Journal of the 2015, No 4 – December Papua New Guinea Association of Australia Inc.
Patrons:Una Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery,Voce AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), Mr Fred Kaad OBE ISSN: 1442-6161, PPA 224987/00025 ISSN: 1442-6161, PPA
PNG Aviation History A Pilgrimage PNGAA to Rabaul Art Show 2015
www.pngaa.net
Patrons:4HQVY.LULYHS[OL/VUV\YHISL4PJOHLS1LќLY` AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd) Mr Fred Kaad, OBE Contents 4LTILYZOPWPZH]HPSHISL[VHU`WLYZVUOH]PUNHUPU[LYLZ[ President’s Update ...... 2 PU75.(UU\HSZ\IZJYPW[PVUPZ MYVT1HU\HY` ;OLTLTILYZOPW`LHYJVYYLZWVUKZ^P[O[OLJHSLUKHY`LHY 3L[[LYZ ...... 3 (UHWWSPJH[PVUMVYTPZH]HPSHISLMYVT[OL:LJYL[HY`H[[OL 75.(((Y[:OV^ ...... 6 HKKYLZZILSV^VYVUV\Y^LIZP[L WHAT’S ON? ...... 6 5VYLJLPW[ZHYLZLU[MVYZ\IZJYPW[PVUZHZP[^V\SKHKK[V V\YWVZ[HNLJVZ[Z Kiap Reunion ...... 6 75.((6ɉJL)LHYLYZ 75.»Z0U[LNYH[PVUPU[V(:,(5 ...... 7 7YLZPKLU[ 9V`HS7HW\H5L^.\PULH Andrea Williams *VUZ[HI\SHY`9L\UPVU ...... 10 Mob: 0409 031889 ,THPS!WYLZPKLU['WUNHHUL[ 0UKLWLUKLUJL+H`*LSLIYH[PVUZ ...... 12 :LJYL[HY` ,UJOHU[PUN9HIH\S! Rebecca Hopper An Adventure and a Riddle ...... 14 A/H 02 9939 1607 4`*Y\PZL[V75.-LIY\HY` ...... 15 ,THPS!HKTPU'WUNHHUL[ Judo ...... 21 ;YLHZ\YLY +V\N>VVK The Bone Man of Aitape ...... 22 B/H: 02 9956 7500 (7PSNYPTHNL[V9HIH\S ...... 24 ,THPS![YLHZ\YLY'WUNHHUL[ (+PKPTHU»Z+PHY` ...... 28 4LTILYZOPW6ɉJLY 5V[LZMYVT[OL5VY[OLYU;LYYP[VY` ...... 31 9V`9HUUL` Mob: 0412 556593 4`,_WH[YPH[L3PML ...... 32 A/H 02 9439 4763 Father Gulielmus (Gerhard) ,THPS!TLTILYZOPW'WUNHHUL[ (Gerard) (Wilhelm) Weber SM ...... 35 ,KP[VY 75.(]PH[PVU/PZ[VY` ...... 36 +PHUUL.\` Mob: 0414 262 762 Crocodile Prize Winners ...... 39 ,THPS!LKP[VY'WUNHHUL[ Help Wanted ...... 40 75.((THPSPUNHKKYLZZ! ;OL:OHKV^ZPUT`,`LZ ...... 41 PO Box 453 Roseville, NSW 2069 )VVR5L^Z 9L]PL^Z ...... 42 75.((>LIZP[L!0M`V\KVUV[OH]LHJJLZZ[VHJVTW\[LY =\KHSHUK[OL4H[H\UNHUZ¶ ...... 46 HUK^V\SKSPRLHOHYKJVW`VMHU`[OPUNVU[OL^LIZP[L WSLHZLJVU[HJ[[OL:LJYL[HY`75.((^^^WUNHHUL[ ;OL2\SH9PUN ...... 47 >LLUJV\YHNLTLTILYZ[VWH`TLTILYZOPWMLLZI` The PNGAA Collection ...... 50 direct deposit to the PNGAA account: BSB: 062 009 +VUH[PVUZ[V-Y`LY3PIYHY` ...... 50 Account No: 0090 7724 9V`HS7HW\H5L^.\PULH 7SLHZLLUZ\YL`V\PUJS\KL`V\Y4LTILYZOPW5\TILY0[ *VUZ[HI\SHY`975.* ...... 51 ^V\SKILHWWYLJPH[LKPM`V\JV\SKHSZVUV[PM`[OL;YLHZ\YLY I`LTHPS;OHUR`V\ :LU[PTLU[HS1V\YUL`[V75...... 52 +LHKSPULMVYZ\ITPZZPVUZ[V4HYJO PZZ\LVM >LSJVTL[V5L^4LTILYZ ...... 53 +PZJSHPTLY! President’s Update As I write this we have just Currently there is still hope that celebrated Papua New Guinea’s both the artists and their artworks 40th Anniversary of Independence. will arrive to share one week of this The PNG High Commissioner special event. However the issue to Australia, His Excellency of Australian entry visas for Papua Charles Lepani, kindly invited our New Guineans is clearly a massive Management Committee members problem and needs to be addressed. to Canberra to join the celebrations Juli has worked hard to curate the and what a special, memorable 2015 PNGAA art show, sharing her and very enjoyable day it was! As skills and experience to ensure its part of the week of celebrations success. This is greatly appreciated. the PNGAA DVD – KIAP: Stories I am delighted at the positive Behind the Medal was shown at the feedback we are continuing to National Film and Sound Archive receive to the colour issues of Una in Canberra. Voce distributed so far this year Our association commemorated – thank you. It’s clearly a good this special 40th anniversary of move! I thank Dianne Guy and PNG Independence by holding an Greg Leech for the enormous time PNGAA Collection there. It has art show, for two weeks, curated and passion they put in with their been necessary to instigate some by committee member Julianne attention to detail to ensure that criteria for the collection and to Ross Allcorn. The 2015 PNGAA our quarterly journal, Una Voce, is ensure that it becomes more easily Art Show opened at Space 145 a vibrant, fascinating and enjoyable accessible. in Glebe on 12 September 2015 read. Together with our broad We would like the opportunity to and what a buzz there was in this network, Una Voce is a major include your photos and letters in beautiful gallery. A constant stream strength of our association and I Una Voce and on our website so of people were fascinated by the encourage members to share it with please contact Roy Ranney, Dianne artefacts displayed in the windows, their friends and encourage others Guy or myself regarding items. inviting them in to look at the to join the PNGAA. Please read the information about paintings. The quarterly Una Voce packing the PNGAA Collection at Fryer One of the goals of the PNGAA and posting day is a thoroughly Library in this issue. is to promote civil links between enjoyable gathering at Chatswood. It’s a busy time of year coming the peoples of Australia and Last time we had a visitor from up with Christmas around the PNG. The art show set about Lae join us so – if you are visiting corner. PNGAA members have accomplishing this with several Sydney – give Roy or myself a ring the opportunity to attend lunches PNG artists planning to attend as there may be an opportunity to in Perth, Adelaide, Ballina and with their artworks. Workshops, meet other members! Sydney. The annual Christmas involving the PNG artists, were Keep an ear out for a screening of gathering in Sydney is on Sunday planned by Juli. It was an exciting our DVD, KIAP: Stories Behind 6 December at the Killara Golf concept - however, the day before the Medal, coming up at the State Club and we look forward to seeing the artists were due to travel, Library of Queensland early in the you and your friends there. The their Australian visas had still not New Year. PNGAA Management Committee been issued. It was an enormous wishes all our members a happy disappointment to everyone when A meeting was recently held with and peaceful holiday period over they were unable to attend the the University of Queensland Christmas and the New Year. opening of the exhibition and Librarian and the Manager of their artworks did not arrive either. the Fryer Library regarding the 2 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Letters 75.-SHN At that time our artist-in- Burns’ older brother, the YLZPKLUJL^HZ^LSSRUV^U Artist in Residence at the First of all let me WLYZVUHSP[`.YHLTL9VZZ Department of Information JVUNYH[\SH[L`V\VU[OLUL^ 0OHKHSYLHK`UV[LK[OH[ and Extension Services MVYTH[VMV\YUL^ZSL[[LY [OLYL^HZUV4HKLPU75. +0,:^HZNP]LU[OLQVI I must admit that I had SVNVH]HPSHISLPU[OL[OLU VMKYH^PUN\W[OLSP]LY`MVY become rather attached ;LYYP[VY`VM75.0OHK [OLUL^HPYSPUL>LOHK to the old photo-copied KPZJ\ZZLK^P[O.YHLTL[OL WYL]PV\ZS`OHKTHU\MHJ[\YLK ]LYZPVU[OH[\UKV\I[LKS` ULJLZZP[`MVYHZPTWSLV\[SPUL PU5L^ALHSHUKYVSSZVM[OL ^V\SKOH]LILLUT\JO SVNV[OH[JV\SKIL\ZLKVU UL^SVNV^OPJO^LYLZVSKPU cheaper to produce but L]LY`WYVK\J[HUKJV\SKIL V\YZ[H[PVULY`ZOVWPU)HKPSP more labour intensive than Z[LUJPSSLKVU*VWYHIHNZ (the old Outdoor Theatre). [OPZUL^KPNP[HSS`WYVK\JLK >L^LYLPUÅ\LUJLKI`[OL >LILSPL]L[OH[/HSNV[OVSK version. Such is the price of Z[`SPZLKRHUNHYVV\ZLKI` VMVULVM[OLZLZ[PJRLYZHZ WYVNYLZZ (\Z[YHSPHHUK[OLZ[`SPZLK OL\ZLK[OLZHTLZ[`SPZLK RP^P\ZLKI`5L^ALHSHUK I refer to the article on the IPYKPU[OLKLZPNUMVY[OL 5H[\YHSS`^LKLJPKLK[V WYVK\J[PVUVM[OL75.ÅHN tail of the aircraft. We MVSSV^Z\P[^P[OHIPYK[OH[ VUWHNL VM[OL:LW[LTILY Z\IZLX\LU[S`JOHSSLUNLK ^HZTVZ[HZZVJPH[LK^P[O issue of Una Voce. All that is him on this and he did not PNG. said in the article is true but KPZZLU[TLYLS`NP]PUNOPZ ¶OH]L`V\L]LYWVUKLYLK The Bird of Paradise 4VUH3PZHZTPSLHZVUS`/HS VU^OLYL[OLZ[`SPZLK PTTLKPH[LS`JHTL[VTPUK JHU(Z^LOHKUVVIQLJ[PVU reproduction of the Bird of ZV.YHLTL»ZPUZ[Y\J[PVU^HZ HUK^LOHKUV[YLNPZ[LYLK 7HYHKPZLVU[OLÅHNJHTL [VWYVK\JLHZ[`SPZLK)PYKVM [OLSVNV^LKPKUV[UVYKPK from? 7HYHKPZL/LJHTL\W^P[O ^LPU[LUK[VKVHU`[OPUN Here are the facts. In 1966 [OLIPYKUV^WPJ[\YLKVU[OL HIV\[P[0UMHJ[^L^LYL 0^P[OT`[OLUI\ZPULZZ ÅHNL_JLW[[OH[P[^HZTVYL X\P[LWYV\K[OH[V\YKLZPNU WHY[ULY/HSZL`/HS)`YUL PU[OL]LY[PJHSWSHUL^P[O[OL LUKLK\WVU(PY5P\NPUP0 Z[HY[LK75.7YPU[PUN tail feather curved around to ^HZWYLZLU[H[[OLSH\UJOPUN *VTWHU`:OVY[S`HM[LY[OL LUJSVZL[OL^VYKPUN4HKL VM(PY5P\NPUPPU HUKHZ commencement of business, PU75.VY^OH[L]LY^VYKPUN `V\JHU^LSSPTHNPUL^HZ ^P[OHIP[VMW\ZOPUNMYVT ^HZYLX\PYLK>LVMJV\YZL X\P[L]VJHSVUVYPNPUVM[OL T`VSKMYPLUK)LY[:[\IIZ JOYPZ[LULKP[;OL:X\HZOLK KLZPNU *VJRYVHJO of John Stubbs and Sons, -HZ[MVY^HYK[V[OLKLZPNUVM 0[VVRHUPU[LYLZ[PU[OL /V^KPK[OPZZ`TIVSNL[ [OLÅHN@V\^PSSUV[L[OH[ 7VY[4VYLZI`*OHTILY VU[V[OLÅHN&>LSSPU VUJLHNHPUV\YIPYK^HZ VM*VTTLYJLL]LU[\HSS` ^P[O[OLQVPUPUNVM(UZL[[ PUJVYWVYH[LKPU[OLVYPNPUHS ILJVTPUNWYLZPKLU[VMIV[O HUK;(([VTHRL(PY5P\NPUP KLZPNU[VILWYLZLU[LK[V 7VY[4VYLZI`HUK[OL75. HUV[OLY^LSSRUV^UHY[PZ[ the Select Committee and Chambers. /HSKHUL/HS/VSTHU3L_P P[^HZZ\IZLX\LU[S`\ZLK www.pngaa.net | 3 UNA VOCE I`:\ZHU2HYPRLPUOLYKLZPNU HUK1PTHUK)HYY`NY\TISLK the police and their parents ^OPJOI`[OL^H`^HZHSZV PU[VKPUULYQHJRL[ZHUKISHJR ^HZNYLH[M\UI\[[OLJVWZ W\[PU[VÄUPZOLKHY[^VYRI` [PLZ[OL[`PUNVM^OPJOHSTVZ[ L]LU[\HSS`NV[[OLIL[[LYVM Hal. As an aside, Hal also JH\ZLK)HYY`[VNVOVTL VќZWYPUN\WYPZPUNZ;OL`^LYL KLZPNULK[OL75.*VH[VM ;OLRPKZ^LYLSVHKLKPU[V NYLH[KH`Z (YTZHUKWO`ZPJHSS`THKL[OL [OLIHJRVM]LOPJSLZV\YZ 1\KL)SVNN/VSSPUZOLK1\\KLKL )SVVNNN /VSSPUZOLK JVH[VMHYTZHKVYUPUN[OL[OLUOL[OLU ^HZH3HUK9V]LYHUK[OL^HZH3HUK9V]LY HUKUK [OOL UL^:\WYLTL*V\Y[)\PSKPUNSKPUN 4PKKSL[VUZWYVIHIS`^HZ[VV"4PKKSL[VUZ WYVYVIIHHIS`^HZ[VV" ------PU7VY[4VYLZI`0Z[PSSOH]L]L 0MVYNL[:V[OL\Z\HSS`T\KK`0MVYNL[:VV[OL\Z\HSS`T\KK` HUVYPNPUHSWYPU[VM[OLKLZPNULZPNU WHYRPUNHYLHILJHTLHZVY[WHYRPUUN HYLHILJHTLHZVY[ *VUNYH[\SH[PVUZVU[OLUL^*VUNYH[\SH[PVUZVU[OL UL^^ ZPNULKI`/HSOHUNPUNPUT`UT` VMJHYU\YZLY`MVYU\TLYV\ZVMM JHYU\YZLY`MVYU\TLYV\Z formatformat ofof UnaUna VoceVoce andand thethe VѝJL;OLYLSL]HU[.HaL[[LL[[L RPKZHSSN\HYKLKI`[OLSVJHSRRPKZHSSN\HYKLKI`[OLSVJHS iniinformativeformative articles.articles. HJJLW[PUN[OLKLZPNU0OH]LOH]L WVSPJL;OL*S\IOV\ZL^HZWVSPJL;OL*S\IOV\ZL^HZ (ZHSVUN[LYTTLTILY^OV(Z H SVUUN [LYTTLTILY^OV placed at the rear of the HS^H`ZIYPSSPHU[S`JVU]LY[LKPU[VHS^H`ZIYPPSSSSPHU[S` JVU]LLY[Y[LLKK PU[VV ZWLU[THU``LHYZHZZVJPH[LKZWLU[[THU``LHYZHZZZVVJPH[LK picture. It is possible thatt thisthis HNHSHZL[[PUNI`[OL[PU`NYV\WHNHSHZL[[PUN I``[OLL[PU` NYV\W ^P[O75.SOH]LTHU`SHZ[PUN^P[O75.SOH]LTHU``SHZ[PUN PZ[OLVUS`YLTHPUPUNVYPNPUHSNPUHHS VM4PUQYLZPKLU[Z^OVHSZVVM4PUQYLZPKLLU[Z ^OV HSZV TLTVYPLZVMT`KH`ZPUTLTVYPLZVMT``KH`ZZPU print. THUHNLK[VWYV]PKLHZ\WWLYTHUHNLLKK[[V WYV]PKL H Z\WWLYY 75.HUK0OH]LMVSSV^LKP[Z75. HUKK0 OOH]L MVSSV^^LLK P[ZZ Ä[MVYJLSLIYP[PLZÄ[MVY JLSLSLLIIYPY [P[PLZ :PY9HTVU9;O\YLJO[6),[ 6), KLKL]LSVWTLU[HUKWYVNYLZZ]LSVWTLU[HUUK WYW VNNYLZZZ WhileWhile thethe adultsadulltss danceddana ced andand sincesince independenceindependdeenncce inin 1975.197575. ------H[LHUKKYHUR[OLUPNO[H^H`H[LHUUKKYHUR[OLUPPNONO[ HH^H` 0HTPU[LYLZ[LKPUHU`0HTT PU[[LLYLLZZ[LKPUHU` VJJHZPVUHSS`HRPKWSH`LK\WVJJHZZPVUHSS`HRPKWSH`LLK \WW informationinnfoformmatioi n membersmembers or ttheirheheir 4PUQ)HSSZ HUK[OLWVSPJL^V\SKZLLRHUK[OOLWVSPJL^V\SKZLLR ffafamiliesmim lies have about their timestimmes WHYLU[HSOLSW:HPKLSLNHU[S`WHYLUU[HSOLSW:HPKLSLNHU[S` @LZ7HTLSH(UUL1HTPLZVULZZVU inin PNG.PNG. I remember the Minj ballss KYLZZLKWHYLU[HS^H`Z[OLKYLZZLKWHYLU[ HS^H`Z[OLL ]P]PKS`)HYY`HUK0JHTLMYVTMYYVVT TV[OLY^V\SKOVPZ[[OLTV[OLLY^V\SKOVPZ[[OLL 3LV)\[SLY3LV)\[SLY [OL5LIPS`LY=HSSL`[VZ[H`^P[OH`^^P[O ZRPY[HUKWPJRHKLSPJH[L^H`ZRPY[HHUKWPJR H KLSPJH[L^H` +PJRZVU:[YLL[,*/<*( +PJRZVU:[YLL[,*/<*(( [OL4PKKSL[VUZH[>HNHTPSMVYTPSMVVY [OYV\NO[OLT\K[VZVY[V\[[OYV\NNO[OOLT\T K[VZVY[V\[ VIC,VIC, 3564,3564, 03 807551807551 thethe problem.prrobo lem. NeedlessNeedless to these occasions. Anna aandnd :VTLVM3LV»ZTLTVYPLZ^PSS:VTLLVMM 3LV»»ZZ TLTVYPPLZZ^^PSS ZH`[OLJOPSKYLUKPZJV]LYLKZH`[OLJOPSKYLUKPZJV]LYLK 0ÅH\U[LKOVTLTHKLIHSSHSS bebe publishedpublished in later issues.)issues.) KYLZZLZM\SSSLUN[OVMJV\YZLV\YZL [OPZZVY[VMPU[LYHJ[PVU^P[O[O[ PZZVY[VMPU[LYHJ[PVU^P[O Journal of the Papua New Guinea 2015, No 3 – September Association of Membership Australia Inc. Patrons:Una Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery,Voce AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), Mr Fred Kaad OBE Anniversary40th of PNG PNGAA members receive four issues of Una Voce Independence per year and have access to all parts of the website. To become a member follow the link: http://www.pngaa.net/Pages/about-m.htm or contact the .FNCFSTIJQ0GàDFS 3PZ3BOOFZBUNFNCFSTIJQ!QOHBBOFU or refer to the yellow Treasurer’s Corner insert. ISSN: 1442-6161, PPA 224987/00025 70th anniversary of Annual membership is currently $30 ($35 from January 2016). Wewak surrender 40th anniversary Independence Harry West www.pngaa.net 4 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 75.(((9; :/6> 75.((JLSLIYH[LK7HW\H5L^ .\PULH»Z[O(UUP]LYZHY`VM 0UKLWLUKLUJL^P[OHUHY[L_OPIP[PVU ZOV^JHZPUNIV[OOPZ[VYPJHSWPLJLZ HUKJVU[LTWVYHY`HY[^VYRZ ;OLHY[ZOV^H[:WHJL PU .SLIL:`KUL`^HZVWLULKVU :H[\YKH`:LW[LTILY I` Jane Hopper-Cush, Director of the .V\SI\YU9LNPVUHS.HSSLY`^OV ZWVRL^P[ONYLH[WHZZPVUHIV\[[OL HY[75.HUKHY[[OLYHW`HUKP[Z PTWVY[HUJL[VV\YJVTT\UP[` (JYV^KVMHIV\[WLVWSL[VVR [OLVWWVY[\UP[`[VTPUNSLHUKLUQV` the art and refreshments. ;OLL_OPIP[PVUIV\NO[[VNL[OLY THU`HY[PZ[ZHUKMYPLUKZ^OVOH]L NYLH[HќLJ[PVUMVY75.;OLZHSLZ HUKMLLKIHJR^LYLNVVK^P[OTHU` WLVWSLHZRPUNMVY[OLZOV^[VIL repeated. L to R: Sumasy Singin, PNG Consul General, Juli Ross Allcorn, Daniel Luke, President Wantok Group, Jane Hopper Cush, Andrea Williams www.pngaa.net | 5 UNA VOCE What’s on? 27 Nov 6 Dec (UU\HS75.((*OYPZ[THZ 75.((7LY[O 3\UJOLVU *OYPZ[THZ HT:\UKH` +LJLTILY 2PSSHYH.VSM*S\I 7HJPÄJ/PNO^H` 3\UJO 2PSSHYH:`KUL` Cost $60 ,]LY`VULPU]P[LK (SS^LSJVTL,UX\PYLZ[V! Julianne Ross Allcorn: 0466 521313 or Q\SPHSSJVYU'NTHPSJVT HT-YPKH` 9:=7I`5V]LTILY :LL 27 November 2015 IHJRWHNLMVYKL[HPSZ *VTWSL[L[OL`LSSV^;YLHZ\YLY»Z*VYULY Airforce Association PUZLY[MVYIVVRPUNZHUKWH`TLU[ Club at the RAAF 14 Nov Complex at Bull 75.[O(UUP]LYZHY` *YLLR7LY[O>( .HSH)HSS75.-LKLYH[PVUVM 8\LLUZSHUK0UJ Cost $25 Date: 14 November 2015. 9:=7! RSVP 2 Nov 2015 7SHJL!:VÄ[LS/V[LS)YPZIHUL SPUKHT'IPNWVUKJVT Cost: $120 pp tables of 10: $1000 or 94342628 ^^^MHJLIVVRJVTL]LU[Z 2PHW9L\UPVU Date: Sunday 8 November 2015 be the order of the day: definitely Denys/Helen Faithful: Venue: Kawana Waters Hotel, no speeches, everyone is far too 07 5444 4484 / denysfaithful@ Nicklin Way, busy catching up with friends. hotmail.com Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Qld Breakfast on Monday morning will Bob/Heather Fayle: RSVP: by 16 October 2015 be at Bellissimo’s Restaurant on the 07 5444 7446 / rjfayle31@gmail. Entry: Gold Coin Esplanade at Mooloolaba. com An invitation is extended to all Please contact Denys/Helen or Bob/ For further details please see page Kiaps, their families and friends. Heather for information about 32 of Una Voce, Please tell all the Kiaps you know. accommodation and to confirm June 2015 The venue is the same as the last few your attendance. years. Informality will continue to 6 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 75.»Z0U[LNYH[PVUPU[V(:,(5 Whilst enjoying a relaxing break ‘through the Melanesian Spearhead Yet whilst PNG realizes the away from freezing Victoria on a Group (MSG) it can tap the potential of ASEAN and the warm, tropical Malaysian Island, potential of that group’s member economic and other benefits to be I was intrigued to read a series of countries which also include Fiji, found in integrating with the group, headline articles on PNG in the Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands’. one could well wonder where the Malaysian papers The New Straits All these countries have a lot of raw interests of Australia lie. Australia Times and The Star. On my return, commodities such as agricultural is only a peripheral member of not a single article on PNG and products whilst PNG has vast a loose grouping of 27 current these events in Australian papers! quantities of oil, gas and minerals of participants in something called The articles had to do with PNG’s great value and interest to ASEAN. the ASEAN Regional Forum which desire to become a full member state It was notable that the US Secretary our Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, of ASEAN (Association of South of State, John Kerry, was pictured condescended to attend on the 5 - 6 East Asian Nations) by the end of at this huge gathering, whilst the August and which didn’t even rate a 2015; at the moment, PNG only European Union sent its Foreign mention in the Malaysian press. has observer status, which it has Policy and Security Policy Chief, Good to see PNG making its own held since 1981. Malaysia hosted Federica Magherini, to address way onto the world stage. the ASEAN 2015 meeting from 1 - the delegates; even Norway sent a 6 August. representative who was ‘optimistic John Quinn in establishing a formal partner with ASEAN was formed in 1967. ASEAN’. The full member countries are Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brunei, -YVT[OL;YLHZ\YLY:\IZJYPW[PVU9H[L with a combined population of 0UJYLHZLZ 625 million and a nominal GDP of US$2.6 trillion. If it was a single While the committee is aware of the financial pressures on members entity, it would be the seventh and makes every effort to keep costs as low as possible in delivering largest economy in the world, after value, we have incurred increasing costs over the years – especially the US, China, Japan, Germany, in moving to a new format Una Voce which all members would France and the UK. ASEAN have noticed. Postage cost increases have also eroded our ability to has plans to establish a form of deliver our journal within the budget. We continually try to keep Common Market, to promote the our fees as low as possible and have not increase subscription rates free movement of skilled labour, the for three years. We are a not for profit organisation and rely heavily integration of stock exchanges and on volunteer participation to keep our fees low. to visa-free travel between member However, we must be able to cover our costs if our operation is states by the end of the year. to be sustainable. As from the first of January 2016, the annual Obviously, it would appear that subscription rate for PNGAA membership will be increased to PNG wants to ‘get with the strength’ $35 (Australian Dollars) per annum which includes delivery of by integrating with this rising the quarterly Una Voce to addresses within Australia. Delivery to economic and political grouping. addresses outside of Australia will incur an additional charge for The PNG delegation was led by postage as follows: Ambassador Peter H Ilau, who Asia Pacific Region A$15 per annum doubles as the Ambassador to Rest of World A$25 per annum Indonesia. In interviews with the Malaysian papers he stated that Members may wish to take advantage of the situation by paying PNG offers ‘ASEAN a platform subscription fees at existing rates for up to three additional years into Melanesia and South Pacific before the end of this year. Island markets’. He went on to say www.pngaa.net | 7 UNA VOCE 75.[V)HU-VYLPNU(K]PZLYZ ,UK\YPUN[PLZ!OHSMVM75.»Z ;OL7YPTL4PUPZ[LYVM7HW\H5L^.\PULH7L[LY ]PZP[VYZHYLZ[PSS(\Z[YHSPHU 6»5LPSSOHZHUUV\UJLKHIHUVUHSSMVYLPNU Australia remains the major source of visitors to HK]PZLYZ^VYRPUNMVYOPZNV]LYUTLU[ZH`PUN[OL` 75.JVU[YPI\[PUNHSTVZ[OHSMIL[^LLU HUK THRLSVJHSZ[HќSHa`HUK[OL`JV\SKILZW`PUN 2013. ;OLIHU^OPJO^PSS[HRLLќLJ[VU1HU\HY` ^PSSOH]LHZPNUPÄJHU[HќLJ[;OLYLHYLJ\YYLU[S` ;OLU\TILYVM]PZP[VYHYYP]HSZMYVTL]LY` several hundred Australian advisers in PNG. JVU[PULU[PUJYLHZLKIL[^LLU HUK While the proportion of visitors from Australia, -VSSV^[OLSPURMVYM\Y[OLYPUMVYTH[PVUHIV\[[OL 5L^ALHSHUKHUK6JLHUPHHUK(MYPJHYLTHPULK implications of the ban. SHYNLS`\UJOHUNLKV]LY[OL `LHYWLYPVK[OL http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/ WYVWVY[PVUVM]PZP[VYZMYVT(ZPHYVZLZOHYWS` s4284333.htm SHYNLS`H[[OLL_WLUZLVM]PZP[VYZMYVT,\YVWLHUK the Americas. *VUÅPJ[(YJOHLVSVN`HUK Visitor arrivals from Asian countries increased the 3VJHS*VTT\UP[PLZ most, in absolute numbers and as a proportion of [V[HS]PZP[VYHYYP]HSZ;OL7OPSPWWPULZ^HZ[OLTHQVY (YJOHLVSVNPZ[+Y4H[[OL^2LSS`PZSLHKPUN[OL (ZPHUZV\YJLJV\U[Y`VM]PZP[VYHYYP]HSZPUIV[O PU]LZ[PNH[PVUVMHU\TILYVM>>00ZP[LZPU75. 1999 and 2013. There has been more than a six- PUJS\KPUN! MVSKPUJYLHZLV]LYH `LHYWLYPVK;OLU\TILY ,VYH*YLLRHIH[[SLÄLSKVU[OL2VRVKH;YHJR VM]PZP[VYHYYP]HSZMYVT*OPUHHUK/VUN2VUN and NYL^L]LUTVYLYHWPKS`IL[^LLU HUK )SHTL`»Z.HYKLUHUPU[YPJH[LOVY[PJ\S[\YHSMVSS` YLJVYKPUNHTVYL[OHUZL]LUMVSKPUJYLHZLHSILP[ ULHY6^LYZ»*VYULY MYVTHT\JOSV^LYIHZL ;OLZLZP[LZHYL^LSSRUV^U[V[OLSVJHS 6]LYHSS[OPZHUHS`ZPZZOV^Z[OLLUK\YPUNSPURZ SHUKV^ULYZHUK]PSSHNLYZI\[UV[[V[OL^PKLY IL[^LLU75.HUK(\Z[YHSPH^P[O[OLSH[[LYZ[PSS JVTT\UP[`;OLL]PKLUJL[VILMV\UKH[[OLZL HJJV\U[PUNMVYHSTVZ[OHSMVMHSS]PZP[VYHYYP]HSZ ZP[LZOHZT\JO[VHKK[V[OLOPZ[VY`VM[OL7HJPÄJ [V75.@L[JOHUNLPZJSLHYS`HMVV[(ZPHPZ >HY-VSSV^[OLSPURMVYM\Y[OLYKL[HPSZ! ILJVTPUNHTVYLPTWVY[HU[ZV\YJLYLNPVUMVY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9DgLjP236E visitors to PNG, at the expense, not of Australia, I\[VMV[OLYYLNPVUZ :LYHO(\WVUN ,_WLYPLUJLVMHWHZ[KPZHZ[LY ,4;=7VY[4VYLZI` JV\SKZH]LSP]LZ (Z7HW\H5L^.