Where Are They Now - Winnie Kiap CBE

Years at Vinnies

I was at St Vincent’s for two years - 1967 and 1968. I had transferred from Mt St Mary’s College, Katoomba, where I was from 1963-1966. It was around this time that Form 6 was introduced to schools in NSW. Mt St Mary’s could not accommodate another grade given its small size, so Form 5 was removed, resulting in me and about five other students being transferred to St Vincent’s to continue in Forms 5 & 6.

Day Student or Boarder?

I was a boarder as I am from Papua New Guinea.

What was your fondest/favourite memory of your time at Vinnies?

One of the things I was so happy about at Vinnies was not being compelled to eat everything at meal times. I had a choice. 

My favourite memory was of the one time I made a great catch at my B Grade softball team competition with another school. I was told that the way I jumped to catch the ball was as if I were a ballerina. Because I wasn’t good at sports, the catch was attributed to another Papua New Guinean student, Leontine Ovia who had also transferred from Mt St Mary’s and was good at sports. I liked the way my jump was described as a ballerina’s jump. 

What was your favourite subject/teacher at school?

I loved ancient history. Taught by Sr Mary Aquinas. Sr Aquinas was an intellectual. Regrettably we learnt only about European ancient history but the interest in that history remained with me and helped me considerably when I became a diplomat in London in that I had some knowledge of the ancient history of England. From London, I visited Rome and parts of Greece which I learnt about in ancient history. 

Shakespeare was studied all through forms 2 to 6. I don’t think I  understood the importance of Shakespeare yet. I withdrew my daughter from Tonga High School because Shakespeare was not taught, and sent her to St Vincent’s.  

What is one piece of advice you would give to your 17-year-old self?

Having travelled this far and viewing the journey from today’s perspective, perhaps I could advise my younger self to have an open mind and heart, and be curious about everything, everyone, and every culture. 

What did you do after leaving St Vincent’s?

My career was as a civil servant. I began in the Kingdom of Tonga as Senior Executive Officer in the Prime Minister's Office. I also worked in two government departments in Tonga then I returned to Sydney and worked in the PNG Consulate-General. I returned to PNG in 1992 and continued working in the Public Service until I was appointed the first woman Cabinet Secretary in 1998. I served in that role for 10 years and nine months. I retired from the Public Service but was appointed High Commissioner to the UK and five other countries in 2011 until 2022. 

What attracted you to that field?

I believe humanity in all its forms is of paramount importance.  It needs to be protected and defended and in doing so, the planet hosting it also needs to be protected.

What do you do in your spare time?

In PNG I am engaged as follows:

• Member of the University of PNG Council

• Member of the Asian Development Bank PNG Civil Society Committee

• Patron of Arts Society PNG

• Chair of the Working Group on Low Cost Housing for Low Income-Earners

In London:

• Chair of Commonwealth Foundation

• Member of the Ramphal Institute Board

• Member of the InterAction Council Global Existential and Security Threats Board

• Member of the Young Indigenous Circle of One Young World

• Guardian of Planetary Arts (Art as a catalyst for Human Security and Planetary Peace)

• Member of the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Advisory Group

• Member of the Distinguished Advisory Panel of Team Gladia (leading in leadership transformation)

So I do not have much spare time even in retirement, but I do read when I can. I love reading.