Divine Word University (DWU), Papua New Guineaa
The university made a request to Palms Australia to provide a highly experienced legal practitioner to be a Legal Advisor to the university. The Legal Advisor will help implement a new comprehensive set of policy that will manage the university’s academic, financial and administrative areas. A team of staff will also be trained within the legal framework as to understand the duties, responsibilities and implications of the new set of policies.
DWU also placed a request for a Personnel Manager to be responsible for the training of national staff in the implementation of the university’s personnel policies, practices and procedures. Both of these positions will contribute immensely to the strengthening of the university’s capabilities in building effective global partnership, improving a greater standard of education, best practice governance and gender equality.
Peter and Elaine Smyth
Palms Australia recruited Peter and Elaine Smyth from Canberra to fill the above positions, providing guidance and training to local staff at DWU.
Peter is an experienced Solicitor, Legal Practice Manager and Lecturer. He has experience in most fields and levels of law and has twice previously worked in Papua New Guinea, in Law and Education. Elaine has a diverse range of experience in administration and management. She has worked in both private and public sectors, including eight years in the department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Peter and Elaine are active members of their community with involvement in their local church, school and sporting clubs. Peter’s sister Rosaleen is currently volunteering with Palms in Tanzania and their parents, Jim and Kath, were Palms’ volunteers in PNG in the 1970s.
Remembering 1960s Madang
March 4, 2011
We have been blessed recently to receive a number of emails and letters from returned volunteers dating back to PALMS’ earliest years. Featured here are the recollections of Colleen Keating of her time in Madang over 40 years ago.
I was part of the founding team at Divine Word High School, later to become Divine Word Institute and now, an established University. The school from the beginning was co-educational and an all boarding school.
Our original team comprised two Divine Word priests from USA, a Divine Word brother from Germany and myself. I was Science teacher and in charge of girls.
We taught everything. I was a NSW state trained science teacher with three years experience. Setting up the laboratory and seeing the excitement of these eager youngsters was an amazing experience. In the second year I set up the schools library, mostly with books collected, and donated from my St. Kevin’s Parish in Eastwood.
The school began with Year 7 and each year added another grade. In our third year we sat our students for the NSW Intermediate and topped all of PNG. The sports teams excelled.
We all worked so hard and gave our fledgling school a great start. The village elders were concerned that girls going to the “big town” – Madang, might become pregnant. This did not happen, our reputation grew and girls as well as boys received a quality education. It was an exciting beginning and the first time girls were allowed to leave their villages and come to the town for schooling.
The students came from all over PNG – Manam Island, Mt Hagen, Wewak, Bundi… They arrived with their possessions wrapped in scarves and we gave them each a grey blanket for their bed. However they received a great education, they loved their school, and were proud of who they were.
When I came back to Sydney in 1970, I intended to have a year’s break, pick up some new skills and return as a missionary. I met my future husband, also a science teacher and we went on to marry and have a wonderful family. They are now 25 – 35 years old and all have their own lives. But for a long time my heart was on that island.
Some of my colleagues and best friends have passed on. Some have retired to other life styles. Others continue to be active in modern PNG. It remains an amazing part of my life’s journey.
44 years later, Palms and Divine Word University maintain a strong partnership, with Palms Volunteers still contributing to the education opportunities available to Papua New Guineans.
We welcome more stories from returnees which demonstrate the value of volunteering, for publication in Palms Post or online during this Jubilee Year. Please send your stories and photos to brendan@palms.org.au.
Field Trip: Papua New Guinea
December 3, 2010
While large-scale projects – roads, mobile phone towers, mines, etc. – prided by governments and corporations, capture our attention from a distance; the small, local activities are most meaningful to people’s lives.
Click here to read the full article
Orientation Course
March 11, 2010
“Great course, Variety of activities that pushed us out of comfort zone- a real authentic course- not just theoretical knowledge…. it was great to have people participating from a variety of backgrounds- it enriched the whole group.”
Click here to read the full article
More articles
Write to Peter and Elaine
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Or call us on (02) 9518 9551 to make a donation by phone. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR WORK!Papua New Guinea
Population: 5,931,769
Area: 462,840 sq. km.
Median Age: 21.5
Literacy: 57.3 %
Languages: New Guinea Pidgin, English, Motu, 820 indigenous languages
The terrain of Papua New Guinea varies from its rugged mountainous spine to its beautiful beaches to its volcanic islands to one of the world’s largest swamps and the large river systems of the Sepik and Fly rivers. These geographical differences have created a unique country with many diverse cultures. The ties within a family [...]