Joseph Nombri played an important role in events leading up to PNG's independence in 1975 and later became the country's ambassador in Tokyo.
11 Facts About Joseph Nombri
1.
2.
Joseph Karl Nombri was born on 25 September 1940 in Wagl village, Pari, near Kundiawa in the Simbu Province in the Highlands of PNG.
3.
Joseph Nombri was an only child, with his parents being from the Kamanuku and Kengaku tribes.
4.
On graduating from the Administrative College, Joseph Nombri became a kiap, a district officer or patrol officer who represented the Australian government in the Territory.
5.
Joseph Nombri was transferred to several other locations and became the first Papua New Guinean from the Highlands to be appointed as a district commissioner, first in the Eastern Highlands Province and then in Morobe Province.
6.
Joseph Nombri could have stayed in the post longer but in 1991 he requested to be recalled so that he could be a candidate in the 1992 national election.
7.
Joseph Nombri stood for the Chimbu Regional seat, but was not elected.
8.
Joseph Nombri was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, a Member of the same order and later received a knighthood.
9.
Joseph Nombri received a British Empire Medal and an Imperial Service Medal.
10.
Joseph Nombri died in Port Moresby of throat cancer on 14 January 2008.
11.
Joseph Nombri was buried at the entrance of the hospital in Kundiawa named after him.