\PULHMHJLZH^VYZLUPUN KYV\NO[JHUTLTVYPLZVM ^OLUO\UKYLKZ VMWLVWSLKPLKZH]LSP]LZV]LY[OLUL_[ML^ :PY4PJOHLS:VTHYLH[ months? >HPNHUP:LTPUHY 6U4VUKH`75.»Z7YPTL4PUPZ[LY7L[LY6»5LPSS .YHUK*OPLM:PY4PJOHLS:VTHYLYLÅLJ[ZVU ^HYULK[OH[[OPZ`LHYHUK JV\SKILL]LU OV^OLOLSWLKI\PSKHUH[PVUPUOPZHKKYLZZ ^VYZL[OHU 0[PZLZ[PTH[LK[OH[TVYL[OHU [V[OL >HPNHUP:LTPUHY-VSSV^[OLSPUR TPSSPVUWLVWSLHJYVZZ75.HYLJ\YYLU[S` for further details: HќLJ[LKI`[OLL_[LUKLKKYV\NO[HUKMYVZ[ZVM )\[[OLSLZZVUZSLHYU[PUWYPVYKYV\NO[ZJHU http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_ be applied to reduce the impact and minimise the people/2015/08/pngs-grand-chief- KLH[OYH[L-VSSV^[OLSPURMVYM\Y[OLYKL[HPSZ! UHÀHFWVRQKRZKHKHOSHGEXLOGDQDWLRQ http://theconversation.com/as-papua-new-guin- html#more ea-faces-worsening-drought-a-past-disaster- could-save-lives-46390 8 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 75.(+HUNLYV\Z7SHJLMVY>VTLU& 7HW\H5L^.\PULHPZZHPK[V SP]LIPY[OZPZVULVM[OLOPNOLZ[ ^VYRLYZPUPZVSH[LKHYLHZ;OL ILVULVM[OLTVZ[KHUNLYV\Z PU[OL^VYSK-L^LY[OHUOHSMVM patrol teams include maternal WSHJLZPU[OL^VYSKMVY^VTLU HSSWYLNUHU[^VTLU^PSSOH]L and child nurses, an HIV nurse, ;OL:`KUL`IHZLK(\Z[YHSPHU HTPK^PMLVYKVJ[VYI`[OLPY WO`ZPV[OLYHWPZ[KLU[PZ[ZHUL`L Doctors International (ADI) ZPKL^OLU[OL`NP]LIPY[OHUK nurse and an ADI doctor. reports domestic violence HZHYLZ\S[THU`^VTLUKPL 3HZ[`LHY[OLWH[YVSZ[YLH[LK PZYPMLHUK[OLJV\U[Y`OHZH MYVT\UULJLZZHY`ISLLKPUNHUK TVYL[OHU ^VTLUHJYVZZ ZOVJRPUNS`WVVYTH[LYUHSOLHS[O preventable birth complications.’ 5L^0YLSHUK»Z YLTV[LOLHS[O ZP[\H[PVUYLZ\S[PUNPUSHYNL ADI president Dr Peter centres and performed more numbers of preventable deaths 4HJKVUHSKZH`Z(+0Z[HY[LK than 1,300 pap smears and L]LY``LHY(JJVYKPUN[V(+0 ZLUKPUN]VS\U[LLYKVJ[VYZ[V female HIV tests. HULZ[PTH[LK[^V[OPYKZVM75. 5L^0YLSHUK7YV]PUJLPU º6]LY[OLJVTPUN`LHY^LOVWL ^VTLUL_WLYPLUJLZL_\HSHUK :PUJL[OLU[OL`»]L[YLH[LK [VZLLTVYL[OHU^VTLU domestic violence, and at least HSTVZ[WLVWSLTHPUS` VUV\YWH[YVSZI\[^L^VU»[IL VUL[OPYKVM^VTLUHYLYHWLK ^VTLUHUKJOPSKYLU^OV^V\SK HISL[VKV[OPZ^P[OV\[H[[YHJ[PUN º0UHKKP[PVU[VZOVJRPUN V[OLY^PZLOH]LOHKUVHJJLZZ NYLH[LYW\ISPJM\UKPUN» to a doctor or a hospital. KVTLZ[PJ]PVSLUJL\UILSPL]HIS` Don Hook H^VTHUPU75.PZ [PTLZ He said each month ADI’s TVYLSPRLS`[VKPLPUJOPSKIPY[O remote health patrol teams set Australian Doctors International, than she is in Australia.’ out from the provincial capital 76)V_ 4HUS`5:> 2H]PLUNVM[LUI`ZLHPUZTHSS 02 997 60112 HKPVɉJL'HKP º75.»ZTH[LYUHSTVY[HSP[`YH[L org.au H[KLH[OZMVYL]LY` boats, to treat patients and WYV]PKL[YHPUPUNMVYSVJHSOLHS[O º-VY.VK»ZZHRL(\Z[YHSPHQ\Z[OH]LHSVVRH[[OLTHW» Renowned Australian musician ignore it, is foolishness in of Melanesian music. With PNG David Bridie shared the the extreme. Dip your toes musician Airileke Ingram, David story of how he first came to into Melanesia and you will developed the Wantok Musik know Papua New Guinea. find evolving constitutions of Foundation, a not-for-profit These first encounters led to emerging post-colonial states, music label that aims to generate a lasting connection to PNG an astounding array of species of and foster cultural exchanges and Melanesia and were flora and fauna, bright coloured between Indigenous Australia and transformational for David’s coral fish, active volcanoes, Melanesia by recording, releasing approach to music. kustom, culture and conflict. and promoting music from the region. David’s great friend, Mark Worth, As the map of the Torres Strait who grew up on Manus Island, shows, PNG is surprisingly close; Australia-Papua New Guinea first sparked his interest in PNG. it’s almost as if you could wade Network, Lowy Institute for Mark bemoaned Australia’s lack through this stretch of water at International Policy of understanding of its nearest low tide. Follow the link for further details: neighbour, saying, Seven-time ARIA award winning http://auspng.lowyinstitute.org/ ‘for God’s sake Australia, just have songwriter and composer David publications/gods-sake-australia- a look at the map.’ Bridie is one of Australia’s most just-have-look-map innovative and classy artists. He is To be situated so close to this a leading expert on and producer Melanesian wonderland and www.pngaa.net | 9 UNA VOCE 9V`HS7HW\H5L^.\PULH *VUZ[HI\SHY`9L\UPVU -PYZ[S`HIPN[OHUR`V\[VHSS[OVZL^OVH[[LUKLK[OPZ`LHY»Z YL\UPVUH[[OL>`UU\T9:30[^HZ]LY`OLHY[LUPUN[VZLL ZVTHU`L_VѝJLYZHUKMHTPSPLZH[[LUKPUN>LOHKPUL_JLZZ VM PUH[[LUKHUJL[OLTHQVYP[`VM^OVTPUKPJH[LK[OL`HYL LU[O\ZPHZ[PJHIV\[H[[LUKPUNM\[\YLL]LU[Z The weekend kicked off early on After lunch on Friday guests AFP Officer based in Canberra but Friday morning with the arrival of began to arrive and a group of 13 has recently returned from a 15 ex Police Commissioner Ila Geno gathered for dinner that night at the month stint in PNG where he was who came from Port Moresby to Waterloo Bay Hotel. instrumental in organising Police attend his first reunion. Ila joined Legacy and setting up their website On Saturday guests arrived early the Constabulary in February 1968 and Facebook page. Whilst there at the RSL, eager to catch up with as an Officer Cadet and had worked Jamie discovered many relics from their old mates. After lunch we with many others who attended. He the time that most of our officers moved upstairs to a private function was most enthusiastic to become were serving and he provided a room where we were addressed by re-acquainted with them. slide show of some of the photos he Jamie Loveday. He is currently a found. Rear, L/R: Peter Hilder, Kevan Wilde, Col Holt, Allan Hodder (head turned) Gerry Bellis (partly obscured), unidentified (obscured), Col Boreham, John Blackwell, Russ Ames, John Monk, Jack Nystrom, Graeme Breman Front L/R: Allan Dyer, Jamie Loveday, John Dick, Bill McGrath (guest), Earl Sanders, Ila Geno, John Gorin, Ted Spackman, David Illsley, Graham Watkins, Jeff Brazier, Ian Johnston 10 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Jamie was followed at the podium by ex-Police Commissioner, ex Head of Public Service and Chief Ombudsman Ila Geno who addressed the gathering and expressed his gratitude for the input of the officers he had worked closely with, and who had assisted so much with his career. Ila has a very good memory and recalled the names of all the officers he had worked with. He was delighted to be our guest and assured us he will return with his wife next year. Ila Geno on static motorbike at Queensland Police Museum We conducted a multi prize raffle with 28 draws during the afternoon in the city, where Museum Curator in attendance we have booked the and covered all the extra costs as Lisa Jones opened the Museum for entire Wynnum Anchor Motel for well as donating $150 to Royal a private tour, followed by a trip to three days from 5 – 7 August 2016. Papua New Guinea Constabulary South Bank. We hope for yet another successful (RPNGC) Legacy. event. Then it was back to our We arranged dinner at a local accommodation for a BBQ which Many thanks to those who attended Thai restaurant to provide another went on well into the night. Monday –your presence helped to make this opportunity for old mates to get morning was the time for sorrowful year’s event a most memorable and together and chat. Breakfast on departures as people headed for enjoyable experience for all of us. Sunday was at the Pelican’s Nest on home. We will gather as many photos as the Wynnum foreshore – and again possible and make them available via more time to reminisce. Plans for 2016 Reunion email. Mid-morning we were taken by bus Due to the exuberance and to the Queensland Police Museum willingness to travel of so many Earl and Wendy Sanders Back Row, L/R: Janice Dick, Carolyn Bird, Helga Clegg, Wendy Sanders, Avis Gorin, Sandi Spackman, Doreen MacGowan, Jenny Breman, Jennifer Johnston Centre: Nell Ames, Sara Boreham Front row: Jenni Hodder, Lyn Sutton, Jean Carter, Val Miles www.pngaa.net | 11 UNA VOCE 0UKLWLUKLUJL+H`*LSLIYH[PVUZ *LSLIYH[PVUZPU75.HUK(\Z[YHSPHTHYRLK[OL[OHUUP]LYZHY` VM7HW\H5L^.\PULH0UKLWLUKLUJLVU :LW[LTILY *HUILYYH The PNG High Commission held a reception on Wednesday 16 September. Kiap. Stories Behind the Medal was screened at the National Film and Sound Archives on Thursday 17 September. ;VW\YJOHZL[OL75.((+=+ º20(7!:[VYPLZILOPUK[OL4LKHS» WSLHZLJVU[HJ[75.((I` ,THPS!TLTILYZOPW'WUNHHUL[ VY]PZP[[OL75.((^LIZP[LHUK JSPJRVU[OLSPUR (L-R): Andrea Williams, Ross Johnson, Chris Viner-Smith. Photo by Peter Smith 7LY[O PNGAA members gathered to share views on independence and congratulate the PNG people on their achievements and wish the new country well in the future. (L-R) Kevin Lock, Kent Logie, Faye Schilling, Trevor Muller, Doug Stewart, Brian Lewis, Judita Lewis, Trudy Bostock, Theo Bredmeyer, Aida Sutherland, Audrey Bredmeyer, Paul Linnane, Murray Day, Michael Lowe, Linda Cavanaugh Manning, Ray Bray, Romantha Barron & Robyne Stewart Petricevic 0UKLWLUKLUJL+H`(^HYKZ Dr Richard Michael Bourke specialising in food crops, John Howard who were both was awarded the Office of the contributing to research, training awarded the Grand Companion Order of Logohu (OL) for and project management, as well of the Order of Logohu (GCL). services to agriculture in the 40th as his leadership in the Mapping Post Courier Anniversary of Independence Agriculture in PNG Project. – 40th Anniversary of Honours List. Other recipients were Prince Independence edition He received the honour for his Andrew, Duke of York and work of more than 45 years former Australian Prime Minister, 12 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 5\R\75. Close to 15,000 people gathered to celebrate Independence Day. George Oakes and his daughter Denise, together with Dr. David Tierney and his mother Margaret (wife of John Tierney who was Kiap at Nuku in 1964-65) were part of the official party. Their helicopter circled Nuku towing a banner with the PNG flag before landing. (L-R): Rod Hilton (Australian High Commission), Joseph Sungi MP for Nuku, Tony Try, George Oakes Cutting from Post Courier %7%'034"-&.FNCFST/PO.FNCFST 8"-,*/501"3"%*4&$PMMFDUPST&EJUJPO :[HYYPUNV\YV^U-YLK2HHKHUK*OPWZ9HɈLY[` ;OPZ\UPX\LÄSTZOV^JHZLZMHI\SV\ZZJLULY`HUKHU H\[OLU[PJZPUNZPUN^P[O[OV\ZHUKZVMMHU[HZ[PJHSS` HKVYULK[YPILZTLUHUK^VTLU >L^PSSTVZ[SPRLS`UL]LYZLLJPULTH[VNYHWO`VM*HYS 2H`ZLYZJHSPIYLHUKZJVWLHNHPU:\YWS\ZM\UKZNLULYH[LK MYVT[OLZHSLVM[OL+=+^PSSIL\ZLK[VM\Y[OLY[OLVIQLJ[Z VM75.((ZWLJPÄJHSS` [VLUJV\YHNL[OLWYLZLY]H[PVUVM KVJ\TLU[ZHUKOPZ[VYPJHSTH[LYPHSYLSH[LK[V7HW\H5L^ .\PULH I`^H`VMKPNP[PZH[PVU 7SLHZLZLLZLWHYH[L;YLHZ\YLY»Z*VYULY`LSSV^Å`LYPUZLY[ www.pngaa.net | 13 UNA VOCE ,UJOHU[PUN9HIH\S!(U(K]LU[\YLHUKH9PKKSL >OH[PZP[HIV\[9HIH\S[OH[LUJOHU[LKT`.YLH[ Surely it was more than escaping type but genuinely wanted to give Ted was comfortable acting for Melbourne’s dreary weather. Ted’s back and give back he did. David rather than Goliath; the curiosity about far flung places and ‘principle of the thing’ was big with Being loathed is a hazard of the a desire for a life unfettered by the Ted. I would imagine there was legal job. When his appointment expectations of the times drew him many a grateful client whose labour as a Special Magistrate ended, Ted to Rabaul. His motivation was not may have been paid for in advance. acted as a barrister for the Chinese much different from thousands of Where were these labourers to go as well as other clients. The Chinese others who have descended upon with the departure of their German couldn’t always pay him money but Papua New Guinea and surrounds masters? What if they had inter- they paid him in kind. Ted brought over the past 150 years. But Ted married and wanted or needed back the objects d’art (shown in the made his mark with consequences to stay? Could they even go back photos) given to him by Chinese still being felt today. home or would they have been clients in Rabaul. Pewter, bamboo, stateless? You see Ted’s job was to decide cloisonné, cinnabar and china. property entitlement after the The hookah resides on the coffee Ted took on the lot. Perhaps Germans were seen off during table in my Melbourne sitting he remembered his mother WW1. Property holding in room. I’ve always wondered what walking the eight kilometres Rabaul and New Britain today the inscription on the goblets is; into Melbourne’s CBD to sell has its genesis in the decisions I understand that the tea set was flowers from his father’s nursery that this Special Magistrate made made especially for Ted. If you read in the 1890s depression and often in 1924. Yes, others gave him the Chinese, please let me know what returning home with the same imprimatur to do so but Ted was the inscription means! flowers wilting. the actual decision-maker. Edwin Tylor Brown was no bush lawyer; he was Wesley College and University of Melbourne (Ormond College) educated and had won a glittering array of prizes and scholarships along the way. He was tall, searingly intelligent (hidden by a sometimes mild demeanour), endlessly curious and had the advantage of seamlessly fitting into any society. His initial posting to Rabaul was as a Captain with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force in 1917, aged nearly 28 This lasted for a couple of years but he stayed on until at least 1930. He was not a ‘cut and run’ 14 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Illustrious as Ted’s legal career was, What became of Ted after Rabaul? grandfather, Ted’s brother. The I’m more interested in Ted’s love Well, he took off for Russia and letter described Ted as a ‘great life! He was a bachelor until the India in the 1930s, wrote books loss to Australia, as he was such a age of 39, having dodged an army about their society and then spent cultured, widely travelled, talented of keen women over the years. time in Western Europe. He and brilliantly gifted man’. Ted was divorced a few years later. became an author, doing some I sit here looking at a panoramic That’s where I need your help. He legal work along the way to pay the photograph of Rabaul harbour was married in 1928 and divorced bills. He married for the second identified as possibly taken post- on 27 September 1932. There time aged 54 to an Australian war (WW1) on Observatory Ridge is no record of this divorce in woman educated at the University at the top of Tunnel Hill road Melbourne. of Oxford. Miss Jones was 42 when where it goes towards Nonga and she married Mr. Brown. They Ted lived in Rabaul during at the north coast. This view was divorced when he was 66 and he least part of this period but I have mounted on Ted’s wall for years. died aged 67. no record of his wife’s name. I He loved the place and perhaps fell have found a photo amongst his Sir Owen Dixon, the Chief Justice in love there too. collection but this may be a red of Australia, widely regarded as Robyn Watters herring. Do you know her? Did she Australia’s greatest ever jurist Ted’s great-niece accompany Ted to Rabaul or reside (Jim Spigelman, Australia’s in Rabaul before marrying and Greatest Jurist, Sydney, 2003) then divorcing him? sent his deepest sympathy to my Are you able to help Robyn? The mystery woman is shown in the photo. www.pngaa.net | 15 UNA VOCE 4`*Y\PZL[V75.-LIY\HY` 0SLHYULKHIV\[[OL-LIY\HY` 7 6JY\PZL[V7HW\H5L^.\PULH [OYV\NO[OL-HJLIVVRWHNL0 (SV[H\ 6\YÄYZ[WVY[VMJHSS^HZ(SV[H\^OLYL^L^LYL NYLL[LKI`HZPUNZPUNH[[OL^OHYM4VZ[VM\Z ^HSRLK\W[V^U[V[OLTHYRL[ZHUK*\S[\YHS *LU[YL[VZLL[OLZPUNZPUNZ:L]LYHS4PSUL)H` tribes - the local people, the Trobriand and -LYN\ZVU0ZSHUKLYZ9HI\9HI\WLVWSLHUK[OL ÄZOLYTLUHJYVZZ[OLOHYIV\YW\[VUHVULKH` festival at the cultural centre. :HSS`HUK0^LU[[V[OL*\S[\YHS-LZ[P]HS[V^H[JO [OLZPUNZPUNZ;OLYL^LYLWLVWSLMYVT4HKHUN [OL;YVIYPHUKZIV`ZHUKNPYSZTV\U[HPUWLVWSL ^LHYPUNJ\ZJ\ZHUK[YLLRHUNHYVVWLS[ZMYVT4[ >PSOLSTWLVWSLMYVT;HYPPU[OL/LSH7YV]PUJL^P[O `LSSV^MHJLZ^HYYPVYZMYVT2LYV^NPPU[OL*OPTI\ ^P[O[OLSVUNISHJR)PYKVM7HYHKPZLMLH[OLYZ Tolais from the Gazelle Peninsula, Mudmen from [OL(ZHYV=HSSL`ULHY.VYVRH[OL[HWHJSV[O ^LHYLYZMYVT6YV)H`HUKZVTLWLVWSLMYVT )V\NHPU]PSSL^OVOHKSP[[SL`LSSV^ZWV[ZVU[OLPY MHJLZ0[^HZZPTWS`THNUPÄJLU[ ;OL`KHUJLK[OLPYOLHY[ZV\[Q\TWPUNHUK ZPUNPUNHUKKHUJPUNUV^LHWVUZVUS`HML^ IV^ZHUKHYYV^Z0[^HZUV[Q\Z[[OLWLVWSLPUZPKL 4HKHUN [OL*\S[\YHS*LU[YLI\[L]LY`VULPU[OL[V^UHUK VU[OLZ[YLL[Z6ULJOHWHUKOPZ^PMLZ[VWWLK ;OLIPNNLZ[^LSJVTLHUKMHYL^LSS^HZPU4HKHUN [OLPYJHYHUKJHTLV]LYHUK[HSRLK[V\ZULHY[OL ^OLYL[OV\ZHUKZVMWLVWSLSPULK[OLZOVYLZVM[OL *VHZ[^H[JOLYZ4LTVYPHSZOVVRV\YOHUKZHUK PZSHUKZVU[OL^H`PU[V[OLOHYIV\YHUKO\UKYLKZ HZRLKPML]LY`[OPUN^HZHSYPNO[HUK[OHURLK\ZMVY VM[OV\ZHUKZMHYL^LSSLK\ZHZ^LZHPSLKH^H` JVTPUN[V4HKHUN 16 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 (M[LY^HYKZL]LY`VULZHPKOV^MHU[HZ[PJ[OLPYKH` Garove Island caldera and the captain turned OHKILLUHUKOV^T\JO[OL`SV]LK4HKHUN>L [OLZOPWHYV\UKPUZPKLP[;OLZPKLZ^LYL]LY` ^LYLLSH[LK>LMLS[SPRLYV`HS[`^P[O[OL^LSJVTL Z[LLWHUK^LJV\SKZLLHUVSKJO\YJOHZTHSS ^LYLJLP]LKHUK^L^V\SKSPRL[V[OHUR[OL ZL[[SLTLU[^P[OHZJOVVSHUKZVTL]PSSHNLZHUK WLVWSLVM4HKHUN^OVTHKL[OPZKH`WVZZPISL lots of coconut palms. The captain sounded the ZOPW»ZOVYU[^PJLHUK[OLZV\UKYL]LYILYH[LKVќ (Z^LZHPSLKH^H`H`V\UN(\ZZPL[LHJOLYZHPK the sides of the caldera after about ten seconds. [OH[ZOLSV]LK4HKHUNZVT\JO[OH[ZOL^HZ NVPUNOVTL[V4[0ZH[VOHUKPUOLYYLZPNUH[PVU 9HIH\S HUKHWWS`MVYH[LHJOPUNQVI[OLYL 9HIH\SPZZ[PSS[OLWPJ[\YLWVZ[JHYK[V^U[OH[^HZ ;OL[V^U^HZJSLHUHUK[PK`HUKZLJ\YP[`^HZ VU[OLJV]LYVMV\YL_LYJPZLIVVRZPU[OL Z(ZO L]LY`^OLYL3VJHSYLZPKLU[Z^LYL^H[JOPUNV\[MVY MYVT L_WSVZPVUKLZ[YV`LK[OLHYLHHSVUN [V\YPZ[ZHUK^LYL]LY`OLSWM\S 4HUNV(]LU\L4HSHN\UH9VHKPZTHPUS`*OPULZL >L^HR [YHKLZ[VYLZUV^HUK[OLHPYWVY[[OL[V\YPZ[ OV[LSZHUKTV[LSZOH]LTV]LKHYV\UK[OLIH`[V >L^LYLKPZHWWVPU[LK[OH[[OLZOPWJV\SKU»[NL[ 2VRVWV PU[V>L^HR;OLZOPWTVVYLKHIV\[TL[LYZ ;OL;VSHPZJLY[HPUS`MLLS[OLSVZZVM[OLPY]PIYHU[ Vќ[OLTHPU^OHYMHUK[OLJHW[HPUKLJSHYLK[OH[ HUKOPZ[VYPJHS[V^U [OLZ^LSS^HZ[VVOPNOMVY[OL[LUKLYZ[VTVVYVU [OLWVU[VVUZV^LZHPSLKVќ^P[OV\[ZL[[PUNMVV[ >L]PZP[LK[OL)S\L3HNVVUHUK[OL1HWHULZL PU[V^U;OV\ZHUKZOHKJVTLMYVTHSSV]LY[OL [\UULSZVU2VRVWV4HSHN\UH9VHK;OLYLHYL :LWPR[V^LSJVTL\ZHUKIYPUN[OLPY[YHKLNVVKZ TVYL[\UULSZL_JH]H[LKUV^HUK[OLZLHYLH >L^LYLKL]HZ[H[LK(Z^L^LYLSLH]PUNH NYLH[[V\YPZ[H[[YHJ[PVU U\TILYVMWLVWSLPUZWLLKIVH[ZJHTLHSVUNZPKL HUKILNNLK\Z[VYL[\YU 4HUHTHUK=P[\0ZSHUKZ >LZHPSLKWHZ[4HUHT0ZSHUKHUKZH^[OL KL]HZ[H[PVUSLM[I`[OL L_WSVZPVU 5L_[TVYUPUN^L^VRL\WPU[OL)PZTHYJR:LH ULHY[OL=P[\0ZSHUKZ>LZHPSLKYPNO[PU[V[OL (JVSSLJ[PVUVMVSK^HYQ\UROHZILLUYLTV]LK MYVT]HYPV\ZWSHU[H[PVUZHUKPZUV^SVJH[LKH[[OL ,HZ[5L^)YP[HPU/PZ[VYPJHSHUK*\S[\YHS*LU[YL H[2VRVWV;OLNHYKLUZ[OLYL^LYLTHNUPÄJLU[ SHYNLYHPU[YLLZ^P[OHSSZVY[ZVMHLYPHSWSHU[Z attached to them. >LOHKS\UJOVU[OLKLJRVM[OL]LY`H[[YHJ[P]L 2VRVWV)LHJO)\UNHSV^9LZVY[VU[OLISHJR ZHUKILHJO^P[OHIPYK»ZL`L]PL^VM[OL ]VSJHUVLZ;OL`ZLY]LK[^V[`WLZVMJOPJRVYVSSZ IVPSLKWP[WP[^P[OJVJVU\[IVPSLK^OP[LRH\RH\ NYLLUSLH]LZPUJVJVU\[Q\PJLHUKYVHZ[LKNHSPW nuts. www.pngaa.net | 17 UNA VOCE ;OLNHYKLUZH[[OL)P[H7HRH>HY4LTVYPHS^LYL VYSLZZVM[OL[YHKP[PVUHSKLZPNU:VTLVM[OL L_JLW[PVUHS^P[OZ[H[LS`YHPU[YLLZHUKHSS[OLPY WYV^Z^LYL]LY`JVSV\YM\SHUKHSSOHKILLU^LSS HZZVJPH[LKLWPWO`[LZ;OLZP[LPZ^LSSRLW[^P[O used. tropical plants such as crotons for colour. I felt >LOHKSV[ZVMM\U>L^HSRLKHYV\UK[OLPZSHUK ]LY`WYV\K[VILHU(\Z[YHSPHU HIV\[ TPU\[LZHUKOHKHZ^PTVU[OL^OP[L >LZ[VWWLKH[[OL1HWHULZL[\UULSZ^P[O[OL ZHUKILHJOMHJPUN2P[H]H IHYNLZ;OLOLPNO[HUK^PK[OVM[OL[\UULSZOH]L (ÄZOLYTHUOHKIV\NO[PUHIPNJH[JOVMJVYHSÄZO ILLUPUJYLHZLKVWLUPUN[OLT\WHUKTHRPUN[OL HUKWHPU[LKSVIZ[LYZ:VTLWHZZLUNLYZIV\NO[ IHYNLZTVYLHJJLZZPISL SVIZ[LYZHUK[VVR[OLTVUIVHYKMVY[OLJVVR 0[PZLHZ`[VZLL^O`9HIH\SOHZ[OLYLW\[H[PVUVM ;OLYL^HZHZTHSSZLH[\Y[SLZ[PSSHSP]L[OLYLHZ^LSS [OLTVZ[ILH\[PM\S[V^UPU[OL7HJPÄJ0[PZZ[PSSZV ;OL^VVKJHY]PUNZ^LYLVMHOPNOZ[HUKHYKHUK WO`ZPJHSS`ILH\[PM\S HJV\WSLVMWLVWSLZHPK[OH[[OLZLPZSHUKJHY]PUNZ 2PYP^HUH ^LYLIL[[LY[OHU[OLJHY]PUNZMVYZHSLPU4HKHUN ;OLYL^LYLHSV[VMZTHSSJHY]LK^VVKLUZLH >L^LYLTL[I`HSTVZ[L]LY`VULMYVT[OLULHYI` JYLH[\YLZZ\JOHZ[\Y[SLZHUKZ[PUNYH`Z;OLUL_[ ]PSSHNLZ;OLYL^LYLO\UKYLKZVMZLSSLYZVM^VVK TVZ[WVW\SHYP[LTZ^LYL[OLZOLSSZMVSSV^LK JHY]PUNZHUKZOLSSQL^LSSLY`;OLRPKZOHKILLUSL[ I`JVJVU\[YHѝHIHNZHUKW\YZLZ*\Z[VTZPU VќZJOVVSMVY[OLKH`HUKWLYMVYTLK[YHKP[PVUHS )YPZIHULHSSV^LKHSS[OLZLP[LTZPU[V(\Z[YHSPH KHUJLZ[OLIV`ZHUK[OLNPYSZZLWHYH[LS`;OL ^P[OV\[WYVISLTZ IV`ZJLY[HPUS`N`YH[L[OLPYOPWZPUH]LY`KYHTH[PJ ^H`;OLNPYSZ^LYL`V\UNHUKWYL[[`;OL`\ZLK +VPUP:HTHYHPHUK2^H[V Christmas decorations in their bilas. >LOHKH]LY`OPZ[VYPJHSKH`>LTHUHNLK[VNL[ 0[^HZKLÄUP[LS`OV[VU[OLPZSHUKHUK^L^LYL a speedboat from the tourist resort of Doini to IV[OZ\UI\YU[>LLUQV`LKHZ^PTPU[OLJVVS [HRL\Z[V:HTHYHPHM[LY[OL^VYRIVH[[OH[OHK ZOHK`^H[LYZ6ULVM[OLÄZOLYTLUOHKJH\NO[H ILLUIVVRLKIYVRLKV^U [^VTL[YLZHPSÄZOMYVTHZTHSSJHUVLVUHÄZOPUN SPULHUKOL^HZNVPUN[VZOHYLP[^P[O[OL]PSSHNLYZ :HTHYHP [OH[UPNO[ (STVZ[HZZVVUHZ^LZ[LWWLKHZOVYLPU:HTHYHP 7 6HUK7YPUJLZZOHKWHPKMVY[OLUL^QL[[` VULVMV\YJVTWHUPVUZ/HS2LUKHSSZH^OPZVSK some speedboats and motors, toilets and other OVTLHUK[OLJO\YJO^OLYLOPZMH[OLYWYLHJOLK facilities to develop this beach as a cruise ship PU[OL Z/PZMH[OLY^HZ-H[OLY2LUKHSSSH[LY destination. )PZOVW2LUKHSSVM[OL*O\YJOVM,UNSHUK 2P[H]H0ZSHUK ;OLVSKHIHUKVULKJO\YJO^HZPUH]LY`WVVY Z[H[L¶[OLYVVM^HZNVULHUKHJLPSPUNMHU 2P[H]HPZZTHSSJVYHSH[VSSPU4PSUL)H`ULHY2PYP^PUH ^HZZ\ZWLUKLKPUTPKHPY>L^HSRLK[V[OL Island. It is an abandoned coconut plantation. VSKNV]LYUTLU[^OHYMHUKUV[LK[OH[HWLHYS -HTPSPLZ^LYLZLSSPUNHY[LMHJ[ZHUK[OLYL^LYL operation, Coral Sea Mari-culture PNG, had set JH]LZ^P[OO\THUZR\SSZHZJOVVSHUKHUL^ \W[OLYL;OLV`Z[LYILKZ^LYL^P[OPUZPNO[ IHI`HUKHUHSIPUVJOPSK[VWOV[VNYHWO (Z^L^LYL^HSRPUN\W[OLTHPUWH[O^H`[OH[ ;OLTHPUHJ[P]P[`MVY[OL[V\YPZ[Z^HZJH[JOPUNVUL KP]PKLZ[OLPZSHUKVULVM[OLSVJHSTLYPZ^HZ VM[OLV\[YPNNLYJHUVLZ[V[OL[PU` 18 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 www.pngaa.net | 19 UNA VOCE ;OLZJOVVS^HZZ[PSSVWLYH[PVUHSHUKHIV\[ Z[\KLU[ZOHK[OLPYKLZRZV\[ZPKL\UKLYH[YLL :VTLVMV\YWHY[`IYV\NO[IVVRZHUKJVSV\YPUN pencils for the local school. ;OLVSK)\YUZ7OPSWI\PSKPUN^HZHULTW[`ZOLSS 2^H[V ;OLYL^HZUVZPNUZH`PUN[OLPZSHUK^HZ[OL MHTV\Z*O\YJOVM,UNSHUKZ[YVUNOVSKVM2^H[V0[ SVVRLKMHPYS`UVUKLZJYPW[Q\Z[HJVUJYL[LWHKH [PUZOLKHUKHJV\WSLVM[PTILYKVUNHZH^H`MYVT [OLZOVYLSPUL>L^HSRLKWHZ[[OLTLUSHaPUNVU [OLWHKHUKPU[V[OLOLHY[VM[OLPZSHUK6\YN\PKL [VVR\Z\WHI\ZO[YHJR[VHSHYNLOV\ZLHUK further up a beautiful stone church, the Church VM2^H[V;OLYL^HZHTHYRLYZ[VUL^P[O[OYLL YLJLU[WSHX\LZZ[H[PUN! 0U[OPZJLTL[LY`SPL[OLMV\UKLYVM2^H[VHUKOPZ ^PMLHUKZVTLVM[OLWPVULLYZ;OL`ILSPL]LK[OH[ .VKOHKHWSHUMVY7HW\HHUKSP]LK[VIYPUNP[ HIV\[ *OHYSLZ>(ILS1862-1939 )LH[YPJL(ILS1869-1939 4HYNHYL[7HYRPU1865-1939 ;PYHRH(UKLYLH-1939 7O`SSPZ(ILS1888-1955 +VPUP +VPUPPZHYLZVY[VUHZTHSSPZSHUKV^ULKI`[OL 5L]PSSLMHTPS`:L]LYHSKPќLYLU[ZJOVVSNYV\WZ performed in the cleared area around the I\UNHSV^Z;OL`^LYLTHPUS`ZJOVVSRPKZMYVT :H^HZH^HNH7YPTHY`:JOVVSHUK[OLPYIPSHZ^HZ MHPYS`WSHPU^OP[LMLH[OLYZPU[OLOHPYHUKHSVUN NYHZZZRPY[ZPTPSHY[V[OLWLVWSLHYV\UK4VYLZI` (UV[OLYZPUNZPUNNYV\W^HZMYVT[OL0Z\UHSLPSLP ,SLTLU[HY`:JOVVS;OLIV`Z^LYLKYLZZLKPUJVK WPLJLZHUK[OLNPYSZPUZRPY[ZTHKLVMWHSTMYVUKZ ^P[O^OP[LMLH[OLYZPU[OLPYOHPY (ZPUNSLTHSLPUTHNUPÄJLU[IPSHZKHUJLKMVY OV\YZHUKOV\YZKYLZZLKPUHO\NLMLH[OLYOLHK WPLJLZOLSSZHUKJYV[VUSLH]LZHUKILH[PUNHSVUN drum. >LSLM[75.