Sgt Shane Livermore gives a demonstration to local workers. Photo provided by 19 CE Works

Vanimo paradise

By Sgt Shane Livermore
Don’t believe all you hear about the socio-economic problems in Papua New Guinea. Take Vanimo for instance, hidden away on the far north coast is a surfer’s mecca.

Sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and sweeping palm trees give way to a small sleepy town with little to no security problems. Doesn’t sound quite like the Papua New Guinea I expected.

The idea of spending three months in an isolated town working with the locals didn’t initially appeal to me. In hindsight, it was the perfect recipe for a reasonably inexperienced construction works supervisor.

The construction of a reinforced concrete armoury at the PNGDF Barracks in Vanimo rounded off the second and final phase of redefining the security status of military establishments in PNG.

Undertaking such a task, for me, provided opportunities not previously experienced. Managing a contract in such a remote locality proved to be interesting – encompassing tasks such as supply and delivery of all materials by ship, batching of all concrete onsite using the only concrete truck in town, together with a 20 tonne excavator.

Making my job easier in Vanimo was working hand-in-hand with C & M Engineers Pty Ltd, a small construction company based in Port Moresby who were contracted to complete the works. They are a professional company who pride themselves on producing works of an excellent standard no matter what the circumstances.

The project as a whole provided me with the opportunities to experience managing people outside my comfort zone, in a place where you can’t just buy what you need from the corner shop or the local hardware supplier.

Construction time was estimated at 3½ months, with the actual completion coming at less than three months, meaning that forward planning and organisation were two very important tools that made the construction of the Vanimo armoury a success. PNG, in particular, Vanimo, is a place that I’d gladly return to, be it work-related or socially.

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