Mining giant Rio Tinto has apologised for losing a tiny radioactive capsule that went missing as it was being transported across Western Australia. An emergency hunt for the device, which is about the size of a pea, is under way along the 1,400km (870 mile) route. The capsule contains a small quantity of radioactive Caesium-137, which could cause serious illness to anyone who comes into contact with it. That could include skin damage, burns or radiation sickness. Emergency services are searching for the device using radiation detectors and other specialised equipment, and say the chances of finding the tiny device are "pretty good". But Australia's Department for Fire and Emergency Services said the silver capsule - which is just 6mm (0.24 inches) in diameter and 8mm long - was so small it might have become lodged in the tyre of a vehicle passing along the road. There is also concern that if it is found by a member of the public, they might inadvertently keep it as a souvenir. Authorities are keen to stress that holding the capsule could result in radiation burns, while long-term exposure could cause cancer. The capsule may have gone missing up to two weeks ago. Rio Tinto, which has big mining operations in Australia and has been the subject of a series of controversies in recent years, said it was sorry for the alarm that had been caused. The firm would be launching its own investigation into what had happened, it said in a statement. The lost device is part of a density gauge, which is common in the mining industry. It was being used at Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri mine in the remote Kimberley region. The gauge was being transported by a subcontracted company, who picked it up from the mine site on 12 January to move it to a storage facility in the north-east suburbs of Perth. When it was unpacked for inspection on 25 January the gauge was found broken apart and the radioactive capsule was gone. One of four mounting bolts and screws were also missing. The authorities said vibrations during transit may have caused the bolts to become loose, allowing the capsule to fall through gaps in the casing and truck. The search route is huge. It is roughly equivalent to the distance by road from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall, or from Washington DC to Orlando, Florida. Specialist radiation detection equipment is being fitted to patrol vehicles that will cover the length of it. Over five days, they will travel in both directions along the Great Northern Highway at speeds of around 50km/h (30mph). Simon Trott, chief executive of Rio Tinto's iron ore division, said: "As part of this investigation we are working closely with the contractor to better understand what went wrong in this instance. "Rio Tinto engaged a third-party contractor, with appropriate expertise and certification, to safely package the device in preparation for transport off-site ahead of receipt at their facility in Perth. "Prior to the device leaving the site, a Geiger counter [a device to detect radioactivity] was used to confirm the presence of the capsule inside the package," Mr Trott added. State officials have issued a radiation alert across a vast swathe of Western Australia and warned of the potential danger of coming into contact with the object. Exposure to trace quantities of the metal is like "receiving 10 X-rays in an hour, just to put it in context, and... the amount of natural radiation we would receive in a year, just by walking around," said Western Australia's chief health officer Andrew Robertson. The state's desert is remote and one of the least populated places in the country. Only one in five of Western Australia's population lives outside of Perth, the state's capital. But if anyone does stumble across the capsule, they should avoid handling it, Mr Robertson said. "If you have contact or have it close to you, you could either end up with skin damage, including skin burns... and if you have it long enough near you, it could cause what is called acute radiation sickness, and that will take a period of time," he added. This incident comes as Rio Tinto tries to repair its reputation in Australia after it was hit by a backlash for destroying sacred Aboriginal rock shelters in Western Australia. In 2020, Rio Tinto blasted the 46,000-year-old rock shelters at Juukan Gorge to expand an iron ore mine, sparking a major outcry that led to several of the company's top bosses standing down. And last year, a parliamentary inquiry found sexual harassment was rife at Australia's mining firms, after an internal review at Rio Tinto found more than 20 women had reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault over five years. Source: BBC