^H[LYZMLLSPUNZH[PZÄLK[OH[[OPZ^HZ JLY[HPUS`HNYLH[^H`[VZLLHUKL_WLYPLUJL75. H[OLY]LY`ILZ[ 3PUKH*H]HUH\NO4HUUPUN 20 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Judo Charles Betteridge writes: I write The two very experienced Judo years it expanded dramatically and in reference to an article by Rod players/instructors were John we ended up around 1967 with Noble on page 41 of Una Voce Peters, 3rd Dan, Black Belt, from close to 100 junior and 70 senior No.1, 2015, about Rothmans, Sydney, and Yoshinoru Takeuchi members. reading in part: ‘two expat school 5th Dan, Black Belt, from Japan We practiced on Monday and girls handing out free cigarettes to - who was also the world Judo Thursday evenings. By 1966 we locals in 1964’ champion at that time. had to move from the club room The Port Moresby Judo Club During their five full days with the under the grandstand at the Boroko benefitted from Rothmans in club we were put through a very Rugby League grounds to St. November 1964 - but in a much rigorous training schedule and I Joseph’s Hall in East Boroko which healthier way. The Port Moresby remember nearly felling Takeuchi were much larger and we were able Judo Club was the very first during a contest with him. It to expand out tatami mats for our sporting organisation to benefit was his very quick reaction that Judo training. from the Rothmans National countered my throw that prevented By the late 1970s membership had Sports Foundation. It paid for two him from falling down altogether. fallen a lot as a lot of expat players senior Judo players/instructors He was ‘stunned’ for a moment left PNG to return to Australia to travel to Port Moresby and - and I was only an orange belt. I and other moved to other parts of teach advanced Judo and perform joined the Port Moresby Judo Club PNG. Many friendships that still grading examinations of all in January 1961 when it was barely exist today were made during those members of the Judo Club. a couple of weeks old and had only early years. The photos were taken six members. Over the next few in November 1964. KIAP: Stories Behind the Medal +=+¶-VY:HSL Papua New Guinea Association of Australia and Gum Leaves Productions Cost for DVD: $30 PNGAA members / $35 for Non Members HOW TO ORDER? www.pngaa.net or on enclosed Treasurer’s Corner form. A short excerpt is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C52NIcXD6I www.pngaa.net | 21 UNA VOCE Tadashi as a young man (far left) with Michael Somare (third from left) and Japanese Royalty (two ladies in centre) The Bone Man of Aitape I had just finished the book The When Tadashi returned to Aitape As he could not take bones back Bone Man of Kokoda, lent to me some six days later he had an to Japan we burnt the bones to ash by that Aitape Big Man Robert amazing story. He had sat down on a sheet of corrugated iron and Parer, when it occurred to me that with elderly villagers, some of whom Tadashi headed back to Japan and I knew another Bone Man, Tadashi still had a smattering of Japanese, fame and fortune with appearances Nishibaki - the Bone Man of Aitape. and explained his search. An old on TV shows and newspaper It was around 1968, when a young woman apparently remembered interviews. Japanese man walked into my office the incident and took Tadashi to He returned to Aitape a few months at Aitape, West Sepik District. I the site where they began to search. later escorting a multi-millionaire, wondered at the time how he got Apparently there were no burials Ryoshi Sashagawa and we made there as I had not heard a plane - it as the two Japanese remains were turned out he had walked up from found where they fell. Wewak taking nearly a month to do He opened up his bag and out so. tumbled two skulls, dog tags, He could make himself understood some bones and bit of uniform in Tok Pidgin and he had been he had collected at the site! The informed by the Japanese War files dog tags were his father’s and his that his father, a senior officer in the father’s batman; both skulls had Japanese Army, had been shot to a neat bullet hole in the forehead death in the clean-up operations at and various buckles and bits were the end of World War II. Records obviously army issue!! indicated he had been shot near the village of Malol just a few miles I remember the day he returned we north of Aitape. had the Franciscan Mission pilots and Engineers to dinner. When Tadashi was keen to search for Tadashi produced the bones and details. Not giving him much hope, held up the skulls saying, ‘Good I took him to Malol and put him in teeth! Good teeth!’ our guests felt it the care of a good friend Brere Awol, time to go home. Tadashi as Cooroy knew him, with his the head man of Malol. first grandson, Yuna, about 6 years ago 22 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 The completed war memorial as constructed on Catholic Mission land at Wewak around 1969 arrangements to visit him at the end Tadashi named his second son after of 1968. However, I was selected to Bishop Leo but with the limits of the attend the 1969 ASOPA long course Japanese pronunciation it came out in Local Government and Tadashi as Ryo. For 35 years we lost touch, married and moved and we lost Tadashi had married and moved, touch. letters I sent were returned, I was In that year Tadashi hosted a visit posted to Bougainville and finally to Japan by Michael Somare and, at returned to Australia. different times, Rob Parer and Peter Unknown to me the memorial was Cuttings from a Japanese newspaper that Williams. He even met with Japanese damaged and around 2003 Tadashi published the story and some photos. Royalty as his efforts were recognised returned to Wewak to undertake by the Japanese public. repairs. Rob Parer was in Wewak, Since then there has been a He returned and erected a large war went to renew acquaintances and progression of visits - us to Japan memorial on Catholic Mission land was asked if he knew where I was. three or four times for Cherry at Wewak, dedicated to both allied Tadashi obtained my phone number Blossom time and he and his family and Japanese Soldiers killed in the and address. four or five times to Cooroy. We war. He shipped a huge stone from He rang me as soon as he returned became very close and just farewelled Japan and, with Bishop Leo Arkfeld’s to Japan and was on the next plane Tadashi’s wife, Yoshie in June 2015 approval and a little help, erected to Australia! Still only speaking after her last visit. She flew to the memorial with the following Tok Pidgin he took the town of Australia to nurse my wife Betty after inscription: Cooroy by storm. Sitting in the lotus a full hip replacement. In memory of the brave soldiers who position in his Kimono he held court Sadly Tadashi passed away in paid the supreme sacrifice for their at the Cooroy RSL on Australia Day late June but his memorial is still counties Japan, Australia, America and 2004. in Wewak and the story of him New Guinea during World War ll from On ANZAC Day 2014 we lost him producing the skulls and dog tags of i941 to 1945 and in sincere Hope at the Rainbow Beach Surf Club, his lost father lingers on. He is well that our men will never again engage only to find him talking to two ex- remembered in Cooroy, especially in war, but a deep spirit of friendship RAAF wartime New Guinea Pilots by those ex New Guinea Pidgin may exist between us all. Then their he had convinced that he was a war speakers for that is the only way he sacrifice will not have been in vain. time Zero pilot! He was born 5 could converse with us at the RSL. March 1936. Harry Roach Stay for a weekend, a week, or as long as you like and enjoy one of the World’s Great Resorts as a bonus! Experience a world of luxury, right on your doorstep in beautiful Madang. Kalibobo Village is a secure, village resort style complex set in magnificently landscaped grounds. We offer short and long term accommodation in a range of self-contained deluxe, executive and presidential suites as well as three bedroom cottages, all with private bathroom and balcony, some with a kitchenette. Residents have full use of Madang Resort’s facilities including diving, snorkelling, kayaks, sailing catamaran, tennis, marina, shopping, three restaurants, four pools, landscaped gardens with two lagoons and an unsurpassed absolute waterfront location. Discover beautiful Kalibobo Village today. Call or email to book direct [email protected] or [email protected] Phone 424 1400 | kalibobovillage.com www.pngaa.net | 23 UNA VOCE (7PSNYPTHNL[V9HIH\S (ZHZTHSSIV`0^HZH^HYL[OH[T`\UJSL1VOU>PSSPHT/H`LZ ^LU[[V^HYHUK0YLTLTILYOH]PUNT`WOV[V[HRLU^P[OOPT PU\UPMVYTVU^OH[^V\SKOH]LILLUOPZSHZ[SLH]LOVTL[V /HTPS[VU=PJ[VYPHPU 4`NYHUKTV[OLYYLJLP]LKVѝJPHS The beautiful site of notice of his death from the War Department in October 1945, the United Church HM[LY^VUKLYPUNMVY[OYLL`LHYZ^OH[OHKOHWWLULK[VOPTHZ School for Skills and Leadership at a POW of the Japanese. Malmaluan. My grandmother was very anti– When flying to Canberra in June As suggested by Andrea we made Japanese but before she died in 1961 2010 for the announcement by the contact with Susie McGrade and she suggested I visit Rabaul. I learnt Federal Labour Government of the arranged to stay at the Rabaul Hotel. much later that two of my mother’s Contribution to the Montevideo Both were most helpful in discussing cousins, brothers Basil and Rex Maru Memorial I sat near Norm an itinerary and transport. Wythe were also part of Lark Force Furness who noticed my RSL badge. On Monday 13 July our guide 2nd/22nd Battalion and were on Through conversation we established Albert Koni with his driver and the Montevideo Maru with John. It that he had enlisted with my uncle assistant took us to the 2/22nd Lark has taken me 54 years to make the John at Caulfield. Norm stood in Force and Montevideo Maru Rock journey to Rabaul. front of John in the queue. Their Memorial, at Simpson Harbour. The enlistment numbers were Norm My wife, Barbara, and her family loss of the Montevideo Maru, still VX23557 and John VX23568. They also have connections with men who today Australia’s largest maritime were great mates but lost contact on were captured or escaped from New tragedy with over 1053 hundred 23 January 1942 when the Japanese Britain and New Ireland. Her father, men and boys who died in Subic invaded Rabaul. In Canberra I met Cecil Diprose, owned a property Bay off the island of Luzon on 1 Lois Newman from Bendigo who near Cavendish, Victoria and the July 1942. We then visited the ‘Hot heard me mention the name Wythe. next door neighbours were the Springs’ past the original airport She said her friend, Jan Myers, was Saligari family. The eldest son of the site, where the water temperature is the daughter of Basil Wythe. Lois family was Edward (Ted) Saligari, a up to an amazing 100°c. Next we said her friend was not aware she member of Lark Force who escaped. went to Yamomoto’s underground had any living Wythe relatives. In Bunker and across to the New We have also come into contact 2011 we made contact with Jan and Guinea Club, now Rabaul Historical with other people who have Rabaul her husband Ron and they were very Society Museum where we had a connections, many of them children excited to learn she had many Wythe brief stop to look at the many items of Missionaries who were victims cousins. of WW11 memorabilia. The New of the Japanese. Since 2008 I have Guinea Club was the last bastion been the Almoner for the Brighton 6\Y1V\YUL`[V9HIH\S of Colonial Rule in the islands. RSL (SA) Sub-Branch and have met Originally a Gentlemen’s club with many men, such as Bruce Reid, who As a result of Andrea Williams’ strict guidelines. It was destroyed had connections with Rabaul and visit to Adelaide in October 2014 in both world wars, was rebuilt in listened to their stories. we finally decided to visit Rabaul. 24 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Standing beside the Decapitation pit Ken beside the Montevideo Memorial with used by the Japanese for executions. our guide Albert Koni and his helper Barbara, Ken, Susie McGrade One of the plaques with details of Barbara and Ken with the Principal (standing) and David Flynn holding the first casualties of WWl and the of the School, the Rev Abraham Toroi. two Brighton, SA RSL banners Ken AE1 Submarine lost in Subic Bay at presented to their History Society. Luzon. the 1950s to its former glory only torches and moving around was Festival in Kokopo. This is an to be destroyed again by fire in quite a challenge. The barge tunnels annual event which attracts people 1994 with further damage by the go deep into the mountain side from all over the world. Papua New 1994 volcanic eruptions. It has and three barges are available for Guineans wear colourful national since been partially restored by a public view. Bruce Reid, one of our costumes and perform dances. few staunch members who wish to local veterans, clearly remembers Stalls sell crafts and food and preserve Rabaul’s history. the site of the rail lines and the sponsors advertise their businesses. On to the Japanese plane wreck Japanese barges from his days there The evening program was a Fire ‘Big Betty’ partly covered by in 1945/46. dance. pumice and jungle growth and then A Japanese Floating Crane has been On Thursday we travelled to the up to Tunnel Hill and the Volcano left on the shore line as a reminder Village of Malmaluan, high on Observatory and Lookout. This is that the Allies were able to bomb it the ridge, to visit Principal Rev where seismic activity is monitored before it was able to be used. Abraham Toroi at his United and it provides a magnificent view A major highlight was the visit Church School for Skills and of Rabaul and Simpson Harbour. to the Bita Paka Memorial War Leadership. It is a very happy and On Tuesday we learnt about the Cemetery where we found the beautiful place, badly in need of activities of the Japanese and visited names of Ken’s relatives on the improved resources. We then went many of the underground tunnels, Missing In Action panels. In the on to Tung Naparau Memorial which included the underground June edition of Una Voce there is Reserve which commemorates Hospital and Barge tunnels. There an informative article about the site the death of the first Christian are an estimated 500 miles of written by Don Hook. Missionaries of 1878. tunnels and caves. The hospital On the third day we visited a We went to the Historical Society on three levels covers a huge area United Church Technical High Museum with Susie and daughter with many steps and stairs cut into School in Rabaul and met the Rosie and met with the Curator the rock. We were provided with Chaplain before going to the Mask and David Flynn. They are working www.pngaa.net | 25 UNA VOCE Ken in the Barge tunnels, showing one of the rusting Japanese barges. Left to right: Oswald Dyson (Wythe cousin), John Hayes, Doug Dyson brother of Oswald and Ken in front. very hard to obtain resources to Barracks in Adelaide, South preserve the local history. Australia. I worked as an office boy We enjoyed a visit to the local at the Chamber of Manufacturers markets with the Hotel ‘Girls’ to buy both before and after WWll, a total supplies. All were very friendly and of 47 years. helpful. After enlistment I went to Cowra, New South Wales for some months We were also reminded of the of basic Infantry training, then to WW1 sites and visited many of Bonegilla near Albury for many them including the HMAS Berrima months. I attended Signals Training landing site. School much longer than necessary Much of Rabaul has not been rebuilt because men were coming back from since the severe 1994 volcanic the Middle East and the Army was John William Hayes VX23568, taken eruption. Most of the major business not looking for reinforcements as not on his final leave before embarking for and administration has been moved losing many fellows then. to Kokopo, which is now the capital Rabaul with the 2nd/22nd Battalion I spent a lot of time maintaining of East New Britain Province. the camp and environs and did a We enjoyed a very busy and course on Morse wireless operation waiting for transport which was memorable visit. and simple Flag Semaphoring and interminable I was finally posted to the 5th Division Signals in Jacquinot Ken Hayes Heliograph, learning the craft of wireless operator. The latter two were Bay. It was in the New Britain area. not used in the islands. They started to reinforce the AIF )Y\JL9LPK»Z:[VY` Divisions as they were forming up I next transferred to Queensland, This is the story of Bruce Reid, aged for the Borneo Campaign. Anoonba Camp (unsure of the 91, of Brighton RSL, S.A Sub Branch name) near Brisbane, then to I was taken off that draft and finally as told to Ken Hayes in May 2015. Townsville for several months posted to the 9th Divisions Signals, I enlisted in 1942 at Keswick awaiting embarkation. Whilst attached to the 2nd/8th Field Break with convention and give your delegates a conference they will remember! As well as our first class conference facilities diving, snorkelling, kayaks, sailing catamaran, tennis, marina, shopping, three restaurants, four pools, landscaped gardens with two lagoons and an unsurpassed absolute waterfront location. PNG’s most stunning location to mix business with pleasure. Madang Resort offers five conference rooms along with a convention centre catering for 5 - 400 delegates. Two hundred rooms, bungalows, cottages and townhouses all tastefully furnished with everything you would expect of a five star resort for less than you are probably paying in Port Moresby. Discover beautiful Madang Resort today. Call or email to book direct [email protected] or [email protected] Phone 424 1400 | madangresort.com 26 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Regiment. We camped at Ravenshoe The town of Rabaul was totally communication. I wasn’t in Rabaul on the Atherton Tablelands for destroyed, rubble everywhere. In after the Japanese left. I left in about some time, I really don’t know why, the harbour there were at least 25 May/June 1946. I suppose we were getting ready for hulks sunk by Allied bombing as I left Rabaul on the Ormiston to the invasion of Borneo. Then we it had been a Japanese base. I also travel to Sydney. It was an old embarked for Morotai. We were remember that there was no masonry peacetime boat requisitioned as a there for a period and we then standing except one bit of a wall, I troop carrier. Then back to Adelaide moved to Borneo. Our unit was think it was the hospital. by train. posted to Brunei and went over on I remember a Japanese Aircraft I wasn’t able to get a discharge landing craft Infantry which took carrier arriving in Rabaul Bay to several days. We had a beach landing because there was a shortage of collect Japanese POWs to take them wireless operators. I was at Keswick at a place called Brookton on the home to Japan. mainland. living out and was driven down to A small group of three or four us Warradale each day by jeep and we At the end of 1945, early 1946 we were sent up to a POW camp in the operated the wireless link between were preparing to go back home and mountains and we were responsible Adelaide and Melbourne. This was a in fact I had had my Pay Book made for communicating back to major installation. up when we were transported from headquarters in Rabaul, it was quite At this stage I was clever enough to Borneo back to Rabaul on a ship. a distance. Then there was a strike on the ship, say I was used to operating one man men wouldn’t get off, but the army I think it was one platoon of infantry sets. It took three men to carry them. cut off the water supply, so they to guard the thousands of prisoners. They had wet cell batteries and a won. Lots of trouble but I was not They were allowed to go free during large power unit, they were massive involved, I knew the Army would the day and they ran their own camp machines. win. but were required to be back behind At this stage I had reached the barbed wire before nightfall. All Australian men who were in glorious heights of being a Corporal. the islands further north than New We just had a small tent with a There was a sergeant there in charge Britain had to come back via Rabaul. wireless set in it about 40 yards from and he was very rigid. I spent most Discharge was based on a points the main gate of the compound. of my time chatting with the young system, married men with children If there was a breakout we would lady. When a message came through first, married men second and so on have been sitting ducks. We didn’t she would be required to deliver it to down the list. sleep very well for the first few the appropriate unit. As I was very young and had not nights but we soon got over that. Then I was able to be discharged to been overseas very long, I and a The actual camp was a wire camp my relief. I was worried I wouldn’t younger fellow were pulled off the like you would see in pictures. What have a job to go to. There was an draft and we were literally living in the boundaries were, I haven’t the Government Act that said an Ex- two man tents on the beach. We foggiest notion. serviceman had to be given his job were waiting for transport; but that Another memory: Rail tracks coming back on his return, but when I began wasn’t on. up from the beach at Rabaul into the work I took the place of a man who had enlisted in the early days of At the end of the war there were caves used by the Japanese to protect the barges, also many, many tunnels the war and they were obliged to about 100,000 Japanese POWs at give him work instead of me. But Rabaul. I pondered on what the in the mountains behind Rabaul Harbour. the organisation had grown during numbers were, many camps of about the war years due to the increase 30,000 each all around the Rabaul I was sent back to 11th Divisional in industry so I was given my area after the Japanese POWs were signals, a division which hadn’t seen job immediately in the Industrial transferred to Rabaul from Jacquinot any action and was comprised largely Relations Department. Bay and other islands such as of young men who had enlisted later Morotai, Bougainville and possibly in the war and hadn’t been there I didn’t go back to Rabaul and I New Guinea. There were brought long enough to be sent overseas and refused to go Japan although I had down to Rabaul probably because of sent up as a garrison force. the opportunity. the harbour which had deep water While we were there, there was and could take large vessels. both wireless and telephone www.pngaa.net | 27 UNA VOCE A Didiman’s Diary (JVU[PU\PUNZ[VY`VMWLVWSLWSHJLZHUKWH[YVSZPU[OLSPMLVMHU (NYPJ\S[\YHS,_[LUZPVU6ѝJLY+PKPTHUPU[OL;LYYP[VY`VM7HW\H 5L^.