Journal of the JUNE 2015 Papua New Guinea Association of Australia Inc.
UnaPatrons: Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery,Voce AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), Mr Fred Kaad OBE
Des Martin The King and I 2014 PNG Games receives PNG medal
www.pngaa.net Gallipoli Veterans Lost on Montevideo Maru. Page 5 Membership is available to any person having an interest in PNG. Annual subscription is $30. The membership Contents year corresponds with the calendar year. An application form is available from the Secretary at the address President’s Update ...... 2 below or on our website. A Chance Encounter ...... 3 Receipts are not given for subscriptions as it would add to our postage costs. Des Martin receives PNG medal ...... 4
75.((6ɉJL)LHYLYZ Gallipoli Veterans Lost on Montevideo Maru ...... 5 7YLZPKLU[ Andrea Williams Christopher Viner-Smith, OAM ...... 9 Mob: 0409 031 889 The King & I ...... 10 Email: [email protected] :LJYL[HY` 2014 PNG Games ...... 14 Rebecca Hopper Moresby - paradise for women ...... 18 Mob: 0417 348 263 A/H: 02 9939 1607 Art of the Sepik River ...... 20 Email: [email protected] Leslie Hore’s WWl Pictures ...... 23 ;YLHZ\YLY Christy King receives Doug Wood Star of Courage ...... 24 B/H: 02 9956 7500 Email: [email protected] PNG Oral History ...... 24 4LTILYZOPW6ɉJLY Digitising of Family History ...... 25 Roy Ranney PNG in the news ...... 26-27 Mob: 0422 556 5963 A/H: 02 9439 4763 What’s on? ...... 28-29 Email: [email protected] Book News & Reviews ...... 30-31 ,KP[VY Dianne Guy Invitations / Reunions ...... 32-33 Mob: 0414 262 762 Welcome to new members ...... 34 Email: [email protected] Change of address ...... 34 75.((THPSPUNHKKYLZZ! PO Box 453 Roseville, NSW 2069 Mick Jagger visits PNG ...... 35 Help wanted ...... 37 75.((>LIZP[L! If you do not have access to a computer and would like a hard copy of anything on the Memorial news ...... 38-39 website please contact the Secretary, PNGAA. Your Club Your Stories Your History ...... 40 We encourage members to pay membership fees by Rothman’s ...... 41 direct deposit to the PNGAA account: BSB: 062 009 Account No: 0090 7724 Gilmore Family Revisit the Historic Hotel Madang ...... 41 Please ensure you include your Membership Number. It would be appreciated if you could also notify the Obituaries ...... 42-45 Treasurer by email. Thank you! +LHKSPULMVYZ\ITPZZPVUZ[V:LW[LTILYPZZ\LVM Correction: In the last edition, the obituary for President’s Update It’s been tremendously exciting his resignation this year. He has to see this first colour issue of made an extraordinary contribution Una Voce take shape. Splashes of to the association and has provided vibrant colour energise us and are much stability. The AGM agreed combined with a wonderful balance to send him a Certificate of of articles. Many thanks to Dianne Appreciation. Treasurer Doug Guy and Greg Leech. Please do let Wood has been able to secure a new us know what you think! Honorary Auditor for the PNGAA and we welcome and thank Phil 25 April 2015 marked the 100th Williams. Anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli and I congratulate, and thank, the this issue commemorates this following members who have centenary. The battle at Bitapaka, taken on voluntary Management commemorated last September, was Committee positions for the 2015- the first commemorative event of 2016 period: the ANZAC centenary. Poignant President: Andrea Williams photos from the 2015 Anzac Day Treasurer: Doug Wood Dawn Service at Bomana, PNG, and the need to invest in our Secretary: Rebecca Hopper are shared with you in this issue. future. Our association’s value Editor: Dianne Guy comes in various ways. Una Voce Our next issue will commemorate Paul Munro (Public Officer); Roy has, for many years, been the the 40th anniversary of Papua New Ranney (Membership Officer); backbone of the association, but Guinea’s Independence. Jot down Julianne Ross Allcorn; Phil our value is also in the strong and some of your memories and send Ainsworth; Dr Jonathan Ritchie. diverse network of people who them to the Editor, Dianne Guy! are members and who contribute I look forward to working with this The 64th Annual General Meeting in