Hundreds of Papua New Guineans in Brisbane, Australia’s largest diaspora community, were joined by dignitaries for a memorial service in honour of the country’s first prime minister, Sir Michael Somare.
Known as the father of the nation, the grand chief who led the former Australian colony to independence in 1975, died two weeks ago in Port Moresby after a short illness.
The “Grand Chief” died of pancreatic cancer on February 26 aged 84, with the government declaring two weeks of mourning, culminating with Friday’s four-hour service at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
Sir Michael was PNG’s first prime minister following the nation’s independence in 1975 and had later stints in the top job, serving 17 years in that role.
He also served as foreign minister, opposition leader and governor of his home province of East Sepik before retiring from politics in 2017.
Sir Michael’s body was today returned to his home village in PNG for burial.
