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Malcolm Roy “Kela” Smith

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Malcolm Roy “Kela” Smith

Birth
Death
5 Apr 2021 (aged 77)
Queensland, Australia
Burial
Cremated Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Malcolm 'Kela' Smith, who was governor and a member of parliament for Eastern Highlands province, was medevacced from PNG to Queensland ten days ago due to ill health.

He died in the intensive care unit at Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane on Monday.

The 77-year-old was well known for his work in the aviation sector and for his efforts to help lift the fortunes of PNG's children.

In 2017 Smith started the Kela Foundation to help underprivileged children and their communities.

He also founded Pacific Helicopters which transported those in remote regional areas to essential medical appointments.

Tributes have flowed on social media for the UK-born Australian who made Papua New Guinea his home.

According to PNG media reports, Smith's businesses were closed on Monday in tribute to their founder.

Queensland Health said the death wouldn't be included in the state's Covid-19 statistics as the case was diagnosed in PNG.

More than 7400 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in PNG with Smith's death taking the toll to 67.

Rewritten from information published on the Radio New Zealand website (https://www.radionz.co.nz).

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Founder of the Kela Foundation, Malcolm 'Kela' Smith. (Photo courtesy of Kela Foundation)
Malcolm 'Kela' Smith, who was governor and a member of parliament for Eastern Highlands province, was medevacced from PNG to Queensland ten days ago due to ill health.

He died in the intensive care unit at Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane on Monday.

The 77-year-old was well known for his work in the aviation sector and for his efforts to help lift the fortunes of PNG's children.

In 2017 Smith started the Kela Foundation to help underprivileged children and their communities.

He also founded Pacific Helicopters which transported those in remote regional areas to essential medical appointments.

Tributes have flowed on social media for the UK-born Australian who made Papua New Guinea his home.

According to PNG media reports, Smith's businesses were closed on Monday in tribute to their founder.

Queensland Health said the death wouldn't be included in the state's Covid-19 statistics as the case was diagnosed in PNG.

More than 7400 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in PNG with Smith's death taking the toll to 67.

Rewritten from information published on the Radio New Zealand website (https://www.radionz.co.nz).

*****

Founder of the Kela Foundation, Malcolm 'Kela' Smith. (Photo courtesy of Kela Foundation)

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