Famous people from Papua New Guinea
Here is a list of famous people from Papua New Guinea. Curious if anybody from Papua New Guinea made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.
Will Genia
Rugby Player
Sanchez Will Genia is a Papua New Guinean-born, Australian professional rugby union player who plays scrum-half for the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby competition. He also plays for the Wallabies in international matches.
Nathan Fake
Intelligent dance Artist
Nathan Fake is an English electronic music artist from Norfolk, who has released numerous singles as well as three album releases on the label Border Community Recordings. His music has been used in soundtracks for TV shows and an advertisement. In 2006, his debut album Drowning in a Sea of Love was released on Border Community. The album received very good reviews in the music press. He released a six track mini-album Hard Islands in 2009. A third effort named Steam Days followed in 2012.
Geraint Jones
Cricket Player
Geraint Owen Jones MBE is a Papua New Guinean-born, Australian-raised English cricketer of Welsh extraction. Until August 2006 he was the first-choice wicketkeeper for England in both Test and One-day cricket, but fell behind Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose. He plays county cricket for Kent and now plays international cricket for Papua New Guinea.
Megan Washington
Alternative rock Artist
Megan Alexanda Washington is an Australian musician and songwriter also known mononymously as Washington. Originally performing jazz music her style evolved to indie pop and alternative rock where she sings and plays piano and guitar. On 30 July 2010, Washington released her debut album, I Believe You Liar, on Murmur Records, which peaked at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart and, by end of 2011, received a platinum certificate from ARIA for shipment of 70,000 copies. In December 2009 Washington won the inaugural Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition for her track, "How to Tame Lions". At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 Washington won 'Best Female Artist' and 'Breakthrough Artist', and received five further nominations for work associated with I Believe You Liar and "How to Tame Lions".
John Laws
Radio personality
Richard John Sinclair "John" Laws, CBE, an Australian radio presenter, sometimes known as Lawsie, was from the 1970s until his retirement in 2007, the host of a hugely successful morning radio program, which mixed music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback. His distinctive voice earned him the nickname the Golden Tonsils. Despite retiring in 2007, Laws' management confirmed in November 2010 that he would be returning to radio in February 2011, as the host of a morning programme on 2SM and the Super Radio Network.
Michael Somare
Politician
Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, PC, MP, was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then became leader of the National Alliance Party. He was re-elected as Prime Minister in the 2007 election, and his family announced his resignation due to ill health in June 2011. On 12 December 2011, the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea ordered that Somare be reinstated as Prime Minister, ruling that his successor, Peter O'Neill, was not lawfully appointed.
Piers Akerman
Journalist
Piers Akerman is an Australian journalist, conservative commentator and columnist for the Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph.
Marina Prior
Singer
Marina Prior is an Australian soprano and actress, with a distinguished career, mainly in Musical Theatre
Paul Grabowsky
Jazz Artist
Paul Grabowsky is a film score composer.
Lara Giddings
Politician
Larissa Tahireh "Lara" Giddings is an Australian politician and the 44th and current Premier of Tasmania since January 2011. She has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly seat of Franklin since the 2002 election.
Neville Costigan
Rugby Player
Neville Costigan is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer for the Hull Kingston Rovers of the Super League. He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders, St. George Illawarra Dragons with whom he won the 2010 NRL Grand Final and Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League. A Queensland State of Origin representative and Papua New Guinean international, Costigan primarily plays lock, second-row and prop but can fill in at hooker.
Erika Heynatz
Presenter
Erika Heynatz is an Australian model, actress, singer and television personality.
Ryan Pini
Swimmer
Ryan John Pini MBE is a 3-time Olympic swimmer from Papua New Guinea. He swam for PNG at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics; also serving as the PNG flagbearer in 2008. He is the first PNG swimmer ever to reach an Olympic final. While Pini grew up in Papua New Guinea, he currently trains primarily in Brisbane, Australia, and competes for the Yeronga Park Swim Club.
Emi Maria
Rhythm and blues Artist
Emi Maria, stylized as EMI MARIA, is a Japanese R&B singer-songwriter. She debuted in 2007 with the EP Between the Music.
James Segeyaro
Rugby Player
James Segeyaro is a professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League. Playing in the position of hooker, he joined the Cowboys as a teenager, making his NRL debut for them during the 2011 season. Born in Papua New Guinea, Segeyaro moved to Cairns, Queensland with his mother at the age of seven. After playing junior football for the Cairns Ivanhoes club, Segeyaro moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2007. After being cut from the Souths' roster due to disciplinary issues, he returned to North Queensland to play for the Cowboys. He was captain of the Cowboys' Toyota Cup team in 2010 and played for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup. He was selected in the Junior Kangaroos at the end of the 2010 season. Segeyaro broke into the Cowboys' NRL squad in 2011 after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction at the end of the previous season. His first-grade debut came in the Cowboys' Round 3 match against the Melbourne Storm. He went on to appear for the Cowboys in 19 matches that season, and was the club's starting hooker for the qualifying final defeat to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, displacing veteran hooker Aaron Payne. At the end of the season he made his debut for the Papua New Guinea national team in a 36–22 defeat to the Australian Prime Minister's XIII.
