GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO RECEIVE PNG’S HIGHEST HONOUR

6 September 2007

The Governor-General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, is being awarded Papua New Guinea’s highest honour at a ceremony at Admiralty House, Sydney, tomorrow.

The award, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, is being presented by the Right Honourable Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare GCL GCMG CH CF KSt.J. MP.

The Order of Logohu is PNG’s national honours system. It was announced in November 2004, and the first investitures in September 2005 marked the 30th anniversary of PNG’s independence. Logohu is the Motuan word for bird of paradise, PNG's official emblem. Those upon whom Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu is bestowed are accorded the title “Chief”.

General Jeffery has a long association with Papua New Guinea. He served in PNG from 1966-69 with 1st Battalion, the Pacific Islands Regiment and was married during this posting. He was the last Australian commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, the Pacific Islands Regiment, in Wewak, at Independence in 1975. In 2000, as a member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group, he conducted a review of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Later, General Jeffery conducted a highly successful State Visit to PNG in 2005.

Media are invited to attend the investiture which will take place at noon, at Admiralty House, on Friday 7 September. Media will need to register their interest with the contact below and be in position by 11.45am.

Media Contact:
Stephen Jiggins
0408 480 779
Admiralty House
6 September 2007