Lissenung Island Resort prides itself on supporting the local communities. We purchase the vast majority of our produce for meals at the local markets or from the locals directly. Almost daily, fishermen and other neighbours paddle over in their dugout canoes to sell us their wares. This ensures that the seafood and fruits are as fresh as possible. We also grow some veggies ourselves, but on a small sand island, the choices are a little limited.
We also pay reef fees to various communities, which go towards the upkeep of communal facilities such as schools, aid posts, building supplies etc.
All our staff live on Enuk Island, which is the closest island to Lissenung and “our” community. A visit can be organised to have a look at the school and for a stroll through the village. It’s only a 5-minute boat ride away and the whole trip usually takes approx. 1.5 hours. A small fee of PGK 35.00 per person is charged and goes toward the upkeep of the school, which doesn’t get much government funding. Schoolbooks, tables, chairs and other material is purchased with this money. Feel free to bring along exercise books, pencils, cheap tennis balls and swimming goggles. These things are always a great hit with the kids!
The Staff at Lissenung
Dietmar Amon is the owner and director of Lissenung Island Resort. He is one of the most experienced and best dive guides in PNG. What he can't find probably doesn't exist. He is a PADI Staff Instructor and learned to dive in the freezing cold lakes of Austria. In 1996, he had enough of the cold and immigrated to PNG. Dietmar speaks English, German and Pidgin. Ange Amon, a PADI and NAUI Instructor, helps Dietmar run the resort. Prior to coming to Lissenung Island, she was working as an instructor in Cairns, Australia for more than 11 years, as well as a dive travel agent. Ange speaks 'Australian', German, Dutch and Pidgin.
Delsie has been a part of the Lissenung family since July 2006, and is our best cook. She loves trying out new recipes, or creating her own. She is a single mum to Joshua and Maggie.
Damaris is another one of our cooks. She started with us in July 2008, but had a little time off in 2013/2014 to look after baby Stefan. Damaris is married to Sinivas, and together, they have 4 kids.
Paula is also a cook, and has been with us since 2013. She is a mother of 2, with her youngest child Zane having almost grown up at Lissenung as she brought him to work while he was still little. He still comes and visits often.
Ling is one of our room attendants and has been with Lissenung since April 2011. She is married to our carpenter Sake, and together, they have 3 kids. Ling is very happy to share what family life on an island in New Ireland is like.
Margreth is also a room attendant and has been with Lissenung since May 2013. She is married to our boat driver Benson, and together, they have 2 kids.
Peni started out as a handyman and boat driver, but steadily climbed up to become our Divemaster. He has been with us since April 2006, (he did leave us for a little while, but came back) and has some great stories he likes to share with our guests on the dive boat. He also asks A LOT of questions as he loves to learn about other cultures and the lives of our guests.
Benson is one of our skippers, starting in January 2008. He is a second-generation Lissenung staff member, with his late dad also working with us in the early days of Lissenung. If you get Benson and Peni on the boat together, you are in for a treat!
Sinivas, or Robert, is also a skipper. He starts off being really quiet, but once he gets to our guests a bit, he becomes quite mischievous.
Sake is our carpenter and jack-of-all-trades. He has built most of the furniture and buildings at Lissenung, and absolutely hates it when he is not busy. He has been with us since July 2011.