Stanley Gene
Coach
Stanley Gene is a former Papua New Guinean rugby league player who currently coaches Gateshead Thunder as well coaching the academy team at Hull Kingston Rovers and served as the Papua New Guinea Kumuls head coach. Having moved to England following an impressive showing for PNG in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup, Gene enjoyed a long career in the British game with spells at Hull KR, Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls, Hull FC and Halifax RLFC. Gene was a versatile player with the ability to cover virtually any position on the pitch, though he spent most of his test career playing at stand off. He was a regular for the PNG Kumuls for 14 years between 1994 and 2008, and captained the side on at least three occasions, including being the PNG captain during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, before retiring from international rugby league following the 2008 tournament. Gene is considered a hero in his home country and almost universally regarded as a rugby league legend.
Ben Wyatt
Politician
Benjamin Sana "Ben" Wyatt is an Australian politician who is the current Labor Party member for the seat of Victoria Park in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. Born in Wewak, Papua New Guinea, to Australian parents, Wyatt moved to Western Australia at an early age, where he attended Aquinas College in Perth. He went on to receive a law degree from the University of Western Australia, later attending the London School of Economics on a scholarship. Wyatt returned to Australia in 2002, where he worked as a lawyer. He was elected to parliament in 2006, at the Victoria Park by-election, replacing Geoff Gallop, a former premier. Wyatt currently serves as Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, amongst other portfolios.
David Mead
Rugby Player
David Mead is an Papua New Guinean rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. The Papua New Guinea international representative plays primarily on the Wing but can also play both Fullback and Centre. David Mead is known as one of the fastest players in the NRL over 100 metres.
Adrian Lam
Coach
Adrian Lam is a Papua New Guinean rugby league football coach and former international player. He is the current head coach of Papua New Guinea. As a player, he is a former Papua New Guinea international and Queensland State of Origin representative. Lam moved from Papua New Guinea to Brisbane in the Australian state of Queensland at the age of 7 where he was raised.
O-Shen
Hip hop Artist
Jason Hershey, better known as O-Shen, is a reggae musician, born and raised in Papua New Guinea. O-Shen resides in Hawai'i but still goes to PNG. He raps and sings most of his songs in Tok Pisin.
Bill Skate
Politician
Sir William Jack Skate KCMG was a Papua New Guinea politician and statesman. He was the son of an Australian father and a native PNG mother. Though his career was turbulent and often marked by setbacks, he served in the highest posts in his country: Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Parliament, and acting Governor-General. Skate became manager of the capital district commission in 1987. He was elected to Parliament in 1992 and served as Speaker from 1992 to 1994, supporting the government of Paias Wingti. Skate served as governor of the National Capital District from 1995 to 1997. He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and resigned after 18 months, fearing that he would lose a challenge. In 2002, his political party the People's National Congress Party became a coalition partner in the government of Michael Somare and Skate became Speaker of the National Parliament. He was appointed acting Governor-General in November 2003, a constitutional requirement when that office falls vacant. Sir Pato Kakeraya was scheduled to take up the office on 20 January 2004, but Skate continued to act in the office because of court challenges to Kakeraya's election. On 3 March 2004, Skate was suspended as acting governor-general because of allegations that he misappropriated funds during the 1990s. He then advised the Prime Minister to appoint a cabinet minister as acting governor-general. The following day, however, he was cleared of the financial charges in court, and he became acting governor-general again. In May 2004, his party left the coalition when he and other members refused to support a constitutional amendment supported by Somare which would have given the government more time to be immune to no confidence votes. As a result, the PNC became the largest opposition party. On 28 May 2004, Skate ceased to be Speaker when the parliament elected a pro-government candidate, Jeffrey Nape. The office of governor-general was still vacant at that stage, so Nape automatically succeeded Skate as acting governor-general.
Julius Chan
Politician
Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE, was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1980 to 1982 and from 1994 to 1997. He is currently Member of Parliament for New Ireland Province, having won the seat in the 2007 national election. He is also the current Governor of New Ireland Province, since 2007. Born on Tanga Islands, New Ireland Province to Chin Pak, a trader from Taishan, China, Julius Chan was educated at Marist College Ashgrove in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He first became actively involved in politics in the 1960s. He was elected to represent the Namatanai district of New Ireland province in the pre-independence National Assembly in 1972 and was re-elected in 1977, 1982, 1987, and 1992. He was Deputy Prime Minister four times, and Minister of Finance twice. He also held the portfolios of Primary Industry and External Affairs and Trade. Chan became leader of the People's Progress Party in 1970. He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1981, and appointed a Privy Counsellor the next year.