many ways: in supporting our wonderful group of people for my on 3 May 2015 was another wonderful events; contributing to last term as, according to our rules, occasion to enjoy the company the PNGAA Collection at the Fryer the President has a four year term - of friends and meet others with Library (with special thanks to Dr ensuring fresh ideas invigorate the similar interests. Whilst we missed Peter Cahill) and working together association. some regular attendees, it was great in the wider community to ensure to see those who had travelled long Dianne Guy recently joined us as the association remains relevant distance, as well as those who are Editor. As mentioned in March, and vital. We are always looking based in Sydney. With thanks to Keith Wall had to step back but for ways to improve – please let Juli Allcorn for her organisation, will continue to assist on the us have your ideas! To sustain the a friendly, casual luncheon set the sub-editing team. The format for association we need to encourage tone which was enjoyed by those the preparation of Una Voce has both younger generations and those who attended. The Minutes from changed. Dianne will forward who have strong connections with the AGM are included as an insert edited material to Greg Leech in the contemporary Australia/PNG with this Una Voce. An unaudited Perth. As Dianne does contract relationship to join the PNGAA – financial report was included in the work, having a team of reliable and we need your help! March 2015 Una Voce and will be sub-editors is important. We thank Social networking is now possible available in a Members area on our those who have offered to assist at little cost via Facebook, website. and always welcome anyone who is Instagram, Twitter and other online interested. PNGAA Life Member, Len Bailey, means. It keeps people in touch who has audited our financial The AGM highlighted the passing wherever they live in the world report for over 30 years has offered of time, the changing demographics and despite the years between 2 JUNE 2015 contacts…but it doesn’t replace a in time allocated in the new A major event this year will be the vibrant and friendly gathering – Australian syllabus for the study of PNGAA Art Show, acknowledging so put the date of the Christmas the Pacific War (WWII). Despite the 40th anniversary of Papua lunch in your diary now – Sunday record attendances at Anzac Day, New Guinea’s Independence, in 6 December – and gather your and the 70th anniversary of the September. Julianne Ross Allcorn friends to come along. If you don’t end of the War in the Pacific, it will be coordinating this so please know others, let us know – we’re is tragic that our curriculum is contact her with any queries. happy to introduce you! placing less importance on this Many volunteers, both on the vital and defining period in our Another exciting day will be the Management Committee and nation’s history. The History belated launch and screening of for extended working groups, are Teachers’ Association of Victoria the DVD KIAP: Stories Behind needed to make an association such (HTAV) also knocked back the the Medal at the Roxy Theatre, as the PNGAA tick. I thank all our offer of a speaker from the Rabaul Lindfield, on Sunday 14 June. This members for the support you give and Montevideo Maru group at is a unique opportunity to view the and look forward to a great year their Annual Conference 2015. film on a large screen and, with a ahead! Amazing… when most of the men Q&A panel, will be a very special of the 2/22nd Battalion, many of Just a reminder, too, that PNGAA day. All are welcome. whom drowned on the Montevideo members have access to all archived Other events are sprinkled through Maru, Australia’s greatest maritime issues through the members only the year and we encourage you disaster, came from Victoria! area of the PNGAA website. If you to come and invite your friends access Una Voce electronically you Due to the increasing volume to come too. There is the 73rd can click on hyperlinks to view of material to be listed for the Commemorative service for the original or more detailed articles, PNGAA Fryer Collection, and the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru