KEITH JACKSON

THIS COMING FRIDAY NIGHT nominations will close for positions on the committee of the PNG Society of Writers, Editors and Publishers.

There are the usual offices of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer as well as three committee positions.

From the large number of nominations so far, it’s clear there will be a competitive vote for each position between some very talented candidates.

It was about a year ago that our minds turned to establishing an association of writers in Papua New Guinea which would, within a short period of time, take over the administration of the Crocodile Prize and its many related activities.

The reasoning was straightforward – while it was certainly possible for Phil Fitzpatrick and me to continue running the Prize from Australia, it was not feasible that it could become a sustainable part of PNG’s literary culture so long as we did so.

So, late last year, the Society was incorporated, drew up a constitution and began to seek members, of which it now has 80. Soon after, it began publishing a monthly newsletter and now it is ready to elect its own national leadership.

An interim committee of Amanda Donigi, Ruth Moiam, Jimmy Drekore, David Kitchnoge, Phil and me has been administering the Society and the Prize in the meantime.

There are 60 full members of the Society, that is, Papua New Guinean citizens, from whom the president and other officers will be elected in a vote that will conclude at the inaugural annual general meeting late on the afternoon of Monday 10 September.

Members not in a position to attend the meeting will be able to vote by email. That said, we expect up to 30 members to be at the Australian High Commission in Waigani for the AGM.

Early next week, when all the nominations are in, we’ll let you know who’s standing for election and something about who they are.

And if you want to join the Society (free for Papua New Guinean citizens, $50 for others), email me here and I’ll send you an application form.