Australia honours PNG's Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
Firmin Nanol, Port Moresby
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The Australian government has awarded 18 commemorative medals to elderly Papua New Guineans who helped Australian troops during the Second World War.
Affectionately known as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, they assisted in moving supplies, building infrastructure and evacuating sick and wounded soldiers.
Last year, Australia began recognising the contributions from the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels by presenting commemorative medals to the increasingly elderly survivors.
Australia's High Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish presented the medals to 18 survivors at a colourful ceremony in Popondetta in Oro Province.
He says their assistance to Australian troops, to fend off invading Japanese forces, went far beyond personal sacrifice.
"The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels provided Australian soldiers boundless help and with dedication," he said.
The medals feature the image, taken from a photo shot on Christmas day in 1942, of a blinded and barefoot Private George Whittington being helped along by Raphael Oimbari.
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