As Papua New Guinea prepares to mark 50 years of independence, the country is celebrating more than just its founding—it’s celebrating its people. In a sweeping national honour roll, 3,000 Papua New Guineans from every province and walk of life have been recognised with the King’s Independence Medal.
From artists and athletes to elders, educators, and entrepreneurs, the awards pay tribute to those who have shaped the country’s identity, contributed to community development, and elevated PNG on the global stage.
Celebrating the Spirit of PNG
This year’s honourees span five key sectors:
- Arts & Culture
- Community Service
- Sports
- Public Leadership
- Cultural Preservation
Among them is Theresa Haro, a highlands weaver from Jiwaka whose bilum designs have gained international recognition. “My bilum carries our story. To be honoured for that—it’s beyond words,” she said at the medal ceremony.
In Lae, Peter Aria, a youth coach and former semi-professional footballer, was celebrated for over 25 years of free coaching and mentorship. “Sport gave me direction,” Aria noted. “Now I give it back.”
A Medal for Every Province
The King’s Medal distribution was not limited to cities or well-known names. Nominees were sourced through community networks, churches, schools, and ward-level councils, ensuring representation from rural and remote regions as well.
The Sepik region saw dozens of cultural leaders recognised for their work preserving traditional dances, wood carvings, and canoe-building skills passed down for generations.
In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, honourees included post-conflict peacebuilders and women’s rights advocates, acknowledged for their role in rebuilding social cohesion.
A Royal Seal on National Pride
This year’s medal carries both symbolic and diplomatic significance. Issued with the endorsement of King Charles III, the medal features PNG’s national bird-of-paradise alongside the royal crest—a gesture seen by many as a bridge between PNG’s colonial past and its sovereign future.
“It’s not about the crown. It’s about recognition. Our people deserve to be seen,” said one government official.
More Than Medals: A Movement
The medal programme has sparked conversations across PNG’s schools and communities about service, leadership, and cultural pride. Teachers are using honouree profiles in classrooms to inspire students. Radio stations are airing weekly “Icon Stories.” Social media is flooded with hometown heroes going viral.
As one Port Moresby teacher said:
“We don’t need to look overseas for role models. They’re right here—next door, in the market, on the rugby field.”
What Comes Next?
The government plans to document all 3,000 honourees in an official Independence Jubilee Book, to be distributed to libraries, schools, and cultural centres across the nation.
In the words of PNG Bulletin’s editorial:
“In honouring these icons, we honour our collective journey—full of struggle, spirit, and strength. This is not just a celebration of individuals, but of the soul of a nation.”
