Madang Chamber pays tribute to late Peter Hill

The President of the Madang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kevin Murray earlier this week paid tribute to late Peter Hill, one of the pioneers in the development of Madang town.

Peter Hill died on Saturday,April 30 after a long illness.

A special funeral ceremony was accorded to late Peter Hill, who was buried at sea in the Astrolabe Bay of Madang, thus fulfilling his wish. His wife stood by on the pontoon as the Catholic priest Fr Jan Czuba said anointing prayers before his body was buried in a very rare and emotional ceremony seen for the very first time in Madang.

Before the actual burial saw over 500 Madang residents turned up at Sugeng Aben ground of the Madang Resort Hotel for the funeral service prior to his body being transported by mv Kalibobo Spirit, luxury vessel owned by Sir Peter Barter in the afternoon for the special burial ceremony at sea.

According to Mr Murray, Peter Hill was an outstanding and popular member of the Madang community. He lived in Madang continuously for the past 53 years.

“During the years before independence Hill served three terms as President of the then Madang Town Council. He was a founding member and President of the Lions Club of Madang.

“Peter was also a foundation member of the Madang Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His presence at Chamber meetings was guaranteed as was his thoughtful contributions to proceedings.

“The long time members of the Chamber have fond memories of his attendance and miss his presence. Peter was always the first to raise issues that he considered would be beneficial to the Madang community as a whole.

“Peter was a person who would without hesitation offer his assistance to anyone in need either from a professional or personal perspective. He was a plumber by trade and therefore provided a very important service to the residents of Madang.

“His passing is a great loss to both the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Madang community as a whole. ” Murray said.

Former journalist Benny Bogg described late Peter Hill as the ‘great plumber’ of Madang, whose work still remains in most of the business houses and government offices in town.

Late Peter Hill used to run a plumbing company called ‘Jomba Plumbing’ which did a lot of plumbing jobs in Madang during the pre and post independence era of PNG.

He has trained many young Papua New Guineans to the become plumbers over the years.

These people would now carry on the legacy of late Peter Hill。

 

​Picture shows late Peter Hill's burial at sea being officiated by Fr. Jan Czuba

Author: 
James G. Kila