providing a livelier, multi-faceted ease of access with our PNGAA group to be held in Canberra on experience. website, we have decided to list all Sunday 28 June and there will also future donations on our website. The password to access this be a gathering at Ballina, northern Gradually, all archived lists will be members only area on the PNGAA NSW on 25 October. added, ensuring a comprehensive website is changed annually and is Work done by members of the list on the PNGAA website. shown on page 8 of this issue. Rabaul and Montevideo group have highlighted the drastic cutback (*OHUJL,UJV\U[LY We decided to travel to Sydney for a drive enroute the Killara Much conversation followed, by public transport to attend the Golf Club. This included 5 linking Joan Stobo’s (PNG 1960s) PNGAA lunch in December 2014. Kardella Avenue, my family home early days and life in TPNG to my immediately after WWll. uncle Viv Crisp and Steamships Saturday: Bingie to Moruya; bus Trading Company. to Nowra; bus to Bomaderry; As I walked into the garden I was diesel train to Kiama; suburban greeted by an elegantly dressed The return journey on the Monday service to Central and then Central lady coming out of her house. I was an exact reversal which again to Gordon!. Travel time seven announced my reason for being took seven and a half hours!! and a half hours with, of course, there and she noticed my Air David Montgomery mandatory meal stops. Niugini tie. ‘Are you going to (Didiman TPNG 1956 - 1965) the PNGAA lunch?’ my new The following morning we asked acquaintance asked. And then said, our cousin Peter Bidencope, who ’well so am I!’ we were staying with, to take us 3 UNA VOCE Des Martin receives PNG medal On 3 March 2015 Des Martin was presented with the PNG medal of the Order of Logohu (Bird of Paradise) in a ceremony in Brisbane. Magdalene Moi-He, the PNG Consulate General in Brisbane, presented the medal on behalf of the Governor General of PNG. Des and his life-long friend, the late Bob Blaikie were the first two patrol officers to enter the disaster area at Mount Lamington on behalf of the TPNG Administration on 22 January 1951, the day after the catastrophic eruption that killed almost 3,000 people. Des and Bob worked for three weeks with others, including the volcanologist Tony Taylor, on the horrific relief effort. They were eventually relieved of their duties because of the physical and emotional exhaustion they suffered (PTSD). Memories of the disaster remained with them for rest of their lives. Des and Bob were both terrific correspondents when I was collecting information about the disaster- management aspects of the 1951 Lamington eruption for the book, Fire Mountains. Wally Johnson Be part of the exclusive premier of KIAP. The Story Behind The Medal, to be screened soon in Sydney. 7SHJLZHYLSPTP[LKZVHULHYS`9:=7 YLJVTTLUKLK:LLº>OH[»Z6U¹ ZLJ[PVUVUWHNL MVYM\SSKL[HPSZ 4 JUNE 2015 Gallipoli Veterans Lost on Montevideo Maru The sinking of the Japanese prisoner transport ship Montevideo Maru 73 years ago remains Australia’s greatest maritime disaster - and there is a tragic link with Gallipoli. Recent research revealed that 15 of the civilian internees who died aboard the ship - some highly decorated - had fought on Gallipoli and in France. 5 UNA VOCE /HYVSK/PSSPZ7HNL Harold Hillis Page was one of them. He was born at Grafton, NSW in 1888 and was working in the Commonwealth Public Service in Lismore when he enlisted in the AIF in February 1915. He was commissioned in April, and promoted to lieutenant in June. Page served at Gallipoli and went to France in 1916 with the 25th Battalion. As a captain he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at Messines and in April 1917 as an acting major he commanded the battalion in the Battle of Amiens. He was wounded three times and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for outstanding leadership. Page returned to Australia in May 1919 and rejoined the Commonwealth Public Service. He married Anne Brewster and completed a degree at Sydney University. In 1921 he transferred to the Treasury Department and the following year was seconded to the New Guinea Treasury. In Rabaul he was appointed superintendent of