Nichola Goddard
Soldier
Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, MSM was the first female Canadian combat soldier killed in combat, and the 16th Canadian soldier killed in Canadian operations in Afghanistan.
Alyssa-Jane Cook
Actor
Alyssa-Jane Cook is an Australian actress. She is best known for her regular role as Lisa Bennett on the Australian television soap opera E Street. She played the lead role of Olivia Murray in the series Above the Law, and appeared as Kelli Edwards in Home and Away. As a presenter, she hosted the series "Sex/Life", co-hosted Australia’s Funniest People and was a regular on Home Life Style and Beauty and the Beast. In the science fiction series Farscape she appeared as the character Gilina Renaez in the episodes "PK Tech Girl", "Nerve", "The Hidden Memory", and "John Quixote". On stage, Cook played Columbia in "The New Rocky Horror Show" 1992 Australian tour, and has appeared in The Vagina Monologues. In 2008, Cook was the face of weight-loss company Bodytrim. She appeared in advertisements on Australian TV for their products. Cook was also the face of the Christmas shopping company Castle Hampers and featured in their TV ads as well. Cook is currently a presenter on the Television Shopping Network.
Toea Wisil
Olympic Track and field Athlete
Toea Wisil is an athlete from Papua New Guinea who specializes in sprint. She was selected as her nation's flag bearer at the 2012 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations. In her race, she impressed American TV announcer Ato Bolden by running an eased up 11.60 into a strong headwind, the number one qualifier from the preliminary round of the 100 m.
Reggie Davani
Soccer Forward
Reginald "Reggie" Davani is a Papua New Guinea footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Australian football club Sunshine George Cross.
Mal Michael
Australian Rules Footballer
Malcolm Robert "Mal" Michael is a Papua New Guinean former Australian rules footballer. He is notable for his successful professional career in the Australian Football League. In a career spanning 238 games and three clubs in two Australian states he is best known as a triple premiership full-back with the Brisbane Lions. Michael is recognised as being one of the best Queensland produced Australian rules footballers of all time, being named on the AFL Queensland Team of the 20th Century. He is possibly the only Australian rules footballer who is better known in a country other than Australia, maintaining a high profile in Papua New Guinea, and he is credited by many to have inspired the boom in playing numbers of Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea. In April 2009, The Guardian described him as one of Papua New Guinea's "living national icons", along with politician Michael Somare and philosopher Bernard Narokobi.
Marcus Bai
Athlete
Marcus Bai is a Papua New Guinean former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. Primarily a winger, he played his final season in 2006 for English Super League team Bradford Bulls. He is the only man to win the World Club Challenge with three different clubs. In 2005 he was minutes away from being the first person to win all of the major domestic competitions in both Australia and England however Hull struck with minutes to go in the Challenge Cup final to deny Leeds the cup and him a place in the history books. It was his mistake that ultimately gifted Hull the cup.
Paulias Matane
Politician
Sir Paulias Nguna Matane GCL, GCMG, OBE, KStJ was the eighth Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, serving from 29 June 2004 to 13 December 2010. His memoir My Childhood in New Guinea has been on the school curriculum since the 1970s, and for many years he wrote a column in the newspaper The National.
Jonathan M. Weiss
Author
Jonathan Weiss is an American scholar of French literature and social science whose extensive publications include literary and theatre criticism, essays on Franco-American relations, a short story, and most recently the biography of Irène Némirovsky. Weiss is currently NEH Class of 1940 Distinguished Professor of Humanities, emeritus, in the Department of French and Italian at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Weiss currently lives in Dijon, France with his wife, Dace.
Paul Aiton
Athlete
Paul Aiton is a Papua New Guinean rugby league player who plays for Wakefield Trinity in England's Super League. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in the Australian National Rugby League. He primarily plays at hooker. With his family, Aiton moved to Caboolture, Queensland in the early 1990s. He played his junior football with the Caboolture Snakes before signing with Wests Panthers in Brisbane. His stint at the Penrith Panthers' feeder club led to a contract with the NRL club in 2003 and he finally made his NRL debut in 2006. In 2004, Aiton was selected to play for Papua New Guinea against Australia. Aiton played for the Penrith Panthers until the end of the 2009 season. He then played for Cronulla in 2010 and 2011, before moving to Wakefield Trinity in England on a two year contract from 2012. Aiton was named in the Papua New Guinea training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He captained Papua New Guinea in the 2010 Four Nations tournament.
David Muta
Soccer Midfielder
David Muta is a Papua New Guinean footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sunshine Coast F.C. in the Queensland State League.
