Greetings and Welcome to the New Year.

Inside this bulletin, we celebrate Bougainville’s rich history and its dreams for 2013 as we begin our count down towards the referendum.

While it is time to recognise and acknowledge the past, we are also embracing the opportunity to holistically look at the future of Bougainville and the role that lies ahead of us.

In this edition, we will have an insight into what the government envisions and the involvement that is required.

2012 was memorable with the official online launch of this Bulletin, which enabled our many external viewers a glimpse of Bougainville.

The complex challenges which at times stopped the bulletin being done on time in 2012 are things of the past as we prepare ourselves for 2013.

“A silent achiever believes in Action and not words,” once said an old man. We are not impressionists or opportunists. We believe we can do better if we have your trust, support and cooperation.

This is a wonderful opportunity to re-imagine Bougainville as a beautiful, prosperous, peaceful and humble place on earth.

I wish you a prosperous 2013.

Robert ANEISIA

CEO – Bougainville Media and Communications Division.

By Joseph Morokana

World Aids Day (WAD) on December 1 was quietly celebrated by stakeholders in the three regions of Bougainville.

On Buka Island, North Bougainville, the main celebration was held at Hahela Catholic church grounds. The exercise started with a candle light procession the night before from Kubu to Hahela Cathedral for a vigil mass held by Fr. Stephen Lugabai.

On December 1, a convoy of 8 vehicles was driven around the Buka township and continued up to the Hahela Parish where the celebration was held.

The community marked the WAD with various singing groups and speeches from community leaders.

Those who were present included, Minister for Communication, LLG and Traditional Authority Rev. Joseph Nopei, Diocese Ministry Heads, United Church Reverend Eno Havi, Representative from Care International Tracey Kathoa and Morreen Santana, Bougainville AIDS Council (BAC) Representative Stephen Pokohi and representative of the Bougainville Friends Association Sylvester Pokona.

Rev. Joseph Nopei, speaking at Hahela Parish said the occasion was to celebrate the ongoing work of the HIV/AIDS efforts and also to evaluate and highlight where the priority areas are so that more focus would be given in 2013.

• All teachers in all institutions in Bougainville will officially resume duties on January 28.
• All teachers are required by law to complete a Resumption of Duty Summary Sheet upon resumption of duties on the first day of the resumption week.
• All students in all levels of Education will commence classes on Monday February 4. This week should not be used for paying of school fees. Parents should have paid their children’s school fees prior to this week.
• All schools must develop a five year development plan to guide them in their infrastructural development in the next five years.
• All schools must have a SLIP that covers a three year period. If a school does not have a current SLIP, one must be developed this year. No school projects will be approved if a school has no SLIP.

By Stephanie Elizah

Recent reports received from district officers in Bougainville revealed that thousands of people in the Autonomous Region are doing small scale mining throughout the three regions of Bougainville.

The areas where they are digging gold include:

• In North Bougainville
  • Tinputz
  • In Central Bougainville:
    • Pakia
    • Kupei
    • Panguna
    • Moroni
    • Kitano
    • Kawerong River
    • Atamo
    • Karato
    • Loloho
    • Kongara
    • Paruparu