Malcolm Kela Smith
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Malcolm Roy "Kela" Smith CMG MBE DFC (10 April 1943 – 5 April 2021) was a businessman, aviator and politician in Papua New Guinea.
Biography[edit]
Smith was born in London, England[1] in 1943, and emigrated to Australia as a child. He joined the Australian Army Aviation corps, and served as a pilot with the 161st Independent Reconnaissance Flight in the Vietnam War for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.[2] In 1969, Smith was posted to Papua New Guinea where he remained permanently, founding the aviation company Pacific Helicopters PNG and owning a shopping centre and hotel in Goroka.[3]
Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1993 Birthday Honours for services to the community and civil aviation,[4] and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2006 Birthday Honours for services to primary industry and the environment.[5]
He served as the governor of Eastern Highlands Province from 2002–2012. Smith also served as a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea for the United Resources Party from 2003–2012.[6] He died at age 77 from complications of COVID-19 while under treatment in the intensive care unit at Redcliffe Hospital in Queensland, Australia.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Former PNG Governor Malcolm Kela Smith dies from COVID-19 in Brisbane". PerthNow. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "SMITH, Malcolm Roy". DVA Nominal Rolls. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ a b Zillman, Stephanie (6 April 2021). "PNG aviator and politician Malcolm 'Kela' Smith remembered after dying from COVID-19 complications in Queensland hospital". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ "No. 53338". The London Gazette. 16 June 2006. p. 52.
- ^ "No. 58017". The London Gazette (4th supplement). 16 June 2006. p. 33.
- ^ Kaniniba, Alfred (20 May 2017). "Soso, Kouza and Gore break dominance in 2012". Loop. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- 1943 births
- 2021 deaths
- Governors of Eastern Highlands Province
- Members of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
- United Resources Party politicians
- Papua New Guinea Party politicians
- British emigrants
- Immigrants to Australia
- Immigrants to Papua New Guinea
- Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Australian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia