AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Australian High Commission Tarawa Quarterly Newsletter

ISSUE: 03 DECEMBER 2010

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY VISIT SPECIAL POINTS OF The Australian Parliamentary Sec- his team received a typically INTEREST: retary for Pacific Island Affairs, the enthusiastic welcome from the Hon Richard Marles MP visited students and staff at the • PM’s Pacific Kiribati on 30 November 2010. School and Centre for Children Mr Marles meeting the Principal of Award Mr Marles was accompanied by with Special Needs. Among the the KIT, Ms Tess Martin senior advisers and officials from highlights was a rousing rendi- • RAMSI the Department of Foreign Affairs tion of the Australian national RKS Teanoai, Mr Marles discussed • More photos on and Trade and AusAID. anthem and a dance in tradi- bilateral defence cooperation and re- page 5 tional costume performed by gional maritime surveillance issues with the students for their Australian senior Kiribati Police Service and Aus- tralian Defence Force personnel. As part of his visit, Mr Marles an- nounced an additional $50,000 in fund- ing for the School and Centre for Chil- dren with Special Needs and another $45,000 for a new Satellite Internet HE Brett Aldam meeting the Par- INSIDE THIS Centre to promote officer training at liamentary Secretary for Pacific Mr Marles giving his speech at ISSUE: Island Affairs, the Hon Richard the School Marles MP on arrival in Tarawa Parliamentary 1 visitors. For their part, the Secretary visit Mr Marles’ visit reaffirmed the Australian team looked abso- lutely resplendent in the golden- Orthopeadic strength and vitality of relations 2 wattle inspired shirts presented Team between Australia and Kiribati. His visit included a courtesy call on to them by the school to mark the occasion. KAP (AYAD) 2 His Excellency President Tong and meetings with Government Minis- Mr Marles viewing the MTC simula- ters and senior officials. At a State tion room with Cpt. Boro RAMSI Photo 2 the Marine Training Centre. Mr Mar- Exhibition les also foreshadowed significant fur- Tarawa Climate 3 ther Australian assistance for the KIT Change Confer- and the Kiribati School of Nursing to ensure they take their place alongside PM’s Pacific 3 other leading teaching and training Award Mr Marles and delegation call on Also included in Mr Marles institutions in the region. H.E. President program were visits to the Ki- Social Club 4 ribati Institute of Technology House function hosted by His Ex- and the Marine Training Centre, Photos 5 cellency the President that evening, where he saw first-hand Austra- Mr Marles was delighted to be able lia’s support for these key insti- to experience traditional Kiribati tutions and reaffirmed Austra- performances, meet Australians lia’s strong commitment to living and working in Kiribati and promoting education and work enjoy the country’s unrivalled hos- force development in partner- Mr Marles on the Patrol Boat with Lt. pitality. ship with Kiribati. During a Cdr Brough and Commanding Officer Earlier in the day, Mr Marles and tour of the Kiribati Patrol boat, Taataa ISSUE: 03 PAGE 2 AUSTRALIAN ORTHOPAEDIC TEAM ARRIVES

An Australian medical team the region for over ten years. were pleased to be able to reach as specialising in orthopaedics Nevertheless each visit brings many patients as they did during their arrived in Kiribati on 16 No- with it its own unique chal- time in Kiribati. The newest member vember to treat and operate lenges and rewards with this of the team, Dr Boris Brankov said it on patients in need of ortho- year proving to be no excep- was one of the best experiences he paedic care. The project was tion. Team leader, Dr Robert has had - describing Kiribati as a hid- managed by the Royal Austral- Genat, said the team had seen den paradise and its people as among asian Group of Surgeons with more than two hundred pa- the friendliest he had ever met. the support of the Australian tients and performed 26 op- Government through AusAID. erations during a particularly The Team (from left to The orthopaedic team con- hectic but rewarding two right)— Ben, Rob, Cherrie, sisted of two orthopaedic sur- week visit. Boris and Dale geons, two nurses and an Before returning to Australia anaesthetist. It was not the on 30 November, the team team’s first visit to the Pacific said they felt their trip had as they have been coming to been a success and that they KAP COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR (AYAD) Mr Carlo Iacovino is an Austra- AYAD, Carlo worked as an grateful that he has been made to feel lian Youth Ambassador for De- Education Officer and then such a part of the team. During those velopment (AYAD) currently CEO of the Clean Ocean Foun- rare moments when he is not work- working in the role of Communi- dation in Victoria, Australia. ing, Carlo enjoys surfing and says that cations Coordinator for the Ki- Among his many roles, Carlo the Gilbert Islands have some great ribati Adaptation Project (KAPII). has recently written a news waves - contrary to the belief that Carlo has been in Kiribati for story for the AYAD program ‘there is no surf in Tarawa!’ KAP, an about 7 months as a volunteer. about his work with the Tarawa initiative funded by AusAID, NZAID, There are currently 5 Australian Climate Change Conference. In the Global Environment Facility and Youth Ambassadors working in it, he describes how living in the Government of Kiribati and aims Kiribati and 11 Australian volun- Kiribati helps to foster a better to reduce Kiribati’s vulnerability to teers. understanding of the challenges climate change, climate variability, and Carlo Iacovino from KAP Carlo holds a Bachelor degree in faced by the country. Carlo sea level rise through adaptation. Media and a Masters degree in enjoys his work with KAP, de- More information on KAP can be Science. Prior to working as an spite the long hours, and is found at www.climate.gov.ki.

