Papua New Guinea Association of Australia
Where history, heritage & community come together
THE PNGAA
The PNGAA welcomes anyone with an interest in the Papua New Guinea & Australian connection. With modern technologies and social media, we are now closer than ever to our geographic neighbours with increasing opportunities to improve that relationship.
Our focus is on fostering healthy conversations, activities, and the increasing importance of our shared futures in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Below are some ways you can contribute to the success of the Associations outcomes.
To discuss options please call 0409 031 889 or email us
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Support the PNGAA's School Scholarship program by
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Donating
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Organising a fundraising event
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Sponsoring a student
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Sponsoring school books
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The PNGAA Collection
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Interested in collectibles & antiquities?
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The PNGAA is working towards an Australian Pacific Cultural Community Centre which will house & support the PNGAA Collection.
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Your help with marketing & fundraising could make the difference
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Contact the PNGAA Archivist: collections@pngaa.net
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Australian Pacific Cultural & Community Centre
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Join our vision to achieve a vibrant hub
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We need your help; be it planning, marketing, fundraising
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Organise your fundraising event
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Volunteer to help with other PNGAA events.
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Contribute to PNGAA's quarterly journal, PNG Kundu
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with stories, photos, articles, achievements, book news, news of PNGAA events, etc
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the journal holds a rich social and cultural history of the PNG/Australian connection and a platform for promoting PNG–Australian collaborations and charitable activities in education, health, and commemorative occasions
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Advertise in the monthly PNG Kundu Journal.
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Click here to contact the editor: editor@pngaa.net
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Become a PNGAA Member
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Share the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Education Program
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https://montevideo-maru.org//education
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PROJECTS
Support the Future of Papua New Guinea – With Us
At the PNGAA, we believe that education is one of the keys to Papua New Guinea’s future. That’s why our primary focus is on supporting student scholarships, opening doors to opportunity and change for the next generation.
This important work is only possible thanks to the dedicated collaboration of our partners and supporters. Whether it’s funding a scholarship, helping equip a school with books or furniture, or improving learning facilities – every contribution makes a real difference.
As an approved charitable organisation, PNGAA invites you to consider this vital cause when choosing where to invest your time or donations. If you’re looking for a way to give back, or want to be part of something that truly matters – we welcome your ideas, energy, and support. Below are examples of some of our programs.
Together, we can create lasting impact. Let’s help build a brighter future for PNG – one student, one school at a time.
PNGAA Scholarship
The PNGAA provides school scholarships for students in the government school system. Students are initially selected from year 8 and the scholarship supports their education from year 9 to year 12.
Can you help with ideas, time or funding?
We are excited to support any initiative which boosts support for our scholarship programs. Whether its a direct contribution, host a fundraising event, or sponsor a student.
Click here to contact us about donating to a students scholarship
The Australian Pacific Cultural & Community Centre
The Association wants to provide a space for learning, cultural exchange & collaboration for the Oceanic region. A place to not only showcase artifacts, art, literature & history, but also open space for leisure, sport & cultural events.
This project aims to deliver this Centre
Want to help?
Or pick up the phone 0409 031 889
Furniture for Education
The PNGAA came across an opportunity to provide badly needed desks & chairs to PNG University. The people involved to make this happen is a long story
Have an idea?
Click here now to contact us now.
Or call us on 0409 031 889
PERSONNEL
The PNGAA is managed primarily from Sydney, Australia, and is undertaken on an honorary basis. However, the Committee officers can be physically located almost anywhere.
Patrons
Currently vacant
Elected officers
President: Andrea Williams – president@pngaa.net
Secretary: Frazer Harry – admin@pngaa.net
Treasurer: Jane Rybarz – treasurer@pngaa.net
Editor: John Reeves – editor@pngaa.net
Other Committee members:
Membership Officer: Currently vacant – membership@pngaa.net
Events Coordinator: Sara Turner – events@pngaa.net
PNGAA Collection: Cheryl Marvell – collection@pngaa.net
PNG Liaison: Steven Gagau
History: Phil Ainsworth and Chris Warrillow
Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Group: Andrea Williams – admin@montevideo-maru.org
Public Officer: Jane Rybarz
Sub-committees
PNG Kundu Support: Andrea Williams, Claire van Bakel, Murrough Benson, Chris Warrillow, Ross Johnson,
Social and Caring Committee: Currently vacant
Facebook Coordinator: Currently vacant
Website Support: Roy Ranney, Nigel Wong, Claire van Bakel
Publication & Communication: Christine Leonard, Andrea Williams, Murrough Benson, Roy Ranney
History & Culture: Phil Ainsworth, Chris Warrillow, Frazer Harry, Roy Ranney
Finance and Membership: Frazer Harry, Steve Gagau, Murrough Benson, Bev Melrose
RMvM group committee: Andrea Williams, Phil Ainsworth, Max Uechtritz, Patrick Bourke, Gayle Thwaites,
Rebecca Mills, Max Clarke.
PNGAA Collection: Cheryl Marvell
Regional groups
Perth, Western Australia – Kylee Andersen
Melbourne, Victoria – Peter Ryan
Brisbane, Queensland – Belinda Macartney
Gippsland, Victoria – Mrs Geraldine Tyler
Sydney North – Currently vacant
Sydney East – Bev Melrose
ACT/southern NSW – John Reeves
If you would like to help in any area you are very welcome.
Please email admin@pngaa.net with your contact details.
We look forward to working with you.
Please note that all positions are voluntary.
We communicate with members in several different ways — the hardcopy printed journal, website and various social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
We build connections by:
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Sharing stories in PNGAA’s highly regarded quarterly journal, PNG Kundu,
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Organising local events,
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Maintaining the PNGAA Collection
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Developing the Australian Pacific Cultural & Community Centre.
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Maintaining the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group and by sharing its story and the availability of its education program to schools
The Rabaul and
Montevideo Maru Group
The Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society (RMVMS) was established in 2009 to represent the interests of the families of the soldiers and civilians captured in Rabaul and the New Guinea Islands after the Japanese invasion in January 1942, many of whom are believed to have perished on Montevideo Maru when it was torpedoes off the Philippines on 1 July 1942. The primary objective was to erect a memorial to those lost during this event which was achieved when the memorial was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra) on 1 July 2012.
Following this, the Society was wound up in 2013 with its assets and remaining objectives transferred to the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia. It retains a website, https://montevideo-maru.org/ and has an outstanding educational package for schools developed by history teachers.
On the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru, the PNGAA produced a book titled ‘When the War Came: New Guinea Islands 1942’ . Please email admin@pngaa.net to purchase a copy
The Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Memorial at the AWM – Canberra, was put in to storage in May 2021, and will be reinstated once major works at the AWM are completed.
Contact the group at this e-mail address: admin@memorial.org.au
Visit the Rabaul &
Montevideo Maru site
Click Here to view
HISTORY OF THE PNGAA
The PNGAA was originally known as the Retired Officers’ Association of Papua New Guinea (ROAPNG), being formally constituted in 1951. It was incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act of 1984 in March 1996.
The Association owed its genesis to the concerns of retired officers who had served in the Public Service of Papua (then an Australian possession) and New Guinea (then a Mandated Territory under the League of Nations) prior to the outbreak of World War II, in the Provisional Administration of Papua New Guinea immediately after World War II or in the combined Public Service of Papua and New Guinea. Their primary concerns related to the maintenance of superannuation entitlements and retirement benefits for both themselves and their dependents.
The role of the PNGAA has progressively expanded and it now comprises a global network of about 1,000 members representing the diverse interests of people with affection for or an interest in Papua New Guinea.