BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Bishop Norman Palmer Anglican School held its Annual Speech Competition on 21 May 2026, successfully bringing together students across different levels under the theme “Brave Voice, Bright Future.”

The school extends its sincere appreciation to Our Telekom for generously sponsoring four Aspera touchscreen phones as the first prize awards for each category in the competition.

This support played a key role in recognising student achievement and encouraging excellence in public speaking.

The first prize winners for each category were:

1. Senior Primary Category: Lucy Tama (Class 5 Red) – “My Dream for the Future”.
2. Junior Secondary Category: Daphney Wawani (Form 2 Green) – “The Role of Teachers in Shaping Our Lives”.
3. Intermediate Secondary Category: Joycelyn Indumaoma (Form 3 Green) – “The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers”.
4. Senior Secondary Category: Jasmine Sahata (Form 6 Yellow) – “Christian Values Mould Great Leaders”.

The school noted that the event was a success, showcasing students’ confidence, communication skills, and creativity in speech delivery.

Bishop Norman Palmer Anglican School acknowledges Our Telekom’s continued support in empowering young people through education and student development initiatives.

The school also extended its sincere appreciation to Provincial Press Management for its generous support towards the school’s Annual Speech Competition.

The Speech Committee and school community acknowledged the donation of a $2,000 cheque, which contributed towards prize money for category winners as well as consolation prizes for participants.

The school noted that the support played an important role in the successful organisation of the competition in helping to enhance student participation and encourage excellence in public speaking.

The school expressed deep appreciation to Provincial Pres Management for its continued commitment, generosity, and support towards education and student learning initiatives within the community.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Catholic youths from Aruligo in Northwest Guadalcanal and nearby communities gathered over the weekend at the St. Mother Teresa Family and Youth Retreat Centre for a spiritual retreat ahead of Pentecost Sunday.

A statement from the program said the gathering brought young people together for formation talks, Eucharistic adoration, Holy Mass, fellowship, and social activities that aim to strengthen their faith and unity within the Church.

Fr. Mark Misiwasi speaking during the program, highlighted the importance of Pentecost as the birth of the Church when the disciples and Mother Mary received the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 12, Fr. Mark reminded participants that, there are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit and encouraged youths to use their talents to serve the Church and their communities.

He also stressed the important role young people play in the mission of the Catholic Church today.

The retreat ended with Holy Mass and a renewed call for youths to continue living with the spirit of Pentecost through prayer, unity, and service.

Photo: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Yuendumu Doors art exhibition, which introduces one of the most important cultural and artistic collections in Australia, will be open from 27 May to 3 June 2026 with opening hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

This will be at the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery in Honiara.

A statement from the Australian High Commission (AHC) yesterday said the free exhibition will feature prints of artworks painted by Warlpiri elders on doors at the Yuendumu community school in Central Australia more than 30 years ago.

The AHC said the artworks are a representation of the Warlpiri people’s very first experiment with acrylic paint – a western art medium – to detail their daily lives and their Dreaming – the Aboriginal belief system that explains how the world was created, how people relate to the land, and the laws that guide life.

“Each door is a masterpiece showcasing Warlpiri knowledge and history,” said AHC.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the kastom landowners of Australia with 65,000 years of history and continuous culture, and deep and ongoing connections with the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands.

The exhibition which will be delivered in partnership with the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) occurs during National Reconciliation Week, held annually in Australia from 27 May to 3 June.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey with Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Julie Fakaia, curator of the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery, said as Pacific people, we share deep cultural relationships with land, sea, ancestry and community.

“This exhibition highlights the importance of indigenous storytelling and creates meaningful cultural exchange between Australia’s First Nations peoples and the Solomon Islands,” she said.

 Australian High Commissioner, Jeff Roach said the Yuendumu Doors art exhibition celebrates and continues the cultural exchange between our nations and is a demonstration of how cultural heritage can be kept and passed down.