Menzie Yere
Athlete
Emmanuel Menzie Yere is a rugby league player who currently plays for Sheffield Eagles in England. He is a Papua New Guinea international. After two successful years at the Eagles, Yere signed a further three year contract to extend his stay. In 2010, the club discovered that Yere had been buying kit and taking unwanted kit to send back to his home country, where kit shortage is a problem. With Yere's support they set up kits2kids, a charity that collects kit from companies, clubs, schools and individuals and ships it to PNG. Yere is often known as "The Jukebox" because he has so many hits, referring to the large number of heavy tackles he makes in each game.
Mekere Morauta
Politician
Sir Mekere Morauta, KCMG is a Papua New Guinean political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea between 1999 and 2002, and later as Leader of the Opposition. He was until recently the Chairman of the National Capital District Commission, and served as Minister for Public Enterprises under Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. In May 2012, he announced that, after twenty years in Parliament, he would not stand for re-election in the general election in June, and was putting an end to his political career. Sir Mekere was born in 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal village east of Kerema in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. Educated at local primary schools and at Kerema High and Sogeri National High, he went on to study at the University of Papua New Guinea, where he obtained a Bachelor of Economics in 1970, and as an exchange student at Flinders University in South Australia. After graduating from university he worked as an economist in both the public and private sectors. In 1975 he was the first Papua New Guinean to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Finance, a position which he held until 1982. Other positions he has held include Managing Director of the government's commercial bank, the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation, and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Papua New Guinea. He entered the national parliament in July 1997 as the member for Moresby North-West.
Dika Toua
Weightlifter
Dika Loa Toua is a Papua New Guinean weightlifter. She was the first woman ever to lift weight at the Olympic Games, competing in the 48kg category at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She finished sixth in the women's 53 kg weight class at the 2004 Summer Olympics, lifting a total of 177.5 kg. She was her country's flag-bearer at the 2004 Games. In 2006 she won the silver medal in the same weight class at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. At the 2007 Pacific Games, she won gold in the 53 kg class, setting a new Games record. She also won the gold medal in the 53 kg category at the 2008 Oceania Weightlifting Championships, with a total of 190 kg. Toua qualified to compete for Papua New Guinea in the women's 53kg event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. There she ranked 8th with a total of 184 kg.
Anthony Eaton
Author
Anthony Eaton is an Australian writer of fantasy and young-adult fiction.
John Momis
Politician
John Momis is the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Momis was sworn in as President of Bougainville on June 10, 2010, after defeating his predecessor, President James Tanis, and five other challengers by a landslide in the 2010 presidential election. Momis, who served as a Catholic priest from 1970 until 1993 and co-writer of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea, held posts as the Governor of Bougainville from 1999 until 2005 and was Papua New Guinea's ambassador to the People's Republic of China.
Rabbie Namaliu
Politician
Sir Rabbie Langanai Namaliu, GCL, CSM, KCMG is a Papua New Guinea politician. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1988 to 1992 as leader of the Pangu Party. As a former prime minister of Papua New Guinea he is a member of the Imperial Privy Council since 1989 and as such styled "The Right Honourable."
Jeremy Callaghan
Actor
Jeremy Callaghan is an Australian actor whose portrayal of the cute and shy Constable Brian Morley on the popular TV drama Police Rescue ensured international attention. Callaghan is also well known for his guest appearances on Xena: Warrior Princess and Young Hercules.
Makali Aizue
Athlete
Makali Aizue is a professional Papua New Guinean rugby league player who plays at Prop. He is currently with the Dewsbury Rams.
Eric Komeng
Soccer
Eric Komeng is a Papua New Guinean soccer player who plays for Hekari United.
George Telek
Singer
George Mamua Telek, commonly known simply as Telek is a musician and singer from Papua New Guinea. Born in 1969 in Barovon village near Kokopo in East New Britain Province, Telek is one of the few Papua New Guinean singers to gain an international following. Telek sang with various bands in Papua New Guinea early in his career - most notably with the group Painim Wok where he sang lead vocals. Telek met David Bridie of the Australian band Not Drowning, Waving, and they recorded the highly successful album Tabaran. Telek recorded his first solo album, Telek outside Papua New Guinea in 1997. This album won an ARIA award for Best World Music Album. He recorded his second international album Serious Tam in 2000 at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in England. He followed that up with Amette, which was released in 2004. His most recent album Akave was released through the Wantok Music-label. Telek sings in his native language, Kuanua, and in Tok Pisin. Many of his songs are sung in three-part harmonies that are characteristic of the Tolai.
Brad McDonald
Soccer Defender
Brad McDonald is a Papua New Guinean-born, Australia footballer currently playing for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.