The most recent signing for the Dolphins, Tesi Niu is relishing the chance to make a fresh start this year after enduring a tough 2022. Still young at 21 years of age, the talented outside back had to overcome many personal challenges last year that would test any person, losing his father early in the year and dealing with the emotion brought up by the devastating tsunami in Tonga. On the field, it was also a difficult season, with a hamstring injury and a dip in confidence restricting him to only 10 games for the Broncos after featuring in 16 games for the club in 2021. “Yeah, it was a tough year for me, but really, really grateful for opportunities I got at the Broncs, I got my debut, so, very thankful for that club, but a new journey begins here,” Niu told assembled media on Monday morning following the club's training session at Kayo Stadium. “Just (with) everything going on in my life, so it wasn’t the best year for me ... (but it’s a) new start, fresh club. “I’m settling in good, it's really good. The boys are really welcoming and they make it a lot easier for me.” While many players have been drawn to the Dolphins by the appeal of working with head coach Wayne Bennett, for Niu, another major drawcard was the familiar face of assistant coach Kristian Woolf, who most recently oversaw Niu at the Rugby League World Cup. “I was really close with Woolfy, been doing a lot with Tonga and him,” Niu said. “He gave me my debut with Tonga, so have been really close with him and working with him a lot, so good to be working with him and to have him here.” In his two games at the World Cup, Niu played fullback, prompting some questions about his preferred position and if he was looking to push expected custodian Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, but Niu said he simply wanted an “opportunity to prove myself and try and get a spot in that 17”. “I'm happy playing anywhere, if things happen, I will fill in the team where I can,” Niu said. “I’m training at centre at the moment, so just trying to do my best at that position and trying to nail it down and improve on what I need to be better at centre. “(My goal this year is) to be consistent and play a full a season in the NRL … just to be better me, (and) I guess to find a lot of confidence in myself this year and just be really consistent.” Source:NRL.Com

The first Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) Implementing Agencies (IAs) Fono for 2023 was held virtually on Friday, 27 January to discuss the ongoing implementation of Phase 1 of the PacREF programme with great emphasis on strengthening regional collaboration and integration among stakeholders. Implementing Agencies (IAs) also discussed the PacREF's Annual Implementation Plan Review for 2022, the Mid-Term Review (MTR) recommendations, the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) that will be held in Auckland on 20-22 March and other events planned for the year. PacREF Facilitating Unit Coordinator (PFU), Mr Filipe Jitoko said “PFU is committed to working with the implementing agencies, regional partners and our member countries’ focal points to ensure effective collaboration and partnerships amongst all stakeholders are strengthened in the implementation of the PacREF programme.” “An important function of the PFU is the coordination of all stakeholders in implementing PacREF to ensure efficient use of resources and recognising the limited capacity and time of the participating countries to which they can commit to the Programme. This is important if we are to achieve our Pacific leader’s vision for the PacREF and ensure that the Programme delivers the best education outcomes for all Pacific people”. The Pacific Regional Education Framework programme is now in its first phase of implementation, and implementing agencies (IAs), including the Pacific TAFE, Institute of Education, Discipline of Education of the University of the South Pacific (USP); the Educational Quality Assessment Programme (EQAP) of the Pacific Community (SPC); and partner agencies the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariats work collaboratively and are guided by the PacREF Implementation Rolling Plan (IRP) to ensure the sustainable, affordable and successful implementation of the programme. The activities under the Implementation Rolling Plan are structured under each of the four policy areas of the Programme and clustered into 15 Regional Public Goods (RGs). The RGs are in the form of tools, standards and services which are intended to be embedded into national education systems to improve the quality of education and service delivery. Countries will select which of the RGs they would like to contextualise into their education systems and will be supported by the IAs in the process. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration between the PacREF member countries and implementing agencies have embarked on several education development initiatives under the PacREF Phase 1 Implementation Rolling Plan (IRP). Of the sixty-five (65) activities under the Phase 1 IRP (2021 – 2024), 67 per cent are already underway and at different completion stages. “The support of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE); Asian Development Bank; Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) towards the implementation of the PacREF programme is greatly acknowledged as their support has been integral in the progress of the programme,” Mr Jitoko added.

Capital Insurance Group is pleased to announce the successful launch of our Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program today in all our five markets. The PNG head office had an engaging session with our teams with invited guest, the Managing Director of Life PNG Care, Mr. Collin Yakio sharing about the purpose and drive behind Life PNG Care. #LifePNGCare is an organization that supports homeless children to have a better and sustainable future. Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Tonga also launched the CSR initiatives in their countries today with different community groups which will be featured in-depth in the coming weeks. The Group's CSR Charter has 4 pillars that guide its activities and initiatives under the framework including Environment, Social well-being, Charity, and Education. Capital is committed to giving back to the people and communities in the markets in which it operates and looks forward to sharing this with our customers.

Solomon Islands hotshot Raphael Lea'i has signed for Bosnian footballing giants FK Velež Mostar, to become the first Solomon Islander to ever sign for a professional European club. Lea'i signed a one-year contract after a successful trial for the club which is known as The Rodeni. The deal includes the possibility of extending the contract for another year. Lea'i began his playing career at Honiara club Henderson Eels FC for whom he played in the OFC Champions League. After playing for the Solomons at various age group levels, Lea'i made his international debut in 2022. Eels president Hudson Wakio said the striker has great discipline and always wants to improve himself. "Raphael is different from most of our players, in terms of self-discipline and his eagerness to push himself. He always challenges and pushes himself on to achieve higher goals. "In Solomon Islands, players train only once a day, usually in the evening, but Raphael trains three times a day." Wakio said Lea'i's move shows there is a route to professional football for young prospects in Solomon Islands and around the Pacific. "There are many pathways for Solomons players to follow, especially in securing a professional contract. All of these of these partner pathways, they all lead to the same goals or aims, which is to seek a professional contract. "So either going through New Zealand or Australia or tariff to Europe, I think they all lead into the same." The 19-year-old scored four goals during the Oceania World Cup Qualifying Tournament in March 2022 helping the Solomons reach the final, where they lost to New Zealand. Team coach Felipe Vera-Arango said after the tournament Lea'i was good enough to play in Europe. "He's 19-years-old. It's the first time that he plays in senior level at this level. Before he started the game today he was in the top of the scoring list with Chris Wood, who plays in the Premier League, and he played with pain and he played with a lot of hamstring problems and he tried as hard as he could," he said. Solomon Islands captain Micah Lea'alafa said at the time Lea'i has a bright future ahead of him. Velez was one of the most successful clubs in Yugoslavia, finishing runner-up in the national league three times in the 1970s and 80s and reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 1974-75 season. The club has struggled in the post-Yugoslavia environment and played in Bosnia's second tier for several seasons but is back in the Premier League, where they finished third in 2021. Source:rnz.com

City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) Group is pleased to announce the opening of our newest City Pharmacy branch in Kundiawa, Simbu Province. The new branch was opened under a Private Partnership agreement with the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Hospital, and now provides quality and affordable healthcare and wellbeing retail services to the province. City Pharmacy Kundiawa, which also houses our coffee brand Bon Cafe, officially opened after 8 months of preparation on January 30th 2023 in Kundiawa-Gembogl, Muguwa Dilu, among an excited crowd and hospital staff. "Our vision was that if we did anything, that it has to match the standards of one of the country's top hospitals", said Sir. Mahesh. " Thank you CEO Wandi, Hospital board members, member Dlu and most importantly the people of Simbu . It's a pleasure to serve you, and we got raise and maintain the standards now that City Pharmacy is here in the province". Simbu Province Health Authority CEO Dr. Wandi said, "Thank you to Sir. Mahesh and CPL for taking tis business risk to establish a pharmacy here after many years. Our patients now no longer need to go to Mt. Hagen or Goroka for medicine- they can access it right here in Kundiawa". "This is a great achievement for our province. Smart decisions by our previous and current hospital boards have enabled partnerships such as this that is a benefit to everyone in our province, and I urge people to look after this service". MP. Muguwa Dilu further added in his speech. The opening of City Pharmacy Kundiawa now brings the total number of branches in the Highlands region to six, with four being in Mt Hagen and one in Goroka. Customers in Kundiawa will also be eligible to sign up and use Real Rewards Plus, our customer loyalty program. City Pharmacy has over 30 Pharmacies across the country, strengthening the company's vision to help Papua New Guineans live better and healthier lives.

At least three people were killed and more than 800 injured when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Iran on Saturday night local time, according to Iranian news agencies. Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the earthquake hit the city of Khoy, West Azerbaijan province, in northwest Iran, around 9:44 p.m. local time, citing the Iranian Seismological Center in Tehran. The semi-official Tasmin news agency put the toll at three dead and 816 injured, while the Mehr news agency said 70 villages had been damaged. Mehr said that relief and damage assessment operations are underway. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also registered the quake as 5.9 magnitude. “The tremor was so strong that it was felt in many regions of West Azerbaijan Province, causing concern among residents. It was also felt in several cities, including the provincial capital of Tabriz in the neighboring province of East Azerbaijan,” IRNA reported. Source: CNN

