A gallery of informative photographs by Tommy Latupeirissa and David Wainggai at the celebratory launch of the FRWP Department of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade at 838 Collins Street in Docklands (Melbourne) on 23rd June 2014.
On the Blackbird ferry from Federation Square to the new West Papua office in Docklands. Amos Wainggai (Office Manager), Alulukwet (from Bali), Stefanus Akanmore and his Asmat Bisj Pole (a sculpture, usually carved from a single mangrove tree, to commemorate the deceased).
Blackbird on the Yarra River. Piter Elaby blowing tabura (conch) with Mesak Karubaba, one of 43 West Papuans who beached their double-outrigger canoe at Mapoon in Far North Queensland in January 2006 and asked for asylum in Australia. The conch is used to call Melanesian communities to ceremony.
Disembarking from Blackbird at Collins St Landing (Bolte Bridge in background). Jacob Rumbiak (FRWP Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade), with Councillor Amanda Stone (Yarra City Council).
Asmat Bis, Collins St Landing, Docklands
Babuan Mirino (President, West Papua Women’s Office, Collins St Landing, Docklands.
Ground Floor, Lifestyle Working Building, 838 Collins Street, Docklands.
Stefanus Akanmor with his Asmat Bisj Pole. Stefanus was one of the 43 West Papuans who beached their double-outrigger canoe at Mapoon in Far North Queensland in January 2006 and asked for asylum.
Piter Elaby with his tabura, 3CR’s Joe Malignaggi, St Kilda Documentary-maker Jen Hughes.
Alulukwet from Bali carrying the Morning Star flag.
Long-standing supporter Julie Bains (Australian Greens) outside the new office.
Councillor Amanda Stone and Professor Paul James (Globalism Institute, RMIT University).
Unlocking the door to the office, John Lawrance (founding member of the West Papua Rent Collective).
Special Guest, Captain Cees Faas (Royal Netherlands Airforce Nieuw Guinea, 1962).
Long-time supporter, Rev. Robert Stringer (Uniting Church), Chaplain of the West Papua Women’s Office.
Ground Floor Boardroom: Papuana Mote (MC), one of the 43 West Papuans who beached their double-outrigger canoe at Mapoon in Far North Queensland in January 2006 and asked for asylum.
In the Ground Floor Boardroom: Welcome to Country, Larry Walsh (Kulin Nations of Aboriginal Australia).
Ground Floor Boardroom: Jacob Rumbiak, FRWP Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade.
The fabulous Morning Star berets designed by Natalie Adadikam and made by Hiska Bukorpioper.
Boardroom: Paul James, Professor of Globalization and Cultural Diversity, (University of Western Sydney); Director, UN Global Compact Cities Programme; Honorary Professor, King’s College London.
In the Ground Floor Boardroom: Councillor Amanda Stone, Yarra City Council.
In the Ground Floor Boardroom: Dr Joe Toscano (Co-ordinator, West Papua Rent Collective).
Julie Bains (Australian Greens) planting lime tree in community garden at 838 Collins St, Docklands (with Jacob Rumbiak and Amos Wainggai).
Jacob Rumbiak, Thayhorn Yim, Terry Bukorpioper, Alulukwet, with Black Orchid String Band (Adolf Mora-tabura, Piter Elaby-guitar, Joe Wally-ukelele, Melkias Okoka-ukelele, Ucak Felle-tabura, Anselmus Pisaki-ukelele, Ronny Kareni-guitar).
Black Orchid String Band: Jacob Rumbiak, Adolf Mora, Piter Elaby-guitar, Joe Wally-ukelele, Ucak Felle-tabura, Anselmus Pisaki-ukelele, Ronny Kareni, Melkias Okoka-bass, Sam Roem-guitar, Josh Roem.
Melkias Okoka, Traditional Bass, Black Orchid String Band.
Captain Cees Faas (Royal Netherlands Airforce Nieuw Guinea, 1962) with Black Orchid String Band.
Babuan Mirino and Ivone Bukorpioper (WP Women’s Office) with Captain Cees Faas (Royal Netherlands Airforce Nieuw Guinea, Biak Island, 1962).
FRWP Foreign Affairs Minister Jacob Rumbiak, with Matt Gale (Solomon Islands Association in Victoria) in front of ‘Liberty Papua leading the people (after Delacroix)’ by Peter Woods 2011.
Captain Cees Faas (Royal Netherlands Airforce, Nieuw Guinea, 1962) with Professor Paul James.
Ruben Blake (FRWP Web Designer) with Ronny Kareni and Melkias Okoka (Federal Republic of West Papua). Also ‘Yanita the widowed bride’, oil on belgium linen by Peter Woods (2011).
Doing Yospan with Black Orchid String Band: Terry Bukorpioper (Federal Republic of West Papua), Julie Bains (Greens Australia), Amos Wainggai (West Papua Office Manager).
Melkias Okoka, Anton Rumbiak, Ucak Felle, in front of ‘Liberty Papua leading the People (after Delacroix)’ by Peter Woods (2011).
Matt Gale (Solomon Islands) with Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon (University of Western Sydney).
Guarding the office, Petronella Yawan, one of the 43 West Papuans who beached their double-outrigger canoe at Mapoon in Far North Queensland in January 2006 and asked for asylum.