Tom Butterfield
Athlete
Tommy Butterfield born 16 April 1988 in Alotau, Papua New Guinea is a rugby league player for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup. He plays as a hooker. He is a Papua New Guinea international and was previously contracted to the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League.
Timothy Akis
Man
Timothy Akis, born around 1944 in Tsembaga village, Simbai Valley, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, died in 1984, was a Papua New Guinean artist. His art consisted primarily in imaginative pen and ink drawings and batiks inspired by his country's wildlife. Akis had the distinction of being the first Papua New Guinean artist to hold an exhibition, at the University of Papua New Guinea in 1969. He later held exhibitions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Philippines and Australia. Ulli Beier described Akis' artwork from his first exhibition in these terms: Examples of Akis' artwork were reproduced in the inaugural issue of Beier' Kovave: A Journal of New Guinea literature, alongside the work of fellow artists such as Mathias Kauage. Kauage's own art was reportedly inspired by visiting Akis' exhibition. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Akis divided his time between subsistence farming in his native village and working on his art in Port Moresby. During a posthumous exhibition, the Tamworth Regional Gallery identified Akis as one of Papua New Guinea's leading print and drawing artists, along with Mathias Kauage, John Man and Martin Morububuna. Akis' art was also exhibited posthumously at the Musée des Confluences in Lyon in 2007. An exhibition in Cairns that same year celebrated Akis' "international reputation", along with that of other notable Papua New Guinean artists, and his art was also displayed at the Alcheringa Gallery in 2007. In 2008, his work featured alongside that of Kuagae and Morububuna an exhibition in Clarence Valley, then alongside that of Jakupa Ako and Mathias Kauage at the East-West Center Gallery. The ninth issue of the Australian Art Review described Beier's "mentorship" relationship with Akis. Akis' art has been featured in the book La peinture des Papous, along with that of Mathias Kauage, Jakupa Ako and John Siune.
Jay Aston
Athlete
Jay Aston is an rugby league footballer who represented Papua New Guinea at the 2008 World Cup. He plays professionally at club level with the Melbourne Storm, but has yet to make his first-grade football debut. Aston's favoured position is hooker, but he can also cover the second row. Aston made his International debt against Australia in the 2008 World Cup, coming off the substitutes bench in the Pool A 46-6 loss at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, Queensland. Prior to being signed by the Storm, Aston played for Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup. Following playing for the Devils, he was selected to represent East Queensland at the Queensland Carnival. In 2008, he spent a year in the Toyota Cup with Melbourne Under 20's.
Kauna Vagi
Cricket Player
Kauna Vagi is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team in the repêchage tournament of the 2005 ICC Trophy and in the ICC Trophy tournament itself, where he played his two List A matches.
David Gill
Historian
David Gill was a film historian, ballet dancer, and television producer.
John Ovia
Cricket Player
John Ovia is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm off spin bowler, he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since the 1997 ICC Trophy. His wife Hebou Morea has played for the Papua New Guinea women's team.
John Wilshere
Athlete
John Wilshere is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who recently left Salford City Reds at the end of the 2009 season.
Nathaniel Lepani
Soccer Forward
Nathaniel Lepani is a footballer from Papua New Guinea. Lepani plays as a forward for Australian side Edge Hill United at club level; he has represented Papua New Guinea national football team at international level on 12 occasions. Lepani has also played for Menlo Oaks in the USA as well as several other clubs in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Peta Seaton
Politician
Peta Luise Seaton, a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Southern Highlands for the Liberal Party of Australia from 1996 until her retirement prior to the 2007 election. Seaton was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and educated at Woodford School, Solomon Islands, Wenona School, North Sydney and the University of Sydney, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology. She worked in the television industry from 1983 to 1987. She was Press Secretary for the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ted Pickering, from 1987 to 1988. She worked for Premier Nick Greiner from 1988 to 1992 and Premier John Fahey in 1992. She worked in Canberra as Adviser and Programme Director for the Leader of the Federal Opposition, John Hewson from 1992 to 1993.
Rod Griffin
Athlete
Rodney Griffin is a rugby league player for the Northern Pride. He has played for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team. His position of choice is at lock forward. He has been named in the Papua New Guinea training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He has been named in the PNG squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Griffin has hopes of training with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2009. He played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2011 Queensland Cup.
Vincent Eri
Politician
Sir Vincent Serei Eri, GCMG was the fifth Governor General of Papua New Guinea and is often cited as being the first Papua New Guinean national to write a novel, The Crocodile in English. It was published in 1970 but Ligeremaluoga is quoted as having published a book called "The Noble Savage" in 1932. It was an account of his life up until approximately 1932.
