CAIRNS SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH LAE STRENGTHENED THROUGH MEDICAL SHIP EXPANSION

Dignitaries from Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG) are in Cairns today to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with YWAM Medical Ships – Australia (YWAM MSA) onboard their new ship, the MV Ammari.
The MOU between YWAM MSA, the Morobe Provincial Government and Angau Memorial General Hospital outlines a commitment to work together in providing greater access to healthcare, education and medical supplies in remote areas of the province.
YWAM MSA Patron, Honourable Mike Reynolds, said YWAM MSA’s expansion in Morobe Province will help strengthen the sister city relationship between Cairns and Lae, the capital of Morobe Province.
“Cairns is strategically the most important provincial city with its close proximity to PNG, its sea and airline links, with business, industry, tourism and person to person links.”
“Cairns has had a sister-city relationship with Lae for 30 years – the ship’s visit to Cairns has given wonderful opportunity to strengthen that link.”
“The signing of the MOU today marks the beginning of YWAM MSA’s expansion in Morobe Province.”
“I believe its significant that we are formalising our partnership in Cairns today given the long-standing relationship that already exists between both locations.”
As part of strengthening the relationship between Cairns and Lae, Cairns Regional Council is hosting representatives of the Morobe Provincial Council and is assisting in furthering their knowledge about town planning, building, engineering, as well as healthcare-related issues such as drug abuse and rehabilitation programs, care of the aged, child abuse and family planning.
Sister City Committee Chair, Sim Hayward said that it is wonderful to be a part of signing the MOU aboard the Medical Ship in Cairns.
“We are looking forward to working with YWAM MSA and the Morobe Provincial Government to continue to strengthen the sister-city relationship between Lae and Cairns.”  Said Hayward.
The MOU will be in place for five years — beginning in 2014 — with the goal of empowering communities within Morobe Province to take ownership of the medical support delivered by YWAM MSA by participating in achieving long-term, sustainable outcomes.
YWAM MSA’s new ship, the MV Ammari will be in Cairns until the 31^st of August as part of its “Overcoming the Impossible” ship tour. The public are invited to tour the vessel from 10am-4pm everyday until Sunday.