It is a joy that we can be a part of Margaret ‘s vision to improve the lives of the people of Kiriwina. We value our connection to this work which is life-giving and enriching in providing access to healthy birthing, addressing food security and clean water, and supporting the education of students in a very remote part of our world.
The Convenor of the Yarralumla Uniting Church Arts and Crafts Committee, Lynne Thomson.
Our eternal gratitude goes out to the Yarralumla Church congregation for their ongoing support for the Rev Dr Ralph and Margaret Lawton‘s life’s work and legacy.
Kamatokisi!
Featured photo: Yarralumla Uniting Church delegation photographed with members of the Lawton family and a film crew from New Zealand Bible Society on our 2012 trip to Kiriwina for the Kiriwinan bible dedication.
The subsequent film of the 2012 Kiriwina Bible dedication can be seen at the following link: https://caringforkiriwina.org.au/about/rev-dr-ralph-lawton-and-margaret-lawtons-translation-work/
The Strength of a Mother
A mother’s strength is like no other,
Through every hardship and every bother,
She keeps us strong and keeps us whole,
With love and care that never grows old.
We celebrate all midwives worldwide with a special thank you to our CFK educators and VBAs for their outstanding achievements over the past ten years. Here is a speech and photos from our LAWTON day reporting trip to Kiriwina held during the last two weeks of April.
Now the VBAs have been following the education now women are recognised, especially the VBAs. Women are counted now. A great legacy.
CFK head VBA Ruth Boaz speaks about Margaret’s legacy
Video: CFK Head VBA Ruth Boaz praises Margaret Lawton’s legacy
Video 2: CFK VBAs sing a thank you song to the CFK midwife educators Shea Caplice and Jacqui Andrews.
Finally! after 62 years in the making, BUKI BIGA KIRIWINA, A dictionary of the Kiriwina Language of Papua New Guinea, has been published.
With a glorious printed hardcover and gold embossed text, this 1000-page dictionary is a triumph of multiple wills and determination.
This dictionary has been the direct result of the help and encouragement of Rev Dr Ralph’s Papuan and Australian friends. Ralph acknowledged the support of many contributors in the dictionary, and this hardcover version has been produced just in time for us all to celebrate Ralph and Margaret’s contributions to Kiriwina, the place they called home. Thank you to all our sponsors and donors.
Only 2 more nights of sleep until we leave for our beloved Kiriwina to see our wonderful friends after 3.5 years of COVID absence. Getting excited
For more information, please email info@caringforkiriwina.org.au
Rev Dr Ralph Lawton’s PhD supervisor, ANU Emeritus Professor Andrew Pawley and Ralph during the dictionary’s productionThe fabulous Rev Dr. Ralph Stanley Lawton. Here he is holding the product of 50 years of work, the proof of the soon-to-be-published Kiriwinan Dictionary.
Thank you so much to Bronze Plaques Australia for their fabulous service :). This plaque is to take pride of place on the Memorial currently being built on Kiriwina; see progress images below.