Our Patrons
Mrs Rachael Marape
Mrs Marape was appointed YWAM Medical Ships PNG Co-Patron in March 2024 and holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Papua New Guinea. She is married to the 8th Prime Minister of PNG, Hon James Marape, MP.
She is passionate about financial literacy for women, as well as health care for women and children.
Mrs Marape has volunteered as an advocate for the Saving Lives and Spreading Smiles program, initially launched by UNICEF and the PNG Health Department in 2019, serving as the patron for the health of women and children in the nation. She has six children.
Mr Charles Abel
Mr Abel was appointed as YWAM MS PNG Co-Patron in March 2024 and was a member of the National Parliament of PNG from 2007-2022, representing the electorate of Alotau Open.
He has held the Cabinet positions of: Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer; Minister of Culture and Tourism; Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry; Minister for National Planning; and Minister for Finance and Rural Development. Mr Abel was also Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence.
Mr Abel is an FCPA and has a Bachelor of Economics from UQld. He lives in Milne Bay with his wife, Hacy.
Hon. Mike Reynolds, CBE, AM
Hon Mike Reynold’s local government service has included 16 years as a member of the Townsville City Council.
During his time he was he was Deputy Mayor for four years and Mayor for nine years. Prior to election Mike held academic positions at James Cook University and the University of Canberra.
He was a member of the State Executive of The Local Government Association of Queensland from 1983-89 and was awarded the honour of membership to the Order of Australia in 1985 for service to local government and community.
Hon Reynolds became a member of State Parliament in 1998 and for over a 12 year period held positions of Parliamentary Secretary, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Child Safety, and Speaker for Queensland Parliament.He also established the Townsville-Port Moresby Sister City Relationship when he was Townsville’s Mayor in 1983.
Since retiring in 2009, besides being the most doting grandfather, Hon Mike Reynolds has served passionately as Patron of YWAM Medical Ships Australia.