Hundreds turn out in Brisbane to honour former PNG PM Michael Somare

Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday in Brisbane to remember the life of former Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare.

“The father of the nation” was the first prime minister after independence from Australia in 1975 and the longest-serving as well, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms.

Sir Michael died on February 26 from pancreatic cancer in Port Moresby at the age of 84, with a memorial held in Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral on Sunday.

David Tekwie gave the eulogy, detailing Sir Michael’s numerous milestones, including his positions as prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, leader of the Opposition, and governor of East Sepik province.

Mr…