In contrast to this high-tech literature, Drusilla Modjeska and Russell Soaba brought us back to earth with an enlightening discussion on the craft of writing.  Both Drusilla and Russell do what I do when writing; they sit down with a pen and paper.

Together they explained how to write an opening paragraph.  As every writer knows this is not an easy task.  Did you know that it took Russell five years to write the first paragraph of his novel Wanpis?  He went on to tell us about the distractions (“toads and trolls”) which can divert writers from their craft.

To further bring us down to earth, Francis Nii and Jimmy Drekore, albeit aided by a Powerpoint presentation, explained how complex outcomes can be engineered using the most basic of means.

To do this, Jimmy went through the history of the Simbu Children Foundation, which is entirely voluntary, raises its own funds and helps dozens of children with medical problems in the province.

The Foundation has recently arranged research which found the cause and treatment for an incredibly debilitating and painful bone disease affecting many highland children.  The parallels between what the Foundation has achieved and what the Society might achieve are self-evident.

To cap this off Francis explained the operation of the famous notice board at the Kundiawa General Hospital where he advertises, among other things, the work of the Foundation and news from the Crocodile Prize competition.  Apparently everyone in Kundiawa consults the notice board.  I’d often wondered why we got so many entries from the province.

The awards ceremony was a glittering finale to the day.  Drusilla’s novel, The Mountain, had its Papua New Guinea launch courtesy of Russell; Bob Cleland’s book, The Big Road, was displayed along with a collection of reprinted and new works produced by John Evans and his team at UPNG and Amanda’s new magazine, Stella.  Sales were made and the proceeds graciously donated to the Society – just under K1,000.

The Crocodile Prize Anthology 2012 was launched and two government ministers (Education and Tourism, Arts & Culture) gave speeches.  One speech was off the cuff and the other was scripted.  Both were tentative and I came away with the feeling of a government carefully feeling its way forward.  Both men were open, dignified and pleasingly humble; a marked contrast to the antics of the previous few months.

There were a few glitches.  For example, next year the winners will need early notification so they can be there to collect their prizes in person.

The next day we had a planning lunch at the High Commission and made arrangements for the executive and committee to get together in October to start the hard work for the 2013 competition.  We also confirmed the plans to distribute the 2012 Anthology.

After that I went back into the city to meet with the people for whom I do consultancy work.  As they say, reality bites; but I was happy anyway.

There's been a bit of a delay in printing the Anthology which means that people in Australia who have placed orders, and donors who would normally be sent free copies, will have to wait until next month to receive their books - KJ