10 July 2025
About 1500 sets of beaming eyes looked up at the ADF chaplain as he delivered more than two tonnes of donated school supplies, and blessed the students of Igam Barracks Academy in their native tongue of Tok Pisin in Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Over the course of 12 months, Forces Command North Queensland Area Chaplain Craig Roberts, with support from the 3rd Brigade and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER), collected, transported and delivered school supplies donated by nine Townsville schools and the Townsville community.
Chaplain Roberts said he was approached by the Townsville Cathedral School librarian and Defence mentor seeking to donate legacy books and equipment to Papua New Guinea after a curriculum update.
In true North Queensland spirit, the donations began to flood in beyond expectation.
“She asked if I could possibly get it to PNG, so I started making inquiries, and 3rd Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Boniface Aruma [PNG Defence Force] thought that was a great idea, so we began collecting,” Chaplain Roberts said.
“My wife and I would load up the car and bring the stores from the school on to Lavarack Barracks.
“More and more schools got involved, and Corporal Bailey Glover, from 3CER, also supported. We ended up with more than two tonnes of supplies, from microscopes to pencils.”
'It was a little bit emotional to see the reaction of the kids, especially when I started speaking Tok Pisin.'
Chaplain Roberts spent the early years of his life in Papua New Guinea, attending Ela Beach International School in Port Moresby.
“Almost 50 years ago, I started my education here and now I get the opportunity to give back to the community. It was a full-circle moment and a touching, surreal experience,” he said.
“It was a little bit emotional to see the reaction of the kids, especially when I started speaking Tok Pisin. They were so excited to hear it, and to be able to offer them a blessing in their native tongue was such an honour.”
With books, pencils, sports gear and science equipment proudly piled high on the school grounds, the children sang and shared prayers to give thanks and celebrate before heading off for school holidays, excited to return and use their new equipment.
“The kids were so thrilled and I think the whole thing is a testimony to the fact that although we're two different nations and we have very different cultures, we share a connection and history that makes it feel like they’re our brothers and sisters,” Chaplain Roberts said.
'This is a blessing for Igam Barracks School.'
School principal Philip Tipora thanked the Townsville community and impressed upon the children their duty to learn and become the next generation of scientists, doctors and teachers.
“This is a blessing for Igam Barracks School,” Mr Tipora said.
“We would like to pass our appreciation to all of the students of Townsville and the Defence Force. This is going to help so many of our students.”
Colonel Aruma attended Igam Barracks School from Years 1 to 6. He said it was heart-warming for him to see the Townsville community’s investment, and to be able to support the delivery of donations through his role as Deputy Commander.
“Touching the lives of the little ones in a positive way has enduring effects,” Colonel Aruma said.
“I’m grateful for the Townsville community and schools for their selfless support and donations that will contribute immensely to the education of the future leaders of PNG.”
