United behind YWAM’s cause
TOWNSVILLE business identities came together yesterday morning for a local mission to help remote Papua New Guinea communities.
About 700 people attended Youth With A Mission’s breakfast fundraiser, which raised more than $ 110,000 to support its medical ship outreaches to PNG villages.
Papua New Guinean culture was on display with singing, dancing and traditional mud men.
Among the visiting dignitaries were the YWAM patron and former PNG Prime Minister, Rabbie Namaliu, and Air Niugini chairman Sir Frederick Reiher.
YWAM patron Mike Reynolds, who was the Mayor of Townsville from 1980 to 1989, said the strong turnout exemplified the city’s level of sup- port for YWAM’s work. “It’s just tremendous to see that level of business support, but also students and the broad community,” he said.
“This surpasses any breakfast we’ve ever had before and it just shows the strong support, not only for YWAM’s medical ship, but for our near- est neighbours in Papua New Guinea.
“Our YWAM campus in the CBD has been developed with about 90 businesses who have contributed to developing the old TAFE college.”
Mr Reynolds said a 2016 report by AEC Group showed YWAM contributed about $ 21.6 million economy.
“I think for a city the size of Townsville – 200,000 people – we are pulling above our weight and that makes me so very proud,” he said.
“I set up the sister city relationship back in 1983 and that was the start of Townsville and Port Moresby working together and you can see today the enormous support there is for Port Moresby and the people of Papua New Guinea.
YWAM managing director Ken Mulligan said the event was also a chance to have conversations with key stakeholders such as Sir Frederick.
“To be able to bring Air Niugini here is part of his resolve to engage and I think it’s not just about what Townsville can do for Papua New Guinea but how Papua New Guinea can also engage in Townsville,” he said.
“I think the more we understand the greater we will be as a city and as a region.
“We want to get more and more people involved.” to Townsville’s