\PULHMYVT (For Part 1 see Una Voce, September 2015.) Part 2 were lovely people, helped me a lot. of their Stations. Ross Johnson, I went up to the Upper Dunantina a former Kiap, has an excellent The nearly 10 years in the Territory with a police sergeant with me collection of Hengaonofi Patrol had an enormous number of and two trained fieldworkers. A Post (1957) photos on on the pngaa highlights. Great friendships; magnificent experience. Major website. Casey had established a coffee lengthy patrols into areas of Of particular note on this patrol plantation in the Dunantina and contrast – to those of little or no was the abundance, size and quality the village people wanted to follow development or contact and to areas of European potatoes possibly suit. They were setting up small settled by Europeans more than grown from peelings obtained from hand pulpers and fermenting vats 100 years previously. By foot; on Mick Casey’s kitchen! Strangely, and producing dried beans for an old BSA 125cc motorbike (later my career pathway on return to sale. We established coffee seedling graduating to 150ccs); government Australia was focused for 45 years nurseries.’ workboats; chartered speedboats; on potatoes. More to this story various types of hollowed out later. river and sea craft logs and one The patrol was not without or two other makeshift forms of incident. The Upper Dunantina Each of the villages had a ‘village conveyance! people were smart and sharp. I book’, akin to a visitors’ book. This purchased half a dozen fighting was presented, proudly, by the Aircraft - some very old, some very, spears – my first native artefacts. village Luluai to a visiting official very old and some not so old to fly These were carefully packaged on arrival. On the completion of into and out of patrol locations. into bamboo cylinders and bound a visit the book was endorsed with A book could be written on my for transport by the carriers. On the work undertaken, arrangements aircraft experiences; the airstrips arrival back at Henganofi Patrol made for follow up visits and and the pilots- bless them all. Post I opened the package to find signed. Some 50 years later I the spears had been substituted paid by cheque, an earthmoving Fieldwork, by patrolling, was with pit pit – a tall cane like grass. contractor, Steve Gibson, for the essence of our work. This Noel Fowler dispatched a couple of work done on our NSW south commenced a few days after arrival. policemen to recover the goods and coast property. Steve looked at A very steep learning curve for a apprehend the offenders. the signature and said that it had 19 year old. Quoting from James not changed in the 50 years since Sinclair’s book The Money Tree One of the outstanding features of I signed the village books in New Coffee in Papua New Guinea, the government Patrol Posts and Guinea. Steve was a Kiap and Sub-District out-stations was the worked in the Eastern Highlands ‘I did my first patrol (early park like lawns and gardens. The and a number of other Districts. September 1956) under the Kiaps, the Police and the staff took direction of Noel Fowler, the PO in immense pride in the presentation My area of responsibility extended charge. He and his wife (Margaret) west to the Upper Asaro Valley 28 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 and east to Henganofi. We were equipped with strong steel boxes After my first patrol I made the personal decision not to and basic camping equipment. request a police escort, not to carry a fireman and not to Trade goods of axes, knives, salt, take alcohol. This remained so for all my time in PNG. twist tobacco (cured tobacco leaf mixed with a molasses and what else?) These items were exchanged materials and, as always, a detached Dennis (Junior) Buchanan - for food or for carrier services as hauskuk. I called in to introduce later Sir Dennis – was a friend we moved from village to village. myself: ‘Ah, you’re the new lik lik in those early days and at the The only acceptable form of cash Didiman. Come in, take a seat’ time he was the traffic clerk for was the New Guinea shilling with a was Ian’s welcome. Ian was the Territory Airlines Ltd (TAL). hole in the centre. One hundred of first of the European settlers I had Having discovered the ready these were wrapped, as a cylinder, met. After inspecting his coffee availability of European potatoes in paper and called a fuse! project Ian asked me if I would in the Dunantina I perceived a like a feed? I thanked him for the ready market for them in Port Fieldwork was wide ranging, and offer whereupon he called out to Moresby. Purchasing them at area visits were often accompanied his hausboi – a local lad ‘suitim kai 2d per pound and retailing in by native fieldworkers who kai’. Lunch was served – tinned Port Moresby at 2/- a pound. had received basic agricultural spaghetti topped with icecream! Dennis agreed on a backload rate education. A number of trainees Ian’s re-action best left unsaid. I Goroka to Port Moresby at 6d a would work with the village people complimented him on the lunch pound! The margin looked pretty during the patrols. Purpose built and his culinary delights. From good with transport from the village rest houses were reserved then on we have been close friends. Dunantina compliments of the and maintained for use by officials Administration. Following the and other visitors. The meeting with Ian was first successful shipment, guilt set important as he introduced me to in as I knew my side enterprise After my first patrol I made the many of the people who pioneered was contrary to Public Service personal decision not to request the commercial development of Regulations. a police escort, not to carry a the coffee industry in the Central fireman and not to take alcohol. Highlands of New Guinea. It Very soon after the first shipment, a This remained so for all my time in did not take long to get to know smartly turned out police constable PNG. most of them and respect their arrived at our donga and handed determination to succeed. me a note: ‘Please come and see me A lot of the development work at the Residency this afternoon,’ in coffee, pine tree planning and The inter-Territory town rugby signed Bill Seale District establishing small dams for pond league competition was a ‘ticket Commissioner. I immediately fish was in the Bene Bena. On to travel’. The competition concluded my days were numbered. my first visit riding the faithful commenced in 1953. A match On presenting myself, Bill’s wife, ‘Beeza Bantam’ I negotiated the roster involved team aircraft Heather, said: ‘Come in David - infamous Bena Bena hill; the road charters between the main Territory Bill and I would like you to join us was gravelled with a suicidal mix towns, generally by DC3’s and for dinner next Saturday evening.’ of all sizes of crushed stone. At occasionally the Junkers. I joined A sense of relief and a mental note the bottom of the hill Ian Fraser the team for the 1957 season and to do what I was supposed to be was managing a coffee plantation played alongside a number of class doing. The bonus of that evening on a kunai plateau at a location footballers notably Brian Johnson was the presence of two lovely girls called Sogopego. Ian, like myself, and Neil Latimer both of whom visiting from Australia. had only been resident in the played rugby union for Australia. Territory for a few months and The football team tours were an In the first 12 months I flew out the new development was his first opportunity to meet and socialise of Goroka many times, either challenge in coffee growing. A with many people throughout on official duties, football or ‘house’ needed to be built first, PNG. private charters. One particularly two rooms constructed with native memorable trip was a TAL Cessna www.pngaa.net | 29 UNA VOCE 170 charter to Mt Hagen with two didimen; Francis Xavier Ryan and Mick Belfield. John Downie was our pilot. What an experience, flying low up the Waghi Valley, seeing the start of the European coffee developments. The occasion was the wedding of Jim Kingston, the District Agricultural Officer, Western Highlands District to Mary Camp, daughter of Noel Camp, a pioneer coffee planter. I stayed at Dan Leahy’s (Snr) ‘Kuta’ home. Meeting Dan and his Papua New Guinean wife and listening to their stories of the early pioneer days was special. Next day John flew the three of us to the Mission airfield for the wedding service at the Mission church. Two minutes in the air and back again to Mt Hagen for the wedding breakfast. A memorable event. No less memorable the return flight. Skimming the towering white cliffs of Mt Elimbari thousands of feet above us; over pretty Chuave Patrol Post, before descending into Goroka. I flew a number of When all was quiet (conversation My next story will cover my work times with Peter Manser - Gibbes in flight in a Norseman was in the in the Chimbu Valley in the Sepik Airways (GSA) chief pilot. impossible) he explained that the Kundiawa Sub- Districts. On one occasion he was flying fuel warning light leads had been me to Kundiawa in a Norseman. reversed when the aircraft had been To view photos go to Kundiawa was to be my next serviced. Had the light gone out we www.pngaa.net posting. On take-off from Goroka would have been in trouble! I urgently drew Peter’s attention David Montgomery to the fuel pressure warning light The Chief of our Agricultural showing red. He gave a nonchalant Extension Division, Bill Conroy, wave, commenced a right bank and without consultation, had decided climbed up and on to a safe landing that, since I was unmarried, I 20 minutes later at Kundiawa. would have ‘roving’ responsibilities! 30 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 5V[LZMYVT[OL5VY[OLYU;LYYP[VY` /HYY`>LZ[6(4^OVKPLKVU1\S`HNLK ZWLU[ `LHYZ PU75.ZV^HZRUV^U[VHSHYNLU\TILYVMV\YTLTILYZ(Z OPZJSLYRH[4LUKPHUK9HIH\SMVYHSTVZ[MV\Y`LHYZ0NV[[V RUV^OPT^LSSHUKLUQV`LK]PZP[Z^P[OOPTH[*HUILYYHHUK :`KUL`WVZ[0UKLWLUKLUJL-YLK2HHK6),PU One of the now much reduced band of wantoks who mischievous Kerry said he had contemplated arousing settled in Darwin, Harry Cohen (ASOPA 1958-59), the presumably dormant occupants but decided to has a somewhat more vivid memory about District abide by the Australian principle of ‘Fair Go’ and left Commissioner West at Rabaul in 1971. Prior to the the newly-weds alone until next day. outbreak of violence by the Mataungan Association in the Gazelle Peninsula the younger Harry was Rest in Peace, Harry Headmaster at Matupit Primary School. He received Jim Toner an unexpected visit from three Tolais including ToGita who was minus one hand. They instructed him to cease teaching the Matupit children anything to do with Australia or the Government. When Harry rejected #" # " this demand they jammed him up against a wall with the stump of ToGita’s arm thrust under his throat and ! # ! warned him of the lethal penalty for non-compliance. ! "# " ! "# ! On learning of this thuggery Harry West offered his 2.3 3$"-0-.1$",3/+30"/,3-2*30- -')%23,20 namesake a police guard and authorised possession /''),0.10230"23*2 2'-$%2+03-!3 1$)1323)/+21&3/0,31.0& of a firearm. ‘Chalkie’ Harry accepted the former %),/(&3)+/)23!'-.1&3!1)+131+*3 1')1'23(-%%-*/0/2,43 2,/*2, 0"23 /%2'/+2&3("1$02.,3/+(')*2#3 /,0-.&3)'0).2&3$'-.2.,& and declined the latter. But he has not forgotten the *)(10/-+&3 21'0"&33+*2$2+*2+(2&3 .1+,$-.0&32!2+(2&3 personal interest the long-time kiap took in the welfare +*),0./2,&3-%%)+/(10/-&3+ /.-+%2+0&31.,31+*3$-.043 of a staff member and family. Harry went on to become !%& #%&$ &$#&$% & % &&$# %# "&"$& #$ $# !&#% &&$& &$# " !& & principal at the Bavaroko school, Moresby before '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' moving to Darwin and a post at the NT Supreme # '21,23!-.1.*4444444444(-$/2,3-! Court. 103 $2.3-2*3,20433 ./(23/+('43$-,0123/0"/+3 ),043 In my own case 1971 was rather more memorable for 1%2#444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 matrimony than Mataungan. Harry West, seated in the 2'/ 2.3 **.2,,#444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 chair of the Nambawan Kiap at Konedobe, previously titled Director of Native Affairs, was a most welcome 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 -,03(-*2#4444444444444 guest at my wedding. Which thought reminds me that "-+23+)%2.#444444444444444444444444444444444444444 back in 1958 he had arrived at Mendi as DC Southern %1/'31**.2,,#44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 Highlands shortly after his own wedding. Kerry Leen, 31%3$1/+3#3"2)2333333-+23 .*2.333/.2(03(.2*/03 the sub-district ADO, for whom I also clerked told me #"!%&! & $ " &$ &#% %#%"% that one evening he had thought it necessary to go to 1+ #3 1+ 3-!3)22+,'1+*3333 3-43 3 ((43-#3 3333333333 ((431%2#3 /(0-./1'3 .2,,3 ),0.1'/1 the Residency to apprise Harry of some problem but on arrival about 7.30 pm found all the lights out. Ever www.pngaa.net | 31 UNA VOCE 4`,_WH[YPH[L3PML ;OPZPZ[OLZLJVUKWHY[VM+PHUL)H`UL»ZZ[VY`7HY[^HZW\ISPZOLKPU the September 2015 issue of Una Voce. Watch for further instalments. 7HY[+HY\ off loaded the aeroplanes, and kept atches’. To her it seemed to cover communication via the two way every living thing, apart from people. The company sent pilots around to radio. One of the first things I had I was there during the day by myself different places at whim, probably to do was to learn to drive and get with the local people, the ‘cargo boys’ because most were single and that a driver’s licence. There was a small who worked with me. Eric would be was the kind of job it was anyway. company truck and Eric taught me away most of the day but other small We had been in Lae for only short to drive it. It had a gear shift on the aeroplanes would come and go. time and then we were transferred to side of the steering wheel and I wasn’t The older ‘cargo boy’, Anakai, was Daru. Daru is a very small island off at all confident but after a while we much older than me at that time. the coast of Papua, north of Thursday went to the Daru police station and He was a village elder, very respected Island, very flat and dry, only two I got my PNG licence. I walked out by his people, highly capable, and a kilometres wide at its widest point with it, no test required, and drove good worker. My pidgin improved a where there was a sealed runway. back home to the hangar, bunny lot, thanks to him, as he would speak Most of the islands in the Torres hopping all the way with our little more slowly when talking to me. We Strait belong to Australia but Daru daughter sitting between us saying, noticed he’d developed a limp. Eric is part of Papua New Guinea. The ‘Mummy, bumpy car!’ asked him about it but he just said, airport there was nothing much more My husband flew the charters and the ‘Me no savvy,’ (meaning he didn’t than a hangar and we lived in it! That regular public transport flights which know why he was limping). Eric was the company accommodation. kept up the supplies to outposts in took him aside and drove him to the Inside the hangar, at the back was an Western Papua. There were plenty hospital. The Filipino doctor said office and above the office, upstairs, of mosquitos, cockroaches and he had venereal disease and would we lived in a small very basic two crocodiles. Luckily the crocodiles have to take medication. We rightly bedroomed flat. I became the ‘agent’, didn’t venture inland but there was assumed his wife would also be wrote tickets, organised the manifests a crocodile farm. Our little girl, now taking the medication and wondered and ‘cargo boys’ who loaded and nearly three, called everything ‘croca- how this would be explained to her? 32 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 No, it wasn’t a problem, explained back, bumping along the rough Daru pets, both about 14 feet long, kept the doctor. As a respected elder and roads, to be cleared by the drunk behind chicken wire. We would go a wage earner, it was accepted that customs officers at the Daru jail! there to see them. Their eyes would he had the rights to all women in his Sounds like a story but it’s true. look at just above the water in village. It was the way it was, a part of Daru was not especially beautiful in complete stillness, until Dave threw a their culture. There was no problem a tropical way. The landscape was a chicken over the fence for them. The other than the disease itself. lot like much of outback Australia. immediacy of strength and speed of Living in the flat in the hangar, we It was dead flat with a few scratchy a large leaping crocodile is a fearful were of course, the first port of call trees and bushes but it was very spectacle! One day a government for any aeroplanes coming up from hot and humid with a dry and wet officer spoke to him, saying it was Australia and Thursday Island. One season. There was a constant smell illegal to have such huge crocodiles day a beautiful Citation jet landed of fish being smoked and dried by in captivity. The government would from Australia with a group of the locals. The rest of the world felt have to take them but not just yet. wealthy travellers headed for a week far away. It was completely quiet, That night Dave apparently released of barramundi fishing at Bensback except when aeroplanes came and them. One headed for the sea and the Lodge near Weam. The pilot and went. The population consisted of other was found the next morning his passengers asked to be cleared by about 3,000 local people and around under the government building! The customs so I rang the number for 20 expatriates. There was an open government officers were scared off them, explaining that an aeroplane air movie theatre and a pub, a club, going to work that day. It caused had just landed from Australia and two trade stores, a small hospital, quite a bit of excitement on the island needed to be cleared. government offices and two schools. but the reptile was eventually caught. We were once invited to Dave’s for a ‘No sorry’ was the answer. There was also a Catholic Mission based there with French speaking tasting of barbecued crocodile tail. I ‘What do you mean, No, sorry?’ I Canadian missionaries. Sometimes wasn’t too keen at first but it tasted a asked. they would fly out to visit different lot like chicken. ‘Customs officers not here. In jail’ I outposts. They made a name for The most beautiful part about Daru was told. themselves as when the supply was the huge sky against the flat ‘Customs men in jail? Why?’ I asked. boat arrived in Daru once a month Daru horizon. It seemed to diminish ‘They are needed here, at the airport. they were often the first ones down the land on which we stood and Now.’ there buying out all the chocolate even more so when the sunsets took on board! The publican and his precedence over everything, when the ‘Sorry. Not here. They got drunk. wife were real characters. But that’s temperature would drop a little. This Now in jail. You have to call the jail’ another story. There was a fish factory is when the flights would finish for was the reply. across the road from us run by an the day and I would sometimes take I called the jail. older expatriate Australian couple. my daughter for a walk in her pusher ‘There’s an aircraft here from They worked really hard, seven days along the length of the runway. The Australia,’ I explained, ‘You have a week while the wife constantly sky would become a massive brilliant to let the customs men out of jail drank Avocaar liquor, adding milk, glowing of reds and oranges to start so they can clear the aircraft and ‘To steady my stomach,’ she’d say. We with, then dissipating to almost passengers here at the airport.’ lived on barramundi and crayfish and every other colour until the sun went the only other food available on Daru down. There was a real presence There was a blunt refusal, ‘No, sorry, were potatoes and sweet potatoes, and it was all so quiet. Then the they are drunk. They stay in jail.’ although some of the locals grew mosquitos would come. We took our The pilot spoke on the phone but it their own vegetables. Apart from antimalarial tablets religiously. was no use. this we would get our supplies from One aspect I didn’t like in PNG ‘You come to the jail to see the Goroka, in the highlands, when the was the attitude of many expats customs officers,’ he was told. aeroplane went in for a service. towards the local people. There was The pilot and his passengers were There was a crocodile farm on Daru, a fairly strong element of derision wide eyed and incredulous! So was I. run by an Australian crocodile hunter and racism by some, especially in So there I was, driving the company who lived there with his wife and the bigger towns like Port Moresby truck with Citation pilot and his children. He bred them but he also and Lae where there was also lots wealthy passengers loaded in the kept two of these huge reptiles as of petty crime. We were living in www.pngaa.net | 33 UNA VOCE their country and had so much by favourite book, ‘Zen and the Art of older woman’s pucka British accent, comparison; money, cars, clothes Motorcycle Maintenance’. There was ‘Port Moresby, Port Moresby. This is and possessions. Being a ‘wantok’ also another pilot who wore a crash Wanigela…Over…’ ‘Yeah Wanigela. (extended family) sharing culture, helmet when he flew. Apparently he Gow ahead,’ was the Aussie reply. my thinking was that they would was an ex-military helicopter pilot. ‘Would you please make sure our see it as unfair. So when Eric arrived He wore it, he told me, in case he crream cakes are on board today? back in Daru one day with two very crashed. He developed a real affinity We are expecting some American ‘bushy’ passengers in loin clothes, and respect with the local people. He tourrists. Please will you check and rudely told them in pidgin to sit learnt to speak Motu, a dialect in the that they are on the aeroplane. You on the hangar floor and not move, Moresby region and chewed ‘betel know how the Americans love their I objected. They were skinny and nut’ as the locals did. The sad thing crream cakes…Over…’ There was a small and fearful looking. is that much later he did crash, due silence. Then the Aussie reply again, ‘The way you just spoke to those to a missed approach to an airstrip No worries....Yeah.’ Silence again. passengers was so rude,’ I said. in a very narrow area, and he was Another Aussie voice came on, ‘This killed. The locals for whom he had is the ‘bay bay say’ news!!’ (ie BBC ‘Don’t worry,’ he replied, ‘They’re so much respect, were devastated we news). I don’t know who this lady cannibals. They had an eating near were told. There was also ‘Dangerous was or what she thought of all this. Nomad River. I’ll phone the police Dave’ who would sometimes fly into It was when we were living in to come and get them. Never been Daru. He was really well mannered in an aeroplane before and never Daru in 1975 that PNG gained its but hyped up most of the time and independence from Australia. It seen a building as big as this hangar! he too, spoke in an overly dramatic They’re pretty scared.’ was a very proud day for the people way. I was never quite sure of what and there were great celebrations all I looked at them. They didn’t match he was on about. He’d walk to his over the country. PNG had been a the mental image I had of cannibals. aeroplane with long, fast steps. ‘Get territory of Australia’s since 1902. I felt sorry for these cannibals. in,’ he’d say to his passengers. ‘I’m There were celebrations on the island While in Daru we improved the feeling dangerous.’ and it was a public holiday. I can’t efficiency and organisation of the Then there was Robo. Like all the remember any immediate noticeable Daru base. My house girl, Daisy, others, flying was all that mattered. changes but of course since then was lovely. She cared for Robyn, He’d always be joking and he’d there have been many changes our daughter, while I was working. literally bounce out of his aeroplane with its governance and decision During the day other flights would with a smile, always ready with a making as an independent country. arrive and depart, mostly aeroplanes humorous quip. One day I said to We worked very hard in Daru, Eric and pilots working for the same him, ‘Robo, if you couldn’t fly, what flying and me organising it all on the company. I would organise their would you do?’ He looked at me ground. I was paid 5 percent of the offloading, reloading and manifests with a smile, ‘Lay back on a roast company earnings so there was great via the cargo boys. These pilots were spud and tread jelly!’ he laughed. incentive. Others thought we were an interesting, if not eccentric lot. Tread jelly?? Yes, they were an crazy to actually enjoy living in such One I particularly remember. He interesting lot. a place but it was a challenge and was about 6’4” tall with dark eyes, The two way radio I used most days we saw it as an amazing experience. very long black hair and beard and was essential to the operation and Living in the hangar at the airport, spoke with a loud, expressive voice. organisation over remote parts of we rarely got a day off. We both He had to fit into a small Beech PNG. It also provided continuous worked very hard and I was starting Baron aeroplane (a six seater) so and endless information and gossip. to feel Robyn needed more of my he did calisthenics in front of the Everyone heard everything when attention. After 18 months we were aeroplane each time before he could anyone spoke and the humorous feeling we’d had enough. Eric asked fit into it. I think his passengers quips and comments were all part for a transfer and the company sent thought he was quite mad. He of the radio waves culture. Most us back to Lae. was very passionate and dramatic, voices were male, those of agents and Diane Bayne always talking about his philosophy pilots using minimal words in very of life, using his massive hands to Australian accents. So I was all ears emphasise a point and quoting his one day when I heard a very much 34 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Father Gulielmus (Gerhard) (Gerard) (Wilhelm) Weber SM Father Gulielmus ‘one of the flourishing Stations of hand to all those present to shake the Mission’. When the Japanese and then stepped forward, facing (Gerhard) (Gerard) arrived Fr Weber, like all the the grave, and began to pray. He (Wilhelm) Weber missionaries, were initially left was then shot. Fr Weber was buried alone, but this practice changed in the grave, and later his clothes :4^HZIVYUPU[OL with the American landing on and personal effects were buried in diocese of Paderborn, Guadalcanal in August 1942. the nearby jungle. .LYTHU`VU In the latter part of 1943 Fr. In August, 1945 Fr Weber’s grave 4HYJO /L^HZ Weber and some of his colleagues was located by catechists and professed in the were confined to the Japanese 8 parishioners. His grave was opened Area Navy HQ at Buin. About and his remains easily recognised. :VJPL[`VM4HY`VU May 1944 the HQ 17 Japanese In July 1946 his body was formally 17 April 1929 and Army obtained permission from exhumed and buried at Tunuru. ordained in 1932. He the Navy to employ Fr Weber on The Church records Fr Weber native pacification work in the area having died on 8 May 1945. In an \UKLY[VVRWHYPZO^VYR under its control. He was at Numa account published in the Pacific PU.LYTHU`ILMVYL Numa engaged in this pacification Islands Monthly in December HYYP]PUNPU:`KUL` work and religious teachings until 1946 it was reported that when late 1944 or early 1945 when he Fr Weber’s grave was opened in [V^HYKZ[OLLUKVM was given permission to visit the August 1945 it was found that 1935. He and spent areas in and around Vito, where the body had been ‘decapitated, time at the Marist he had been engaged in missionary with the severed head resting work before the war. He remained on the chest’. Although Church 5V]P[PH[LH[4P[[HNVUN in the Vito area until about April publications continue to repeat and at Villa Maria, 1945. In the meantime the other this claim, war crimes investigation European missionaries who had reports state that Fr Weber was shot Hunters Hill. He sailed been confined at Buin had escaped in the back of the head. MVY2PL[H)V\NHPU]PSSL into the jungle, and the Japanese on the Malaita in forces at Ereventa had soon after Australian war crimes investigators been heavily bombed by Allied drew up charges against seven 1HU\HY` forces. Fearing that Fr Weber might Japanese officers for the murder. Father Weber was at the Catholic also attempt to escape and relay In April 1949 the Captain J.G. mission station at Tunuru near information to the Allies, Lt- Godwin, Investigating Officer, 2 Kieta from March 1935 until General Kanda Masatane, General Australian War Crimes Section, taken prisoner by the Japanese Officer Commanding 17 Army and reported that the matter was ready in February 1943. Father Weber his Chief of Staff, Major-General for trial However, the trials did not ‘did the building ‘of the station. Magata Isao, ordered Fr Weber be eventuate, preference being given With the help of Brother Xaverius executed. in the trial list to Australian victims (Francis Koch), a ‘large and very and service personnel over civilians. beautiful church was erected; A grave had been prepared in Philip Selth OAM schools and other buildings went advance near the Japanese cemetery up. But Father Weber’s work was on the Mabiri Plantation. At the mostly pastoral’. Tunuru became gravesite Fr Weber extended his www.pngaa.net | 35 UNA VOCE 75.(]PH[PVU/PZ[VY` 7HW\H5L^.\PULH^HZH]LY`KPɈLYLU[WSHJLILMVYL0UKLWLUKLUJL (MHZJPUH[PUNWSHJLÄSSLK^P[O\UILSPL]HISLJOHYHJ[LYZHUKYLHSHJOPL]LYZ0[OHKH\UPX\LOPZ[VY`MYVT[OL KH`Z^OLU[OL)YP[PZOYHU7HW\HHUK[OL.LYTHUZYHU5L^.\PULH[V[OL.VSK9\ZOLYHVM[OLZHUK 30s and the Japanese invasions in WW2. >P[OLHY[OX\HRLZHUK[VYYLU[PHSYHPUIPYKZ[OH[^LYL[V[HSS`\UPX\L[V75.V]LY KPќLYLU[SHUN\HNLZ HUKNYV\WZVMUH[P]LZ^OVOHKSP]LK[OLYLMVY[OV\ZHUKZVM`LHYZILH\[PM\SPZSHUKZHUKJVYHSYLLMZ ]VSJHUVLZHUK MVV[TV\U[HPUYHUNLZ¶P[^HZKPќLYLU[HSSYPNO[ 0[PZHTVZ[PU[LYLZ[PUNHUKKHUNLYV\ZWSHJL[VÅ`HPYJYHM[4HU`HPYZ[YPWZHYLZ[LLWYV\NOHUKZSPWWLY`HUK V]LY HIV]LZLHSL]LS¶VULH[ MLL[HIV]LZLHSL]LS ,UQV`[OPZ[HZ[LPM`V\OH]LU»[ILLU[OLYL;OVZLVM`V\OH]LSP]LKHUK^VYRLKPU75.[HRLHZOVY[[YPW IHJRPU[PTLHUKYLTPUPZJL^P[OTL -VY[OVZLUV[PU[OLSVVW:`WOV.*:HUK :`WOLYZPZ[OLVULISVRL¶`V\YZ[Y\S` .YHOHT:`WOLYZ ;HSHPYWSHULV]LY>HONP9P]LY .YHOHT:`WOLYZPU;HSHPY* =/.2* ULHY6TRHSHPHIV]L[OL>HONP9P]LY >H\(PYZ[YPW Photo by Garry Honour ;OLMHTV\Z>H\HPYÄLSK^HZI\PS[I`NVSK TPUPUNWPVULLY*LJPS3L]PLUPU ;OLÄYZ[ SHUKPUN^HZI`7HYK4\Z[HYPUHKL/H]PSSHUK ILSVUNPUN[V.\PULH.VSK(PY^H`Z3HL :OVY[S`[OLYLHM[LYTHU`HPYJYHM[[`WLZPUJS\KPUN [OLNPHU[1\URLYZ.[YPTV[VYZ^LYLSHUKPUN O\NLSVHKZH[>H\PUZ\WWVY[VM[OLTPUPUN VWLYH[PVU[OLYLHUK\WH[,KPL*YLLRJLU[YL above the cloud base). At 3,475 feet above sea SL]LSHUK^P[OHUHSTVZ[WLYJLU[ZSVWLP[^HZ HUPKLHS5L^.\PULHHPYÄLSK 0U1HU\HY` 1HWHULZLMVYJLZMYVT:HSHTH\H ]PH[OL)SHJR*H[.HWH[[HJRLK>H\HUK^LYL KLMLH[LKI`[OL(\Z[YHSPHU2HUNH-VYJL;OL 1HWHULZLNV[[V[OLIV[[VTIV\UKHY`VM[OL >VULUHYH(PYZ[YPW HPYÄLSKILMVYL(\Z[YHSPHUZVSKPLYZSHUKPUNPU+* 5VY[OVM4HYH^HRHHUKUVY[OVM[OL2YH[RL Z^P[OHY[PSSLY`W\ZOLK[OLTIHJR 9HUNL7VPZVUHYYV^JV\U[Y` 36 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 >HONP9P]LY -S`PUNKV^U[OL >HONP9P]LY *LZZUHH[4HYH^HRH (*LZZUH SHUKPUNH[ 4HYH^HRHPUYV\NOJV\U[Y`3PRL Wonenara, it is the land of the 2\R\R\R\Z[OLTVZ[MLHYLK[YPILZ PU5L^.\PULH +*:LH[PUN 5L^.\PULHZ[`SL[YH]LSPUHZPKLZHKKSL+* 0[^HZUVPZ`HUKX\P[LJVSKHIV]L MLL[-YLPNO[^HZ[PLKKV^UPU[OLTPKKSLHSZV WYV]PKPUNZLH[PUN .VYVRH:OV^ )PRWLSH:PUN:PUN;OL(\Z[YHSPHU.V]LYUVY .LULYHS3VYK*HZL`ZOV^LK\WPUH[OYLL WPLJLZ^HSSV^[HPSLKZ\P[JVTWSL[L^P[O [VWOH[/L^VYLTHU`YV^ZVMJHTWHPNU YPIIVUZNVUNZHUKTLKHSZ ;OLSVJHSZSVVRLKH[OPT HUKZHPK,TPP^HULT ZHT[PUN&>OH[PZ[OPZ& *HZL`»ZZWLLJO^LU[HSVUN [OLSPULZVM`V\(\Z[YHSPHUZ HYL[HRPUNNYLH[YPZRZILPUN OLYLLZWLJPHSS`[V`V\Y health. He must have been YLMLYYPUN[V[OL(\ZZPL ,_WH[»ZILLYKYPURPUN habits. When the 2\R\R\R\ZKPZWSH`LKH NYLH[O\ZOMLSSV]LY[OL ZOV^NYV\UK www.pngaa.net | 37 UNA VOCE 1HWHULZL^YLJR ;OL>>1HWHULZL^YLJR;HU`V4HY\ Vќ[OLLUKVM[OLY\U^H`H[3HL >VULUHYH (PYSPULYZ^P[OYHKHY+*ZHUK3VJROLLK Canadian pilot, Charlie Weir, at ,SLJ[YHZ\ZLKP[[VNL[[V[OL[OYLZOVSKVM >VULUHYH0[^HZ]LY`[PNO[HM[LY[HRL 9\U^H`PUTPUPT\T]PZPIPSP[`HUK]LY` VќPMOLH]PS`SVHKLK OLH]`YHPU (ZHSVRH.HW ULHY.VYVRH A minimum altitude of MLL[^HZHK]PZHISL [VJVTMVY[HIS`NL[ [OYV\NO[OLNHW\ZPUN JVYYLJ[5L^.\PULHI\ZO Å`PUN[LJOUPX\L (S^H`Z\ZL[OLVISPX\L HWWYVHJO^OLU JYVZZPUNHNHW>P[OH KV^UKYH\NO[LUNPUL MHPS\YLVYTPZQ\KNLTLU[ `V\JHUTVYLLHZPS`[\YUH^H`HZOHSSV^[\YUYH[OLY[OHUHM\SS KLNYLL[\YU:\JO NHWZ^OLUHSTVZ[JSV\KLKPUPTHNPULVUS`[OLZOHYW=ILPUNVWLUOLYLJV\SKIL]LY` [LTW[PUN[V[Y`[VÅ`[OYV\NO 4HU`MH[HSJYHZOLZOHWWLULKILJH\ZLWPSV[Z[VVR[OLJOHUJL;OLYLHYLZVTLIPN TV\U[HPUZHYV\UKOLYLULHYI`4[>PSOLSTPZ MLL[OPNO 38 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 Crocodile Prize Winners Writers from across PNG are 2015 Crocodile Prize winners. The nine prizes awarded in this year’s Crocodile Prize – Papua New Guinea’s >LHYLWVL[Z national literary awards – were spread across seven provinces. And one of them, 20 year old medical student Hazel Kutkue, not only won the By Phillip Kaupa Martens’ Award for Young Writers but also the national short story prize This poem won the 2015 Crocodile – a prodigious achievement at such an early age. Prize - Kina Securities Award for The Ok Tedi Mining Award for Book of the Year saw Baka Bina’sMan Poetry. Philip, 27, is a third year of Calibre selected from a strong field of 10 books while the inaugural biology student at the University of SP Brewery Award for Illustration went to another Eastern Highlander, PNG. He is from Simbu Province Emmanuel Landu, brother of two-time Crocodile Prize winner, poet and likes football, poetry and playing Lapieh Landu. guitar ‘but really hates gossipers’. The other winners of the K5,000 awards were Philip Kaupa Gena (poetry), Busa Wenogo (essay), Joycelin Leahy (writing for children), Art is an expression Ronnie Dotaona (heritage writing) and Daniel Kumbon (tourism, arts and we express words and culture writing). They have a pottery project we have a poetry project The writers’ ages range from 20 to 56 and their professions include economist, teacher, court officer, journalist, artist and student. They are inventors we are designers All winning entries have been published, together with other great They learn music writing from PNG, in the 400 page Crocodile Prize Anthology 2015, supported by a generous donation from the PNGAA and available from we write their lyrics Amazon. They carve the wood we carve the words ;OL>PUULYZ They sew the bilums we stitch the alphabet Ok Tedi Mining Award for Book Baka Barakove Bina for Man of the Year of Calibre They paint to express Government of Papua New Hazel Kutkue for When Life we paint words to impress Guinea Award for Short Stories Gets Tough in January They’re professionals with skills Martens’ Award for Young we’re professionals with knowledge Hazel Kutkue for Papa Writers They follow the grammar Kina Securities’ Award for Philip Kaupa Gena for We Are we write the drama Poetry Poets Our thoughts are personal PNG Chamber of Mines & but speak to the general Busa Jeremiah Wenogo for Petroleum Award for Essays & The Shadows in My Eyes They have dreams Journalism that we cream Daniel Ipan Kumbon for From PNG Government Award for They’re on a mission the German Doctor’s Idea a Tourism, Arts & Culture Writing Great Project is Born we have visions They have ideas Konetero (Ronnie) Dotaona Cleland Family Award for for Suau: The Sons of we have imagination Heritage Writing Seafarers Because we are poets Paga Hill Development Company Joycelin Kauc Leahy for The we write in style Award for Writing For Children Song of the Turtle If Shakespeare can sound forever SP Brewery Award for Emmanuel David Landu for forever we can sound Illustration Coffee Tree Because we are Poets Keith Jackson www.pngaa.net | 39 UNA VOCE /LSP]LK^P[OOPZWHYLU[ZHUK[^VZPZ[LYZULHY >H[ZVUZ)H`VU[OLJVHZ[PU4HKHUN/PZMH[OLY Help ^VYRLKH[[OL4HKHUN/VZWP[HS (U`PUMVYTH[PVUHIV\[OPZWYLZLU[^OLYLHIV\[Z ^V\SKILHWWYLJPH[LK;OHUR`V\ 2L]PU2PYR Wanted RL]PURPYR 'NTHPSJVT .PYS.\PKL(ZZVJPH[PVU ¶+VUH[LK0[LTZ 0YLJLU[S`WHZZLKVU[V[OL.PYS.\PKL(ZZVJPH[PVU .LYTHU/LHKX\HY[LYZ9HIH\S VM8\LLUZSHUKHYJOP]LZ]HYPV\ZN\PKLIVVRZ *HUHU`VUL[LSSTL^OLYL[OL0TWLYPHS.LYTHU \UPMVYTZL[JMYVTT`[PTLPU75. /LHKX\HY[LYZUV[+PZ[YPJ[6ѝJL^HZSVJH[LK 1PSS/VNYLML[OLPYHYJOP]PZ[^HZTVYL[OHUOHWW` PUWYL 9HIH\S&0[^V\SKOH]LILLUH [VHKK[OLT[V[OLPYJVSSLJ[PVU:OLHSYLHK`OHZH Z\IZ[HU[PHSJVUJYL[LUV[^VVKLUI\PSKPUN( JVSSLJ[PVUVMP[LTZ^OPJO^LYLKVUH[LKI`5HUJ` WOV[VNYHWO^V\SKIL]LY`^LSJVTL ,HZ[PJRULL2LTW^OV^HZ[OL.\PKL;YHPULYPU +Y7L[LY*HOPSS the 1950s and 60s. WJHOPSS'\XJVUULJ[UL[ :OL^V\SKSPRL[VRUV^TVYL[OLP[LTZMYVT 5HUJ`»ZJVSSLJ[PVU^OPJOHYLZOV^UPU[OLWOV[VZ /LYX\LZ[PVUZHYL! 9HIH\S;\UULSZ >OH[^VVKPZ[OL[HISLMYVT;H[HUHTHKLMYVT& *HUHU`VUL[LSSTLPU^OPJOZLYPLZ4HW ¶ >OLYLPZ[OLWV[MYVTHUK^OH[^HZP[\ZLKMVY& 3VJH[PVUVM;\UULSZ9HIH\S5L^)YP[HPU4HWPZ 0OVWLVULVMV\YTLTILYZTH`ILHISL[VOLSW included? It covers the Gazelle Peninsula. 4HYQVYPL/LHK 0[PZHUL_[YHJ[MYVTHWVZ[^HY(\Z[YHSPHU(YT`& TPKNLY`'ZWPKLY^LIJVTH\ THW^OPJO0JHU»[[YHJL;OLVUS`JS\LPZ[OLUV[L 4HW[VILYLHKHZZOV^UPUL_HTWSLPU[OL[VW YPNO[OHUKJVYULYNYPK;OHURZ +Y7L[LY*HOPSS WJHOPSS'\XJVUULJ[UL[ +H]PK4HY[PU +VLZHU`VULRUV^HU(\Z[YHSPHNLVSVNPZ[UHTL +H]PK4HY[PU/L^LU[[V3HL75.PU ¶ HUKSP]LK[OLYLMVY`LHYZ0M`V\RUV^+H]PK please contact - 4HYNHYL[7YLLJLTHYNWHYY`'ZWLJI\ZJVT ,SLWOHU[PU.VYVRH 9VILY[)VI4J.YLNVY +VLZHU`VULOH]LWOV[VZVYWLYZVUHSTLTVYPLZ 4`ZJ\IHKP]PUNMYPLUKZHUK0HYL[Y`PUN[VSVJH[L VM[OLLSLWOHU[[OH[:7IYV\NO[[V.VYVRHPU[OL V\YVSKKP]LI\KK`MYVT4HKHUN)VI4J.YLNVY LHYS`ZL]LU[PLZ&0OH]L[OLÅ`LYMYVT[OL-Y`LY )VI^LU[[VZJOVVSH[:[7L[LYZ3\[OLYHU*VSSHNL 3PIYHY`7SLHZLJVU[HJ[ )YPZIHULHUK^VYRLKMVY;((4HKHUNHZH;YHѝJ +H]PK3VYUPL 6ѝJLYMYVT [V[OLLHYS` Z WVZ[I\RH'NTHPSJVT 40 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 ;OL:OHKV^ZPUT`,`LZ By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo This wistful essay for what Papua New Guinea has become won the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Award for Essays and Journalism in this year’s Crocodile Prize. Busa Jeremiah Wenogo, 30, born in Port Moresby, is an economist and freelance writer. His writing reflects an array of socio-economic issues that confront PNG today. He publishes the Facebook page, ‘Black Economy - The truth about the other side of PNG’ and the blog, ‘PNG Informal Economist’. What are these shadows in my eyes? Out into the world they go Shadows in my eyes, where are They stand on the side of the road in search of food to ease their your true selves? Come out of your helplessly watching their future malnourishment and water to hideouts to the light and chase drift away from them. quench an interminable thirst. hopelessness away. This is your They are more scavengers than land, your pride and joy. Your red, When evening comes they sit idle men. Yet we parade on the front black and gold. on the sidewalk gazing up into the pages of the world news boasting of starry sky hopelessly wishing for a Where is the beautiful kumul and our economic miracle. better world than the present one. the sweet romantic kundu beat? Hold your head high and promise Forced to forage for whatever From afar their shadows stretch never to trade your birthright for a food they can find for the sake of beyond the width of my eyes as shallow, ephemeral richness. survival, they become oblivious to if they are giants. Yet, when they the dangers of life. Such is their stand in front of me, I see kids I am overwhelmed that the struggle that whenever I look at struggling to find their identity shadows of my people envelop me. their faces they chase the sun away and purpose. I see young men and In the night these shadows give way with their wretchedness and bring women who see no hope yet still to loneliness and hopelessness. In me to despair. dream of it. their hopelessness they beg for a way out, yet these echoes die before They obscure my vision with their Even as they grow old, they wake they reach the corridors of Papua plight and misery that the brighter up early each morning to find that New Guinea’s parliament, the Haus future we all hoped for is slipping hope. What are we doing to our Tambaran. away from our grasp. In their hands people? they no longer offer me innocence Hope comes to them only in but guilt and mistrust, for we have All around me I see the evil of dreams for reality holds only driven out their innocence with our revolt lurking deep inside every despair. They know there is no use arrogance and selfishness. eye I stare into. We are creating chasing the sun when there are only enemies from within through our shadows. Above, high in the sky, From their naïveté they emerge own hypocrisy. It is a calm awaiting the guardians of their trust soar on to feed their hunger for survival a storm. ill-earned wealth. and desire for adulthood. At such tender age they indulge in It’s sad that our people stand alone These so-called guardians burn my drugs, promiscuity and alcohol to write their destiny instead of eyes with their lurid character. I consumption so as to be accepted clinging to each other. Even when cannot stand the sight of them. If by their peers. in tears, they would rather not cry only they could see the shadows on somebody’s shoulder. And so through my eyes they would Their childhood is replaced by divided we see them falling from understand my indignation. hardship. For most of them life grace into death. has been too harsh, not permitting The world they look at is not free them to enjoy their childhood. The ugly face of animosity and of oppression and suffering. The Instead, life has them running and bigotry is tearing at the walls of our world we have built is no refuge for dodging the hand of authority. nationhood. Instead of embracing the downtrodden. They are not animals but children, each other in brotherhood we The shadows in my eyes deserve the men and women created to be crush each other with jealousy and same chance, their fair share, their God’s children. Why should they allegiance to our ethnicity. Why place in the sun. eat from the grubby palm of their can’t we stand united and together hand? change our nation and our world? www.pngaa.net | 41 UNA VOCE BOOK NEWS & REVIEWS :[VUL(NL4VVU They were given at least one year’s His insightful understanding basic training at the Australian of initiation ceremonies and )`1HTLZ6/\U[LY:LSM School of Pacific Administration his decision not to condemn 7\ISPZOLK 0:)5! in Sydney and then deployed these practices as ‘wicked’ and 7HWLYIHJR throughout Papua New Guinea. ‘disruptive’ mark Jim as an astute WHNLZJVSV\YHUK) >WOV[VZ Their duties would include student of social anthropology. THWZ(]HPSHISLMYVT! administrator, magistrate, Jim, the ‘Government’ man, 76)V_ )V^LU83+ policeman, medical worker, teacher would allow the Sepik people O\U[KVU' and explorer. time to adjust to the irresistible IPNWVUKJVT Most joined out of a sense of encroachment of western religion *VZ[!