Passion and commitment working as a librarian archiving Papua New Guinea’s historical events recorded as news and pictures have made Lydia Veali, 56, from Babaka village in the Central Province a keeper of priceless history.
Based at Lawes Rd, Konedobu in Port Moresby and somewhat the beauty and queen of Post Courier, she has registered 28 years of loyal service to the company on August 17, 2020.
In 2017 she lost her husband and is now survived by two adult male children and grandchildren.
Something she is proud of and undoubtedly makes her happy, dressed and sparkled always during her work.
Everyone who has walked in and out of Post Courier surely remembers her face and her glows in the library.
“I see very important things here,” she said.
“We have calls from overseas from members who were here in the 1960’s and 70’s.”
“We have files here. It’s very important to keep these records.”
Out of the thousands of files and events, Veali attested the country’s independence event in 1975 is well kept at Post Courier library.
“We have the history here. We keep it,” she said.
She describes the historical information as a gold mine for the country.
Before she joined Post Courier in 1992 as a 28 year old, she was working at Burns Philip- a cash and carry chain of business and she was featured in a couple of advertisements in the newspaper promoting various electrical products.
Being at a privileged position now, she plucks out from the archives and marvels at her past in the advertisements.
Joining Post Courier she started as a receptionist for five years and later moved to being the librarian till now.
She said that’s the love of the job. “Few people come work, they go, they come back.”
She has appealed to young people to have commitment in their career.
Struggling to hide her tears, she removed her glassed and mentioned Aiteli Venudi who recently retired from Post Courier as a forklift driver.
He had clocked 50 years-just as old as Post Courier.
For Veali, she was not only an employee but a promoter of sports and actively gets involved even now at 56 and struggling with her knees.
Last year she led the Post Courier netball team to a grand final as player and coach.
She said: “I was popular in sports.”
“When I came, I wasn’t new. I wasn’t new to sports reporters.”
She mentioned reporters Martin Liri, Sinclaire Solomon and photographers Auri Eva and William Williando to name a few.
Fifteen years repping PNG in netball, she retired after competing in the Mini South Pacific Games in Vanuatu in 1993, a year after she joined Post Courier.
Her international and local experience had been invaluable to Post Courier netball.
“I was coach and player at the same time,” she said.
Her late husband also took part in Post Courier’s social activities.
“Father was involved in company snooker team,”Veali said.
“He played with Blaise Nangoi.”
Few Papua New Guineans commit to one employer in their lifetime.
For her: “Well the company takes care of me. I like to thank the company for taking care of me.”
“I have been really loyal and committed to the company.”
Aside from working late to find priceless historical picture or news following a query, she is at netball.
Her young colleague Deborah Enaha and her on a daily basis archive news and pictures at the library.
They play a significant role assisting journalists and people querying about past news or photographs.
If you would like to seek historical information from Post Courier you best contact is lveali@spp.com.pg or call 3091000.
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