Category: News

Lae, Morobe Province, PNG, 4^th September, 2015 – In another exciting development, Swire Shipping has generously contributed PGK70,000 towards the Lae National Botanic Gardens Advancement Program. It is the largest monetary donation the program has received to date and will go a long way in restoring the gardens to their former glory.

Swire Shipping has always been supportive of the Advancement Program and this donation of PGK70,000 solidifies their commitment to a better future for the gardens. It also reflects Swire Shipping’s broader commitment to assist in sustainable development to build better communities in their regions of operation.

These funds will be used for the development of four world-class garden designs that will be placed within the gardens to showcase PNG’s natural beauty, culture and diverse plant life, and to draw visitors back to the gardens once it reopens later this year. Renowned design company, Garden City Design Co. have been engaged for the task and planning has already commenced.

Acting Director of the PNG Forest Research Institute, Dr. Martin Golman was present on Friday to receive the giant cheque, stating ‘the Advancement Program relies heavily on the generous support of the business community. Swire Shipping has been a partner in the program from very early days and has in fact been instrumental in bringing this program to life. I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution Swire Shipping has made.’ Tim Blackburn from The China Navigation Company (CNCo) went on to say ‘this is a great example of how a business house of Lae can successfully partner in the implementation of the Advancement Program. I would encourage other businesses to come on board and get involved.’

It was also a significant day for CNCo as incumbent Managing Director, Tim Blackburn handed over the reigns to incoming Managing Director James Woodrow, both excited to see the progress that has already been made in the gardens, as James Woodrow commented, ‘Swire is proud to support the Lae Botanic Gardens and to work with the rest of the Lae community to make it a highlight of Lae life that everyone can be proud of, it is a fantastic space. Swire will continue to lead efforts to get the whole community behind this project for the long term.’

 

About Swire Shipping

Swire Shipping is the liner shipping division of The China Navigation Company (CNCo), the deep-sea shipping arm of the multinational Swire Group. CNCo has provided regional shipping services between Australia and the Asia-Pacific region since 1883.

Swire Shipping operates multiple liner trades in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, North America and the island nations of the South Pacific, in addition to providing services to India, the Middle-East and Europe. Swire Shipping operates a versatile fleet of multipurpose ships capable of carrying a wide range of cargoes including containerised, refrigerated, project, breakbulk and heavylift cargoes.

For more information on CNCo and Swire Shipping, please visit www.swirecnco.com.

 

We all see her as we drive around Lae going about our business; she is worthy of a glance and perhaps a sad sigh at her current state. Sitting in the Southwest corner of the Botanical Gardens, the DC3 plane is looking a little worse for wear these days. The RAAF DC3 is an important member of the Lae community and representative of the part played by PNG in WWII, it is high time she was given the attention she deserves.

 

Thanks to the efforts of many people and businesses, the National Botanic Gardens Lae Advancement Program is at full throttle, and we are pleased to announce the establishment of a DC3 steering committee that is joined by members of the Lae community, businesses and plane enthusiasts to give our DC-3 the proper treatment, with the first meeting taking place on the 20^th August, 2015.

 

A love of planes is not the only thing that has bought this committee together; it is also a passion for the growth of Lae through business networks, infrastructure development and tourism. It also provides an excellent opportunity to capture the history of the plane and the operations and events of WWII in this region, not to mention an added attraction for people to see when the gardens re-open later this year.

 

The inaugural meeting led to many great outcomes including the formation of four working groups within the committee to look after the key areas of Technical Advice to ensure accuracy in the restoration of the plane; Plane Covering to coordinate the building of a shelter to protect the plane from the elements; Plane History to collate and document information on the plane, it’s history and use during WWII and Documentation of plans, archival footage and the process of restoration.

 

The committee is made up of several interested individuals and businesses including the Friends of the Lae Botanic Gardens, PNGFRI, Swire Shipping, Trans Marine, Northbuild PNG, AHI Hope Foundation, Riback, Unitech and Coca Cola Amatil (CCA). Other companies that may be involved in this restoration include; Dulux Paint, Digicel, Defence, Lae Builders & Contractors (LBC).

 

This treasured RAAF DC-3 is in good hands with a bright future ahead of her, and if you or your business is interested in contributing to the restoration, or the wider Lae Botanic Garden Advancement Program, please contact the Curator, Michael Lovave at the PNG Forestry Research Institute on 472 1041 or 472 4188 or email mlovave@fri.pngfa.gov.pg.

 

 

As the Lae Botanic Gardens are becoming closer to be re-opened to the public later this year, Lae based, tier one contractor Northbuild PNG has jumped in with its own support to the National Botanic Gardens LAE Advancement Program. Northbuild has generously supplied a large contingent of workers and resources to re-build the existing ablution buildings – vital to the successful opening strategy.

Northbuild’s efforts are a fantastic example of how the business community can help to put in place vital infrastructure and services to enable visitors to spend quality time in their natural environment.

Northbuild’s six workers were excited to help re-build the ablution block so that the gardens can be re-opened and their families can re-visit the gardens like they did in their younger years. Northbuild’s Director Mr Paul Boddington says ” Northbuild congratulates the Friends of the Lae Botanic Gardens in their effort to re-open the gardens and are very happy to assist in this endeavour”.

 

 

Papua New Guinea’s Forest Research Institute Acting Director Martin Golman says “ The FRI are extremely grateful for Northbuild’s contribution to the Advancement Program. Supplying essential infrastructure is an important step to our program and will allow us to re-open the Gardens in October. Thank you very much Mr Boddington”.

Along with partners, the PNG Forest Research Institute and the Friends of the Botanic Gardens Lae are making good progress and continue to reach out to business houses and other partners to come on board.  For more information on getting involved, please contact the Curator, Michael Lovave at the PNG Forestry Research Institute on 472 1041 or 472 4188 or email mlovave@fri.pngfa.gov.pg.