Charles Lepani, as current PNG High Commmissioner to Australia, reflects on the characteristics of Australia's approach to the fledgling government of PNG. He stresses the importance of the Moti Affair and Somare Affair in convincing PNG of the need to reduce Australia's aid. He reflects on Australia's generosity, and also on the need to mature the relationship in the last 15 years as between equals, working mutually and inter-dependantly on economic, trade, investment and people relations. He highlights the absence of a visa-on-arrival agreement as a point of contention.
Charles Lepani relates how after going to university in NSW, he received a scholarship from the ACTU to attend the University of PNG through Australian ACTU industrial advocate Bob Hawke who had come to PNG to work with Michael Somare, Reuben Taureka and others in the public service wage case, and Public Service Association executives Paul Munro and Ron Madgwick. The scholarship was for trade unionists, and Lepani relates how he spent time at Bob Hawke's home in Sandringham, Victoria, also meeting Bob Carr, then involved in the NSW Trades Hall Council.
Charles Lepani discusses his high school education at Charters Towers, Queensland, which he completed in 1966, and becoming part of the second intake in 1967 into the University of Papua New Guinea where he met good friends Rabbie Namaliu, Tony Siaguru, and Mekere Morauta. He discusses the group's growing awareness regarding Independence and well as the sense of political awareness in the first generation of political leaders including Michael Somare, John Guise and his father Lepani Watson.
Ted Diro describes taking the entrance exam for the Sogeri National High School where he completed grade 7-9, then Queensland sub-junior and junior exams. He briefly discusses the teachers and other pupils at Sogeri. He describes the allocation of clothing, rations and pocket money at the school.
