PNG Revealed: An Afternoon of Stories, Scenery and Shared Memories.

On 5 March 2026, members and friends of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia gathered at the Northbridge Golf Club for a memorable afternoon exploring the beauty, culture and spirit of Papua New Guinea. The luncheon, Papua New Guinea Revealed: A Pearl Expeditions Luncheon, offered guests the chance to “travel” to remote coastal regions of PNG without leaving Sydney.

Special guests Ray Martin and Max Uechtritz captivated the audience with vivid storytelling and a stunning photographic presentation from the 2025 voyage circumnavigating New Britain aboard the expedition vessel Paspaley Pearl.

Guests, including several who had travelled from PNG and interstate, enjoyed a relaxed luncheon while reconnecting with old friends and sharing memories of their own PNG experiences. The presentation sparked lively conversations about the country’s landscapes, traditions and enduring links with Australia.

The PNGAA extends its thanks to our speakers and to all who attended for making the afternoon such an engaging and enjoyable celebration of Papua New Guinea.

Andrea Williams (left) & Sara Turner (right) welcomed guests to the lunch.

Sarina Bratton (Executive Chair of Pearl Expeditions and a pioneer of Australian expedition cruising) presented the PNGAA with a cheque for $10,105 for the PNGAA Scholarship Fund. Sarina spoke about the importance of student education & the value of these scholarships. Pearl Expeditions donates a percentage of PNGAA Member bookings to the PNGAA Scholarship Fund. ** Mention your PNGAA membership when you book directly with Pearl Expeditions. Note that this donation applies only through direct bookings, not if you book through travel agents.

The PNGAA Committee & guests posed for a quick photo shoot!

From left, Ian Frape (PNGAA Education Program), Andrea Williams (PNGAA President, Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Chair), Nicci Foulsham (Pearl Expeditions Expedition Concierge and Partnerships Manager), Max Uechtritz (PNGAA History & Culture, Rabaul and Montevideo Maru group), Jane Rybarz (PNGAA Treasurer) Frazer Harry (PNGAA Secretary and Rabaul & Montevideo Maru group), Phil Ainsworth (PNGAA History, NGVR/PNGVR President, Rabaul and Montevideo Maru group), Sara Turner (PNGAA Events Coordinator), Andrew Cadden (PNGAA Events Committee) Sarina Bratton (Executive Chair of Pearl Expeditions), Ray Martin (renowned Australian journalist, television presenter and storyteller)

Max & Ray entertained us with their off the cuff commentary & stories.

And a couple of videos provided by Andrea Williams from her recent

Circumnavigation of New Britain with Pearl Expeditions

Below are photos of Members & Guests at the Lunch.

Email admin@pngaa.net if you have comments or want to add to the photo text.

Table Seating

Table 1- Max Uechtritz, Nicci Foulsham, Phil Ainsworth, Andrea Williams, Ray Martin, Sarina Bratton

Table 2a- ?, Rita Uechtritz, Cathy Uechtritz, Jeff Brock, Kurt Diercke

Table2b - Cathy Uechtritz, Jeff Brock, Kurt Diercke, Frazer Harry, Al Manning, ?

Table 8 - Margaret Dunlop nee Searle, Jenny Hunter, Doff Schultze, David Allen, Ralph Allen Stephanie Ross

Table 5 - Jenny Rawiller, Lisa Campbell, Louise Smith, Sara Turner (standing), Robyne Hamilton, Rob Hamilton, Rob Coote, Jane Hathaway

Table 6 - Jane Rybarz, John Mayers, Ian Frape, Andrew Cadden, Roger Carroll

Table 7 - Shahn AZ, David Robertson, Louise Darmody, Alan Pierce, ? Donovan, Dennis Donovan

Table 3 - Toni Heath, Julianne Ross Allcorn, Barbara Jennings, Georgina Adams, Sally Stobo, Georgina Whitford nee Shand, Rebecca Hopper

Table 4 - Bronwyn Vickers, Sue Rock (standing), Di Cassell, Hamish Stuart, Emily Cassell-Stuart, Mike Cassell, Mike and Kristen Stebnyckyj

Some other photos from our lunch

Kurt Diercke, PNGAA member and expedition leader with South Sea Horizons.. South Sea Horizons is a Papua New Guinea–owned tourism operator specialising in small-group expeditions such as Kokoda Track treks and cultural tours across PNG and the Solomon Islands..

Shahn AZ, David Robertson

Sue Rock, Bronwyn Vickers, Di Cassell

Sara Turner & Rosemary Johnson

Rita Uechtritz, Max Uechtritz, Catherine Uechtritz

Rosemary Johnson, John Mayers

Ray Martin, Sarina Bratton

Ray Martin, Andrea Williams, Sarina Bratton, Max Uechtritz

Ray Martin, Sara Turner

Jeff Brock, Kurt Diercke

Andrew Cadden, Roger Carroll, Sara Turner

Alan Manning, Nicci Foulsham

Marg Dunlop nee Searle, Jenny Hunter, Doff Schultze

Mark & Kristen Stebnyckyj

Sally Stobo, Andrew Cadden

Ian Frape

Ian Frape, Andrew Cadden

Andrea Williams, Ray Martin

Hamish Stuart, Emily Cassell-Stuart