Graduation

Josh Mareveka, our trusted Karawari cave arts team leader, graduated from Divine Word today in Phsyiotherapy, and we were all there, including his big sister and sponsor, Jill, from Ambunti, to cheer him on. Our company also awarded the Joe Rainbubu Prize in the Dept of PNG Studies again, although the recipient this year, Ignatius Hamal, is already in London on a graduate scholarship. Im trying to figure out what our award would mean to him in pounds now, and Im guessing a couple of good meals with friends is about all. Apart from the fact that a certain Minister of Education could use a speed reading course, the ceremony went very well, and the four hours passed like three and a half. With a musak loop courtesy Madang Resort Hotel. And some very energetic Manus dancers---w/a couple of lead men in bike shorts I'd be happy to see dance again. Graduations should be run like Last Comic Standing, with guest speaker finalists presenting their best bullet point monologues, to be judged by a row of multicolored mortar and robed Dept Heads who are allowed, for the day, to smile. The highlight, I should say, was Governor Sir Arnold waxing Rev King with his 'I had a dream' that all the children of PNG would have free primary ed!..I had a dream that every community would have a staffed school! etc And the Minister for Ed had his own dream that all high school students with a GPA of 1.6 and higher (dropping the floor on current qualifications) would be eligible for government scholarships, which caused me to have a nightmare about DWU graduates with D+ averages moving on to public admnistration.....Yes it was a great day for hair, makeup, caps and gowns---absolutely wonderful. I wore heels. Baby Nancy and Nelly both wore wonderful costume jewelry in her hair which I'd received from my ex husband the crazy Teutonic dominatrix for Christmas, no doubt purchased in some dash through Goodwill and beautifully boxed up for the trip around the globe to PNG. (Yes, some people still know how to gift: in tribute, he is pictured twice here, once in youthful glory, again as Kitchen Tsar.) The female valedictorian was Manus and in full traditional bilas (goodonner!) and another beautiful young woman who received a Diploma in full highlands regalia, including cuscus hat and hornbill necklace, was being described by Brother Andrew Simpson behind me and (as far as I could overhear) seems a doubly  special grad for stepping back after her Diploma, rather than going for the Degree, so that a younger brother could afford school fees.

Also included here are totally gratuitious shots of the Prima Grandchild Asaluta, Baby Nancy, confirming why we have been waiting with mixed emotions for her return from the village. Just kidding. We're happy she's back wetting the beds.