Help Us
Help Gulf
THE GULF PROVINCE IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE MOST UNDERDEVELOPED PROVINCES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA WITH DECAYING INFRASTRUCTURE AND POOR SERVICE DELIVERY
WE WANT A FUTURE WHERE EVERY PERSON IN THE GULF PROVINCE HAS ACCESS TO THE BASICS OF LIFE
HEALTHY FOOD · CLEAN WATER · SAFE SHELTER · BASIC HEALTH CARE · QUALITY EDUCATION
About PNGGAQ
The PNG Gulf Association of Queensland is a not for profit association based out of Brisbane, Australia.
The association was formed in 2011 and was the brainchild of Mr Terry Karafa who was also the inaugural President
“The underpinning reason for why this association was formed was my personal experience of not having a tool or the necessary means to facilitate medical requirements for my dying mum. I felt I did not do enough and based on that I was determined to do everything I can possibly do to ensure others would not experience what I had gone through.” – Mr Terry Karafa
Our Story
Our mission is to bring together the Gulf people living in Queensland to stand united and raise funds to deliver projects that will change and touch the lives of people in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea.
Our focus is on the Health Centres and Schools throughout the province. By joining and consulting with the affected communities on the ground we are able to identify the needs of the people and deliver projects that will be of most use and have an immediate and tangible benefit to the people.
In order to meet our objectives and aims and deliver our projects we rely on the kind donations and generosity of our members, various partners and support from the general public through our fundraising events
How we help?
The PNG Gulf Association of Queensland has been delivering projects to the Gulf Province of PNG since 2013. Project delivery remains challenging due to the lack of transport infrastructure and connectivity outside the province. The association remains committed to deliver regardless. Below is how we have helped to date
Malalaua Kitchen and Dining Hall Renovation
Between Wednesday 3rd July and Saturday 13th July 2019 the PNG Gulf Association of Queensland purchased building materials and sent in a team of workers to carry out renovation work on the Malalaua High School Dining Hall
The following work was completed – replaced and repaired damaged external walls, repaired dining hall roof section damaged by tree, painted external walls, replaced flywire on all windows, replaced 7 damaged doors, repaired interior walls of kitchen, set up stove to replace current open fireplace used for cooking, installed chimney ventilation in kitchen, repaired all damaged dining tables, washed down and painted interior walls, replaced staffroom flywire, repositioned and repainted school sign
Delivery of Mosquito Nets to Kikori
In 2016 the PNG Gulf Association purchased mosquito nets and with the assistance of GFS Limited we were able to deliver these to the remote villages of the Kikori district
Siviri Flood Assistance
The PNG Gulf Association of QLD were proud to present K1930 to Gabriel Ikamu on the 28th October 2016. Gabriel was the local ward council member for Siviri village at the time and the money went to help with the flood relief efforts for the village which was affected by king tides in September of 2016. An additional K1070 was transferred to Sunshine hardware for the purchase of nails to help with the repair and rebuilding of damaged houses. The total contribution was K3000. We thank the people of Queensland who donated towards this cause during our flood appeal at the PNG Independence celebrations
Malalaua Health Centre Donation
In 2013 the PNG Gulf Association of Queensland delivered its first ever donation. Malalaua health centre was chosen as it provides services to multiple villages.
At the time of delivery the Malalaua Health Centre was in a bad state – most hospital beds had no mattresses, there were power issues which resulted in mothers giving birth by the light from mobile phones, the health centre vehicle was not operational and there was a broken water pump
The association delivered brand new heavy duty hospital grade mattresses, quality linen and a brand new diesel generator
Malalaua High School Educational Resources
On the 25th of April 2016 the Gulf Association delivered over K10,000 worth of stationery including Pens, Pencils, Exercise Books, Dictionaries and Teaching Resources. Thanks to GM Industries who provided transportation and logistics for our group
Help Us Help Gulf
Without your help and generosity the PNG Gulf Association of Queensland would not be able to carry out the great work we do. We thank you for your kindness and hope that you continue to support us by donating, attending our fundraising events, purchasing merchandise or joining the association. Your help and support really matters and does make an impact on the lives of the people of Gulf Province
Contact Us
Donations
Membership
We encourage anyone with strong ties to the Gulf province to become financial members of the association. Single adult memberships are $10 and family memberships are $20. Membership fees are an avenue of raising funds for the association. Financial members can take part in the Annual General Meeting to vote for the executives and office bearers.
The membership form can be downloaded below. Please complete and email back to gulf@pnggaq.org. Funds can be direct deposited to the association account which can be found on the application form
News
We are constantly updating our Facebook Page with latest news and information. These updates can be found below. You can also click on the events tab to view upcoming events
Events
The PNG Gulf Association of Queensland hosts 2-3 fundraisers per year. Fundraising events have ranged from dances, walkathons, food sales, raffles and selling at stalls. Please keep an eye on our facebook page for upcoming fundraising events.
