Transition

Recognised: PNG Deputy Prime Minis ter Akoka Doi and Forest Minister Karl Stack have been made Compan ions of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and are now members of the Privy Council. They are among 37 PNG citizens honoured in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Appointed: Elizabeth Qualao has been named Executive Officer of the Uni versity of the South Pacific’s Vanuatu Centre. Originally from PNG, Ms Qualao holds a degree in Business Studies from the University of Tech nology in Lae. She has worked in the Government Statistics Office since moving to Vanuatu and will be based at the new USP complex under con struction in Vila.

Knighted: Dr James Jacobi, a medical practitioner in Boroko, PNG, and

long-time president of the PNG Rugby

Football League. Sir James, who already holds an OBE, was honoured for services in medicine and to the

community.

Knighted; Joseph Nombri, PNG’s most senior diplomat and ambassador to Japan. Already the holder of a British Empire Medal, an Imperial Service Order Sir Joseph was honoured for

distinguished public service.

Died: Henry Nicholas Francis, popular long-time resident of Norfolk Island.

Affectionately known as Chook, Mr Francis died suddenly on December 8, aged 77. He was a confectioner by trade but applied himself to many things and is fondly remembered as the cook and proprietor of the Oceanside guest house, later known as the “Paradise”. He is survived by his wife Lois, his many children and grandchild ren - Died: Phillip Billy, education minister of Central Province, PNG. Mr Billy, 30, was killed in a road crash at Gerehu, Port Moresby, on December 5. He was elected to tne provincial govern ment last July and was credited with the first unification of provincial politicians in the area. He is survived fry his wife and three children. 1 Died: Nemia Drauna, 49, secretary of Fiji’s Native Land Trust Board, in Suva, of renal failure, on November 16. Mr Drauna was educated at the Queen Victoria School and held a number of positions at the NLTB. He is survived oy his wife and three children.

Appointed: Father David Halstead, as Australia-Southwest Pacific regional head of the Roman Catholic Domini can Order. Sydney-born Father Hal stead was elected at a recent meeting of the Order in Canberra. He replaces Father Nicholas Punch who has held the position for the past eight years, Appointed: Dr Mesake Biumaiwai, named ambassador to Australia by

Fiji’s interim Government. Previously

under-secretary for the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, 56-year-old Dr

Biumaiwai is expected to take up his post in February, . „ , Elected; Kamtlo Gala to the French National Assembly with 57 per cent of the vote m a by-election m the french territory of Wallis and Futuna. The Government-backed Socialist Party candidate last year challenged the re election of Benjamin Brial, who has held the seat since 1967, and forced the new poll. A french constitutional council inquiry later found evidence of false proxy voting and double vot ing in last year’s contest.

Honoured: PNG Deputy PM Akoka Doi.