For Command Warrant Officer Phillip Durnan and Seaman Felicity Smith, sailing into Port Moresby on board HMAS Choules felt a bit like returning home.
Both born in Port Moresby, the two sailors lives are entwined with Papua New Guinea (PNG), and they were proud to contribute to the 50th anniversary of independence celebrations.
When PNG declared independence 50 years ago, Warrant Officer Durnan had spent nine years living on the school grounds where his father taught - Idubada Technical College, now known as Port Moresby Technical College or PoM Tech.
As the only person in his family to have been born and raised in PNG, Warrant Officer Durnan has unique memories of childhood.
"Whether it be entertaining the horde of pseudo-older brothers at the college, fishing from the lakatoi (twin boat/outrigger) with family or swimming at the beach - it was always fun," he said.
"Whenever I meet someone from Papua New Guinea I tell them - mi wanpela pikinini mi bon long Port Moresby - I was a child born in Port Moresby.
"I get a sense of pride coming back to PNG, as I know that I'm from here. I was born here. I had my early experiences in life here."
As Command Warrant Officer of Choules, he encourages ship's company to see PNG the way he does.
"It's the land of the unexpected, with amazing sights, friendly people and diverse cultures," he said.
Meanwhile, Seaman Smith was born in Port Moresby and raised in Cairns. She travels to PNG regularly to see her mother's family.
"I have four brothers, so I always looked forward to seeing my cousin sisters," Seaman Smith said.
Before joining Navy through the gap year program, Seaman Smith visited Port Moresby to see her grandparents.
"My grandfather still sends me these long messages all the time, always saying how happy he is to see me working with Navy," she said.
She saw her grandfather while alongside for PNG's independence celebrations - an event she has had more practice for than others.
"Every year I've celebrated PNG independence in Cairns," Seaman Smith said.
"I dress in cultural attire from Manus Island and get together with everyone for the big celebrations, so being here in Port Moresby for such a significant milestone feels so surreal."
Warrant Officer Durnan and Seaman Smith beam when discussing their Papua New Guinean heritage and have stressed the importance of wantok to their mates on board.
Warrant Officer Durnan explained wantok as a cultural attitude unique to PNG. It is a title of affection bestowed upon people who share the same language, family, friends or someone now considered part of one's circle. Seaman Smith agreed.
"For example, if you meet someone from PNG and you both realise that you share a mutual friend, they are your wantok, and you offer them the same respect and kindness you would your mutual friend," she said.
It is something that Warrant Officer Durnan keeps front of mind when he meets someone from PNG. As his father taught at the local college and his mother worked as a nurse, the possibility for shared links is high.
"Whenever I meet anyone from Port Moresby, particularly people my age, I always wonder 'Did my father teach you? Did my mother help you get back on your feet?'" he said.
