APSIG newsletter no. 63: March 2007

Farewell to Daniel Paraide

APSIG notes with sadness the death at the age of 49 of Mr Daniel Paraide, Director-General of the Papua New Guinea National Library and Archives. Mr Paraide died of a suspected heart attack in December 2006. He held the position of director general of the Office of Libraries and Archives (the National Library) and was the chief adviser to the Office of Libraries and Archives Board. Daniel, well known to the Australian profession, was most recently lead manager in the K7 million Australian government-funded project to renovate the National Library as the 30th Independence anniversary gift to the people of Papua New Guinea.

Daniel came from Pilapila village near Rabaul in East New Britain Province. He was the son of a pastor and missionary. He studied education at the University of Papua New Guinea and taught in high schools before becoming a librarian, rising to the post of Director-General. Daniel was, for years, most concerned about the annual budgetary allocation for the Office of Libraries and Archives. He wanted to do more for the office as well as offer more support to schools and provinces. Continued budgetary constraints prevented him from realising his goals. He always wanted decision makers to realise that without books and libraries, PNG children have little hope for a better future.

Daniel is survived by his wife Patricia, who is a senior research fellow in the education division at the National Research Institute, and children Daniel (Jnr), Stephanie and Martin, and we convey our condolences to them on behalf of the Australian profession.
(Amelia McKenzie)