IT is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to Lady Stella and the Chan family on the passing of Sir Julius Chan. His departure marks the end of an era – a moment of great loss for our nation.
I first came to know Sir Julius Chan when I entered the House of Assembly in 1968. Over the years, our paths intertwined in service to our country, particularly during the formative years of Papua New Guinea’s independence. In 1975, when he became the first Finance Minister in the inaugural cabinet under the leadership of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, I had the privilege of serving alongside him as the first Minister for Works and Housing. I was honored to serve in the first Cabinet under Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and later as a Minister in Sir Julius Chan’s government during his tenure as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1982.
Sir Julius Chan, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, and a few other founding fathers were educated men, who guided the course of our young nation. I, on the other hand, was not as formally educated, yet I found myself among these great minds, making decisions that would shape the destiny of our country.
One of the defining moments of our shared journey was establishing Papua New Guinea’s national currency. As Finance Minister, Sir Julius Chan brought a submission to Cabinet proposing the name Toea to replace the Australian dollar and cents. In turn, I proposed Kina as the upper unit of our national currency. That decision, among many others, remains a lasting symbol of our nation’s sovereignty and economic independence. In commemoration of this historic moment, Sir Julius Chan named his son Toea, while I named my son Kina as a testament to the legacy of our commitment to Papua New Guinea’s future.
During my tenure as Minister in both governments, I had the honor of inviting Sir Julius Chan to my district, Kagua Erave, on two significant occasions. The first was in 1977, during the opening of the Erave Bridge, which connects the Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway.
He attended in his capacity as Finance Minister, while I served as Minister for Works and Housing. The second occasion was in 1981, when I invited him as Prime Minister to open the new Sumi Health Center in Aiya LLG, Kagua Erave District, Southern Highlands Province. His presence at these landmark events reflected his deep commitment to national development and his willingness to support progress in all regions of Papua New Guinea.
Sir Julius Chan was one of Papua New Guinea’s longest-serving politicians, with a remarkable career spanning almost 50 years. He occupied a front-row seat in shaping our nation’s political, economic, and social landscape. His dedication to nation-building, his wisdom in governance, and his resilience in leadership will be remembered as a pillar of our history.
Beyond politics, Sir Julius Chan was a man of wisdom, humility, and unwavering dedication to the nation. Recently, following my investiture as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III, he extended his heartfelt congratulations. His words were a reminder of our shared contributions and the values of honesty, integrity, and service to our country.
I recall his finest words to me: “I have said it before—it is through effort and selfless regard for the national interest by people like yourself that younger generations of Papua New Guinea have fine examples to follow.”
Now, as he departs to rest in eternal peace, I remain among the last of our generation of founding leaders. My brother, you have run your race, and your legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Rest in peace, Sir Julius Chan.
Sir Yano Belo (KBE)
Former Member of Kagua Erave (1968-1982)