Mae Koime
Olympic athlete
Mae Koime is a Papua New Guinean sprinter. Described as "the fastest ever female sprinter in Papua New Guinea", as Papua New Guinea's "star sprinter", and as Oceania's "fastest woman", Koime has represented her country at the 2004 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the 2003, 2005 and 2007 World Championships in Athletics. She set a national record for Papua New Guinea at the Athens Olympics when she ran the 100 metres with a time of 12.00 seconds. Competing at the Oceania Grand Prix in June 2008, she finished first in the 100 metre sprint, with a time of 11.70 seconds, and in the 200 metre sprint, with a time of 24.11. Koime finished first overall at the international Grand Prix. Koime represented Papua New Guinea at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing competing at the 100 metres sprint. In her first round heat she placed sixth in a time of 11.68 which was not enough to advance to the second round.
Richard Kambo
Athlete
Richard Kambo is a Papua New Guinea rugby league player. He plays as a centre.
Henari Veratau
Athlete
Henari Veratau is a rugby union player who played for the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies, who originally played rugby league for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. His position is at centre and wing. He signed for French Pro D2 club Racing Métro 92 Paris in August 2008. He went to The Scots College in Sydney winning the Hnour Cap in Year 12 in 2001. In 2009 he signed with the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Rugby Team in Kanagawa, Japan.
Toaripi Lauti
Politician
Sir Toaripi Lauti, GCMG, PC was born Toalipi Lauti on November 28, 1928. His father was Pastor Lauti of Funafuti. He studied at Elisefou School in Vaitupu for 6 years. In 1945 he was sent to study in Fiji at the Ratu Kadavulevu School and later at the Queen Victoria School, before moving to Wesley College in New Zealand. He finished his schooling at St Andrews College. He entered Christchurch Teachers College and graduated in 1952.
Scott Daruda
Athlete
Scott Daruda is an Australian rugby union player. He currently plays for Manly Marlins franchise in Sydney. His usual position is either at fly-half or in the centres.
Theresa Tona
Olympic Taekwondo Athlete
Theresa Tona is a taekwondo practitioner from Papua New Guinea. She competed in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Andrew McIntosh
Cricket Bowler
Andrew McIntosh is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. McIntosh is a right-handed batsman who bowls leg break. He was born in Madang, Madang Province. McIntosh made his debut for Papua New Guinea in the 2011 World Cricket League Division Two. It was in this tournament that he made his List A debut against Bermuda. He played a further 3 List A matches in the competition, the last of which was against Hong Kong. In his 4 matches, he scored 42 runs at a batting average of 14.00, with a high score of 18. With the ball, he took 3 wickets at a bowling average of 25.33, with best figures of 3/14.
Keith Peters
Athlete
Keith Peters was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the NRL. He has also captained Papua New Guinea at international level. Peters moved from Papua New Guinea to Australia in 1993 aged 7. He attended Patrician Brothers College Blacktown until 2004. He has played several games for the Penrith Panthers, but in 2009 spent most of his time with their feeder club Windsor. He was named in the Papua New Guinea training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He was named in the PNG squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Peters was named as part of the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2009 Pacific Cup.
Warwick Parer
Politician
Warwick Raymond Parer, AM, Australian politician, was a Liberal member of the Australian Senate, representing the state of Queensland. He is the nephew of Australian war photographer Damien Parer. Born in Wau, Papua New Guinea, he attended St. Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane, and was educated at the University of Melbourne, where he received a Bachelor of Commerce. Parer became a member of the Senate in 1985, and from March 1996 to October 1998 was Minister for Resources and Energy in John Howard's government. He retired from the Senate on 11 February 2000, and his vacant seat was taken by George Brandis. He has been Chair of the Coalition of Australian Governments Independent Energy Review Panel and is a member of the Governing Council of the Old Parliament House. Warwick Parer served as President of the Queensland Liberal Party from 2006 until February 2008. In May 2012, Parer was appointed Chairman of the Board of Stanwell Corporation Limited. Parer has also been the Chair of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation since 2010.
Mary Burce Warlick
Politician
Mary Burce Warlick is a United States diplomat. She served as the United States Ambassador to Serbia from January 2010 to September 2012. In October 2012, she commenced a new role as the U.S.Consul General in Melbourne, Australia.
Aidan Toua
Rugby Player
Aidan Toua is a rugby union player for the Queensland Reds. He was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School. In February 2013, Toua was named to start at fullback for the Reds against the Hurricanes in Brisbane.
Wally Kirika
Man
Wally Kirika is a sprinter from Kainantu, Papua New Guinea. He began sprinting at Kainantu High School. As a junior athlete, he was one of four male sprinters selected by the Papua New Guinea Athletic Union to take part in the Melanesian Championships in Fiji in April 2001. He reached the second round in the 100m at the 2006 Commonwealth Games with a then-personal best of 10.76s. His time of 10.80s in the second round was the best of the three Pacific Islanders in the second round. His personal bests, both set in 2007, are 10.74s in the 100m and 22.01s in the 200m. As of 2010 he was a winger with the Hornibrook NGI Harlequins rugby team.