The association also organizes cultural events showcasing and passing on the traditions and history of the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. The main cultural performance usually takes place at the PNG Independence celebrations. We have been fortunate to have some elders travel from PNG to Brisbane to teach us dances and the cultural significance of the performances
Stalls
Over the years the PNG Gulf Association has set up various stalls at different events to raise funds. Events have included the PNG Independence day celebrations and football matches. Items sold at the stalls ranged from food and drink sales. Merchandise sales, guessing game and raffles.
Walkathons
Walkathon fundraisers have proven to be a success over the years with great turnouts and good amount of fundraising done for the group while promoting fitness and exercise. The walk is usually done on the Brighton or Sandgate foreshore and ends with a free sausage sizzle in the park.
Food Sales
From time to time the Gulf Association will raise funds by making and selling food. The main food item made and sold is sago which is native to the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. There are different styles of sago but the main style that we sell are sago wraps with lamb or chicken filling. The sago is usually sold at our stalls or at different events but we also organize sago drives where people can pre-order the sago and the association makes and delivers the sago
The association has also made and sold traditional mumu’s and held sausage sizzles
Dances
The PNG Gulf Association hosts an annual fundraising dance. We raise our money from ticket sales. Some of the venues that have hosted our dance are Hotel LA and Sherwood Football Club Chelmer. We have had successful fundraising dances over the years and it is a fun night for all the Gulf community as the DJ plays PNG and Gulf music all night long.
Shout out to Focus Market Solutions for the music video production done during the concert and the visit
Cultural Events
The association has a cultural and events coordinator and one of their duties is to organize the cultural event. This includes cultural dances that promote the province and raise the profile of the association allowing us to achieve our aims and objectives. In addition, the cultural coordinator promotes and teaches traditional practices and the way of life of our ancestors. This helps members keep in touch with their heritage and identity and foster the connection to the Gulf Province which will, in turn, drive the next generation of Gulf sons and daughters to give back and assist the province
Go to our YouTube page to watch videos of some of our PNG Independence Day Celebrations
Concerts
In 2012, the PNG Gulf Association brought to Brisbane the famous Gulf province artist Robert Oeka accompanied by Gary Vaibua who performed at the Holland Park Bowls Club and the Hendra Bowls Club. the fundraisers were a great success and raised much needed funds. Thanks, Robert and Gary for their time and efforts.
Shout out to Focus Market Solutions for the music video production done during the concert and the visit
Partners
GFS Limited
GFS is a PNG owned transport and logistics company. Over the years GFS Limited have helped the PNG Gulf Association of Queensland with logistics in project delivery. GFS helped deliver Mosquito Nets to the Kikori people. GFS also stored materials and provided transportation of materials and equipment to Malalaua. We value our partnership with GFS and applaud them for giving back to the community
Brisbane Taylor Bridge Rotary Club
Brisbane Taylor Bridge Rotary Club donated $5000 towards one of our biggest projects to date, the renovation the kitchen and dining hall of the Malalaua High School, Gulf Province. This funding allowed us to proceed with our project and we are grateful for the kind donation and partnership on this project
MoniPlus
MoniPlus has helped the association transfer funds to PNG and waived joining fees for us
Courtney’s Quality Meats
Courtney’s Quality Meats have donated towards our sausage sizzles and BBQ’s that the association has organised
Meet the team
PRESIDENT
Mrs Rachael More
Secretary
Mr Emmanuel Meraveka
Treasurer
Mr Edward Cheung
Cultural CoordinatorS
Ms Rose Karukuru
Mrs Kay Hemblyn
Events Coordinator
Mrs Nini Eri
GALA CoORDINATOR
Mrs Elizabeth Kent
Local Representative
Ms Hari Avara
Our executives and committee members all fulfill their roles on a voluntary basis and are not paid for any work they do for the association. Costs incurred during project delivery such as travel and accommodation for members and executives are all at the expense of the individual. This means that almost all the funds raised by our association goes towards our projects while a small amount is used for association administration and overhead expenses. Full financial reports are presented at the general meetings or can be obtained by contacting the executive team.
We aim to have at least 4 general meetings a year and an Annual General Meeting at the end of the year to elect office bearers for the following year. Our general meetings provide a forum for the executives and members to meet and discuss various issues relating to the group and provides an avenue for members to provide feedback and ideas on fundraising events and project delivery while the executives can update members on the status of current projects and any future events that have been organized for the association. The general meetings also provide an opportunity to foster a sense of community among the Gulf people who are based in Brisbane city and surrounding areas and the executive committee occasionally organize social activities such as barbecues, easter egg hunts and cultural activities. Social activities are funded by members and not the association