O'Neil's Condolence Message to the Late Rt. Honourable Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC and Governor, New Ireland Province and Former Prime Minister

By: Peter O'Neil, MP.

My speaking notes at the Funeral this evening of the Late Rt. Honourable Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC and Governor, New Ireland Province and Former Prime Minister

Lady Stella Chan, Vanessa, Byron, Mark and Toea and your extended family

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pay our respects to this Great Leader of our country and our people.

 

Sir Julius as known to all of us, was a man amongst men. A leader of leaders and a statesman who dedicated his entire adult life contributing enormously to nation building.

 

As one of the founding fathers, Sir Julius served his country and people well. A service to his community and his stance on good governance are his public legacy. Shining examples of not just doing what is good for our people but also ensuring it is done right.

 

Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing but Sir J demonstrated over and over that this doing the right thing by Papua New Guinea was the only course he ever took. Our country has benefited greatly from his clear moral compass to always doing what was right.

 

Sir Julius was Prime Minister when I was attending university. He was to me then, and remains to me now as an inspiration. Someone to look up to, his door was always open to seek advice from. I valued his advice and his friendship and shall miss him. Those very early morning coffee and breakfast at his veranda will be missed and not forgotten.

 

Even at old age and declining health, Sir Julius remained committed to our country and expected those in Government and in Opposition, of which he was a valuable team member, to live up to our people’s expectation to do more, and deliver greater level of services to our people. He never stopped inspiring us with his leadership to be of service to our people.

 

During his long and distinguished political career, Sir Julius demonstrated his great intellect, capacity to manage the economic affairs of our country and, a great empathy and heart for our people. He was smart and articulate but had a great capacity to also care and remember the smallest details. I admired very much his ability to feel as well as think. To plan as well as to act. To lead but also to be one of us. Never out of touch.

 

It is sad that our last founding father has now passed as if closing a chapter on our first 50 years and hoping that we can all stand up and be counted to steer our wonderful Papua New Guinea to greatness.

 

Sir Julius passing marks the end of an era. A full stop in our fifty years of Nationhood. And a beginning of a New Era to shape a better future for the next generation.

 

And as much as Sir Julius was a man of our people, in service of our people he managed also to be a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and family man. It was impossible to know Sir Julius without knowing his deep connection to his family.

 

I and the people of Ialibu-Pangia and join the whole of our country mourn with you Lady Stella, Vanessa, Byron, Mark, Toea, and your extended family.

 

I know you all have missed out on a lot by having Sir Julius serve our country. We say thank you for sharing him with us. In return, we can only give you our strength and prayers. And we hope the love our country has for Sir Julius will give you peace as you navigate the future.

 

Rest in Peace Sir Julius Chan. We are eternally grateful for your service to our country, your beloved Papua New Guinea.

#sirjuliuschan