Special Events

Milne Bay Schools Sports Carnival

Seven High schools will compete for honours and trophies in track & field events, ballgames, crosscountry trials and evening quiz competition.

ANZAC Day

Rememberance Day

Milamala Festival

Kiriwina Island, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province

The festival will involve 6 villages and will feature the following:

• Day 1: yam carrying and all the activities associated with that stage and dancing until about midnight.
• Day 2: storing of the yams; awarding winners of gardening etc; Kula canoe racing; and dancing
• Day 3: All participating villages will take part in full cultural performances and feasting.

Village livelihood skills will be demonstrated and arts and crafts will be available for sale.

Getting there

Air Nuigini has daily flights to & from Alotau and Airlines PNG flies from Port Moresby and Alotau to and from Kiriwina every Tuesday and Saturday. Current one way fares per person are K319 Gurney (Alotau) to Losuia (Kiriwina) and K505 POM (Port Moresby) to Losuia (2003).

For the more adventurous traveller, cargo boats sail from Alotau and service the islands for around K50 per person. Allow for up to 2 days travel as they may call into either Esa'ala station or Gumwawana Island or some other islands en route.

Accommodation

• Butia Lodge 6439003 have own transport
• Kiriwina Lodge 6439001 or 6439009 - have own transport
• Cindy's Guesthouse, VBA guesthouse through 6411510.
• Village stays are most welcome and can be arranged through Serah Clark by email
• Bicycle hire can also be arranged through Serah Clark by email.

Trobriand dancer Photo: Rod Clark

Carrying of yams Photo: Rod Clark

Cameron Cultural Show

1 & 2 August 2003

Heed the call of the conch shell and join the students of Cameron Secondary School in Alotau in their annual celebration of Milne Bay's culture and heritage.

Catch the rhythms of dances from all around the province, accompanied by chanting and the beat of the kundu drum.

Get a glimpse of real village life as the Cultural Village comes alive with families of students on hand to help performers dress and to coach them on the protocols of custom, to demonstrate traditional skills and to prepare feasts to mark the end of the festival.

Feast your eyes on the fruits of the creative imagination and artistic skills of Milne Bay artists and craftspeople in the Arts and Crafts Exhibition.

For the students, it is a journey to discovery of self and cultural identity; for spectators, it provides a window to a people's traditions , history and way of life.

Come and enjoy the experience.