Late Sir Mekere Morauta farewelled

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister and Moresby North West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, was farewelled in a small but an emotional and beautiful funeral service in Brisbane, Australia.

Only a handful of close family and friends attended the service at the Saint Mary's Anglican Church at Kangaroo Point, due to COVID 19 restrictions.

Prominent Papua New Guinean's, including Sir John Kaputin, Motu Koita Assembly Chairman, Dadi Toka Jnr, and family representatives of other prominent Papua New Guinean's also attended the service.

The Gulf community in Brisbane brought a touch of PNG to the funeral.

Australian economist, Professor Ross Garnaut, in a fitting eulogy, described Sir Mekere as a great wise man, and a man of strong will.

Tributes were read out as well from many who knew and worked with the late Sir Mekere, among them senior statesman, Sir Rabbie Namaliu.

PNG's Consul General in Brisbane, Jimmy Ovia, says, COVID-19 restrictions prevented many PNG leaders from attending the funeral service.

He described the late Sir Mekere as a light, beacon of hope, and a role model for others in the public service, in business, and in politics. 

Wife of late Sir Mekere, Lady Roslyn Morauta, and son James, wept as the casket was carried out of the church.

The family has not advised where the body of the late Sir Mekere will be laid to rest.

NBC News/ PNG Today

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