port, saying that the country’s RAMSI PHOTO EXHIBITION police had represented Kiribati with distinction and had helped The High Commission was pleased The launch was only the second to improve the lives of Solomon to support the launch of the RAMSI time the exhibition had been Islanders. photo exhibition (RAMSI: A history shown in the Pacific after it’s un- Kiribati was a founding member in pictures) on 16 November at veiling at the Pacific Islands Forum of RAMSI in 2003 with the names Bairiki Square. The exhibition was meeting in Port Vila in August. It of all those to have served in the officially opened by the Minister for was timed to coincide with the mission read out at the launch. the Line and Phoenix Islands, the tenth anniversary of the signing of An impressive contingent then Hon Tawita Temoku, the RAMSI the Biketawa Declaration by Fo- assembled in their RAMSI uni- Special Coordinator, Mr Graeme rum leaders in Kiribati in 2000. forms to mark the occasion. Wilson and the Pacific Islands Fo- RAMSI was established under the rum Representative to Solomon Biketawa Declaration which allows Islands, Mr Sakiusa Rabuka. Also Forum countries to help a fellow present were Government Minis- member in a time of crisis. ters, senior officials, the Acting In his remarks, the Special Coordi- RAMSI Special Coordination Commissioner of Police and mem- nator thanked the Government of Mr Graeme Wilson bers of the Kiribati Police Service Kiribati and the Kiribati Police who have served in RAMSI. Service for their continuing sup- ISSUE: 03 PAGE 3 TARAWA CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE

the 10th of November 2010. The meet- climate change and early access to adaptation ing brought together major developed funding for the most vulnerable states. and developing country economies and some of the most vulnerable small island states for intensive talks on the interna- tional climate change negotiations ahead of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Cancun, . The Conference culminated with the adoption of the Ambo Declaration by The Tarawa Climate Change 12 countries; Australia, , , Conference in session , , , Kiribati, , Mar- shall Islands, , Solomon The High Commission was pleased to Islands and . The Declaration set join the Australian delegation to the the scene for Cancun by calling for ur- Tarawa Climate Change Conference gent and concerted global action on held at Parliament House in Ambo on PRIME MINISTER’S PACIFIC AUSTRALIA AWARDS (PMPA)

The High Commission was delighted structured leadership development com- Marii is currently studying towards a Masters when Ms Marii Marae, a Kiribati student ponent, such as attending the prestigious in Environmental Law at the Australian Na- currently studying in Australia under the Leadership Development Program or par- tional University where she is due to finish her Australian Development Scholarship ticipating in the Pacific Leadership Pro- studies at the end of this year. (ADS) program, was confirmed as one gram. Prior to taking up her scholarship offer in of the Pacific recipients of the Prime The program started in 2010 and will offer January 2009, Marii worked as an Environment Minister’s Pacific Australia (PMPA) awards to eligible postgraduate ADS and Inspector with the Ministry of Environment, Awards in 2010. ALAS scholars from the Pacific. Lands and Agricultural Development. The PMPA Awards give postgraduate This year’s recipients received their students studying under the Australian awards at a presentation dinner hosted by Development Scholarships (ADS) or Australia’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Australian Leadership Award Scholar- Senator the Hon Chris Evans, on 23 No- ships (ALAS) programs the opportunity vember 2010. The Australian Prime Minis- to build on their academic experience ter, the Hon Julia Gillard, MP also attended through a practical work placement in the event and met the recipients. an Australian business organisation. PMPA awardees also participate in a

