Australia now Papua New Guinea

Australia is proud to launch Yumi Stap Wantaim – Side by Side, Step by Step, a year-long celebration marking Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence and honouring the close and enduring partnership between our two nations.

Yumi Stap Wantaim is more than a commemoration – it is a tribute to Papua New Guinea’s remarkable journey over the past five decades. It celebrates the country’s vitality, resilience, and the deep friendship that unites our people.

On 16 September 1975, Papua New Guinea emerged as a sovereign nation, shaped by a rich mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions. This diversity has not only been a source of strength but remains central to the nation’s identity.

“Our contemporary relationship is rooted in a shared history and strengthened by common values and deep personal ties,” said Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Ewen McDonald.

“As Prime Minister Marape has noted, we are ‘joined at the hip’ – an unbreakable bond formed over generations.”

The Yumi Stap Wantaim initiative will feature a series of high-profile events throughout 2025, celebrating the breadth of the Papua New Guinea–Australia partnership. From music and dance to film, art, and cuisine, the program will reflect the full depth and richness of our shared cultural heritage. The campaign will also acknowledge and celebrate our shared history and hopes for the future.

Australia is honoured to walk alongside Papua New Guinea – side by side and step by step – into the next 50 years.

“Australia will always be proud of the part we played in that time of historic change, yet we know that independence was never our gift to give. Independence was the people of Papua New Guinea’s right to assert. It was your country’s opportunity to seize. It was an act of great courage, profound national unity and a statement of self-belief as well as self-determination.”

Partners

Deakin University

We’re working with Deakin University to help pull together a piece of history with the digitisation and dissemination of key documents from the independence period and a book highlighting key speeches from Independence leaders in August.

National Archives of Australia

We’re collaborating with the National Archives of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s National Museum and Art Gallery to curate a commemorative exhibition of independence photos to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s Golden Jubilee.

Australian National University

We are working with the ANU-based Pacific Research Program (PRP) and their Papua New Guinea-based colleagues at national universities and the National Research Institute to celebrate the long and enduring PNG research and teaching partnerships. We are supporting the publication of PNG’s first Dictionary of Biography – a who’s who of PNG nation builders since independence.

Papua New Guinea National Museum & Art Gallery

Australia-Papua New Guinea Network

For over a decade, we have supported the Australia-Papua New Guinea Network to foster deeper people-to-people links by providing a platform for the emerging leaders of both countries to connect. This year, the Emerging Leaders Dialogue will be hosted in Port Moresby and will focus on the key pillars of education, health, trade and defence in our two countries’ shared history and shared future.

Cairns Regional Council

In collaboration with the Cairns Regional Council we’re planning to bring Far North Queensland, Torres Strait and Gimuy, and First Nations artists to Papua New Guinea to engage in workshops and seminars with Papua New Guinea artists and students, including Papua New Guinea artists who will be taking part in the Cairns Regional Council’s exhibition The Invisible Line – Stories, Legends and Past Connections in September.

Pasifika Film Fest

The Pasifika Film Fest showcases the art of Pacific storytelling through film while also working to inspire Pasifika writers, directors and actors to explore links to their culture. We’re working with the Pasifika Film Fest team to bring a workshop, competition and film festival to Goroka and Port Moresby in June.

Wantok Musik

For more than two decades the Wantok Musik Foundation has been building relationships, friendships and trust across Australia and the Pacific. In a world full of division, Wantok Musik creates opportunities for connection and understanding. We’re collaborating with Wantok Musik to help bring together Australian and Papua New Guinea artists to create a piece of music in celebration of the campaign in July.

Aaron Fa’aoso

Aaron Fa’aoso is the Managing Director of Lone Star Productions based in Cairns, which he established in 2013 with the intent of telling stories of the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland. He is an accomplished actor, screenwriter, producer and director. We are working with Aaron and Chef Julz to deliver a culinary TV series.

Airileke is a musical pioneer and a fighter for freedom, traversing a timeless sonic globe without frontiers. He is a percussionist, producer, composer, activist, record producer, artistic director and global events facilitator. We’re working with Airileke and Gaba Musik to bring Yothu Yindi and Meganesia to Papua New Guinea.

Chef Julz Henao

Chef Julz Henao has worked in restaurants in Hong Kong, Sydney, London and Port Moresby and his catering company, The Healthy Food Company, strives to use the best quality ingredients, which include local Papua New Guinea food.

Lesley Wengembo

Lesley Wengembo is collaborating with the Cairns Regional Council to curate The Invisible Line exhibition, showcasing the best artistic talent that both countries have to offer. Other Papua New Guinea artists participating include Gazellah Bruder, Leonard Tebegetu, Pax Jakupa, and Morgan Lavapo.

Wan Squad

Papua New Guinea’s hip hop crew Wan Squad made history in 2024 and put Papua New Guinea on the map after winning the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix, USA. We’re planning a collaboration with Wan Squad that will result in a fusion of PNG and Australian dance styles, bringing both cultures to a new generation.

About Yumi Stap Wantaim