(< WS\Z WVZ[HNL idealism and adventure. They were and standards of behaviour. His ^P[OPU(\Z[YHSPH*OLX\LVY,-; actions would not go unnoticed by WH`TLU[Z[V! confident in their mission as leaders and unafraid to carry out their the leaders of the local people and 16 13/\U[LY):)! would strengthen the trust between (JJV\U[5V! 5() responsibilities. The Patrol Officers were told they could expect lifetime the Administration and the Sepik +LZJYPW[PVU!;OL ZLYHVUL people. VMKL]LSVWTLU[WYLWHYPUN[OL careers. ;LYYP[VY`VM7HW\H5L^.\PULH This is the story of one of those Most of Jim’s time at Ambunti MVYUH[PVUOVVKPZ[OLTHPU Patrol Officers, Jim Hunter. It is was involved in ensuring that WLYPVKJV]LYLK;OLH\[OVY a very personal account not only Government services operated ^VYRLK[OLYL[OLUVUV\[S`PUN of the duties assigned to him by smoothly. Jim complains in a YP]LYHUKJVHZ[HSZ[H[PVUZPU[OL the Australian Government but, letter to his fiancée of going to the :LWPR+PZ[YPJ[HUK[OL:V\[OLYU above all, of the way he managed ‘office’ to ‘strangle self slowly in /PNOSHUKZ+PZ[YPJ[HZHU his authority as the ‘Government’ red tape.’ But, it is apparent from (\Z[YHSPHU.V]LYUTLU[7H[YVS his reports and correspondence 6ɉJLYHUK(ZZPZ[HU[+PZ[YPJ[ among tens of thousands of people in his charge. that he found the experience of *VTTPZZPVULY government exhilarating and The young Jim Hunter was fulfilling - notwithstanding the 9,=0,> fortunate to have served in the challenges of bringing peace and Sepik District – an area notably order to the people in the face of In 1946 New Guinea became rich in cultural tradition. For the personal danger, risk to health and a Trust Territory of the United young ‘Kiap’ Jim Hunter, his first loneliness. Nations to be administered sighting of the Sepik River Region by Australia and in 1949, the and the Highlands Region must The news of Jim’s ‘first contact’ Australian Parliament passed have been wondrous. patrol south of Ambunti in late legislation joining Papua and 1962 received wide newspaper New Guinea as a unified Territory Not long after his arrival at coverage not only in PNG but in one legislative, judicial and Ambunti on the Sepik River, also in Australia and overseas. Jim administrative authority under the Jim was asked to investigate had made a peaceful first contact Australian Government. a complaint made to the with more 100 ‘Stone Age’ people Administration by one of the known as ‘G’Hom’. A later patrol From 1949 until 1974 the Christian Missions in the area. The by Jim in early 1963 located other Australian Department of Mission was concerned that young clans and groups previously not Territories employed hundreds of Sepik men were being lured away contacted. Details of his report of adventurous young Australians from the Mission back to their this expedition were eagerly sought as Patrol Officers. Almost all had village to participate in traditional by the media. Newspapers covered just completed their secondary ‘initiation ceremonies’. The Mission the story extensively. education to matriculation level complained that these initiation and they were all men. practices would damage ‘young Jim’s reports of both patrols were prospective Christians.’ praised by his superiors for his 42 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 good work. The Director of his Jim’s Report of his patrol into the Although Patrol Officers were Department, the legendary J.K. Pagaia – Strickland River region few in number and were given McCarthy, recorded ‘Mr Hunter in April 1968 and his contact with limited resources, they established appears to have handled his initial new people of the Pagaia linguistic the foundations of a State. Over a contact with the people in a most group was full of invaluable relatively short period of time, it competent manner.’ Jim had information for the Administration. was the ’Kiap’, who - day by day - established himself as an energetic performed the administrative tasks and self-sufficient Patrol Officer. Observations range from the health of bringing good government to a of the local inhabitants, their ‘Stone Age’ people. At the end of January 1964, Jim subsistence methods and curiously, was posted to Tari, headquarters of their subdued acceptance of the So successful were they in the Tari sub-District in the western coming of the Government. bringing a primitive people to the Southern Highlands – an area not international table of nations, that too remote from the West Irian Photographs taken of these ‘Stone PNG is almost unique among (Indonesian) Border. This was also Age’ people during this Patrol offer former colonies world-wide in a time of tension between Australia an invaluable and unique portrait of achieving a peaceful transition to and Indonesia which demanded ‘first contact’ peoples. democracy, peaceful transfers of watchful concern of the border parliamentary power, freedom of These photographs were prized by between PNG and West Irian. religion, freedom of the press, an the Administration. For this Report independent judiciary and a general In late 1966, he led an intensive and his Report of his subsequent acceptance by the population in the investigation of the massacre Patrol of the Strickland River region institutions of western democracy. of 10 villagers at Pumi, near in late 1969, Jim was again singled Mendi. During the investigation out for praise from the highest I hope many Papua New Guineans he survived an attack on his life levels in the Administration. He will read Stone Age Moon as it is an without resorting to firearms and had established his reputation with authentic history of an Australian was able to successfully complete his superiors as a competent and idealist without illusions who spent the investigation. Jim’s competence reliable explorer of some of the the most vigorous years of his life and admirable leadership abilities remaining wild areas of PNG. on their behalf. in bringing this crisis to a successful The full review can be read on the conclusion were acknowledged by By the end of 1968, Jim Hunter PNGAA website. thousands of local people gathered was appointed to the senior position at Mendi when he returned with his of Assistant District Commissioner Eamon Lindsay prisoners. His superiors once again in charge of the vast Koroba sub- Eamon is a Townsville solicitor commended him on a job well District. who served as a Defence Counsel at done. Stone Age Moon is a very personal the Public Solicitor’s Office in the The years spent by Jim in the memoir of Jim’s achievements as an Territory of Papua and New Guinea Southern Highlands were filled with administrator and explorer during (1967 – 1970) and was later elected unending administrative duties but the 10 years he worked as a Patrol to the House of Representatives relieved by two extremely important Officer or ‘Kiap’ in the wilds of as Federal Member for the seat of exploratory Patrols. PNG. Herbert. www.pngaa.net | 43 UNA VOCE a rare opportunity to encounter masterpieces from the Sepik, works of art that speak of a time and place where spirits and ancestors were integral to daily life. This publication celebrates the unique cultures of a country that is now celebrating its 40th anniversary of independence. The Sepik River is home to an array of art-producing communities distinguished for their visual arts, including sculptures of supernatural beings, masks and other fascinating objects that beguile and bewilder all 4`[OTHNPJ!HY[VM who encounter them. [OL:LWPR9P]LY7HW\H Myth + magic presents the greatest disaster at Mount Lamington volcano on Sunday 21 January 5L^.\PULH examples of Sepik River art held in the southern hemisphere. It 1951 — including stories of the 4`[OTHNPJ!HY[VM[OL:LWPR provides the best possible platform survivors who were left with life- 9P]LY7HW\H5L^.\PULH to acknowledge what these objects long grieving if not psychological I`*YPZWPU/V^HY[O;OL truly are—markers of culture, trauma. But, make no mistake, the 5H[PVUHS.HSSLY`VM(\Z[YHSPH human spirit shines through and (\N\Z[ 0:)5 beyond their ethnographical your own spirits will lift in reading WIR0:)5 worthiness, and powerful works of OIR7HWLYIHJR997 world art. The Volcano’s Wife through to its (\Z OHYKIHJR997 conclusion. (< WS\ZMYLPNO[ Pamela Virtue, one of the authors, WHNLZPTHNLZ _ ;OL=VSJHUV»Z>PML! was just 12 years old when a TTM\SSJVSV\Y+PZ[YPI\[LKPU ;OL.YLH[ 44 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 New Guinea, later to become the Virtue is the ‘volcano’s wife’ in Independent State of Papua New this book. But there remains Guinea. some ambiguity about this when The intensity of the disaster trauma you see the design of the front experienced by Pamela in 1951 cover. The title of the book, The meant that 52 years were to pass Volcano’s Wife, overlaps with a before she could brace herself to wonderful portrait of Amalia as a return, with her husband Gerry young woman, giving the strong in support, to the killer mountain visual impression that she, rather south of present-day Popondetta, than her daughter Pamela, could and thus face the childhood be identified as Ruja. The shared memories and nightmares experience of the 1951 disaster and that had haunted her well into the loss of Cecil and Erl make the adult life. But the experience of closeness of mother and daughter *YVJVKPSL7YPaL(U[OVSVN` returning in 2003, and again in seem indivisible in this book, so the ambiguity is totally understandable ;OL*YVJVKPSL7YPaL(U[OVSVN` 2004, and accepting the warmth 7OPSPW-P[aWH[YPJR and understanding of the elderly and acceptable. 2LP[O1HJRZVULKZ7\RW\R Papuan survivors — who had The full review can be read on the 7\ISPZOPUN WHNLZ0:)5 their own life-long traumas to deal PNGAA website. ! (]HPSHISLMYVT with and still remembered her as (THaVUWHWLY <: Wally Johnson WVZ[HNL"LIVVR <: the daughter of the well-respected Volcanologist District Commissioner — was O[[W!^^^HTHaVUJVT cathartic. Ceremonies and shared Geoscience Australia natural *YVJVKPSL7YPaL(U[OVSVN` weeping started the healing of what hazards booklets KW YLM$ZYFF&Z$IV VRZ PL$<;- XPK$ the reader will soon recognise had http://www.stuartmcmillen.com/ ZY$ RL`^VYKZ$JYVJVKPSLWYPa been a troubled soul. commissioned/geoscience-australia- LHU[OVSVN` The local Papuans gave Pamela illustrations/ 75.((ZWVUZVYZ[OL*YVJVKPSL 7YPaLW\ISPZOPUNWYVNYHT the name of Ruja during her visit Follow the link for some interesting W\ISPZOPUN[OLHUU\HSHU[OVSVN` in 2003. ‘Mount Lamington’ background information about is the European name for the VM[OLILZ[75.^YP[PUN books published in 2013 as a joint -VY[OLUHTLZHUKWYVÄSLZVM volcano, but the mountain in local project with geological agencies in [OL^PUULYZHUKSPURZ[V[OLPY Orokaivan culture is associated PNG. The books were designed ^PUUPUNLU[YPLZ[VNL[OLY^P[O[OL with the male-ancestor figure or to educate people in Papua New Q\KNLZ»JVTTLU[ZNV[V!O[[W! spirit known as Sumbiripa who Guinea about natural hazards, HZVWH[`WLWHKJVTHZVWHF lives at its summit together with specifically volcanoes, earthquakes WLVWSL ^YP[LYZMYVT his wife, Ruja. The reader may and tsunami. HJYVZZWUNMLH[\YLPU therefore conclude that Pamela JYVJVKPSLWYPaL^PUULYZO[TS *VUNYH[\SH[PVUZ[V[OL *YVJVKPSL7YPaL^PUULYZ @V\YLZZH`ZWVL[Y`QV\YUHSPZTHUKZ[VYPLZJVU[PU\L[VPUZWPYL PNGAA is proud to be involved in promoting your writing achievements in this 40th anniversary year of PNG Independence and to be part of this successful Papua New Guinea national literary contest. Supporting friendly and positive relationships between the people of PNG and Australia, the PNGAA is a dynamic association for people interested in contemporary and historical events in Papua New Guinea and the preservation of historical material related to Papua New Guinea. Our not-for- WYVÄ[HZZVJPH[PVUILNHUPU HUKPZVWLU[VHU`VUL^OVOHZHUPU[LYLZ[PU7HW\H5L^.\PULH -\Y[OLYPUMVYTH[PVUPZH]HPSHISLH[!^^^WUNHHUL[^^^MHJLIVVRJVT75.(( 76)V_ 9VZL]PSSL5:> ,!HKTPU'WUNHHUL[ PNGAA • PAPUA NEW GUINEA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC. www.pngaa.net | 45 UNA VOCE =\KHSHUK[OL4H[H\UNHUZ¶ During 1970 Gordon Dick served as Principal of Vudal Agricultural College. It was a year made difficult by the Mataungan land claims and the militaristic response of the Australian administration. The first in his series of recollections from that arye was published in the September 2015 issue of Una Voce. Here are the next two instalments in the series. Watch out for more in future issues. ;OL7VSPJLVɈLYHN\HYK 3LHYUPUNHSP[[SLHIV\[[OL Toliman and Tololo had not forgotten their own). I had been at the College a week or ;VSHPHUK[OLPYZP[\H[PVU so when a black car drove up to my Ken Witting was a Lecturer in Farm In opening the Kokopo Show (about office and I could see a truck loaded Economics at Vudal. He had spent years October 1970) Dr. John Guise (who with PNG. police on the road on the Gazelle Peninsular working with would be Speaker of the House of outside. Two uniformed expatriate the Tolai people. Early in my term at Assembly, then Deputy Prime Minister officers came in and told me that Vudal Ken gave me a paper which he and finally the first Governor General of they had come to establish a guard had prepared for the Waigani Seminar, independent Papua New Guinea) said on the college. I asked who had to be held in May. It was timely and words to the effect: ‘I congratulate the proposed it and, to their confusion, informative. Tolai people on their social cohesion and indicated that I did not want it. I their families. Our masters from Australia Briefly, the Tolai people had suffered don’t have families. They rely for their explained my authority at the local severely under the Japanese occupation. level for the College, but indicated population needs on countries far to their It was estimated that their population north. So far they have not told us which that I would consult headquarters. had been reduced from over 40,000 When they left I sent a telegram to countries to our north we might look to to less than 30,000 at war’s end. Tolai to meet our population needs.’ Agric Konedobu (the Department’s society was matrilineal and inheritance HQ in Port Moresby) advising that of land was via a maternal uncle to a It was against this background of I had refused the offered guard as youth approaching manhood. Always progress and consolidation that the ‘it is my opinion that it would be with tribal consultation the uncle Australian Administration announced better to abandon the College than indicated an area where the young the allocation of some thousands of acres to defend it, for if we withdraw man could clear the bush and make a in the Trans-Vudal area to an expatriate some day we may come back.’ food garden. This was within the area (Australian) plantation company. The This incident set the pattern of where the tribe had established rights view from Port Moresby was that the antagonism between me - and (for gathering bush foods, hunting etc.) land was already ‘alienated’, ie was unfortunately to some extent, At first the young gardener could only not owned by Papua New Guinean between the College - and plant short-term food crops. If at this villagers. Much of the Gazelle area (over the police and administration stage other Tolais laid claims to the 40 percent) had been ‘alienated’ by the authorities for the coming year. The site, it became a matter for the elders German administration pre 1914. Most visit of the police was a surprise and to adjudicate. If, however, there were of this was farmed in ‘plantations’. The justifications for such plantations were my response was reflexive. Certainly no objections and the food crops were that they provided models of systematic it was inconsiderate of the staff - harvested, more long-term plants could use of the land as well as opportunities who were not consulted - and who be introduced. If there were still no for employment and would strengthen in the days ahead would have taken objections and these perennials were the economy. The Tolais had given up comfort from having a garrison to harvested, then the land was considered working for very low wages long ago and guard us. to belong to the new young farmer. labour was recruited from the Highlands Bill Conroy told me later that my By 1970 the Tolai people had not only with dubious social, economic or telegram came as a jolt in Port recovered from the ravages of war but educational results. Moresby. No-one had considered their population was increasing rapidly. They had established cash cropping - There were a number of problems with the situation which would have the allocation of the Trans-Vudal. The followed a successful removal of especially cocoa- and their villages were of increasingly better standard with first was that much of it was already the Tolai people from their gardens under Tolai influence - indeed there and homes in the Trans-Vudal the use of more permanent materials. Although attendance at school was not were houses, gardens and even bearing area, properly settled under their coconut groves. Another was that the practices, and the creation of a large compulsory, some 90 percent of primary school aged children were attending best evidence the Department of Lands foreign-owned plantation in their could find to the title for the area was a place. school - and 90 percent of the teachers were themselves Tolais. (In making reference to a lost German document. In outstanding contributions to PNG’s retrospect it was all much too late in the growing education efforts, men like colonial day. 46 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 ;OL2\SH9PUN HZ[VY`VMZ\Y]P]HSPU[OL:VSVTVU:LH When the search for the missing MH370 Malaysian Airways jet is finally over, it will be an amazing story to tell. But there is another amazing story of loss at sea, not as spectacular as that of MH370 but with a happy ending. I was Assistant District Commissioner Trobriand Islands when one day a blind man on Alcester Island lay down on a beached canoe in the warmth of the afternoon sun and dozed off to sleep. No one on the island took any notice of him as they were used to seeing him asleep on beached canoes. But later, when his family went to fetch him for dinner, they do. Although Alcester is an idyllic asked to keep watch. found the canoe had gone. island in all other respects, it is The Trobriands were considered By then it was dark and the canoe a speck in the ocean, miles from too far north of Alcester Island to was nowhere in sight. The tide had anywhere. be useful in the search so we were come in, lifted the canoe and it just There was no radio on the not called on to assist. However, we floated away with the blind man island, no power boat, the only followed the progress of the search still asleep on board. communication with the outside by listening to radio reports which The alarm was raised and people world was by their own canoes or came in from time to time. ran up and down the beach calling visiting canoes from other islands But the blind man and the canoe frantically to the blind man, but or passing coastal vessels bound were not found, so after two weeks there was no response. elsewhere. of disappointment the search was In desperation, they took to the Fortunately one such vessel called called off and he was officially sea in other canoes, and paddled in at the island a few days after the declared probably lost at sea. around the island in the dark but blind man went missing. It had a This is not the end of this story. still did not find the missing blind radio aboard and contacted with About a month after the search had man or the canoe. District Headquarters at Samarai, been called off, villagers from the The search went on all night until raising the alarm and beginning an southern end of the main Trobriand the first light of dawn, when it was air-sea rescue operation. island of Kiriwina brought the blind obvious that the sea was empty Scheduled flights to the Trobriands man to the Sub-District Office at in all directions. The canoe had were diverted south. Flights to Losuia. He was seeking assistance to disappeared. Misima were diverted north. return to Alcester