Nelson Stone
Olympic Track and field Athlete
Nelson Stone is a Papua New Guineaan runner. He competed in the 400 m event at the 2012 Summer Olympics but was eliminated in the first round despite setting a seasonal best time of 46.71.
Nicholas Kidd
Man
Nicholas Kidd is a badminton player from Australia who has represented both England and Australia.
Alex Davani
Soccer Midfielder
Alex Davani in Papua New Guinea is a footballer who plays as a Midfielder. He has played for Brisbane Strikers and Taringa Rovers. He currently plays for Brisbane City in the Brisbane Premier League and the Papua New Guinea national football team.
Jonathan Duncan
Swimmer
Jonathan Duncan is a swimmer from New Zealand, who competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, in the 200, 400 and 1500m freestyle. Duncan then went onto complete a bachelor of business degree at Massey University in Auckland in 2004. In 2005, Jonathan started his Master of Entrepreneurship program at the University of Otago and started working for software company Siliconcoach. During this time the Academy Cinema in Dunedin, New Zealand was established with business partner Jeffrey Broughton. In 2006 Duncan relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland to work as Business Development Manager for Siliconcoach and work on other business initiatives.
Robyn Gibbes
Actor
Robyn Gibbes is an Australian actress, probably best known for her roles in Prisoner and Round the Twist.
Dion Aiye
Man
Dion Aiye is a Papua New Guinean rugby league player who currently plays for the Rabaul Gurias. His position is at standoff or halfback.
Tore Lokoloko
Chivalric Order Member
Sir Tore Lokoloko GCL, GCMG, GCVO, OBE was the second Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, from 1977 to 1983. He was Governor-General during Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee visit to the country, when he was appointed GCVO and GCMG. Lokoloko was born in the village of Iokea, Papua. He was the son of Paramount Chief Lokoloko Tore, and attended the Sogeri School, set up by the former Australian administrators in 1944. Like Sir John Guise, Lokoloko had been a member of the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea prior to self-government, from 1968 to 1972. He was selected to replace Guise as Governor-General on 18 February 1977, and remained in that position through 1 March 1983. He later became the chairman of Indosuez Niugine Bank, a position he remained in through 1989. Lokoloko died on 13 March 2013 of respiratory failure after a severe asthma attack.
Winis Imbi
Australian Rules Footballer
Winis Imbi is an Australian rules footballer. Imbi is notable as the first player born in Papua New Guinea to reach VFL/AFL level. Imbi was named in the 1997 TAC Cup team of the year before training with Essendon in 1998. In 1999, Imbi was promoted to the Essendon rookie list and played some promising games in the Bomber's Ansett Cup finals campaign. That year he won the Essendon Football Club reserves Best & Fairest. At the end of the season, he was delisted and added to the Kangaroos Football Club's rookie list where he lasted until the end of the year. Imbi holds the North Ballarat Rebels games record with 53 games. He played football in Aberfeldie, Victoria in 2002. He continues to play football semi-professionally for the Portland Football Club in the Western Border Football League, where he was joint winner of the league's best & fairest in 2003. His younger brother, James Imbi, began at the Portland Football Club before trying out with the Sturt Football Club in the South Australian National Football League in 2004, after which he went to the Palmerston Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League in 2006.
George Slefendorfas
Soccer Forward
George Slefendorfas is a Papua New Guinean born Australian association footballer, who currently plays for Waitakere United in the New Zealand ASB Premiership. He is of Lithuanian and Papua New Guinean heritage.
Rarua Dikana
Cricketer
Rarua Dikana is a Papua New Guinean cricketer, also known as Rarva Dikana. A right-handed batsman, right-arm medium pace bowler and occasional wicket-keeper, he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since 1998.
Kevin Prior
Athlete
Kevin Prior is a rugby league footballer for Wentworthville in the A Grade Sydney Competition, he is also captain. He also plays for Wentworthville in the Jim Beam Cup. He has also played for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team in 2007 and played for All Whites in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition. Standing at 197 cm and weighing 104 kg, his position of choice is at Prop but can also play Second Row. He has been named in the Papua New Guinea training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He has been named in the PNG squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Willie Gavera
Cricketer
Willie Toua Gavera is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. Gavera is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm medium-fast. He was born in Port Moresby. Having played age group cricket for Papua New Guinea Under-19s in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, he proceeded to be selected as a part of the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2009 World Cricket League Division Three, where he played 5 matches. He played a single match in the 2011 World Cricket League Division Three, before making his List A debut against Bermuda in the 2011 World Cricket League Division Two. He played a further 3 List A matches in the competition, the last against Hong Kong. In his 4 matches, he took 6 wickets at a bowling average of 21.00, with best figures of 3/31.
