PNG Red Cross ‘s “Walking Dictionary” Retires after 32 years of Service

On July 11, 2025, Janet Philemon will close her office door at the Papua New Guinea Red Cross for the last time. It will mark the end of a 32-year journey through some of the toughest times in PNG Red Cross Society’s history, during which she helped change the way the organisation provides humanitarian services in the country.

Now at 77, Janet’s retirement comes at the invitation of her grandchildren in Australia, who convinced her it was time to step down from active service after more than three decades of dedication to providing Humanitarian services in Papua New Guinea.

Born in Aberayron, Wales, in 1947, Janet arrived in PNG as a young woman in January 1968 and became a citizen in 1985. Her journey with PNG Red Cross began in 1993 when the Morobe branch faced closure following integrity issues. The then-Chairman invited her to help rebuild the branch. Janet found the organization’s humanitarian principles aligned perfectly with her values. This would be the beginning of her journey with PNG Red Cross Society.

“I have always been involved in some way in community activities,” Philemon reflected on her motivation. 

“When my children were small, it was their schools and then their sporting clubs. I moved into Red Cross after they went to boarding school, and I was looking for something that I wanted to do for myself. Red Cross was a good fit as the principles matched with my beliefs, and it gave me the opportunity to work with communities.”

Janet has always stepped up when the Red Cross needed her most. In 1996, she became Secretary General at a time when the organization was struggling to rebuild trust and fix its finances. Over the next five years, she helped it grow from just six staff and a K300,000 budget to a team of 18 managing over K3 million a year. By the time she stepped down in 2001, the Red Cross had over three million kina in the bank and had bought a warehouse in Lae outright.

Her disaster response expertise spans PNG’s most significant natural disasters. During the 1993 Finisterre earthquake, she led the Morobe Branch response, managing care for 8,000 people across multiple centers for two months. The 1994 Rabaul volcanic eruptions saw her coordinating support for 12,000 evacuees arriving in Lae. Her leadership during the devastating 1998 Aitape tsunami response interrupted her Master of Business Administration studies, a sacrifice she made without hesitation. 

Philemon’s career required significant personal sacrifices, including suspended education and family time. Her advice to volunteers reflects hard earned wisdom. “Do not make commitments unless you are able (or have the time) to carry them out. Balance your life, do not neglect your family life or work.”

Despite these challenges, she found satisfaction in her work. Her work with PNG Red Cross added meaning to her life.

“I have had so many interesting experiences I do not know where to start,” she reflected. “If I feel I can make a difference, that is a great experience.”

As Janet steps down from her role, she leaves behind a stronger National Society with communities that are better prepared for disasters. The changes she made have lasted through many leadership changes. Her training programs are still in use across the country, and the way she handled disaster response remains the guide others follow today.

Governor General and Patron Sir Bob Dadae described Janet Philemon as “the walking dictionary of Red Cross in PNG,” saying her “name is woven into the very fabric” of the organization. He added that she served not for praise, but because of her strong belief in the power of compassion.

PNG Red Cross Deputy Chairman John Hosea also praised her work, saying,

“Janet has transformed the organization and inspired a new generation of leaders. She always took a hands-on approach, and her work has touched many people across Papua New Guinea, including women and children.”

Her departure marks the end of an era for PNG’s humanitarian sector. For 32 years, she provided leadership and governance in the national society during its most difficult times. The strong foundations she helped build will continue to make a difference long after she settles into life in Australia.

At 77, Janet Philemon has earned her rest, but her three decades of service have created a lasting impact on the lives of many Papua New Guineans.

Even after decades of service, she refuses to call it an end, “Never say never,” she insists, her commitment to the PNG Red Cross is for life.