to be in Port Moresby 50 years ago to witness the inception of PNG’s nationhood, another reel being prepared that shows the moment the Australian flag was lowered and PNG’s new one raised will be powerful memory triggers. For the many more people who were not there – including a new generation born in the five decades since – such reels are a fascinating learning tool and a gateway history lesson. If you follow #PNG50Official and #PNG50 in social media, you may have already seen these examples of the ‘Living Photographs’ series. Funded from the national PNG50 Independence budget approved by the National Executive Council, the initiative’s initial target was to release one iconic image for every one of the 50 years since 1975. At the time of press in late July 2025, two finished animated clips had been released and it is uncertain of the time frame for the balance. The one of cultural dancers with kundus was taken from a still of Sir Hubert Murray Stadium where the Australian flag was lowered at sunset on the day before Independence. The ceremony was part of six days of celebrations, with the stadium chosen as it was the closest
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Dancers in bilas sway and march, their eyes blink and they beat their kundus (hourglass-shaped hand drums). In another clip, teenage students proudly walk past with their school flag, part of the parade on the first Independence Day of September 16, 1975. For those lucky enough These photos from 1975 were taken during celebrations at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium held as part of the official Australian Flag Lowering Ceremony on Independence Eve – September 15. They include (from top) a march-past by students of Bavaroko High School (Moresby South); high school students wearing laplaps and flower wreaths; and a decorated crocodile float made by students of Gordon High School
NAA: A8746, KN23/9/75_52
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VOLUME 44 2025
26
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