Kiribati is reportedly returning to the Pacific Islands Forum. Forum Chair, the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, said his office has received a letter confirming this intention from the Kiribati President, Taneti Maamau. Rabuka visited Kiribati just over a week ago, on his first official overseas visit since taking office. At the time he said bringing Kiribati back into the Forum was the visit's overall objective. Kiribati left the group in July last year when Maamau refused to attend the annual Leaders' gathering in Suva due to what he claimed was failure by the PIF to address concerns of equity, equality and inclusiveness in a number of key decisions including the appointment of the current Secretary General. Rabuka told The Islands Business most of the technical work to restore Kiribati's membership will be done by the Forum and Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Forum leaders are due to meet in Fiji in March, ahead of the full PIF meeting in the Cook Islands later this year. The PIF's other Micronesian members, Nauru, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia cancelled their projected withdrawals following negotiation of the Suva Agreement, which will bring major changes to the appointment of the Forum's leadership, particularly the Secretary General, and relocate some offices to the northern Pacific. That agreement is yet to be inked by all parties and the Micronesian Presidents' Summit will likely meet before the March meeting. "Hopefully we'll get the Micronesian bloc talking among themselves about the other things that they had asked for, asked the Forum Chair to consider. that will have to be taken back to them," Rabuka said. He traces some of the present difficulties within the Forum back to historical divisions, particularly after the 2006 coup in Fiji. "Unfortunately, 2006 recreated some sense of discomfort and unease in the relationship amongst leaders and I think it also led to the establishment of the PIDF, particularly when the difficulty of relationship, the absence of the Pacific-type relationship between Fiji and Australia and New Zealand." Rabuka said Fiji was more sympathetic to another type of organisation that didn't rely too much on Australia and New Zealand. "Since that was started there has been a sense of 'ok, now we have got rid of the two big boys. Is Fiji now going to be a big boy of the rest?' And that could have led, I do not know yet, but from observation, it could have led to the uneasy feelings of the smaller island states and probably gave rise to the discomfort felt by the Micronesian states and all they needed was a trigger." The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), which is headquartered in Suva, was established in 2012 and works on renewable energies, and climate responses, amongst other priorities. Source:rnz.com

St George Illawarra fullback Cody Ramsey has been ruled out of the entire 2023 season after he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The Molong product will need to take the year off to recover from multiple bowel surgeries, with the club hopeful the fullback will return to the game in coming seasons. "Cody was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition, in late 2022 which required an extended stay in hospital," Dragons General Manager of Football Ben Haran said. "Unfortunately, this ultimately required significant bowel surgery. This surgery was successful, however it will require multiple follow-up procedures over the coming season. This means that Cody won't be available to play NRL in the 2023 season. "Our focus will be on Cody's medical rehabilitation and wellbeing in the first phase. He's been in and around training with the players and coaches recently and is having a hugely positive impact on all of us at the club. "Cody is a great character who is one of the most passionate, popular and respected members of our club and will have a significant impact on the success of the team over the coming season." Source: NRL.Com

