Newmont hosts Value Moment with Hunters

PRESS RELEASE

Hunters stars of the present and future have provided Newmont’s PNG staff with a thoughtful and inspiring Hunters Value Moment, a first-of-its-kind initiative for both the players and the company.

PNG Hunters Captain Ila Alu, Sanny Wabo, Morea Morea and Jamie Mavoko shared personal stories from their communities, families and football career, which highlighted their guiding moral principles of fairness, honesty and inclusion.

The initiative was inspired by Newmont’s principles-driven culture that drives the company’s purpose of creating value and improving lives through sustainable and responsible mining.

Within Newmont, meetings begin with a ‘Value Share’ and led by members of the team to remind, encourage and challenge everyone to remain focussed on not just what they do but how they do it – demonstrated actions that are consistent with the company values of safety, integrity, sustainability, inclusion and responsibility.

This approach was expanded to include a Value Share from Hunters players which served to encourage all involved to embrace and display positive behaviours at all times within and beyond professional worlds of footy and mining.

Captain Alu shared his experience in leading a diverse and talented team, stressing the importance of leading by example, which to him means encouraging Hunters to be their best on and off the playing field. He also highlighted the importance of responsible leadership in communities. During his spare time, Alu coaches youth in his Tokarara community through footy training sessions, during which he advocates positive and respectful behaviours.

Sanny Wabo, Hunters 2024 Best Back of the Year, reflected on his upbringing in a typical PNG family. As the first-born in his family, Wabo took the responsibility of looking after his siblings after their mother passed away a few years ago. He described losing his mum as ‘heart-breaking and challenging’ and acknowledged faith as his strength through life and loss. Professional sport is Wabo’s main source of income for his siblings – a career driven by his commitment to faith, family and footy.

Morea Morea, the Hostplus Rookie of the Year 2023 and adored by many PNG footy fanatics, suffered a devastating injury in late 2023. He said the support he received from teammates, his family and friends fuelled his resilience and determination to recover. Morea emphasized the importance of teamwork, discipline and gratitude in challenging situations. He was among 15 Hunters selected this year to represent PNG in the PM’s XIII match.

Jamie Mavoko, Hunters 2024 Club Person of the Year, wrapped the Hunters Value Moment with an insight into his level of focus and preparation for every game. Mavoko highlighted that his focus and preparation, especially with goal kicking, is done during training sessions, further emphasising that preparation is key to achieving great outcomes.

“It was important for us, not just as a sponsor of the PNG Hunters, but also as a values-based company to create an opportunity for our people and the Hunters to inspire each other with examples of integrity that matter in everyday situations,” said Tim Bryson, Newmont PNG Strategic Engagement Manager.

“We thank Ila, Sanny, Morea and Jamie for inspiring and encouraging us with their personal stories and experiences. Their principles-driven approach as professionals and upstanding members of the community mirrors how our company does business in PNG and globally. We also thank the Hunters management for supporting the value moment initiative and we wish them the best as they prepare for the 2025 season,” he added.

PHOTO CAPTION: Hunters and Newmont after an empowering value moment.