This sign looms over an intersection in the centre of Wewak in PNG’s East Sepik province. It’s positioned directly across from the town’s main market and it’s difficult for anyone to miss. Loosely translated, this Australian Government-sponsored sign says, “Watch out that you don’t get AIDS”.

Unlike many isolated areas in the interior of the country that are just coming to grips with the AIDS epidemic, here in Wewak, community groups – many partnered with Oxfam – have been working together with the local diocese since the 1980s. Workers on the frontline of the fight against the disease believe that they have turned the corner. Awareness is higher than it has ever been before. Wewak, 31 August 2006.

Jill Bosro of HELP Resources – pictured here with her son Allan – was my guide around Wewak in PNG’s north-west. Jill has worked for non-government organisations since she was a teenager, knew HELP’s programs inside and out, and was a gracious host to boot. Wewak, 31 August 2006.

Thirty-five-year-old Rose Kovingre is one of the few female members of the Community Police in Wewak, East Sepik province. HELP, a partner of Oxfam, has been working with the Community Police to provide training in gender and human rights. All members of the Community Police are volunteers.

In preparation for Papua New Guinea’s 2007 federal elections, HELP sexual health trainers gathered in a school classroom for a network meeting. During the lead up to the elections, they will inform people about the county’s new voting system alongside their usual duties of raising AIDS awareness. Nuigo settlement, Wewak, 31 August 2006.

In preparation for Papua New Guinea’s 2007 federal elections, HELP sexual health trainers gathered in a school classroom for a network meeting. During the lead up to the elections, they will inform people about the county’s new voting system alongside their usual duties of raising AIDS awareness. Nuigo settlement, Wewak, 31 August 2006.

Shelly Kawani is a 45-year-old resident of Kreer village, which is not far from Wewak. Kreer is reached via a narrow walking track which can be accessed from the side of one of the main roads into town. As the community is not linked to the town’s mains water supply, HELP has been assisting Kreer village to create a reliable and hygienic water supply. Wewak, 1 September 2006.

Residents of Kreer village, which is not far from Wewak. Kreer is reached via a narrow walking track which can be accessed from the side of one of the main roads into town. As the community is not linked to the town’s mains water supply, HELP has been assisting Kreer village to create a reliable and hygienic water supply. Wewak, 1 September 2006.

Joel Gagraman is a resident of Nuigo, a settlement in Wewak. Like many Papua New Guineans from poorer backgrounds, Gagraman is unsure of his exact age. Nuigo is a neighbourhood with one of the worst reputations in the country. Unemployment, crime and poverty are high. HELP has been conducting AIDS-awareness programs, drug and alcohol counselling and advocacy to combat violence against women in the settlement.

Jerry Hanson, a twenty-five-year-old resident of Nuigo, has been at the forefront of efforts to combat problems within his community. Jerry, who was born blind, leads a group called Youth Action on Social Issues (YASI). Jerry is well known and well respected within Nuigo and he acted as a guide during my visit. PNG, 31 August 2006.

I met eight-year-old Milot Gawi and his seven-year-old friend Leroy Polkisa outside the HELP Resource Centre in Wewak. The boys, who live in the settlement of Nuigo nearby, like to visit the Resource Centre’s library. Milot attends school and has learned to read. Although Leroy doesn’t go to school yet, he enjoys looking at children’s books. When I asked Milot why he wasn’t at school that day, he sheepishly explained that it had been raining and he didn’t have an umbrella. Wewak, East Sepik province, 31 August 2006.

AIDS outreach workers from HELP sort posters, leaflets and stickers in the fight against the disease. The HELP Resource Centre is positioned next to a clinic that provides education on AIDS as well as support for those who are HIV positive. HELP Resource Centre, Wewak, East Sepik province, 1 September 2006.

The HELP Resource Centre in Wewak, built with the support of Oxfam Australia, has given the community an enormous boost. Christina Mok, age 18, can now read the latest newspaper, but also comes to the library to learn computer skills. Phillip Kaios, 25, visits the centre “to learn basic typing”. The internet access at the centre has also helped locals to run small businesses. HELP Resource Centre, Wewak, 31 August 2006.

Thirty-year-old Melbourne photographer Dave Tacon has a background in cinema studies and the film industry. He specialises in reportage, features and portraiture. Dave’s recent work has appeared in magazines such as Mercedes, Lexus, American Express, the Age newspaper's Melbourne magazine and the Big Issue.

Dave recently returned from assignment in Papua New Guinea. His photo-documentary work is held in the permanent collections of The National Library of Australia, State Library of Victoria and RMIT Gallery.

Dave is a member of Australian Commercial and Media Photographers (ACMP). For more information visit www.davetacon.com