Raymond Haoda
Cricketer
Raymond Charles Haoda is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. Haoda is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm medium-fast. He was born in Port Moresby. Having played age group cricket for Papua New Guinea Under-19s in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, in which he emerged as the leading wicket taker with 15, he proceeded to be selected as a part of the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2011 World Cricket League Division Three, but did not feature. His World Cricket League debut for Papua New Guinea came in the 2011 World Cricket League Division Two. It was in this tournament that he made his List A debut against Namibia. He played a further 2 List A matches in the competition, both against Hong Kong. In his 3 matches, he took 6 wickets at a bowling average of 17.66, with best figures of 3/40.
Andrew Lepani
Soccer Midfielder
Andrew Lepani in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is a footballer who plays as a Midfielder. He has played for PS United Port Moresby and Cosmos Port Moresby. He currently plays for Hekari United in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League and the Papua New Guinea national football team.
Chris Amini
Cricketer
Christopher Ralai Amini, usually known as Chris Amini, is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since 2005.
Jamal Seeto
Footballer
Jamal Seeto is a Papua New Guinean footballer who plays as a forward.
Tim Natusch
Athlete
Tim Natusch is a rugby league footballer who currently plays with the Brisbane Broncos. In his early years he lived with his family in Papua New Guinea before moving to New Zealand with his parents and settling in the coastal township of Waikanae, roughly 100 km north of the capital city, Wellington. To further his sporting ambitions Natusch attended Wellington College. Due to the distance between his home in Waikane and school in Wellington, Natusch would regularly stay at his sister's in Karori. During this time he was a regular edition to the Number 21 Wright's Hill school bus. Other past well known travellers on this service include Robert Ford, James Speight, Russell Weir and Tom Everton. During his time at Wellington College, Natucsh was a crucial part to the 2ND XV in 2003. It was this team in which Tim was inducted into the "Dog Pound Gang" or D.P.G by the presidents Fraser Gyde and Nick White. Tim has gained the most media success out of all the D.P.G members, through publication in the New Zealand Herald and his NRL appearances. Wellington College, a rugby based school did not promote rugby league or support union players trying out the game. Natusch was actively discouraged from entering rugby league by his then union coach John Mills, an uncapped All Black who in 2009 joined Graham Henry's All Black coaching staff in an advisory role. In 2004 Tim played his first rugby league game for the club Harbor City coached by David Fien. Dallas Penetito, Isaac Monk-Tainaghoe and Adam Cahill also played for this team. Tim attracted widespread support as a rugby league player immediately with his large upper frame, strong tackle and light feet.
Mathias Kauage
Chivalric Order Member
Mathias Kauage O.B.E., born in Miugu, Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea in 1944, died in May 2003, was a Papua New Guinean artist. In 1998, Kauage was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to the arts by Queen Elizabeth II. The National Gallery of Australia has described him as "Papua New Guinea’s best-known contemporary artist". He was still holding regular exhibitions abroad shortly before his death, in Australia, Europe and Africa. Kauage's art included drawing, painting and woodcuts. His career as an artist was reportedly inspired by visiting an exhibition of Timothy Akis' in 1969. He was unrelated to fellow artist Chris Kauage, although the two were friends.
Steven Tari
Deceased Person
Steven Garasai Tari, also known as Black Jesus, was a Papua New Guinean religious figure, leader of a Christian-influenced cargo cult, who claimed to be the Messiah or the Christ, and is notorious for alleged human sacrifices, rape, murder and cannibalism. He was convicted of four counts of rape in 2010 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He escaped in March 2013, and remained at large for several months, until he was murdered on 29 August 2013.
Kingsford Dibela
Politician
Sir Kingsford Dibela, GCMG was the third Governor-General of Papua New Guinea in 1983 to 1989. He was also the second speaker of the PNG National Parliament from 9 August 1977 to 14 March 1980. Born in the Dogura area of mainland Milne Bay Province, he was a member of the Wedau people. He was employed as a primary school teacher beginning in 1949 until his election to the presidency of the Weraura Local Government Council in 1963. He was first elected to Parliament in 1975, and served as Speaker of that body from 1977 through 1980. He was named Governor-General of Papua New Guinea on March 1, 1983, and served in that position until his resignation on February 27, 1990. Dibela died on 22 March 2002.
Jack Hides
Deceased Person
Jack Gordon Hides was an explorer of the then-Australian-controlled territories of Papua and New Guinea, now modern Papua New Guinea. He served as a Patrol Officer from 1931 to 1936, and led several expeditions in the early 1930s.
Jamie Brazier
Cricket Player
Jamie Lee Brazier is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since 2001.
Mahuru Dai
Cricketer
Mahuru Douglas Dai is a Papua New Guinean cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since 2005.