Paulias Matane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paulias Matane
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Matane at Government House, Port Moresby in 2009
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| 8th Governor-General of Papua New Guinea | |
| In office 29 June 2004 – 13 December 2010 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Michael Somare |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey Nape (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Nape (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 September 1931 East New Britain, New Guinea |
| Died | 12 December 2021 (aged 90) East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Spouse | Kaludia Matane |
Sir Paulias Nguna Matane GCL GCMG OBE KStJ (born 21 September 1931 – died 12 December 2021) was an important leader in Papua New Guinea. He served as the eighth Governor-General of Papua New Guinea from 2004 to 2010. A Governor-General is the Queen's representative in a country like Papua New Guinea.
Sir Paulias was also a well-known writer. His book My Childhood in New Guinea has been taught in schools since the 1970s. He also wrote many articles for The National newspaper.
Contents
About Sir Paulias Matane
Early Life and Background
Paulias Matane was born on 21 September 1931. His home village was Viviran, in the East New Britain Province. He belonged to the Tolai people, who are a major ethnic group in Papua New Guinea. He spoke Kuanua, their native language. Sir Paulias was also a strong member of the United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
He wrote 44 books during his life. These books were written in very simple English. He wanted to show people in Papua New Guinea that books are helpful. He hoped his books would encourage them to read more. Some of his books shared stories about his travels to other countries, including Israel.
For many years, Sir Paulias wrote a newspaper column. It gave advice to young people. He also started the United News Agency of Melanesia. Sir Paulias, along with another important leader, Michael Somare, often wore a traditional lap-lap (a type of skirt) instead of trousers.
He was married to Lady Kaludia Matane. She passed away in 2016.
Education and First Jobs
Sir Paulias Matane went to school at Toma Village Higher School. Later, he attended Keravat High School. In 1956, he began studying at Sogeri Teachers' College. He also studied at Port Moresby Teachers' College. After his training, he became an inspector of schools. This meant he checked on how schools were doing.
Serving as an Ambassador
Sir Paulias Matane became the first Ambassador from Papua New Guinea to the United States. This happened in 1975, after the two countries started working together officially. He also served as Papua New Guinea's Ambassador to the United Nations from 1975. In 1979, he was chosen as a vice-president of the United Nations General Assembly. This is a big meeting where countries discuss world issues.
In the mid-1980s, he was in charge of Papua New Guinea's Foreign Affairs Department. He helped discuss money aid from Australia. He also talked with Indonesia about border issues and helping people who had to leave their homes.
Becoming Governor-General
Sir Paulias Matane was chosen as Governor-General by the Parliament of Papua New Guinea on 27 May 2004. He received more votes than his opponent. Before his election, it had been hard to choose a Governor-General.
He officially started his role on 29 June 2004. Queen Elizabeth II formally appointed him on 13 October 2004. In 2010, he was chosen for a second term. There were some disagreements about the rules for this re-election. However, the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea later ruled that his re-election was not done correctly in December 2010.
His Passing
Sir Paulias Matane passed away on 12 December 2021. He died in his home village of Viviran.
Books by Sir Paulias Matane
- Kum Tumun of Minj, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1966 (Stories of Our People).
- What Good is Business? Here are Some Answers, Madang: Kristen Pres [1972].
- Aimbe, the Challenger, Port Moresy: Niugini Press, 1974.
- Aimbe, the School Drop-out, Rabaul: Toksave na Buk Dipatmen, United Church, New Guinea Islands Region, 1977.
- Aimbe, the Magician, New York: Vantage Press, 1978.
- Aimbe, the Pastor: A Novel, Hicksville, New York: Exposition Press, 1979.
- Two Papua New Guineans Discover the Bible Lands, Rabaul: Trinity Press, 1987.
- To Serve With Love, Mount Waverley, Victoria: Dellasta Pacific, 1992.
- Let's Do It PNG! Inspirational Messages, Mount Waverley, Victoria: Dellasta Pacific, 1994.
- Trekking Through the New Worlds, New Delhi: UBS Publishers' Distributors Ltd., 1995.
- My Childhood in New Guinea, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1996.
- 40th Anniversary: Amazing Discoveries in 40 Years of Marriage, Port Moresby: Sir Paulias Matane, 1996.
- Chit-Chat, South Melbourne: Addison Wesley Longman, 1996.
- Pawa na pipel! People and Power in Papua New Guinea, Woollahra, N.S.W.: Aid/Watch, [1996].
- Laughter Made in PNG, New Delhi: UBSPD, 1997.
- Voyage to Antarctica, New Delhi: UBSPD, 1997.
- The Other Side of Port Moresby in pictures, New Delhi: UBSPD, 1998.
- A Trip of a Lifetime, Boroko: Sir Paulias Matane, 1998.
- Management Problems in PNG: Some Solutions, New Delhi: UBSPD, 2000.
- Management for Excellence, New Delhi: UBSPD, 2001.
- Ripples in the South Pacific Ocean, New Delhi: CBS Publishers & Distributors, 2003.
- Time Traveller: A Journey Through the Heart of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby: Cassowary Books, 2005.
- Papua New Guinea: Land of Natural Beauty and Cultural Diversity, New Delhi: CBS Publishers & Distributors, 2005.
- Laughter: Its Concept and Papua New Guineans, New Delhi: CBS, 2007.
- Understanding Papua New Guinea, New Delhi: Scientific International, 2013. Joint author: M. L. Ahuja.
- Books for National Development, New Delhi: MEDTEC, an imprint of Scientific International Pvt. Ltd., [2013]. Joint author: M. L. Ahuja.
- Christianity: Faith and Holy Days, New Delhi: MEDTEC, an imprint of Scientific International Pvt. Ltd., 2014. Joint author: M. L. Ahuja.
See also
In Spanish: Paulias Matane para niños