police and in May 1923 he became Government Secretary in the Administration of the Mandated Territory. Despite rumours at the time that his appointment was due to the influence of his older brother Earl, who was briefly Australian Prime Minister, it’s more likely that he was supported by the then Administrator, Brigadier General E A Wisdom, who’d known Page during the war and had a very high opinion of his ability. After Wisdom’s departure, Page failed to get on well with the new Administrator, Brigadier General Thomas Griffiths. Page said he had very little work to do but this changed with the arrival in 1934 of Walter Ramsay McNicoll, a schoolteacher turned politician who had a very high opinion of the Page brothers. Due to increased volcanic activity, preparations were made to move the New Guinea administrative headquarters from Rabaul to Lae. McNicoll, together with 6 JUNE 2015 officers of the District Services, On 22 June 1942, 845 prisoners On his return to Australia Page Lands and Works Departments, of war and 208 civilian internees married Roma Prowse in Canberra moved in November, leaving Page boarded the Montevideo Maru on 1 November 1943. Even his wife in Rabaul as Deputy Administrator bound for Hainan. On 1 July the did not know about his role in Z looking after the remaining unmarked and unescorted ship Force. Bob Page was awarded the departments. But then Japan came was torpedoed by an American DSO for his courage and devotion into the war, with the first bombing submarine off the north east coast under extreme hazardous conditions of Rabaul on 4 January and the of the Philippines. There were no in Operation Jaywick, but it was Japanese invasion on 23 January. survivors from the battened down not officially promulgated until The European civilians went into hatches. All 1,053 died. 1945 because of the extreme internment camps. Major Harold Hillis Page, DSO secrecy. Page never knew about the MC, born 8 August 1888, died 1 award. July 1942. In Operation Rimau in September 1944 the raiding team was taken by submarine to the South China 9VILY[*OHYSLZ7HNL Sea where it seized a junk and /HYVSK»Z:VU sailed towards Singapore. But Meanwhile back in Australia, it was discovered and Bob Page Harold’s eldest son, Robert, quit was captured by the Japanese and his medical studies at Sydney executed in Singapore on 7 July University to join the Army. 1945 - just one month before the end of the war. Robert Page with his sisters He was commissioned into the 2nd/4th Pioneer Battalion but soon Roma later recalled, We waited and transferred to Z Special Unit, a waited for them to come back, but joint Allied unit carrying out raids of course they never did, and then on Japanese installations in south we waited for something official. east Asia. On her second wedding anniversary she received a telegram to say Bob In 1943 he took part in Operation had died of illness while a POW of Jaywick using a Japanese-built the Japanese. It took many years for fishing boat, the Krait, to enter her to discover the truth. Singapore Harbour and attach limpet mines to Japanese shipping, Captain Robert Charles Page, DSO, destroying or badly damaging seven born 21 July 1920, died 7 July ships. 1945. Harold Hillis Page Don Hook 7 UNA VOCE ,HYS`OPZ[VY`VMH]PH[PVUPU75. *OHUNLVM>LI:P[L A video compiled by the Gray family will appeal to 7HZZ^VYK anyone interested in the early history of aviation The members area of the PNGAA web in PNG. Kieran Nelson made it available on his site will have a new password from YouTube page at: 1 July 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZF7jwgmvKk @V\[O^P[OH4PZZPVU@>(4 +LU[HS*SPUPJ This little one was born in Sisiami village. She was delivered with the help of a clean The YWAM dental clinic is now up and running, birth kit in the grass and the mud near the [YLH[PUN[OLÄYZ[WH[PLU[ZVUIVHYKVU (WYPS river bank. Mother and baby are well and At a combined gathering on board the ship in Sydney the baby was immunised by the Primary late last year, the Wantok Group donated $1,500. Health Care team. 5V[LZMYVT[OL5VY[OLYU;LYYP[VY` The PNG-Australia Social and Cultural Group in Darwin can be described as inactive. Nothing new there, I suggest. Forty years