served Manus province (for seven years) until my retirement.” Wangi said.
“I loved my job and I loved what I was doing and that’s why I was committed in the department.
“The job has taken me to many provinces in Papua New Guinea and I am happy that at least I played my part.”