On International Women’s Day 2019, international development organisation, KTF, welcomed two new ambassadors to its team: Tania Nugent and Amelia Kuk.
These new ambassadors join KTF’s current team of ambassadors: Will Genia, Sharyn Ghidella, Michael Usher and Patrick Lindsay AM.
Tania Nugent is a prominent television host, presenter, journalist and lobbyist for domestic violence and has worked extensively in media and communications across both PNG and Australia.
Her extensive career expands more than 30 years with over 15 years at ABC Television, and more recently producing and hosting Point of View with EMTV in Papua New Guinea.
She is an advocate for social justice, equality and the empowerment of women in PNG and her Point of View shows regularly feature women’s health, wellbeing and equality issues bringing to the forefront the treatment of women in PNG.
“What many people may not realise, is the work of KTF is not just in Kokoda and Oro Province, but right across PNG,” said Nugent. “Be it putting thousands of elementary teachers in classrooms through the Teach for Tomorrow program or supporting our nation’s best and brightest young people to reach their full potential as leaders for change through the Archer Leaders program. I am honoured to be able to support KTF as a brand ambassador.
“It’s a great story to tell and an even better one to be part of.”
Amelia Kuk is PNG international and Brisbane Broncos’ premiership winning women’s football player. Kuk is 23 years of age and hails from Mt Hagen in PNG’s Western Highlands Province.
She started playing rugby union at 17 years old and made her debut for the PNG Women’s 7’s team at 18 in Hong Kong. From there she switched over to rugby League in 2016 and made the QLD Women’s rugby league team.
Kuk played two matches for the Australian Jillaroos in 2017 and recently played in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup for the PNG Orchids.
A registered nurse working in a surgical ward at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Brisbane, Kuk is also a master trainer for the Optimisation Hub which is an organisation delivering programs to educate athletes about resilience and mental agility to consistently perform at their best.
She is a role model for young women in PNG and uses rugby league as an opportunity to make a difference and show that women are capable of playing at the same level as men.
Kuk said of her appointment: “I am absolutely thrilled to jump on board to be an ambassador for KTF. Working with people to improve their lives, future and wellbeing has always been a passion of mine, hence my professional career in health as well as sport.
“I look forward to being part of a team that shares the same passion as me by making a difference in PNG.”
KTF CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson, welcomed the two new ambassadors to the KTF family: “We are so thrilled to have such remarkable women join our team of ambassadors at KTF. Tania and Amelia represent the strength, determination and resilience of women throughout PNG and give us all extraordinary examples to look up to and emulate.
“They are champions of gender issues in PNG and bring the many challenges facing women into public conversation.”
The 2019 International Women’s Day theme is Balance for Better and KTF is spending the day celebrating the many inspiring women it works with every day.