Island. Reluctantly, the search for the blind Chartered aircraft out of Alotau I could hardly believe it. Not only man was abandoned because there searched north-east. And coastal was he alive. He was very well. I was nothing else the islanders could vessels plying the Solomon Sea were sent him to the doctor, just to make www.pngaa.net | 47 UNA VOCE sure. The doctor said the blind man attempting to return there. Invisible to us, that is, but to them was fit to return to Alcester Island “I knew that Woodlark Island was it was a social bond more real than and had suffered no ill effects from directly north of Alcester, and it was the strongest kinship ties. No one his ordeal. a larger island and therefore more knows how it all began and it is And what an ordeal it must have easy to find, so I decided to head for overlaid with myths and legends been. Yet when I told him about there, until I could beach the canoe and magical rites and rituals. But it the air-sea rescue which had been either on Woodlark Island, or here has a powerful practical purpose. mounted to find him, the blind in the Trobriands.” The Kula Ring involves strong man couldn’t understand what all “These island are miles apart,” I mutual obligations to provide the fuss had been about. said. hospitality, protection and The blind man explained that, when assistance to partners of the same “Yes,” he replied, “but even if I Kula artefacts. Thus, any Kula he woke up on the canoe, he knew could see, there was no way I could it was dark because he could no associate from any one island in compensate for drift and current, the Kula Ring, blown off course, longer feel the warmth of the sun so by heading north the chances on his skin. He also knew the canoe marooned, washed overboard, or were that if I missed Woodlark, I in any other way distressed from was floating in the sea because he might still land in the Trobriands.” could smell the water and feel the the sea, must be provided with I was astonished at his good, sound sanctuary, protection and assistance canoe rocking when he moved, a reasoning. situation confirmed when he put his from any other Kula partner on any hand in the water. “Have you been here before?” I other island in the Kula Ring. asked. He called for help to get back to the Even if they have never met before, island, but received no reply. He “No, Taubada,” he said, “I had the bond between them has already assumed that people on the island been to Woodlark before with other been established by the ceremonial would also be calling out for him people in another canoe. But I have exchange of Kula artefacts passed but he could not hear them, so he never been here before.” on from one man to another from other partners on other islands knew the island was out of earshot. I was amazed. elsewhere in the Kula Ring. He felt around the canoe and found “So how did you know where the In other words, the Kula establishes a paddle. He could have paddled Trobriands were?” I asked. back to the island if he had known an invisible bond of indissoluble “From stories people told,” he said, where it was. One problem was brotherhood which is spread unseen “you know Taubada, the Kula.” that the sea was big and the island across reefs and islands and coral was small and, even if it had been Ah, yes, the Kula Ring. The atolls to the far reaches of the visible, he could not see it. So he customary system of ceremonial Solomon Sea. did not know in which direction to exchange which formed the So, unable to find Alcester Island, paddle. traditional social bond between and confident that he might find people of different islands. He also knew that if he paddled in safe haven somewhere else in the wrong direction, he might never We had several anthropological the Solomon Sea, the blind man make landfall alive. publications about it in the office paddled his canoe in the direction at Losuia. Malinowsky, Fortune, of Woodlark Island. Adrift and alone in an empty sea Uberoi and the rest. I had read might have been bad enough for “But how could you navigate your them all. They explained that from ordinary people, but for a blind canoe,” I asked, “if you could not the Trobriands in the north to Wari man alone in a canoe, it was see where you were going?” Island in the south, from Milne infinitely worse. “I could not see,” he said, “but I Bay in the west to the Laughlan could feel the sun’s heat.” And he “So what did you do?” I asked him Islands in the east, the people of went on to explain that if he kept in Motu. 18 different island groups across the sun on his right side in the the Solomon Sea were connected “Well, Taubada,” he replied, “since morning, and on his left side in by this invisible ring of ceremonial I did not know where Alcester the afternoon, he would roughly exchange. Island was, there was no point in be heading north. So by paddling 48 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 his canoe in this way he headed for “And landfall?” I asked, “Tell me From Alcester Island to the Woodlark Island. about that.” After a few weeks of Trobriands, the blind man “You could not see the stars,” I said, paddling in the direction of what had paddled and drifted for “so how did you navigate at night?” he thought was north, he told me approximately 320 km. In an open he could hear the surf breaking on a canoe travelling solo, it would have The wind was blowing from the shore somewhere. been a remarkable feat of survival south-east, he told me, so he knew for anyone, for the blind man he was travelling northward because He did not know where, but he could hear sea birds flying overhead travelling alone it was almost a of the sun’s heat during the day, and miracle. when heading this way he could feel and he could smell land: palm trees, the wind on his back. smoke from cooking fires, the smell Yet when I discussed the blind of a village. So when he knew he man’s miraculous survival with So, he said, when the sun had set was close to shore because of the the Paramount Chief of the he paddled with the wind on his back swell from the beach, he began Trobriand Islands, he was signally back until morning, then, with the to call out the name of his Kula unimpressed. “We have been sailing sun rising on his right side again artefact. across the Kula Ring for a thousand and the wind still at his back, he He called and called and called, he years,” he said. “Canoes get lost, knew he was more or less, on course blown off course, break up in rough during the night. said, and soon he could hear voices from the village and some shouting. seas, or get swept on to coral reefs And so, long after the official air- Then amongst the shouts he could and atolls. sea rescue had ended, the blind hear the name of his Kula artefact “It doesn’t happen very often, but man’s own search for a safe haven being repeated by one of the village when it does happen we know continued. men who identified himself as the what to do. Your search with ships “But you were paddling your canoe local Kula partner of that artefact. and planes could not find this for weeks,” I said, “What did you The blind man then knew that his blind man,” the Paramount Chief eat and drink?” search for a safe haven was over. continued, “but he knew what to do, and it was his own search for a He said he felt around inside the People swam out through the surf safe landing which saved him.” canoe and found a bailer shell. and guided his canoe to the beach, Sometimes it rained, he said, and and that is how he made landfall. “But he was blind,” I insisted. the rainwater would collect inside “I missed Woodlark Island,” he “Yes,” the Paramount Chief the hull of the canoe. Instead of said, “but I found the Trobriands continued, “but he still knew what bailing it out, he left the rainwater instead.” to do, and that is the way it is in to slosh around inside the hull and His Kula partner, whom he had these islands.” he used the bailer shell to scoop it never met, fed him and cared for up and drink it. I was astonished that the Paramount him in the village until he was fit Chief was so unimpressed by the “And food?” I asked. There were enough to continue his journey, and blind man’s ordeal. flying fish, he said. They skipped then the village people brought him across the sea and over his canoe, to my office. “It was nothing special,” the Chief but some did not make it across and continued, “it was just another As soon as I received the doctor’s event of life in the Kula Ring.” fell into the hull whence they could report, I sent a signal to District not escape. Headquarters in Samarai and It might have been, but I will He said he could hear them everyone there was just as amazed as always remember the amazing feat jumping around inside the I was that the blind man had made of endurance, determination and rainwater in the hull and after a it safely to the Trobriands. skill of a blind man paddling a canoe solo for 300 km in search while they died. He said he could I was told to put him on the not see them, but by feeling around of a safe landing, out there in the scheduled air charter from Alotau solitude of the Solomon Sea inside the rainwater, he could catch the following day, and from Alotau them and eat them raw. There I heard that he went by shuttle Chips Mackellar weren’t many, he told me, just a few vessel to Samarai and from there by every day, but enough to keep him government trawler back to Alcester going. Island. www.pngaa.net | 49 UNA VOCE The PNGAA Collection ;OL-Y`LY3PIYHY`PU8\LLUZSHUKTHPU[HPUZ[OL75.((*VSSLJ[PVU^OPJO KVJ\TLU[Z[OLWLYZVUHSL_WLYPLUJLZVM(\Z[YHSPHUZSP]PUNPU7HW\H5L^ .\PULHK\YPUN[OL(\Z[YHSPHUHKTPUPZ[YH[PVU\W\U[PSPUKLWLUKLUJLPU ;OPZJVSSLJ[PVUNYL^MYVTHUPKLHVM4Y+V\N7HYYPZOMVYTLY7YLZPKLU[VM[OL 96(75.[OH[HUHYJOP]LZOV\SKILJYLH[LKMYVTTH[LYPHSKVUH[LKI`TLTILYZ VM96(75.^OPJOSH[LYILJHTL[OL75.((;OPZ*VSSLJ[PVUOHZL]VS]LKV]LY [OL`LHYZ[OYV\NO[OLKLKPJH[PVUHUKL_WLY[PZLVM+Y7L[LY*HOPSS For quite some time the interested in pre 1975 items, the Independence in 1975: PNGAA has been working to PNGAA is interested in both • Photographs and slides achieve greater access to the pre and post 1975 items. The • Oral history recordings Collection for its membership. PNGAA may wish to use some • Diaries and personal papers Following a recent meeting, material on the PNGAA website • Correspondence the Fryer Library has agreed or in a future Una Voce. • Personal films to update its online catalogue The PNGAA will assist the • Newspaper cutting books for the PNGAA Collection donor to liaise with the Fryer and will also be undertaking Library regarding whether Whilst other options can be some selective digitisation the material is appropriate considered, the following item in conjunction with advice for the PNGAA Collection at formats cannot be accepted as from Dr. Peter Cahill and the Fryer given their strict criteria part of the PNGAA Collection PNGAA. We hope that we will for acceptance. The Fryer at the Fryer Library: soon be able to make some Library’s ‘Expression of Interest’ of this material available for • Tribal artefacts Donations Form must then be members to view on-line. • Publications completed by the donor. • Broadcast material subject to If you would like to donate Fryer Library has established copyright restrictions material to the PNGAA that they would be interested • Government records (any Collection, please express your in accepting material for the material that properly belongs interest initially to Andrea PNGAA Collection only if it in the National Archives Williams, Roy Ranney or the meets the following criteria: including official documents Editor, Dianne Guy, at the not of a personal nature). PNGAA by describing the Original personal material in proposed donation. Whereas the following formats, dated Andrea Williams the Fryer Library is substantially and identified and prior to +VUH[PVUZ[V-Y`LY3PIYHY` A complete list of Donations to the PNGAA Collection at the Fryer Library have been received from: the donations will be added to the PNGAA • Robyn Watters, on behalf of • Greg Ivey website at: Edwin Tyler Brown • Dr Peter Cahill pngaa.net/Fryer/ • Robyn Watters • Charles Betteridge December2015.htm • Jill Taylor 50 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 9V`HS7HW\H5L^.\PULH*VUZ[HI\SHY`975.* 7VSPJL9LZLY]L0TWVY[HU[UV[PJL[VMVYTLYYLZLY]PZ[Z975.* The RPNGC Reserve was a police force of Australia or a in the pipeline and one family established in 1968 as a volunteer State or Territory, including the of husband, wife and son have auxiliary uniformed force and it RPNGC. In the last two years applied. existed until early 1972. It was this medal has been awarded to When at Konedobu Constabulary open to all races, both males members of the Constabulary and HQ and Waigani archives in 1997, and females, who were over 18 Patrol Officers. Former Papua New I compiled a list of the names years of age, had English literacy Guinean members of the Reserve of Reservists. Although it is not skills and were willing to devote have no entitlement to this medal complete as many files were missing specified hours each week to serve as this is purely an Australian I have a list of the names of 224 in uniform at their local police award. males and 23 females. station. I am writing the history of As members of the Reserve the Reserve. Anyone who believes that they were sworn members of the served in the RPNGC Reserve The Police Overseas Service Constabulary, a precedent has now should apply to: (Territories of Papua and New been established with the medal Recognition & Awards, Human Guinea) Bill introduced to the awarded to Reserve Constable Resources, Australian Federal Federal Parliament provided for 1, Sgt 2/c John Lewis of the Police, Canberra, ACT 2600 for an a medal which may be awarded Port Moresby detachment. The application form with explanatory to members of Australian police medal has also been awarded to information. forces who served in the Territories Sgt 2/c Judy Race of the Rabaul of Papua and New Guinea for detachment. Her husband, Syd I regret that I am not in a position a period of 30 (or more) days Race, a serving officer of the to assist any applicant for this between 1 July 1949 and 30 Constabulary, has also been medal. November 1973, inclusive. awarded the medal making them Maxwell R Hayes the first married couple to receive For the purposes of this Bill the award. More applications are Australian police forces means Rabaul Detachment, Reserve, first march past on review, 18 April 1968 Syd and Judy Race wearing their medals www.pngaa.net | 51 UNA VOCE :LU[PTLU[HS1V\YUL`[V75. Friday 24 April, 1997 was such a shown in an old photo of mine Japanese dug tunnels during their significant day for me. My husband, taken from a wharf in the 1920s. occupation, Submarine Base and Ian, and I flew to Port Moresby, It is now dwarfed by high rise Nodup beach. fulfilling a promise I had made to buildings, but still there. After dinner a Birthday Cake myself that I would spend my 60th From Port Moresby we went to arrived, Happy Birthday was sung Birthday in the town in which I was Goroka where we visited neat and Champagne poured. My wish born, Rabaul. I was born on 8 May and tidy villages with flowers and had come true. I spent my 60th 1937 in the Namanula Hospital and vegetables surrounding the round, Birthday in the town where I was had never returned. thatched roofed houses. Scarlet born – Rabaul. The last time I flew across the coral poinsettias were everywhere. We Janet Johnston sea was on my way to Australia also attended a performance at the on 28 December 1941 with my Roun Roun Theatre and visited the mother, Rita Anderson, who was Mud Men. Jan wrote the following about the eight months pregnant. We were Then it was on to Mt Hagen, Japanese Memorial in Rabaul: evacuated from Rabaul because of Madang, Kavieng and, finally, the imminent Japanese invasion. Rabaul. I was so interested in the feelings We were living on Pondo of the Rabaul residents about the Flying in to Rabaul we could see Plantation, where my father, Dudley building of the Japanese Memorial. the smoking crater of Tavurvur. (Andy) Anderson was a Clerk/ As I mentioned, it was interesting I could hardly believe that I was Accountant with W.R. Carpenters and a surprise to see it sitting up actually seeing the harbour with and Co. He had been working in there but I must admit I did wonder the volcanos I had heard so much New Guinea since 1928, with Burns how they were able to get approval about. The Bee Hives were clearly Philp and then with Carpenters. to build it and in such a prominent visible and we glimpsed Rabaul in After marrying in Melbourne in position after the terrible acts they the distance. Mother and I (three 1935 my parents lived in Rabaul, committed during their occupation weeks old) were among the women then moved to Kavieng, before of the country during the War. and children evacuated when Father was transferred to Pondo. Tavurvur and Vulcan erupted on 29 I am reading Patrick Lindsay’s book Mother and I travelled to May 1937. The Coast Watchers at the moment. Melbourne by steam train. Her He describes so well the history and On the way into Rabaul, Tavurvur only possessions were in one small events of those terrible days during roared and belched and spewed suitcase. We stayed with her sister 1941–5 and the people who were out a cloud of steam and dust. in North Brighton where my sister, involved. Such hardship and how A wonderful greeting after 56 Barbara, was born on 25 January brave and committed they were. years! We were shocked to see the 1942. complete devastation. Tree stumps, I looked at the web site of the My father stayed on Pondo bare trees, broken branches, some Rapopo Plantation Resort and was plantation, together with other tall palms waving in the warm amazed! Has it been built on the civilian men. We were reunited in gritty breeze, rubble, the remains of original site of the plantation home Melbourne in April 1942. buildings covered in metres of ash, where Ian and I had morning tea all roads undefined. Everything was those years ago with Gail and Mike Ian and I arrived in Port Moresby grey, including the water. Luxmore? If so, what a beautiful on 24 April 1997. The next day was position. I have a photo taken then, Anzac Day and we attended the We walked up to the site where the standing on the lawn, white coral Anzac Day Service at Bomana War old Namanula Hospital, where I beach in front looking out over the Cemetery. It was a short Ceremony was born, used to be. harbour with the two volcanoes in but very moving, so full of sorrow On Thursday 8 May, my birthday, the distance. Smoking Tavurver on and appreciation. we visited the sights of Rabaul: the the right, Vulcan on the left. The Back in Port Moresby we found devastated town, the Vulcanologist house and plantation were behind the original Burns Philp Building Observatory, hillsides where the me. 52 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 >,3*64,;65,>4,4),9: Mr John Richard BAULCH P O Box 1755 TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 Mrs Patricia June BESTIC PO Box 826 SINGLETON NSW 2330 (nee Johnston) Mrs Di CARTER The Cottage “Pembury” 308 Pembury Road, BARRABA NSW 2347 Mr John EDDY 10/8 Grasslands Close COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 Mr Murray FLETCHER c/o The Professionals P.O. Box 4000 LAE PNG Mr Terry GOUGH 1 Main Road SAIBAI ISLAND QLD 4875 Dr Sally HINTON PO Box 6031 TWEED HEADS SOUTH NSW 2486 Mr Paul Douglas JACKSON P.O Box 231 CREMORNE NSW 2090 ESSEX CM2 Mr Peter LOVELL 123 Beeleigh Link CHELMSFORD UK 6PH Mr Arch McCARTHUR PO Box 360 KURANDA QLD 4881 Mr Robert PRIEST Unit 5 42 Silva Street, ASCOT QLD 4007 Mr Sydney RACE 7 Norman Street GOSNELLS WA 6110 Mr Keith Roland STEBBINS 74 Victoria Pde East COOCHIEMULDO ISLAND QLD 4184 Prof Glen SUMMERHAYES QGÁRRU5LFKDUGVRQ%XLOGLQJ2WDJR8QLYHUVLW\32%R['81(',1 NZ 9054 Mrs Katherine Jane TOYNTON 21 Castle Street MOLONG NSW 2119 Mr Goetz (Gus) von SCHWEINFURTH 44 Lorilet Street PEREGIAN BEACH QLD 4573 Mrs Sally WILSON 37C Aquarius 4 - 12 Old Burleigh Road SURFERS PARADISE QLD 4217 */(5.,6-(++9,:: Mr Tom NEWTON 23/10 Marco Way PARREARRA QLD 4575 Mr John BROWNE 57 A Killeaton Street ST. IVES NSW 2075 Rev. Neville CLARKE 22 Thackeray Drive WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280 Mr Andrew MARKE 203 Low Head Road LOW HEAD TAS 7253 Mr Peter RYAN Apartment 2, The Connault 41 - 45 Yarrabat Avenue BALYN VIC 3103 Mrs Phyllis SMITH 25 William Street BELLINGEN NSW 2454 Mrs Shan MORBEY Unit 3/ 9 Belt Street WALKERVILLE SA 5081 Mr David CAMPBELL-WIL- 100 Hargrave Street PADDINGTON NSW 2021 LIAMS Mrs Vera TAYLOR P.O. Box 9105 DEAKIN NSW 2600 Dr John MUIRDEN Unit 210 9 Chatham Road CANTERBURY VIC 3126 Mr Ian WHYTE Unit 95 146 Boundary Road PASCOE VALE VIC 3044 www.pngaa.net | 53 UNA VOCE Obituaries Donald James Buckley, Peter Frederick Davis, Betty Evelyn Dent, 21 26 July 2015, aged 81 December 2013, aged 72 June 2015, aged 96 Don was born in Armidale, NSW Peter previously served in BSA Betty Dent went to PNG in 1959 on 26 September 1933. His family Police Force (Rhodesia) from when her husband Oswald was was well known and respected in 1961 to 1964. Together with posted to Wewak as the District Armidale and the surrounding Norman Simmons (NSW Police Surveyor. She worked in the District district. He came to PNG in 1957 on secondment) he set up the first Office for several DOs and ADOs via ASOPA and was posted to fingerprint bureau at Konedobu. He and became a proxy mother to Samarai with the Department of resigned on 1 April 1967 to become many a young patrol officer coming Customs and Marine. After a two the full time General Secretary to the Sepik. She was a wonderful year stint in Samarai, other Customs of the Royal Papua New Guinea cook and hostess and many visitors postings to Moresby, Madang and Constabulary (RPNGC) Police graced their dining room table and Wewak followed. Association. some became lifelong friends. Don left PNG in the early 1970s. Peter left for Australia in 1968 and Moving to Lae in the early sixties Subsequently, he worked in England for many years he worked as an she continued her working life in for a period and finally in the Industrial officer in heavy industries Dick Davis’ office she joined the Accounts Section of the with the and at Hammersley. He was the Girl Guides Local Association and University of NSW from which only RPNGC officer to have been was instrumental in raising funds to he retired to Armidale in the mid born in the Falkland Islands. build the Guide Hut there. 