“It demonstrates how cultural heritage can be kept alive and be passed down; teaching children about land, ancestry and culture. These precious cultural artefacts are kept at the South Australia Museum, but this poster exhibition – which show prints of the artworks – allows the international community to share in Australia’s rich indigenous history,” he said.

The High Commissioner said Australia’s National Reconciliation Week is about strengthening relationships between kastom landowners and non-Indigenous peoples, and at the same time allows them to share some of First Nations Australia’s rich and enduring cultures, traditions, and knowledge with Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: AHC

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Dead fish washed ashore at SINU marine school

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Around 30 to 40 dead bonito fish washed ashore at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Marine School compound yesterday morning.

The cause of the incident still unknown when Island Sun went to the site yesterday.

The dead fish were discovered along the shoreline at the school compound yesterday morning after a strong rotten smell spread across the area, affecting students, staff and security officers.

Senior Security Officer Timothy Sautu said the situation was first noticed shortly before 8am when security officers and students began searching for the source of the smell.

“We first saw one dead bonito fish near the shoreline, but later in the afternoon more fish continued washing ashore with the waves,” Mr Sautu said.

He said by the afternoon, an estimated 30 to 40 dead fish had been found along the shore.

Mr Sautu said the incident caused concern among people at the school, as the unpleasant smell spread throughout the compound.

He calls on responsible authorities to investigate the matter and determine the cause of the dead fish.

“We urgently call on the responsible authorities to come forward and find out the main cause of this huge number of dead fish,” he said.

Mr Sautu also suggested the fish may have not been dumped at sea by a fishing vessel before being carried ashore by ocean currents.

“There had been no reports of any capsized or sunken vessel linked to the incident,” he said.

The exact cause of the dead fish washing ashore remains unknown.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will celebrate its 70th Platinum Anniversary on June 3 and 4, marking seven decades of service to the people and economy of Solomon Islands.

This year’s anniversary celebrations are expected to be larger than previous events as Solomon Ports commemorates its long-standing contribution to the country’s trade, shipping and economic development, a statement from Solomon Ports said.

As part of the celebrations, SIPA will host a Summit on June 3 at the National Aquatic Centre in East Honiara.

The summit will bring together key stakeholders, customers, development partners and members of the maritime and shipping sector to discuss the past, present and future of Solomon Ports.

The programme will include keynote speeches, historical exhibitions and panel discussions focusing on the evolution of the port over the last 70 years.

SIPA management will also provide updates on current and future developments which aim to improve port service and operations, including progress on the Ports Master Plan.

Panel discussions will reflect on the contribution of Solomon Ports to the economic growth of Solomon Islands, particularly its important role in facilitating domestic and international trade.

Additional discussions will focus on future opportunities for the port sector, including infrastructure development, digital transformation, partnerships and service improvement initiatives.

Panelists are expected to include former SIPA Chief Executive Officers, board members, representatives from the shipping and maritime industry, government officials, donor partners and members of the private sector.

The main public celebration will take place on June 4 at the SIPA Magic Land Compound behind the Millennium Terminal in Honiara.

The event will feature public exhibitions, historical displays, entertainment and community engagement activities throughout the day.

Celebrations are expected to begin with a parade involving Solomon Ports staff from all departments marching from the SMI grounds at Town Ground to the Magic Land area.

The programme will also include official speeches, live entertainment, performances by SIPA staff, interactive exhibitions and educational displays highlighting the history and operations of Solomon Ports.

Members of the public will also have the opportunity to participate in guided tours of the port terminal facilities to better understand the important role ports play in supporting trade, shipping and national development.

Students, schools and community members are encouraged to attend the event and learn more about the organisation’s operations and services.

The celebrations will also feature live band performances, fun activities, merchandise giveaways and interactive competitions with prizes.

Activities will begin at 8am and conclude at 4pm.

Solomon Ports encourages the public to attend and join in celebrating the organisation’s 70 years of service, partnership and progress with the people of Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: Solomon Ports

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