In Tok Pisin the word "Lewa" means "heart" or "love". In the case of the seven mothers in Papua New Guinea's national women's cricket team, the PNG Lewas, it is love imbued with dedication, heartbreak, and mental toughness. The Lewas mums are away from their babies and young children for long periods and in some cases have sent children to be raised by extended family. Returning to training just months or even weeks postpartum is common. All the mothers are enormously proud to represent Papua New Guinea, but their primary motivation is financial survival in a country where nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. All feel that despite their sacrifice, their lives are better playing professional cricket than otherwise. Grueling schedule makes cricket and parenthood tough to juggle It is rare to have more than one mother in an elite team of any sport, but especially cricket. The gruelling tour schedule required for international cricket is unique. Megan Schutt is the only mother in the Australian women’s cricket team. [caption id="attachment_35288" align="alignnone" width="866"] Kaia Arua's daughter Konio Carmen Boe has lived with her grandmother for long periods because of her mother's tour schedule.(Supplied: Kaia Arua )[/caption] The 2023 squad lists show New Zealand and Pakistan with one mother each in their ranks (Lea Tahuhu and Bismah Maroof) India and Bangladesh have no mums, and South Africa has two (Lizelle Lee and Masabata Klaas). An international cricketer can travel overseas for months and to several different countries in any given year. PNG captain Kaia Arua explains her difficult decision to send her daughter to live with her mother in another province. "When I looked at the calendar and saw we have three or four tours a year, I didn't want to disturb my daughter's education going back and forth," she says. Despite the usual hurdles of Pacific sport, such as torrential rain for a quarter of the year and limited equipment and funding, the Lewas are world class. They're currently ranked 12th in the world for the T20, and they dominate cricket in the Pacific Islands. In the last two qualification rounds, the team has come close to a T20 World Cup qualification. They're quietly confident next year in Bangladesh will be their Cup debut. [caption id="attachment_35289" align="alignnone" width="870"] Like almost all of PNG's Lewas, Pauke Siaka comes from the cricket-mad village of Hanuabada.(Supplied: Cricket PNG)[/caption] Cricket allows PNG women to be breadwinners All the mothers ABC Sport spoke to primarily play cricket to financially support their family. When a player becomes a mum, there's even more pressure to stay in cricket so she can provide for her children. Most of the team have even forfeited completing high school so they could play cricket and earn a coveted contract. Cricket PNG (CPNG) CEO Greg Campbell says the players' contracts are not enough. But the resourceful Lewas support their own families, and often their extended families with their contracts. "Cricket is my bread and butter to put food on the table," Lewas bowler Geua Tom says. "This [is a ] big sacrifice to support my kids and for my grandmother who raised me — I want to help them." [caption id="attachment_35290" align="alignnone" width="855"] PNG bowler Geua Tom's income from cricket "puts food on the table" for her grandmother and three children. (ABC Ali Almond )[/caption] Some of the Lewas mothers supplement their cricket income with a market shop selling tobacco or betel nut, or by catching fish. That is usually the husband's domain, in addition to caring for children with the help of grandparents or extended family. Campbell says CPNG is continually trying to improve the players' situation and is working towards pay equality for its men and women. "In 2022/23 the Lewas received a 25 per cent pay increase compared to the men who received 10 per cent," he says. "By 2025, we will have everyone on the same pay, and sooner depending on finances." CPNG runs a bus for school drop-offs and pick-ups. The bus delivers the children home or takes them to the cricket ground where their mother or father is training. Campbell says CPNG is also looking into a maternity policy but there's nothing in writing yet. "If one of the players fell pregnant, as long as I’m there on the board, she will get paid," he says. Star all-rounder doing long stints away from baby   [caption id="attachment_35291" align="alignnone" width="858"] Sibona Jimmy met her baby for the first time when she was one month old.(ABC Ali Almond )[/caption] Lewas opening batter and spin bowler Sibona Jimmy first met her four-month-old baby in Port Moresby airport surrounded by her family and teammates. After unsuccessfully trying to fall pregnant for years, her sister-in-law promised Jimmy her second-born child. Iga Igua was born while Jimmy was on tour at the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Abu Dhabi. She met her one month later at the emotional airport homecoming. Tour money helps pay for expensive baby formula Jimmy was briefly home in December after a six-week cricket scholarship in South Perth. She spoke to ABC Sport from Canberra, where she is on tour again, before heading back to Perth for another six weeks. Agreeing to go back to Western Australia was a gut-wrenching decision for the new mum, but the tour allowance makes a difference to her family. "It was another opportunity for me to provide and save money for my child to give her what she needs. So I just took it. I sacrifice to provide for her," a tearful Jimmy says. Jimmy says baby formula is a big expense. One can costs 40 PNG kina, or $16, which is about a quarter of the average weekly income in PNG. 'I tell the girls what kind of life I went through and to choose wisely' One of the most heartbreaking stories of motherhood in the team comes from the captain. Arua has an eight-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. Her daughter recently returned to Port Moresby to live with her, and her son has been raised by her mother since he was two months old, far away in the Western Highlands. He does not know Arua is his mother. Arua brought her daughter home because she was afraid she "might lose her too". Following a difficult divorce, Arua now has a stable environment with loving support from her new partner. "Sometimes when I'd call she (Arua's daughter) didn't want to talk to me," she says. "It really hurts me as her mum." "But I know she'll understand later why I kept her with my mum." Arua's mother was also a cricketer. "She understood what it takes to represent your country, so she understood what I'm trying to do for myself and my children," she says. "I didn't want my kids to have a life of nothing at all." Arua sometimes gives advice to the younger players in the squad. "I try to be honest with them. I tell them what kind of life I went through and encourage them to choose their partner and when to have kids wisely," she says. "Enjoy your young life, follow your heart, but make sure you know what you're doing." Self-isolating for months after first-born baby is a strict cultural practice Nearly all of the Lewas are ethnic Motu from the southern coastal region of PNG, specifically, the largest Motu village of Hanuabada. [caption id="attachment_35292" align="alignnone" width="856"] In Hanuabada, cricket is part of life, from dawn to dusk. The streets are turned into pitches and planks of wood become makeshift bats.(Supplied: ICC)[/caption] The Motu have a custom of not leaving the house with their first-born baby for at least three months or sometimes six months to a year. Mum and baby will finally emerge to a big celebration before returning to everyday life. Five of the mothers in the Lewas followed the practice. Opening batter Ravini Oa stayed inside for three months. "It was not easy to just sit there … oh my God, it was so hard for me. I got so bored," she says. Straight back to the pitch after second or third baby If it is the second or third-born child, the Lewas mothers return to cricket one or two months after having a baby. For vice-captain Tanya Ruma, it was just weeks. “After two weeks they asked me to go back and train. It was very hard for me. My body felt so weak," she says. When a player falls pregnant the pressure to return early is just financial. The Lewas' talent pool has been shallow, requiring players to fast-track their return. [caption id="attachment_35293" align="alignnone" width="865"] Tanya Aruma was the highest-scorer in last year's Twenty20 World Cup qualifers.(ABC News: Greg Nelson)[/caption] The popularity of cricket has largely been confined to Hanuabada. But Campbell says CPNG is seeing an expansion of the game into other parts of PNG. "There's a little area called Popendetta that sits in the eastern tip of PNG. There are more female cricket players than men coming out of there at the moment," he says. The trailblazing Arua passionately believes in the growth of cricket for women in PNG. "I know there's a lot of girls out there in the village who are just like us," she says. Source: ABC.Com