Marii with Senator the Hon Chris Evans The Awards recipients from the Pacific Marii meeting with the Australian (left) Prime Minister ISSUE 03 PAGE 4 AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS

2010 Melbourne Cup saying farewell to the grand old man of the come to the end of their stay with us as Aus- office, Duncan McCullough, who had come tralian volunteers. We are very grateful for The Social Club hosted the race that to the end of his three year posting with their contribution to the post community dur- `stops a nation’ on Tuesday, 2 Novem- AusAID. Fancy dress and karaoke were the ing their time in Tarawa and for the out- ber. It was a great turn out with guests order of the day with a DVD of Duncan’s standing work they did at the Office of the dressing up for the occasion to parade life and times in Tarawa a special treat. Peoples’ Lawyer and the Marine Training Cen- the best dressed fillies and stallions on There was nary a dry eye in the house dur- tre respectively. Tia bo ao tekeraoi ami the field. Especially eye-catching were ing the screening of the DVD, although mwananga (cheers and good luck with your the many hats that were on display - with we’re not sure whether that was from tears journey). the locally designed millinery a real fea- of sorrow or laughter. Perhaps it was a bit And a big lukim iu bihaen to Atenasi who will ture. Adding to the drama of the race of both. In any event, Duncan recovered lusim Tarawa and kasem Solomons disfala was a TV screen that went blank as the sufficiently from having his life flashed week after a stint with us in the High Commis- field approached the finishing post. Nev- across the big screen to belt out a rendition sion. Mifala hapi tumas fo mitim iu. Iu hemi ertheless, it all worked out in the end of ‘Locomotion’ that set the night’s karaoke barava gudfala. with the happy punters claiming their competition alight. It was followed by some prizes after the replay. While not quite very creditable, and some not so creditable, Thank You From the Club’s Executive topping the ‘other Cup’ as the feature performances of other karaoke favourites. event of the day, the local Hermit Crab The Social Club (hereafter known as ‘The Cup also attracted a large and enthusias- Duncan made his mark during his three Club’) would like to thank all our esteemed tic crowd who were not disappointed years with AusAID and will be sadly missed patrons for their continued support during the with a high quality race. Only one crab in the High Commission and by his many year. We are sure everyone has enjoyed refused to budge but was cleared of any- friends in Tarawa. But we know Duncan themselves and will do so next year. A very thing untoward after a stewards’ inquiry. will go on to achieve bigger and better special thank you to all of our Committee The Social Club would like to thank the things in Canberra and have seen in his Members for taking the time to volunteer their many willing ‘punters’ who were there on replacement, Amie Milligan, someone who services during our bar nights and events. The the day. As a charity event, all monies is prepared to plunge headlong into her life Club will use the money raised this year to raised went into The Club’s kitty to be and work in Kiribati. purchase equipment for the Mental Health donated to worthy causes in the Tarawa We would also like to say farewell to Deb Ward in Bikenibeu to the value of $1000.00. community. Mercurio and Ray and Barb Kinsey as they The equipment will be delivered early in the New Year. Social Club Christmas Bar Night 2010 has heralded a great return for The Club The final Bar Night for the year, on Fri- with the regular bar nights and special events – day 3 December, was a bittersweet such as the Melbourne Cup and the Aussie event. Not only did the night bring down Rules grand final(s) – well attended and a lot of the curtain on a very happy and success- fun. But we are not about to rest on our lau- ful 2010 for the Social Club, it also had us rels and look forward to an even bigger and better 2011. In the meantime, we would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. Tekeraoi ami Xmas ao te ririki ae boou. Duncan bids adieu (with the support of his former dog Jem) Kam bati n rabwa.

Patrons of the 2010 Melbourne Cup

Joanne says thanks and it’s cheers to Duncan

Karaoke in full swing! ISSUE 03 PAGE 5 MORE PHOTOS FROM MR MARLES’ VISIT

At the School Australian High Commission Tarawa

P.O Box 77 Bairiki Tarawa Republic of Kiribati Phone: 21184 Fax: 21904 Email: [email protected]

Please find below the link At the MTC for further information to Mr Marles’ visit to Tarawa on the AusAID website:

http:// www.youtube.com/ user/AusAIDvideo At the KIT

u On the Patrol Boat ov.a ssy.g mba ati.e kirib