Council launches appeal to help forgotten PNG earthquake victims

Around 140 people died but more than 270,000 were in need of community aid after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck regional areas of Papua New Guinea in February this year.

Deputy Mayor Cr Joanne McRae said the council was pleased to support the appeal which was suggested by a meeting of Orange City Council’s Sister Cities Committee.

“Orange has a number of sister cities including Mt Hagen in the PNG highlands,” Cr Joanne McRae said.

“While most of the work of the council is focussed locally, this committee has an important role in keeping the council in touch with a broader focus.”

“I remember visiting a school in Mt Hagen years ago, where the children had just heard news of the Victorian bushfires,” Chris Gryllis said. “Even though these students didn’t have much money they generously shared a donation of 500 Kina and the visitors from Orange were able to pass on that donation to the bushfire appeal.”

LAUNCH : Orange City Council will host an appeal for communities affected by earthquakes in PNG. Pictured (l. to r.) are Sister cities Committee chair Bryce Ostini, Deputy Mayor Cr Joanne McRae and Committee member Chris Gryllis.

Sister City Community Committee chair, and local teacher, Mr Bryce Ostini said he’s pleased the committee can take practical steps to help residents of a Sister City partner community.

“The Sister Cities Committee keeps an eye on a range of community activities such as the exchange visits that happen between students of Orange schools and schools in Ushiku, Japan,” Bryce Ostini said.

“There’s an annual Japanese speaking contest and last year staff from Timaru District Council in New Zealand visited Orange to look at how to build closer links.

“This appeal is a simple step that any Orange resident can take to offer a helping hand. Because of ongoing instability in PNG it took a long while for the depth of the earthquake’s impact to come to light.

Due to landslides there were problems with access to clean water. While the media spotlight has moved on, the need of local communities has been forgotten.”

People wanting to contribute to the appeal can make a donation at the cashier counter at Orange City Council.