CUSTOMER: The Bank of Papua New Guinea's Commemorative Currency Launch event, staged last week at the Stanley Hotel Conference Centre, was a tremendous success for the Bank by emerging as a significant moment in the nation's celebration of 50 Years of Independence.
With Governor Elizabeth Genia hosting the event, the keynote address from the Prime Minister James Marape and the attendance of PNG's political, business and cultural leaders created a superb atmosphere that was enjoyed by all. Our CEO Malcolm McDowell also delivered an excellent speech to the audience, ensuring that NPA was seen as one of the major contributors to the evening.
The focus of the event was two-fold:
• To officially launch the Commemorative 50 Kina banknotes and 50 Toea coins to celebrate PNG's 50 Years of Independence, and
• To honour the life of Sir Julius Chan one of the country's founding fathers, with the Prime Minister revealing the newly designed 100 Kina banknote featuring Sir Julius' portrait.
Preceding the main event, Malcolm participated in a media conference with Acting CEO Royal Australian Mint Emily Martin. The media conference started with a nine-minute video that covered the production of the Commemorative Currency that was issued on Friday 29 August throughout the country. The video features interviews with Linden Chan, Steve St.Martin, Brant Ryan, Beau Delcus, Josh Carpenter and Bradley Mangan.
"Note Printing Australia has had a 35-year relationship with the Bank of Papua New Guinea," said Malcolm. "We're incredibly proud of all the banknotes we produce for BPNG and as a function of our close relationship, NPA endeavours to deliver as much value as we can besides the provision of banknotes."
With enormous cultural fanfare, the main event started with the Governor who spoke of the critical role that the currency played in PNG's economic life and its importance as PNG looks ahead to its next 50 years. Prime Minister Marape, cealrly a student of PNG's political history, provided context around Sir Julius' influence and leadership at the time of independence. This was highlighted by a three-minute video that honoured the life of Sir Julius and revealed the new 100 Kina design, to the great appreciation of the audience.
A number of other significant individuals connected to PNG's independence and currency were honoured for their contributions, being gifted from the Governor an uncut sheet of Commemorative notes. This included the family of Sir Michael Somare, Sir Yano Belo (a leading and influential politician in 1975), as well as Willie Stevens who designed the original PNG currency first issued in 1975. Willie worked with NPA designers Bruce Stewart and Lyell Dolan, living in Melbourne for two years in the lead up to the currency's production and issuance.
After his speech, the Prime Minister also presented to Lady Stella Chan a beautifully framed plate featuring a Raggiana Bird of Paradise.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea also gifted specially framed sheets of Commemorative banknotes to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, the Governor General and the Treasurer of PNG.
Hard (To Beat) Currency: The Commemorative Currency Launch Event was an emotion-charged evening in which a wide cross-section of PNG's leaders came together to recognise and appreciate PNG's journey since independence in 1975. The evening started with a media conference featuring (L-R) RAM's Emily Martin, Assistant Governor Ron Sikar, and Malcolm McDowell.