An Open Letter to Papua New Guinea

Dear Papua New Guinea,

Today on the 16th of September, we commemorate your Independence from Australia. We remember your history and we celebrate your struggles and achievements. We grew up together in this South Pacific of ours and we learnt to live alongside each other. In times of war and strife, you stood with dignity, in times of need, you had the courage to seek it, when we needed support and counsel, you were there to provide it. From the first arrival of your ancestors, you have remained true and faithful to yourself. You have seen waves of our ocean rise and fall, you have beckoned many people to your shores and have also had the grace to bid them goodbye. You are endowed with the richness of sea and land. Your roots remain strong as many gather and eat at your table.

Dear Papua New Guinea, be the beacon of our islands. Be the source and the strength that we can draw on to sustain us in our long journey. We see your culture and we see the diversity of your people, we see your past and we ponder your future. Let us hold hands and remain steady on our course as we see our people grow and prosper, as we see our culture and way of life honoured, as we weave our history with the call of a better future. We remember you Papua New Guinea and we ask that you never forget us. 

Happy Independence Day 2013!

Tenk Yu Tru

University of Sydney Pasifika Society