On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

On 16 September 2026, the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of Lae was commemorated at Situm 7th Australian Division Memorial Primary School, a defining moment in the history of Morobe and in the shared history of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Senior Austrade Commissioner for the Pacific Hon Stirling Hinchliffe and Trade Commissioner to PNG Esther Sun, along with Consul-General Brenton Kanowski and a delegation of Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, joined sons of ex-servicemen and their grandchildren, students and the local community to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian, Papuan, New Guinean and allied personnel who fought there, and to remember the civilians whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. This year the anniversary fell on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day, making the occasion even more significant as the nation also celebrated 51 years of independence and the strong partnership it has built with Australia over the decades.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region. Consul-General Brenton Kanowski addresses the attendees at the handover of the refurbished facilities, funded by the DCP at over K 1million

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Australia has officially handed over fully refurbished accommodation for the Royal PNGDF Engineers (Bravo Company) in Lae, delivered through Hornibrooks NGI, providing safer and more comfortable facilities for soldiers serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. This practical project reflects the strength of the Australia-PNG defence partnership, built on trust, respect and a shared commitment to our region.

Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Hon John Rosso DPS MP with Consul-General and Head of Post Brenton Kanowski, in Lae Morobe Province on 16 September 2026 celebrating PNG's 51st Independence Day

On 15 September 2026, the eve of the anniversary of the liberation of Lae in 1943, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner to the Pacific, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, and Trade & Investment Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Esther Sun, with Austrade colleague Patrick Ani and hosted by Consul-General Brenton Kanowski, all visited the Lae War Cemetery. Managed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs through its Office of Australian War Graves and overseen by the Consulate-General in Lae.

On 15 September 2026, the eve of the anniversary of the liberation of Lae in 1943, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner to the Pacific, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, and Trade & Investment Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Esther Sun, with Austrade colleague Patrick Ani and hosted by Consul-General Brenton Kanowski, all visited the Lae War Cemetery. Managed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs through its Office of Australian War Graves and overseen by the Consulate-General in Lae.

Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Hon John Rosso DPS MP with Consul-General and Head of Post Brenton Kanowski, in Lae Morobe Province on 16 September 2026 celebrating PNG's 51st Independence Day

Representatives from Geoscience Australia, the Australian High Commission and Consulate-General in Lae stand on the site of the trenching works underway in Lae city as part of DFAT-supported research into previous seismic events occurring on the Ramu-Markham fault.

A Partner Spotlight featuring Australian Volunteer Ringisai Campbell. The video explores community project/work she is involved in with the Adventist Disaster and Relief Agency (ADRA), including a rural livelihoods initiative showing how Australia works through local NGOs in Lae and Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

Royal Australian Navy personnel from HMAS Leeuwin, accompanied by Australian Consul - General Lae, Mr Brenton Kanowski, spent time with over 1,500 students and Head Teacher Mr. Phil Tipora at Igam Barracks Primary School in Lae. The visit included friendly games of volleyball, soccer, basketball, and Aussie Rules, plus a donation of sports balls for the school to keep – a small but meaningful part of the crew's community engagement while supporting PNG Defence Force with maritime surveys in Morobe province

On 5 June 2026, the Australian Consul General Mr. Brenton Kanowski joined the launch of the Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) Nutrition Education Program at St. Stevens Elementary School, 3 Mile, Lae. The event ran from 10:00am to 11:30am and included parent awareness sessions, teacher certificate presentations, and interactive nutrition stations. Supported by DFAT, The Chow Foundation, Lae Biscuit Company, and the PNGAUS partnership DAP program, the project aims to prevent malnutrition and stunting to improve education outcomes.

On 5 June 2026, the Australian Consul General Mr. Brenton Kanowski joined the launch of the Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) Nutrition Education Program at St. Stevens Elementary School, 3 Mile, Lae. The event ran from 10:00am to 11:30am and included parent awareness sessions, teacher certificate presentations, and interactive nutrition stations. Supported by DFAT, The Chow Foundation, Lae Biscuit Company, and the PNGAUS partnership DAP program, the project aims to prevent malnutrition and stunting to improve education outcomes.

On 5 June 2026, the Australian Consul General Mr. Brenton Kanowski joined the launch of the Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) Nutrition Education Program at St. Stevens Elementary School, 3 Mile, Lae. The event ran from 10:00am to 11:30am and included parent awareness sessions, teacher certificate presentations, and interactive nutrition stations. Supported by DFAT, The Chow Foundation, Lae Biscuit Company, and the PNGAUS partnership DAP program, the project aims to prevent malnutrition and stunting to improve education outcomes.

On 5 June 2026, the Australian Consul General Mr. Brenton Kanowski joined the launch of the Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) Nutrition Education Program at St. Stevens Elementary School, 3 Mile, Lae. The event ran from 10:00am to 11:30am and included parent awareness sessions, teacher certificate presentations, and interactive nutrition stations. Supported by DFAT, The Chow Foundation, Lae Biscuit Company, and the PNGAUS partnership DAP program, the project aims to prevent malnutrition and stunting to improve education outcomes.