Latest news with #PapuaNewGuinea-based
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Pacific solar pioneer, charitable Aussies earn gongs
Completing university in the early 1980s, Geoff Stapleton had no way of predicting how vital his chosen expertise in solar energy would be. "The industry was pretty well non-existent back then," he told AAP. Fast forward four decades, and Mr Stapleton can look back on a career supporting the rollout of renewable energy in Australia and further abroad, including the Pacific. As of Monday, he will also add an AO after his name, an Officer of the Order of Australia appointed for distinguished service to engineering in the renewable and sustainable energy sector, and to training and development. Mr Stapleton, 66, has been hands on with his Pacific work, personally training many workers across the blue continent, as well as developing industry standards. The rewards are clear: bringing power sources to many remote communities for the first time, allowing connectivity, business growth, poverty relief, and access to health. "To them it's a no brainer, solar is cheaper than diesel," he said. "Seeing people out there installing systems, it's very satisfying. "Just look at Vanuatu: there's no more kerosene lights, it's all solar lanterns and that's a major heath saving." He isn't done, and is realising a dream of several decades, this year breaking ground to build a regional training centre for renewable workers in Suva, alongside the University of the South Pacific's TAFE campus. Mr Stapleton is one of a number of Australians given King's Birthday Honours for their efforts to support their nation's closest neighbours in the Pacific. Dennis Perry, the co-founder of Papua New Guinea-based charity Operation Life, is another, awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for his decades of volunteer work. Mr Perry, 77, said he was moved to begin his education and poverty alleviation-focused charity after seeing a family burrowing in rubbish dump for food in Tonga. "You talk as a kid about being a good Samaritan ... that motivated me when I saw a great need to do something about it," he told AAP. "Sitting in a church wasn't good enough. I thought God expected more than that." Operation Life has expanded from its Port Moresby base, where it offers poverty alleviation, an orphanage and a school, into the Central Province, with a rapidly expanding school in Kivori Poe. Enrolment is up about 300, with many receiving an education including how to grow crops. "When they leave our school they will have not only life skills but hope and dignity," Mr Perry said.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Raiders: NRL live updates from round 12 clash
All the action live as the Warriors host the Raiders in their round 12 NRL clash in Auckland. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 10. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 12. Marata Niukore, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell (c), 13. Erin Clark. Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, Reserve: 21. Tanah Boyd. Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4, Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Simi Sasagi, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Morgan Smithies. Interchange: 14 Owen Pattie, 15. Noah Martin, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Ata Mariota. Reserve: 18. Jed Stuart Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.' Halasima, 19, produced a stunning performance in the Warriors' 26-24 win over the Wests Tigers last month, scoring a solo 70m try which ultimately proved to be the game winner. Laban, 21, scored his first NRL try in last week's 16-12 win over the Dolphins. Both players have been named to face the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. Andrew McFadden, Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, said it was a 'significant moment'. 'It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game. 'Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.' Last month, the Warriors re-signed fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad until the end of the 2027 NRL season, while also signing Morgan Gannon from Leeds Rhinos and five-eighth Jye Linnane from the Newcastle Knights, on three year deals. Meanwhile the Warriors have confirmed centre Moala Graham-Taufa will leave at the end of the season. The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals
Leka Halasima's 70m solo try against Wests Tigers was lauded by some fans as 'the greatest first try in the history of the NRL' . Photo / Photosport. The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.'
