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Musical Connection

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Wan Solwara

Described as a musical connection across seas, the launching of Wan Solwara is intended to unite people from different cultures.

Wan Solwara (One Ocean) is a collaboration between Indigenous Australians and young Bougainvillean musicians, coming together to celebrate the power of music.

It was conceived in 2022 when the Australian Government invited internationally renowned didgeridoo player, Tjupurru, and his son Jake Fabila, to participant in the Bougainville Voice X-Plosion competition.

The song, and a video which documents the story of the music collaboration, were officially launched by Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, and Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Jon Philp.

High Commissioner Philp said the Australia Government is committed to promoting and strengthening cultural linkages between First Nations Peoples in Australia and across Papua New Guinea as part of its Indigenous Diplomacy efforts.

“This collaboration underscores the power of cultural exchange and music to strengthen people to people links and knowledge sharing between First Nations peoples. Indeed, Tjupurru also has a strong connection to PNG, being born in Port Moresby and with family connections in Central and Bougainville,” said Philp.

Along with Tjupurru and Jake, Wan Solwara features 2022 Bougainville Voice X-Plosion contestants Michael Dave, Ruth Maison, Walter Kerevio, Jolista Masu, Robertha Yansi, and Milton Garea.

Supporting artists include acclaimed PNG musician and producer, Richard Mogu, Tsarlayse Iamu and Kawas Band. It was recorded and mixed in Bougainville in 2022 by local sound engineer, Melchior Wagum, with guest producer, Richard Mogu, and mastered and released in Australia in March 2023 by Wantok Musik label.

The artists drew on their cultural heritage, using a combination of traditional and contemporary instrumentation including bamboo pipes, and didjeribone (a cross between a didgeridoo and a trombone). Lyrics were co-written by ABG Minister for Community Development, Morris Opeti, Richard Mogu, Tjupurru, Jake, and the young musicians.

President Toroama says music plays an important role in transmitting cultural knowledge from generation to generation.

“Music is an important conduit for conveying important messages of hope and peace. Bougainvilleans have a strong attachment to music through unique, traditional songs and chants, accompanied by bamboo pipes. This is something that Bougainville youth must be proud of and maintain,” said Toroama.

The collaboration was documented by local filmmakers, Bruno Louey and Ishmael Palipal (Createk Multimedia), and produced with Wantok Musik. The track lyrics and video call upon Bougainvilleans to “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” to bring about positive change in their communities.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/ready-for-work-pacific-australia-labour-mobility-palm/

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Ready for Work

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PALM

The ten women from Bougainville selected to undergo the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme will commence work at an Australian berry farm.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jon Philp said the ten are the first lot of women to represent their region (Autonomous Region of Bougainville).

“These remarkable women are, we hope, the first of many Bougainvilleans who will travel to Australia under the scheme,” said Philip.

The Bougainville Labour Mobility initiative is a collaboration between the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the PNG Government, and Australia, to increase the number of Bougainvilleans participating in the PALM scheme.

Shirley Philips from North Bougainville is one of the ten women undergoing this program. Philips said through PALM, workers from across the Pacific are developing skills and make an income to send back to their families.

“They are filling workforce shortages across industries in Australia, including in agriculture, food processing, and aged care” said Philips.

Since work began in January 2023, more than one hundred Bougainvilleans have been selected to join the PNG LMU work-ready pool.

Labour mobility is an important driver of economic growth and one of the most effective ways to support individuals and their communities.

Labour mobility also provides vast benefits to Australian employers and host communities and strengthens people-to-people links.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/bagana-assistance/

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Bagana Assistance

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More relief assistance is reaching villages on Bougainville island affected by the Mt. Bagana eruption on 7th July 2023.

Yesterday the US Army airlifted the first load of relief supplies into Torokina District, three weeks after the eruption.

Through the US Agency for International Development (US AID), $ 200, 000 was injected into the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the humanitarian response.

IOM is leading the camp management at the declared care centers at Piva and Wakunai. Two new care centers were also declared for locals in Panguna and Kunua Districts.

With most of the water source considered unsafe for drinking, the Australian Government through the Australian Defense Force had supplied water purifying tablets.

An ADF aircraft landed in Buka on 10th August 2023, carrying with it shelter and hygiene kits.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jon Philp who who flew in with Australian Defense Advisor, Colonel Travis Gordon on at the ADF aircraft C-27 handed over the supplies to Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama.

“This support demonstrates the strength of our commitment to cooperation and friendship particularly in times of need,” said Commissioner Philp.

The New Zealand Government is assisting in this humanitarian response through collecting and testing of water samples for drinking.

Last Wednesday, a Papua New Guinea Defense Force Naval Vessel sailed into Bougainville for the first time after 23 years.

All these responses by the National Government and international partners come after a request by the Autonomous Bougainville Government to assist more than a 1000 people displaced by the eruption.

Mt. Bagana is an active volcano located on South-west of Bougainville.

While no deaths were reported, the ash fall and lava that flowed into river systems and food gardens have affected several other villages in Central Bougainville.

Related: https://insidepng.com/bougainville-to-produce-first-draft-of-an-autochthonous-constitution/

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