ago the German Club and the Italian Club in Alice Springs were ÅV\YPZOPUN)V[OOH]L]HUPZOLKHZ[OLTPNYHU[Z^P[O[OLPYLU[O\ZPHZ[PJ]VS\U[LLYZMHKLV\[VM [OLWPJ[\YLHUKZ\JJLLKPUNNLULYH[PVUZÄUKWSLU[`[VPU[LYLZ[[OLTV\[ZPKL[OLPYOPZ[VY`/HWWPS` PNGAA hasn’t disappeared and while we maintain our quarterly link across the continent it won’t soon. On a brighter note we can hope that Darwin’s Social and Cultural Group can reactivate VUJLTVYL[V[\YUVUH[OPMÄUHS0UKLWLUKLUJLJLSLIYH[PVUUL_[:LW[LTILY Jim Toner 8 JUNE 2015 Christopher Viner-Smith, OAM Christopher Viner-Smith was named in the 2015 Australia Day Honours list, with the citation: The Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division, for services to community history particularly through securing recognition for Patrol 6ѝJLYZPUWYLPUKLWLUKLUJL7HW\H5L^.\PULH Chris said, ‘I am securing the POSM for us and we thank them for their contribution. certainly honoured We are grateful to everyone who to receive it and hope helped, but none of us would ever have received this medal it opens a few more without the tireless persistence and doors to Australia’s perseverance of Chris Viner-Smith. understanding of the Chris began his campaign for our work done by the medal in 2002, with a letter to However the opposition rejected the Hon. Dana Vale, Minister for the Private Members Bill and Chris Kiaps and indeed all of Veterans Affairs, followed in 2003 then had to lobby the independents those Australians who by letters to the Hon. Chris Ellison, Windsor, Oakeshott, Brandt and Minister for Justice and Customs, Wilkie and the Labor MP for served the Government the Hon. Phillip Ruddock, Attorney Canberra, Brodtmann, who all in developing TPNG.’ General of Australia and the then supported him. Although the Bill Prime Minister John Howard. was withdrawn there was enough support, especially from Canberra Many people were involved in Every year from 2004, Chris sent Labor Senator Lundy, to allow both securing the Police Overseas a series of letters and submissions sides to agree to seek a change to Service Medal (POSM) for Patrol to Prime Ministers John Howard the POSM Letters Patent from Officers (Kiaps). Most notable and Kevin Rudd, various the Queen and in 2013 we were amongst them are the Hon. Jason Ministers and other Members of granted our Medal. Clare, a Minister in the then Parliament. Chris also met with Labor Government, the Hon. various Ministers, Members of Those of us who have received Scott Morrison, a Minister in the Parliament, government agencies current Liberal Government, Julia this Medal owe it to Chris for and NGOs in a monumental effort his dedication, diligence and Gillard, the then Prime Minister, of extraordinary perseverance, to who recommended to the Queen perseverance. His reward, justly secure official recognition for us, deserved, is the Medal of the Order that the criteria for the award of the but all to no avail. Medal be altered to include Kiaps, of Australia. and of course, Her Majesty the Then, on 16 November 2009, Scott Queen who authorised the granting Thank you, and congratulations Morrison MP in the presence of Chris Viner-Smith, OAM. of this medal to us. several Kiaps in the public gallery, Several Kiaps, including Mike rose in Parliament to propose that Chips Mackellar Douglas, were also involved in Kiaps be officially recognised. 9 UNA VOCE The King & I “When would you “Well, I’m here now, so let’s go ahead He nods and we shake hands. I and do it,” I reply. walk to the hired Landcruiser with like to hold the Lepo, my partner’s cousin who is I am in the south of Bougainville Commander of the King’s Royal interview?” asks the Island and dressed for the tropical Guard – a militia made up mainly heat in a singlet and shorts. Fijian. He is a large of ex-rebel soldiers from the ten-year man – ex-Special He looks me up and down and there Bougainville Civil War. The war was is a slightly amused glint in his eyes. a brutal episode in Bougainville’s Forces with active recent history which claimed up “You will have to go and get changed,” to 20,000 lives. It was sparked by Middle East military he says. “You are about to meet landowners of the giant Panguna duty under his belt. Royalty.” copper mine area who had become “Yes, yes, of course,” I mutter and increasingly frustrated about wonder where I will find clothes receiving negligible benefit from fit for a royal audience. Home is the mining operations. They were a seven-hour rough drive away in also horrified by the destruction of Buka town and I have only brought their land, environmental damage casual gear on this journey. on a scale they had not anticipated. What started off as essentially an I tell him I’m staying in a nearby environmental battle escalated into a village and will return within the secessionist war against Papua New hour. Guinea. 