By JOEL K ANDREW
SUCCESS is the product of consistency and dedication in work by a certain person. In a least-developed country like Papua New Guinea, where basic necessities of livelihood are limited due to leaders’ neglection with no service delivery to people in rural societies, some success stories remain anonymous, while some are fortunately told and shared through different mediums of information transmission.
The journey in education that many Papua New Guineans have taken has been lonely, with less support and mentoring from family members, low standard of education facilities, limited study resources, and generally enduring tough accessibility to education.
This is the story of a service man to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. “Discipline and obedience that comes with full commitment and dedication is how we succeed in every little thing we do,” said Captain Dickson Tony.
Tony hails from Kenogu in Chuave District of Simbu Province but he grew up in Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands in his early childhood days.
His wonderful journey in education takes us back to 1995 at remote Komane Primary school in Chuave, where Tony did his grades 1-7.
After completing Grade seven (7) in 2001, young Tony decided transferring to Port Moresby around 2002 in search for better basic government services, just like everyone else. While in Port Moresby, fortunately Tony was enrolled at Holy Rosary Primary school, where he completed his Grade 8 and advanced to grades 9 and 10 (2003 -2004) at De La Salle High School in Bomana, which is now a secondary school.
Through severe hardships and discipline, he endured back in his home province, his eagerness of learning and obtaining more knowledge grew bigger at an early age.
Subsequently, he completed year 11-12 at Port Moresby National High School in 2005-2006.
Tony secured a space at the country’s premiere university, UPNG.
Thus, he attended UPNG in 2007- 2010, got his bachelor’s degree in political science, but pushed for- ward his graduation to 2012 in order to complete his second degree in 2011.
“While studying for my second degree in 2011, I applied to join the PNGDF cadet program for 2012 and got selected, was enlisted and went straight to training in February 2012,” Tony said. “Due to my military training in PNGDF in 2012, I graduated at UPNG in absentia and received my degree after passing out from Goldie as a private.” After passing out from Goldie River Training Depot, Tony was then transferred to Lae and begun his officer cadet training in 2013 at Igam Barracks.
From there on, Tony’s state ser- vice begin with his professional career as a graduate officer cadet having dual degrees with the Papua New Guinea Defense force. While serving as an active officer cadet in the same year, Tony got selected to represent PNG and attend- ed an officer cadet training in India. “I was the first PNGDF cadet to undergo a four-year army cadet training at a Tri-Service National Defence Academy in India, which is a prestigious military academy amongst the best in the world,” he said. “It was a program under the ITEC arrangement and my military training culminated with another bachelor’s degree with a post graduate diploma in military strategies and management. “I completed this four-year pro- gram in 2016.” He then got commissioned into PNGDF Officer Corp, and served at various capacities and appointments, until recently as the Adjutant of First Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR), Taurama Barracks. “I am an officer of the rank of Captain appointed as Adjutant at the discretion of the commanding officer, who assists the commanding officer in training, administration and maintenance of discipline in the Record Office.” In 2020, while Tony was serving as the officer commanding Alpha Company 1RPIR at Border Operations, he lost both his dad and one of his sisters. “I lost my Dad in March 2020 and within a space of eight months my elder sister also passed on in November 2020,” he said. “This was the biggest challenge I faced in my life. “This has forced me to look at life in a different perspective and so I decided to take up civil schooling while being in the army to focus and give more time to family.” Despite these several encounters and setbacks, Tony decided applying to UPNG again through the non- school leavers category to pursue Diploma in Law (Prosecution).
After being accepted, Tony resumed studies and graduated this year at the 68TH UPNG graduation at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. “I always turn up at my office first and finish last,” he said. “To ensure work is done and con- currently attending classes during the day. “Due to study and other school related administrative requirements, I got official release from PNGDF and pursued my schooling on a full-time basis in 2022 and concluded it the same year.” With his handful of academic achievements, which he attained while working and attending school, Tony recalls his experiences and challenges growing up back in the village schools where there’s no library, electricity and road access which makes him to walk 15-20 kilometres a day without footwear and proper clothing. “My late dad was the inspiration and mentor behind my successes from then till now and what to come.” Tony’s father always encouraged him to be the best of himself.
He was always reminded that education was the prime key to every- thing in life. “My dad always told me to put God first in life and there will be possibilities in everything and that has been my rod in this journey,” he said.
Tony further extended his gratitude to everyone that has played significant roles in his career leading up to his Diploma in LLB attainment at UPNG’s 68th graduation and also alluded that he will be pursuing his bachelor’s in law starting next year 2024.
Tony now holds three bachelor’s degree and two diplomas and is a serviceman to the independent state of Papua New Guinea. “I’d like to encourage everyone who are taking the same path as I did to be steadfast in your conscience with determination, persistence, dedication and more significantly always have trust and faith in God.
God works beyond the anticipation of humanity, and gives us according- ly what we worked hard for,” said Tony.
Tony further encourages all country men and women of this nation to install strict discipline to every child so that they are well behaved, obedient, committed and thoughtful as they work their various paths ion life to achieve goals and ambitions. “In this way, healthy human re- source will be produced and thoughtful citizens will take Papua New Guinea forward into the future with strategic ideas and bright mindsets as patriots.”
