Local Legends: Chris Gard

Chris Gard’s journey is one of commitment, creativity, and a deep connection to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG). For decades, Gard and his wife have dedicated their lives to community development, crafting innovative ways to bridge cultural and educational gaps. Their work spans remote areas of PNG, where traditional clan-based governance intersects with modern societal challenges, creating unique obstacles to development.

Gard describes his role as multifaceted, often focused on empowering local organisations—be they women’s groups, youth collectives, or small family businesses. “We work with PNG organisations to help them build capacity,” he explains. This involves preparing training materials that accommodate low literacy levels and guiding communities through complex concepts like transparency, accountability, and financial literacy. These ideas, Gard notes, are not intuitive in PNG’s traditional clan-based governance systems, where decision-making and accountability are typically confined within close-knit family groups.

Transitioning from this familiar structure to engaging with government, businesses, and other clans can be daunting. Gard believes that experiential learning is key. “You can’t just tell people about these concepts—they have to experience the advantages for themselves,” he says. Encouraging families to experiment with ideas like participatory decision-making often proves transformative. For instance, when couples jointly decide on how to manage their finances, it fosters harmony and cooperation. “If they see that it improves their livelihood, that’s when real change begins.”

Gard’s introduction to PNG was as profound as his current work. He and his Australian wife, who grew up in PNG, began their journey as young volunteers. “We started in a very remote location—three days’ walk from a roadhead—and we just fell in love with it,” Gard recalls. Over the years, they transitioned from teaching roles to positions with NGOs, the PNG government, and universities. These experiences solidified their connection to the region and their understanding of its intricacies.

Their work extends into innovative fields, such as supporting honeybee farmers in the Eastern Highlands. “Honey has enormous potential in PNG,” Gard notes, citing the absence of pests like mites that plague bee populations elsewhere. Honey farming integrates well with subsistence agriculture and offers families a viable source of income. Yet, it also demands a level of financial literacy often lacking in remote communities. Here, Gard’s creativity shines. Using metaphors and parables, he simplifies complex ideas. “We liken money to a fruit tree,” he explains. “Your roots represent diverse income sources; the branches are your essential expenses, and the fruit is your profit. It’s a visual way to teach financial principles without relying on numbers.”

While their work remains rooted in PNG, the Gards have adapted their roles to balance life in Australia. Working casually and leveraging remote connections, they’ve continued to support community development initiatives. Gard is currently revising training standards for community workers aligned with PNG’s national framework. He credits years of on-the-ground experience and strong relationships for enabling this remote collaboration.

Balancing these responsibilities with running a table tennis club in Australia is another challenge Gard approaches with determination. The pandemic disrupted his work in PNG, but as it ramps up again, he’s finding ways to juggle both roles. “It’s tricky, but I think it’s going to be okay,” he says with characteristic optimism.

Chris Gard’s story is one of enduring passion for fostering self-reliance and growth in one of the world’s most culturally rich and complex regions. By combining empathy, innovation, and decades of experience, he continues to make a profound impact—one family, one community, and one metaphor at a time.