Nora Vagi Brash, CMG, OBE

Ms Nora Vagi Brash was born in Dagoda Village, Central Province, Papua New Guinea. Nora graduated as a teacher in 1965 at Port Moresby Teachers College. Nora's achievements included "Dux of College", winner of the prestigious citizenship Prize from Rotary, and a winner of the "College Blue" in outstanding leadership qualities. Nora also graduated with Bachelor of Arts in literature and Diploma in Journalism from University of Papua New Guinea. Nora is best known as a playwright who produced her own plays.

Ms Nora Vagi Brash is a prominent figure in PNG who has held a variety of senior positions in the public and private sector. She is the major shareholder and Executive Director of Tanorama Limited, a consulting and project management company, which has grown to be a successful firm with offices in PNG and Australia.

She has undertaken a wide range of consultancy assignments in the media, communication, education, curriculum development and training and research sectors for Government of PNG and International Development Organisations. She has a thorough understanding of the key issues and operating environment prevalent in PNG at the moment.

Education Employment Public Roles Productions & Tours Publications Facebook

Education

Teachers Diploma - Port Moresby Teachers College, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Diploma Teaching Tools / Techniques - East-West Institute of Technology - Hawaii Centre, Hawaii, United Sates of America
Diploma in Journalism - University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Bachelor of Arts in English/Commonwealth Literature - University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Employment history

1994 – Current: Board Member, Tanorama Limited, Port Moresby, NCD. Papua New Guinea
1994 – 1995: Visiting Senior Lecturer, Theatre Arts, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1988 – 1993: Tok Pisin, Language & Culture Trainer, DFAT (AusAID), Canberra, Australia
1986 – 1987: Coordinator/Supervisor - PNG Student Teachers, School of Education, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
1986 – 1987: Member of AusAID, Supporting ACT Council for International Students, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
1982 – 1983: Temporary Tutor, Department of Language and Literature, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1981 – 1984: Public Relations Officer, PNG Teachers Association, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Among other achievements, organised the 1984 World Teacher Convention in Port Moresby
1977 – 1979: Deputy Director / Artistic Director, National Arts School, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1976 – 1977: Assistant Lecturer in Drama and Puppetry, Creative Arts School, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1965 – 1969: Primary School Teacher, Kila Kila Primary School, Gaire Primary School, Goroka Demonstration School, Papua New Guinea

Public Roles

1998 - Moderator, Curriculum Division, Dept of Education, High schools Drama
1979-1984: Board Member, National Institute of PNG Studies, PNG
1979-1984: Interim / Deputy Chairperson, National Cultural Council, PNG
1979-1984: Board Member, National Theatre Company, PNG
1978-1981: Commissioner (1 of 4) National Broadcasting Commission, PNG

Productions & Tours

Productions
Own Plays

1976: High Cost of Living Differently (1/2 hour satire about social change)

1976: Which Way Big Man (1 hour satire about transition from colonial period to independence)

1977: Black Market Buai (Satire on economy and its significance to the ordinary people)

1980: Sold Outright (1/2 hour radio play about land issues)

1984: Taurama (Historical oral accounts of traditional justice - written for 10th Independence Anniversary)

1994: Pick the bone Dry (Satire on corruption in Public Services)

1993/4: City Spirits (1 act play about urban myths)
Others

1995: Last Virgin in Paradise, written by Vilisoni Hereniko and Teresina Teaiwa (Comedy on mixed relationships in the Pacific)
Tours
with National Theatre Company

1976: Festival of Pacific Arts, Rotorua, New Zealand

1977: Festival of Dance, Point Venus, Tahiti

1977: Opening of PNG Permanent Exhibition, Institute of the Commonwealth, London
as a Poet / Playwright

1977: Black Arts Festival, Lagos, Nigeria

1977: Cairns Festival, Cairns, Australia

1979: Academic Conference of Literature and Language (ACLAL), University of Canterbury, New Zealand

1985: Literature Conference, National University of Singapore, Singapor

1988: Pacific Writers Conference, Institute of the Commonwealth, London

1990: Women Writers Conference, University of Papua New Guinea, PNG

1990: Guest Writer, University Wollongong, Australia

1991: Guest presenter - “Lukluk Gen” Exhibition, Canberra Institute of Arts, Australia

1991: Women Writers Conference, Macquarie University, Australia

1991: Judge (1 of 3) Regional Section of the Commonwealth Writers Prize

1991: Guest, Australian Playwright Centre, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

1992: Discussion Panel Member - Women Writers, Sydney Festival, Sydney, Australia

1994: Visiting Senior Lecturer, Theatre Arts Faculty of Creative Arts, UPNG

1994: Writers Forum, East West Center Literature Conference University Hawaii, USA

1995: Writers Workshop, Jais Aben, Madang (focused on production of school journals - New Zealand government funded)

Publications