Andrew and Governor General

Andrew Simpson MBE

Papua New Guinea

By the time you get to read this article most of you would have become aware of the MBE (Member of the British Empire) award accorded to Br Andrew Simpson for services to education and rugby league in Papua New Guinea. Indeed, for anyone who has lived with Andrew, many a table conversations have often been around education and sports issues, particularly rugby league as he is a staunch supporter of Wests Tigers a team in the NRL (National Rugby League) in Australia.

Novitiate and scholastic years

Andrew entered the Brothers at Strathfield in January 1964 and moved on to doing his novitiate training in Minto in 1966. After making his first vows with a host of other young men, Br Andrew Simpson then commenced and successfully completed teacher training at Mount St Mary Strathfield. While taking on a full time teaching load, as was the practice in those days, Andrew took on part time studies at Macquarie University and completed his Bachelor of Arts and Mater of Arts degrees in education. His Master of Arts in Education degree emphasised teaching skills.

Teacher educator

The years 1978 – 1986 saw Andrew again in Mt St Mary at Strathfield in teacher education where he was involved in teaching special education and teaching skills, in essence, putting into good use what he learnt from his studies at Macquarie University. While in Strathfield, he undertook the responsibility of looking after the residential students. On staff with him at that time were people like Dan Stewart, Jude Butcher, Athanasius McGlade , Julian McDonald, Vince Duggan and Peter Hancock.

Education work in Papua New Guinea

My acquaintances with Andrew began during the summer holidays of 1986 where we met for holidays at the monks holiday residence in Gerringong, NSW. It was there that I was informed that he was coming up to PNG to work in the area of teacher education in St Paul's Vunakanau Teachers' College. From 1987 – 1990, Andrew was introduced to the PNG education system, a system he helped shape as he participated in its administration and reform processes. In his first year in Vunakanau, Andrew underwent an induction process teaching a grade four class at the Vunakanau Demonstration Primary School. After a stint as principal at St Paul's Vunakanau, he took up principalship of St Benedict's Teachers' College, Wewak from 1991-1995. This shift from Vunakanau to Wewak followed the stabbing of Br Peter Harney in the middle of the college land crisis. From 1996 – 2002, Br Andrew was elected Regional Leader of Brothers of the Edmund Rice Region and moved residence to Goroka. Following this, he assumed the role of Vice President of Divine Word University until the current period, expanding into other areas of higher education.

University education in Divine Word University

Br Andrew's involvement in PNG education has mainly been in the teacher education area, preparing student-teachers to teach in the system. As mentioned earlier, he participated in the revision of the teacher education programs. Since his move to Divine Word University, his work has entailed dealings mainly in the administration of academic programs and overlooking staff and students' affairs. Andrew possesses a strong knowledge of the PNG education system in its entirety, an asset which has led him to serve as chairperson of the National Catholic Education Board as well as chairperson of the Catholic Bishops Partnership Review Committee for the last ten years.

The rugby league referee

Andrew's involvement with rugby league dates back to 1966 where he was then involved with refereeing in Sydney. During the years that followed, his associations with refereeing were in the schools and district competitions. When there was need for it, Andrew was called upon to referee some of the New South Wales Rugby League games.

Involvement in PNG rugby league

During the early years of his stay in Rabaul, Andrew was able to find his way to Queen's Park rugby league oval where he made acquaintances with the officials there and soon, he got himself involved with refereeing in the local competitions. As the players and officials knew him more, Andrew soon was appointed the New Guinea Islands referees' coordinator and later became a life member of the East New Britain Rugby League Referees' Association. He was a firm believer in the fact that rugby league games are played at their best when there is good quality refereeing. To this end, Andrew conducted referee development programs around the country while at the same time, gave referee assessments as well as testing in-country referees.

In 1990 he was promoted to become a Kumul National Selector. The Kumul team is PNG's national rugby league team. During the years 2006 – 2008 he was the deputy chairperson of the PNGFL national judiciary committee. Andrew participated in all facets of the game as well as becoming ball boy and touch judge.

Concluding remarks

We congratulate our friend and brother, Thomas Andrew Simpson as he awaits the ceremony to present his MBE award. Indeed he truly deserves the award as he has sincerely toiled hard for the country and its people in the education arena and rugby league, a country and people of which he has over the years grown to be very fond. Papua New Guinea salutes you and May God bless you in all that you do for this country.

Alfred Tivinarlik cfc