Australian Embassy

Federated States of Micronesia; Republic of the Marshall Islands; and Republic of Palau

Embassy address: H & E Enterprises Building, Kolonia, Pohnpei - Telephone: 320 5448 - Fax: 320 5449

Recent Events

The Passing of Ms Layleen Oliver

It was with great sadness that the Australian Embassy learned of the sudden passing of our friend, Ms Layleen Oliver, in Pohnpei on Friday 11 May 2012. All of the Embassy’s current and former staff are very saddened at Layleen’s untimely loss.

She made many friendships during her 12 years of service with the Australian Embassy in Pohnpei and her work touched lives all across the Pacific. Layleen’s loss has already been felt with messages of sympathy and condolences coming in from around the world. Through her father, Reed Oliver, the Kabua family and many others from the Marshall Islands also mourn her loss.

Although she left her work at the Embassy for a higher appointment at the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission just a few short months ago, she remained a close part of our family at the Embassy. Layleen is survived by her husband, Chan Tallon, her son Sean, who is currently enrolled at Xavier High School, and her daughter Chanelle, who will be an eighth grader at Pohnpei Catholic School next year, and by both her parents, Reed and Estelle Oliver. She was 38 year old. We will cherish her memory.

Putting FSM islands on the map – jigsawpuzzles to teach kids geography

Kolonia, Pohnpei - Island Research & Education Initiative (IREI) has developed a unique educational resource for children, to encourage them to learn the fundamentals of our nation’s geography through play. Entitled “Maps of Micronesia -- Book of Puzzles,” the resource is a highquality, full-color book containing within it a series of seven custom-made jigsaw puzzles. Each puzzle separately introduces one main island or island group in Micronesia via a child-friendly map and descriptive text and artwork. The unique jigsaw-puzzle approach was chosen to support children’s natural curiosity and allow them to learn while playing.

The production of these books was funded by the Direct Aid Program through the Australian Embassy in Kolonia. Created as a non-profit endeavor, the books will not be sold. Instead, they will be individually donated to children and their families throughout the FSM. They will be presented to the public for the first time on Saturday, May 19th at the Pohnpei Public Library. Representatives of Island
Research & Education Initiative and the Australian Embassy will be at the library from 09:00 until 12:00 and give a present of one book to each family that brings their children to this event.

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
visits the Federated States of Micronesia

The Governor General was greeted at Pohnpei Airport by an Honour Guard while the Australian
National Anthem was played.

The Governor General posing with (L-R) FSM Chief of Staff Mr Churchill Edwards, FSM Vice President Alik Alik,
Australian Parliamentary Secretary of Pacific Island Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Richard Marles, FSM President Emaneul Mori, First Lady Emma Nelson-Mori and their granddaughter Tarifa Bisalen, and Ambassador Martin Quinn, during her call on the President.

After her call on President Mori, the Governor General and the President planted a
coconut tree to commemorate her visit.

The Pohnpei Women’s Association presented the Governor General with local gifts during
her visit with the Island Food Community.

On her way to visit the Pacific Patrol boats, the Governor General stopped her motorcade to meet with
local high school students lining the road, who cheered her with Australian flags.

Winners of the 2011 Australian Ambassador's Tennis Tournaments

Ambassador Martin Quinn and the winners of the 2011-12 Australian Ambassador's Cup Tennis Tournament, Mr Lee Perez and Mrs Tasia Isaac. During this tournament, more than 500 matches were played by over 50 participants. Ambassador Quinn gave out the trophies and brief remarks at Club Cupid's on 16 March 2012.

The Australian Embassy served as a primary sponsor for this year's International Women's Day activities in Pohnpei. The local event featured a dancing competition of women of all ages, and was well attended by members of the local and international community. Please click on the following link to view an International Women's Day message from Ms Penny Williams, Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls: IWD speech

On 3 March 2012, Acting Second Secretary Katina Clarke handed over a cheque to Ms Joni Yakana, the President of the Pohnpei Junior Tennis Association to help sponsor their participation in the Annual International Tennis Federation's North Pacific Qualifying Tournament this coming June in Guam. This donation is part of the Embassy's efforts to sponsor youth and sports in the North Pacific.

Upcoming Events

Australian Embassy address and contact numbers

Australian Embassy

PO Box S

Kolonia, Pohnpei FSM 96941

Telephone No: (691) 320-5448

Fax No: (691) 320-5449

E-mail: phpi.mail@dfat.gov.au

Embassy Location:

Second Floor H & E Building Waterfront Road Kolonia Pohnpei FM 96941

Opening hours: The Embassy will be open from 8:30am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays.

Time difference (with Eastern Australia)

Same time as Eastern Australia from 2 Oct. 2011 - 1 April 2012 (Eastern Daylight Time)

One hour ahead of Eastern Australia from 1 April 2012 - 7 Oct. 2012 (+1 Eastern Standard Time)

Opening Vacancies: #1:Ambassador's Cook/Housekeeper

Please open the following link for more information about the job opening.