Australian Governor General pays tribute to late Sir Michael

Australia’s Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove  attended Friday's State funeral service of Sir Michael Ogio at St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Moresby.

Sir Peter  arrived  Port Moresby  on Friday morning  was met by Sports and Events Minister Justin Tkatchenko with other signatories at the airport. 

Early, Mr Tketachenko told that media that  Sir Peter's attendance  shows  the wonderful relationship that Australia and PNG have at this level, and at many levels.

“For them, and especially the governor-general to fly in at very short notice to show respect to our governor-general of Papua New Guinea, is greatly appreciated.” he said.  

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill described the late Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio as a man of dignity and humility.

 “Sir Michael served his country and people with high dignity (and) humility, as a teacher, long serving Member of Parliament, Minister of State, Deputy Prime Minister, and later our Governor- General,” O’Neill said. 

“He has certainly laid is place in the history of our country but more importantly the legacy he leaves behind of the work he has done in Bougainville, during the difficult period in Bougainville’s history (when he) held some very important positions.

“He is the most frequent travelling Governor-General all throughout our country, he had travelled widely and engaged with our people more genuinely than any others before, and he had been a worthy supporter of many NGO’s, like St Johns.”

The casket of Sir Michael departed for Autonomous Region of Bougainville this morning before a Royal Guard of Honour by the PNG Defence Force personnel in Port Moresby.    Photo credit: Hon. Justin Tkatckenko