BOMAI D WITNE
An entry in the Crocodile Prize
PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum
Award for Essays & Journalism
THE night of Monday 30 March was a special time at the University of Goroka, when students, parents and relatives converged for a graduation ceremony the next day.
Anne Marie Wanamp, Raphaela Sigamata and Turea Wickham worked tirelessly to give visitors, staff and students a Melanesian treat and make them happy and feel at home.
These selfless women hosted a fundraising night with the theme, ‘Melanesian Beauty: capture, celebrate and share’, to raise funds for victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu and natural disasters in West New Britain.
A spirit of sharing and giving filled Mark Solon Auditorium. The audience was welcomed with a resounding provincial anthem sung by a choir of West New Britain students.
Female vice president of the new student representative council, Roseanna Sarea, welcomed everyone and thanked the organisers for involving the council. She was excited to declare the night show open and made a quick prayer.
One of the mistresses of ceremonies offered a ‘good night’ greeting in different Papua New Guinea languages before the Democrats band startled the audience with the first of their songs.
The Bougainville contemporary dancers dominated the show, taking the opportunity to showcase the beautiful costumes and dance of the autonomous region.
The Democrats West Papuan song, “Sa jojo”, and Morobe and Simbu songs made the audience go crazy. Someone danced in the aisle while others joined the band members in singing the chorus.
Courts Goroka, Able Computing, City Pharmacy and the university’s internet, technology & communication department gifted items which were raffled and the Guangdong Construction Company and Onagi family donated K1,000 each.
The fashion parade kept the crowd on their toes. The girls could not keep their eyes off the men and the boys could not keep their eyes off the beautiful girls. It was a night of fun and beauty.
The show ended with flag bearers from the different Melanesian countries and provinces in PNG displaying their flags on stage. It was truly a colourful display, driving a sense of belonging and unity between Melanesians and Papua New Guineans.
“I am not a Christian but we believe God is with us,” said Leo of the Guangdong company when presenting the company’s donation. “We share and feel for the people of West New Britain and Vanuatu”.