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PNG links for two local water expertsMILNE Bay in Papua New Guinea is a long way from the Newhaven offices of Westernport Water, yet the tropical outpost figures large for two staff at the water corporation. By Susan Webster - 27th September 2007 - Back to News MILNE Bay in Papua New Guinea is a long way from the Newhaven offices of Westernport Water, yet the tropical outpost figures large for two staff at the water corporation.
Engineer Prue Bodsworth left on Wednesday (September 26) for a 12-month assignment tackling sanitation projects in the poor rural region.
And, sitting at a desk scarcely six metres away, physicist Chris Buck is not long back from a year working in exactly the same area.
Chris – newly appointed as Maintenance Planner – was in Milne Bay studying movement in the earth’s crust in a joint research project with the Australian National University.
Prue, 27, is travelling north under the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program.
She said: "I applied to the program to use my water and sewer engineering skills for the benefit of those living in areas that suffer from unsanitary conditions."
Milne Bay is a coastal area of mainly subsistence farming. Prue will be working with the Milne Bay Church Development Fund to improve water and sanitation services and help capacity building of community members.
Prue, a resident of Newhaven, said: "I hope to make a positive impact through my work as an engineer and in daily life through meeting people."
Westernport Water’s Managing Director David Mawer said: "All of us at Westernport Water are extremely proud of Prue and know she will share much of the learning and experience she has gained from her three years here.
"We look forward to her return and hope she will be able to use the skills she learns from her overseas experience to further contribute to our organisation."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au
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