Aucklanders are waking to the sound of yet more rain over the already sodden city as the state of emergency there enters its fourth day. Northern suburbs of Auckland and Titirangi appear to have been some of the worst areas hit by the heavy rain overnight. Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher says northern regions like Wellsford and Warkworth have been hit by more than 60mm of rain and there is some flooding. In West Auckland, there have been landslips in Titirangi with some houses very close to falling off a cliff. Earlier, Fire and Emergency said five people were rescued from properties hit by landslips, or who had become trapped by floodwater. There have also been 60 calls for help overnight from Auckland into the Waikato. Meanwhile, thunderstorms and rain are set to continue in Auckland and Northland during the day, with new downpours forecast for Tuesday. On travel, dozens of roads in Auckland remain closed as a result of slips and flood damage, as well as multiple state highways. Waka Kotahi says State Highway 25A through the Coromandel has been completely wiped out. Source:rnz.com

The addition of colourful murals to the Hahela market on Buka Island in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville has made it a centre of attraction and inspiration for many Buka Town commuters and people from the surrounding communities. The murals, painted onto the water tanks and plywood story boards at the market, depict traditional stories and legends, including various themes that symbolise life in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. This is the work of ten young Bougainville artists with the support of experienced visual artists from the Port Moresby-based Tool Boox Production (TBP), who were engaged for the Market Beautification Mural Painting pilot project. Funded by Australia, under the Bougainville Partnership’s Water Security Program, the objectives of the mural painting project included developing visual arts skills that can support income generation, engaging the youth in civic activities, showcasing local talent and encouraging a sense of pride in the community. The seven male and three female artists from Hahela, aged between 17-40 years, were selected based on their artistic ability and interest. Renowned Mural Artist and TBP General Manager and Creative Director, Peter Leo Ella guided the artists through a five-day mentoring program that included basic theory of art and design principles, drawing technique, painting and colour mixing, as well as traditional indigenous and cultural visual elements. One of the young artists, Joy Toboen, said “This has been a very fulfilling experience for me. I feel privileged to be part of the group mentored by someone as experienced as Peter. In a short time, we learnt useful skills that enabled us to develop our individual designs for the market murals. I do see opportunity and future in the visual arts for female artists like myself.” Mr. Ella said he was amazed by the display of raw talent by the Bougainvillean artists. “I have mentored many artists and have never seen such a display of talent as I have seen here with the Bougainville artists. I think Bougainville is rich in culture and traditional stories and seeing emerging talents bring that to life while working on the Bougainville Story Board is truly something to treasure. There is indeed an opportunity to develop the visual arts industry here and create job opportunities for local artists.” Hahela market mothers and community members were pleased with the outcome and say that the murals have brought “life and spark” to the market facility and the surrounding area. Individuals and business houses impressed by the murals have expresse interest in commissioning individual art projects, potentially providing further economic opportunities for the young artists. The Hahela market is one of the 11 market structures across Bougainville, worth over K1.5 million, supported by the Australian Government through the Bougainville Partnership.