Australia scholarship renamed after two great statesmen

Papua New Guineans will now be awarded the Somare-Whitlam Scholarship to study in Australia.   

The renowned Australia Award Scholarship name change, aims to celebrate the rich history of PNG and Australia, as PNG will mark 50 years of political independence from Australia, next year.

The scholarship was named in honor of PNG's first prime minister, late Sir Michael Somare, and the late Gough Whitlam, who was then Australia Prime Minister in 1975.

Ninety Papua New Guineans have been awarded scholarships to study in Australia’s universities next year, under the Somare-Whitlam Scholarship.

Australian High Commissioner John Feakes said “It's an immense honor that both the Somare and Whitlam families graciously gave their support for this initiative.

“I think it's fair to say that the Somare and Whitlam names will be forever linked by our shared history.

“Both men were statesmen and visionaries who together laid the foundation for the modern Australia-Papua New Guinea relationship," High Commissioner Feakes said.