1980s. Peter died after a long illness. He In 1977 they retired and moved Don was a man of quiet demeanour, is survived by his second wife, to the north coast of NSW and who was highly regarded for his Daphne, and family. travelled widely in Australia intelligence and integrity by his and overseas. In 1996 a second Customs colleagues and those in Maxwell Hayes retirement saw them move to the private sector with whom he Buderim on the Sunshine Coast to interacted. He loved his time in be closer to their family. PNG with its unique challenges and Victor Leslie Davis, 18 responsibilities and the enduring January 2015, aged 75 Betty enjoyed good health until she friendships he made there. had a fall and broke her femur, but Victor served in the NSW Police she never lost her love of life nor her He was an excellent tennis and Force from 18 February 1957 to quirky sense of humour. We will all squash player in his time. A lover of 21 June 1966. He was appointed miss her deeply. She is survived by Corgi dogs, he owned a succession to the Royal Papua New Guinea children Cecily and Christopher, of them in his sunset years. Constabulary (RPNGC) on 24 June grandchildren Michael, Megan, 1966 and served in Port Moresby, Rosemary and Bronwen and great Don is survived by his brother Lae, Madang and Rabaul. He grandchildren Angus and Nicholas Norman, sister Barbara and their resigned on 14 January 1971. His and their extended families. respective families. first wife, Val, was a member of the RPNGC Police Reserve. Cecily Odgers ‘Still waters run deep’. Victor died after a long illness. He is survived by his second wife, Dawn. Derek Baldwin Maxwell Hayes 54 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 David Alexander Bruce He obtained further post graduate Janet Lucas (nee Dryden, 16 June 2015, qualifications in Australia and was McKelvie), 9 June 2015, at times Director of the Northern aged 74 Territory Health Services and Chief aged 74 Medical Officer at Australia House David was on an ‘E’ Course in London. Born in Brisbane in 1941, Jan led for teachers at Pila Pila in Port an adventurous life after leaving Moresby when he joined the Jon recently developed prostate school, working on sheep stations in Reserve Constabulary of the Royal cancer and had a minor operation the Riverina, completing one year of Papua New Guinea Constabulary which resulted in septic arthritis a science degree and then teaching (RPNGC) on 12 March 1968 with a staph infection. biology in a couple of girls’ schools at Port Moresby. He left on 3 before governessing on a Northern September 1969 with the rank of Roy Scragg Territory cattle station. She then Senior Constable. He joined the worked in retail in a department regular RPNGC on 23 March 1970 store while learning bookkeeping at as an Assistant Police Inspector and night school. served at Kieta resigning on 30 June 1971. Val Fisk, 18 August In 1963 she went to Port Moresby Around 1997 he returned to Port 2015, aged 75 to work in Posts and Telegraphs. Moresby and worked for Sika Fire There she met patrol officer Neil later going to Lihir Island Gold Val was the wife of long serving Lucas and they were married in Mine as a Safety Officer. Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles May 1964. Neil’s postings included (PNGVR) member WO2 Joe Fisk Kwikila, Magarida and Kupiano before moving to Lae in 1970. He was married to IRA and had who served in most centres of PNG. After a couple of years they moved three daughters. He was a founding member and an active office bearer of the NGVR & to South-east Queensland and had several small businesses. Maxwell Hayes PNGVR Ex-members’ Association. Joe died a number of years ago. From 2000 to 2007 Jan worked in Val had been suffering from administration at the Maryborough emphysema and was admitted to a Hospital. They then retired to Jonathan Yeatman nursing home some weeks ago. Kumbia, a neat little town near Hancock, 22 June 2015, Kingaroy. Both were experiencing Phil Ainsworth declining health and Neil died in aged 81 August 2009, after major surgery. In June 2011 Jan moved to Orana Jonathon was born in April 1934. Nursing Home in Kingaroy where He became a medical officer cadet she died. She is survived by a on 1 July 1958 while a student at daughter, Rosalind, and son Robert. Adelaide University and married Judith Masterman. They had three children: Rachel, Bridget and For the four years in the nursing Andrew. home Jan was dependent on 24 hour oxygen: we visited her After graduation in 1959 he worked whenever we could and were in the Sepik, Mt Hagen in the inspired by her positive attitude and Highlands, Okapa and Goroka sense of humour during what were and eventually in 1965 became very difficult years. Superintendent of Angau Hospital in Lae. He left Papua New Guinea Graham and Patricia Hardy in 1966. www.pngaa.net | 55 UNA VOCE George Leahy, 27 we were not the only people Ann Theona Graham August 2015, aged 66 George cared for in this respect. (formerly Smith, nee With George’s death goes the brass plaque which, because of a typical Young-Whitford), George Leahy is the name behind PNG stuff-up by a builder, was 16 June 2014, aged 83 one of the most successful never used to mark Barry ‘s grave enterprises to come out of Mount and I still worry about that. Ann was born in Armadale, on 28 Hagen. Eldest son of Danny April 1931 to William and Gwen Leahy and Koka, George owned Young-Whitford. Her two older Oilmin Field Services, a company His business flair derived from brothers (both Kiaps) were Fenton he started with two kiaps in his ability to understand the St. John (aka John) and Dudley 1992, which today is the leading needs of the highlanders and of (both deceased). In the 1930s the organisation of its kind in PNG. the people attempting to explore family moved to Rose Bay, Sydney the country’s potential. Oilmin and Ann attended Brighton College I knew George as a tough man Field Services was designed to in Manly, then St. Catherine’s in who, like his father, was firm and service mining and petroleum Waverley. In the late 1940s Ann uncompromising in his pursuits. companies. Today it provides a trained and nursed at the Royal His young family learnt early what complete range of field services and Alexandra Hospital for Children was right and what was wrong. logistical solutions incorporating in Glebe, with lifelong friends Phil Yet a kind and generous person, all aspects of exploration from Clifton and Lorraine McCulloch. who as a young man would often camp construction and catering In 1953 she married long-serving bring his failing father from in the most remote parts of PNG Kiap and WWll army Korgua to visit us at Alimp, lower PNG, transport solutions and captain, Sydney Stephen Smith down in the Nebilyer Valley. land-owner negotiations (never who was down on a biennial break George had numerous interests, a straightforward process) also with Ann’s brothers at the time. among them tennis at which he buying and trading in gold. excelled. Ensuring the education In the early years of their marriage, of his children in Australia was Syd and Ann lived in Lumi in the an imperative and I know that he George bore the scars of a tragic Sandaun Province (or West Sepik was also responsible for building aircraft crash near Porgera in District) near Aitape where Syd a school for his tribal people. 1996, in which he was the only was Assistant District Officer. Son Like others of his siblings he survivor. It seems terribly sad Ian arrived in 1954. In 1956 a was determined that the roots that this remarkable man, who posting for Syd as Native Lands of the Leahy dynasty at Korgua somehow managed to crawl from Commissioner saw the family move and Mount Hagen should be the burning aircraft and who first to Kokopo and then to Rabaul. perpetuated. worked so assiduously to restore his fitness, should have died so Ailsa arrived in 1958 and Greg early. PNG will feel his loss deeply Often when I think of our time in completed the family in 1960. as will his extended family and his PNG I am reminded of George’s Ann worked at the local pharmacy friends, even those who now live far generosity when he accommodated before becoming the district school away but are grateful they had the my sons and I before driving us nursing sister. She blossomed in opportunity to know him at one to Alimp to bury my husband, the tropics, pursuing an active time. Barry’s, ashes. He picked us up life of sporadic but enthusiastic at Kagamuga airport and showed gardening, parties, amateur theatre, us every consideration. We had Judith Blogg (Hollinshed) sailing, water-skiing, picnicking at much to thank George for. The local beaches and being the world’s Blogg family stayed in George’s old greatest mum. house in Hagen but he showed us, with typical modesty, around the The surname Graham had its impressive semi-completed building beginning in 1967 when Ian, on which he would call home. And 56 | www.pngaa.net DECEMBER 2015 enrolment to Knox Grammar Ann moved to Faulconbridge in the Ann was PNGAA Secretary in School, Wahroonga, was found to lower Blue Mountains in 1981 and 2001/2002 before she went to be one of three or four Ian Smiths a year after Syd’s death Ann moved Tasmania. When she returned currently boarding at the school. to Marsfield, Sydney in 1996. to NSW she was again Secretary This prompted the rather peculiar from 2007 to 2009. She had the decision (possibly Ann’s) for Ian to In 2005 Ann moved to Forster to best interests of the association at adopt the name Graham at school be close to Ian and his wife Patricia heart and was always present when to avoid confusion, thus sparking a and finally to AVEO Peninsula things had to be done, for example gradual transition to Graham for all Gardens, Bayview in 2007. A the dedication of the Rabaul and the Smiths, except for Syd. neighbour there described her as Montevideo Maru Memorial in a beautiful, colourful butterfly Canberra and our AGMs and On Syd’s retirement from his post flitting up and down the stairs Christmas lunches. as Land Titles Commissioner to and from her unit. Ann had in 1970 the family spent a year many interests, including music, Ann also supported many charities travelling Europe and the UK in a opera and theatre, and from and will be greatly missed by her caravan, followed by settlement in the mid 1970’s onwards, she family and friends. Wahroonga, Sydney. Ann briefly travelled widely within Australia resumed her nursing career before and overseas in pursuit of those Greg Graham (Smith) commencing a long stint in village interests. Throughout her life Ann management with the Anglican generously volunteered her services Retirement Villages network until to several organisations including her retirement in 1993. Syd and the PNGAA as late as 2013. Vale Summary With deep regret we record the passing of the following members and friends: Vivi Bignold 29 July 2015, aged 100 Donald James Buckley 26 July 2015, aged 81 Peter Frederick Davis December 2013, aged 72 Victor Leslie Davis 18 January 2015, aged 75 Betty Evelyn Dent 21 June 2015, aged 96 David Alexander Bruce Dryden 16 June 2015, aged 74 Val Fisk 18 August 2015, aged 75 Ann Theona Graham (formerly Smith, nee Young-Whitford 16 June, 2014, aged 83 Jonathan Yeatman Hancock 22 June 2015, aged 81 John C Harley 20 June 2015, aged 84 George Keta Leahy 27 August 2015, aged 66 Janet Lucas (nee McKelvie) 9 June 2015, aged 74 Paul Moxham June 2015 Bruce Reid 4 October www.pngaa.net | 57 Christmas LUNCHEON 2015 Sunday 6 December 2015 .LOODUD*ROI&OXE3DFLÀF+LJKZD\ .LOODUD16:DPRQZDUGV RSVP: 13 November 2015 ;OPZ`LHY»Z*OYPZ[THZS\UJO^PSSOH]L +09,*;065: TVYL[PTLMVYTPUNSPUNHUKUL[^VYRPUN From the train take the exit on the western side IV[OILMVYLHUKHM[LYS\UJO-VY[` VM2PSSHYHZ[H[PVU0MKYP]PUN[OLLU[YHUJLPZHM[LY `LHYZVM75.0UKLWLUKLUJLPZHNVVK -PKKLUZ>OHYM9VHKPTTLKPH[LS`HM[LY5VVKSL YLHZVU[VJLSLIYH[L[VNL[OLYIYPUN )SHZ[YLZ[H\YHU[VU[OL7HJPÄJ/PNO^H`HZ`V\ `V\YMYPLUKZHUKTLL[UL^VULZ>L travel north. Free parking is available. SVVRMVY^HYK[VZLLPUN`V\[OLYL 6\Y,]LU[*VVYKPUH[VY1\SPHUUL9VZZ(SSJVYU PZWSHUUPUNHUL_JP[PUN:PSLU[(\J[PVU0M`V\JHU ,]LY`VULPZ^LSJVTL¯ZVWSLHZL KVUH[LHUP[LTQL^LSSLY`HY[^VYRZ75.JYHM[Z VYNHUPaL[OLKH[LUV^:LH[PUNPZ IVVRZHSJVOVSWSLHZLJVU[HJ[1\SP SPTP[LK at: Q\SPHSSJVYU'NTHPSJVTVY ;OLJVZ[PZ WLYWLYZVU9:=7HUK WH`TLU[PZK\LI`5V]LTILY although it helps with organisation if you )66205.: respond promptly. 7SLHZLJVTWSL[L[OLIVVRPUNMVYTHUKWH`TLU[ +YPURZHYLH]HPSHISLMYVTHJHZOVUS`IHY details on the separate yellow Treasurer’s Corner insert and return as soon as possible or by 13 7SLHZLSL[\ZRUV^PM`V\OH]LZWLJPHS 5V]LTILY dietary requests. Note: When transferring funds by EFT to :LH[PUNPZH[[HISLZVM0M`V\^PZO[V PNGAA please also email: TLTILYZOPW'WUNHH be seated with family or friends please net advising your name, membership number, amount and what the payment is for. HK]PZLVU[OLVYKLYMVYT69THRL\W `V\YV^U[HISLVM Thank you TREASURER’S CORNER – December 2015 Payments to – PNGAA, PO Box 453, ROSEVILLE, NSW, 2069 If you would like to: 1. Renew your Membership of PNGAA; 2. Purchase the Walk into Paradise DVD; 3. Purchase the ‘Kiap – Stories Behind the Medal’ DVD; 4. Purchase Montevideo Maru 70th Anniversary DVD; 5. Attend the PNGAA Christmas Luncheon in Sydney Please print your name and address below and fill out the relevant parts of the order form overleaf. Please also check your address label – this tells you when your membership expires and also shows your membership number. Membership number (if known) ______Full name ______Address ______Postcode ______Telephone ______Mobile ______E-mail address______I would also like to receive Una Voce by E-mail. I would like to receive the Una Voce only by E-mail instead of a hard copy * If you have an e-mail address, or have recently changed it, please let us know as it makes communication with members much quicker and more efficient Members who are resident outside Australia will pay Australian resident membership fees only if they elect to receive Una Voce by E-mail rather than by post (e.g. no postage surcharge). See the checkbox above. ______CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON – Sunday December 6, 2015 I will attend the Luncheon and will have as my guests: ______If possible, I would like to be seated with ______ Number of vegetarian meals (if any) ………...... Please feel free to make up your own table of Ten ...... for $600 December 2015 ORDER FORM Quantity $ PNGAA Membership Renewal (if paid before 31 Dec 2015) Resident in Australia 2016 : $30 2016/2017 : $60 2016/2019 : $90 Resident in Asia/Pacific Postal Zone 2016 : $42 2016/2017 : $84 2016/2019 : $126 Resident in Rest of World Postal Zone 2016 : $46 2016/2017 : $92 2016/2019 : $138 PNGAA Membership Renewal (if paid after 1 Jan 2016) Resident in Australia 2016 : $35 2016/2017 : $70 2016/2019 : $105 Resident in Asia/Pacific Postal Zone 2016 : $50 2016/2017 : $100 2016/2019 : $150 Resident in Rest of World Postal Zone 2016 : $60 2016/2017 : $120 2016/2019 : $180 Walk Into Paradise DVD Member Price ...... $25 Non-Member Price ...... $30 ‘Kiap – Stories Behind the Medal’ DVD Member Price ...... $30 Non-Member Price ...... $35 Montevideo Maru 70th Anniversary DVD Price ...... $30 PNGAA Christmas Luncheon – Sunday 6 December 2015 – Killara Golf Club Cost per person ...... $60 Tables of 10……$600 TOTAL COST PAYMENT DETAILS Please circle method of payment Payment is accepted by cheque, bank draft, money order, MasterCard, Visa, or EFT through our web site: “www.pngaa.net” EFT payments are made to PNGAA, BSB 062-009 (CBA, Wynyard), account 0090 7724. Please ensure that the information provided with your payment allows us to identify you. To be sure, please send a confirmation e-mail to [email protected] CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS Type of card: MasterCard Visa Expiry date ______/______Card number ______/______/______/______Name on card (please print)______ Signature of card holder ______Date______ All payments must be in Australian currency December 2015 Commemorating the 75th Anniversary – 2017 Montevideo Maru and the New Guinea Islands www.memorial.org.au WE NEED YOUR STORIES! STORIES ABOUT THE ‘LOST BATTALION’, STORIES ABOUT CIVILIANS WHO REMAINED BEHIND AND WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN. STORIES ABOUT ESCAPE, STORIES ABOUT EVACUATION, STORIES ABOUT THOSE WHO LATER RETURNED TO NEW GUINEA ISLANDS AND STORIES ABOUT HOW WWII IN THE NEW GUINEA ISLANDS AFFECTED YOUR FAMILY AND LIVES DURING AND AFTER WWII. ABOUT THE PROJECT To acknowledge the ‘75th Commemorative Anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru and the fall of the New Guinea islands’, we are collecting short stories including photographs, by the families & friends of the men, which will be published as a book for the 75th Anniversary in 2017. The book will be about both the soldiers of the 2/22nd Battalion - Lark Force & the 1st Independent Company as well as the Civilians at Rabaul and New Guinea islands during WW2. We are looking for engaging and well-researched stories using a creative non-fiction technique rather than a ‘facts and figures’ story that links to the soldiers and civilians to their home communities, including their family life prior. We want to get a picture about these men that were essentially deemed 'lost' by our Government for more than three years; we want to know how their families survived during this unknown time - did they go to the marches in the capital cities? Did they receive help from Legacy? Did the family visit the camps at Trawool or Bonegilla before they departed? Did they knit socks for the Red Cross? Did they attend the Christmas parties or Fete arranged by 2/22nd Welfare Auxiliary? Were any of your family members part of the 2/22nd Welfare Auxiliary and what was their role? Or did they just not talk about the missing family members? Do you have any special items at home that were sent back from Rabaul? Did your family member escape and how? Was your family member listed in the massacres at either Tol or Kavieng and how did your family handle this tragic news? What happened after the War if they were one of the few that escaped? Did they befriend any special Papua New Guineans whilst escaping? Were they a POW in Japan and how did they survive that? With civilians – what happened when they were evacuated? Did they have a home to go to? How did they manage for food and winter clothing? What support did they receive? How did losing their homes and nearly all they knew - affect them and their children? How did they find out what happened to their men? The variables are endless. The book is to give families the opportunity to tell their story and to let others know the tragic loss that both Australia and the New Guinea Islands suffered by the disappearance of these special men onboard the Montevideo Maru as well as those that never left the New Guinea islands, and those that managed to make extraordinary escapes home. SUBMISSION CONDITIONS Email entry is preferred. Email: [email protected] or Dropbox : Gayle Thwaites Postal Address: Mrs G. Thwaites, PO Box 153, Lilydale, Victoria, 3140 • Please register your subject interest and Soldier's /Rabaul Civilian name with our Project Manager - Gayle Thwaites via email : [email protected] • Submissions are due 30 July, 2016 @ 5.00pm; they must include a Submission Form and Release Forms (photos) if applicable • There is no entry fee • Submission is not a guarantee of publication • Open to age 14 and over • Limit of two stories per person • Stories must be the author’s own work • Stories must not exceed the word limit of 3000 words • You are encouraged to include photographs with your story. These must be in JPG format and scanned at least to 300 dpi. A release form will be required for each individual photograph. • Photos should not be embedded in the text file. Please submit images as separate files from the written work • Hard copies of photos can be scanned and returned to you by arrangement • Stories should include a list of sources at the end • Entries must be typed on A4 paper, single sided in 12pt font double-spaced, with page numbers; no other formatting please • By submitting a story, the author grants the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group/Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) the rights to publish the story in print and online. • Once published, the rights revert back to the author. • Stories will NOT be returned • Publication is scheduled for Mid - 2017 FURTHER ENQUIRIES Project Team Manager – Gayle Thwaites: Email - [email protected] or Mobile: 0477 000 771 PNGAA President – Andrea Williams: Email - [email protected] Stay up to date with the project via Facebook at www.facebook.com/RabaulandMontevideoMaruSociety