PNG Independence Day celebrations

Damien Tadic, Ezra Kulu, Alec Tadic and Anica Tadic at the PNG Independence Day celebrations in Jabiru on Saturday 13 September.

By James Kepui

The friends and families (“wantoks”) of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) community in Jabiru held their Independence Day celebration at the Jabiru Swimming Pool on Saturday 13 September. The gathering was to celebrate PNG’s independence on 16 September 1975.

The celebrations were opened by Mr Andreas Pena with blessing and prayer by Ray Leach. This was followed by parade by the children with their traditional costumes.

Different provinces were on show wearing different ornaments and markings. After singing the national anthem, the children performed the Manus Traditional Dance, led by Ms Joanne. This was the highlight of the day. 

There was plenty of food and drink – cassava, kumu, sago, fish, curries, buffalo and much more … and the Independence Day cake. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon with cricket, volleyball, totem tennis or just lazing around. The afternoon weather was great, the cool breeze, the pool and the Pacific reggae music created a very chilled out vibe.

If you squinted you could imagine you were anywhere in the Pacific.

A big thank you to Stu Whitby for the music, West Arnhem Regional Council for the use of the pool, West Arnhem College for the sports equipment, Kakadu Bakery for the lovely cake, to all the mothers and fathers for the cooking, to Ms Joanne for teaching the kids the Manus dancing.

Thanks to all the kids for the performance, to all out wantoks for coming out and celebrating the day with us. 

For more photos of the day's celebrations, check out the album on the West Arnhem Regional Council facebook page here.

The kids taking part in the traditional parade.