10 JUNE 2015 Though a peace agreement whilst others escaped through John decided to ride his bicycle to was signed between the PNG the nearby Solomon Islands. The see Lepo and make sure I would be Government and the various Fijians had come on the promise of safe. fighting factions in 2001 there are F$1million each. He arrived back some hours later still armed pockets of rebels who The remaining Fijian tells me he looking a bit edgy and said I had did not sign the agreement. is still here, in part, to ensure that to meet with the Fijian who would Shunning the peace agreement, promise is kept. then decide whether I could have the rebellion’s father, the late an audience with the King. Lepo and I reach the Landcruiser Francis Ona, set up the Kingdom where my partner’s relatives are That night I had strange dreams. of Me’ekamui – meaning Holy waiting. I tell them I have to go and Land – in the Panguna mine area, change into “smart” clothes and R proclaiming it a no-go-zone. they howl with laughter. A white It is morning and I jump into the In the early 2000s Noel Musingku, man being told he has to dress up Landcruiser’s front seat whilst John originally from South Bougainville, neatly to meet a black man is great and a group of village boys hop in was forced to leave PNG capital sport to them. the back. Port Moresby after his money I am less amused but they tell me scheme U-Vistract – which We drive in silence and as we get they will scrape together something originally started as a Christian closer to the militarised self-ruled suitable for a royal audience. Mission in Australia – brought him kingdom I feel a nervous urge to make small talk with the driver. to the attention of local authorities. The village is about twenty minutes away by road and the boys in the In 2003, after spending time in The road leading to Tonu, unlike truck are still chuckling when we the Solomon Islands, Musingku the others in the district, is well- arrive. sought refuge with Ona for a while. maintained. At intervals, half the road is blocked by rock piles – Musingku then set up his own The villagers are curious about my alternately on the left then the right Me’ekamui stronghold in Tonu, visit. None of them has ever seen side – to ensure vehicles drive at a South Bougainville – naming it the King – he never leaves his respectful speed. the Twin Kingdoms of Papaala and Kingdom – but they all have stories Me’ekamui. Today he rules as King to tell about him. We pull into Tonu proper, the driver David Peii II. parks the Cruiser and we jump out. “He wears a five-kilogram pure gold From his remote, fortified crown on his head,” one informs The Kingdom looks like any small stronghold, Musingku operates the me, eyes shining at the thought. town in PNG, though is neater International Bank of Me’ekamui than most. which offers “world class financial “Ask him when the money is solutions” via its Website. coming,” says another. There is a big sign declaring Papaala to be a Sovereign Nation. The path Musinkgu has assured U-Vistract The day before, I had arrived in the to the Royal Headquarters is barred investors their money is coming village after having organised my by a boom gate where an unarmed soon. He denies he is running a audience with the King through soldier from the Royal Guard sits. cargo cult. my partner’s uncle John, a local Maybe there are weapons in the chief. He had made the necessary The Fijian is the last remaining guardhouse. I don’t ask. ex-soldier from a contingent of arrangements with Lepo. John tells the guard we are looking nine who came to Bougainville After I had settled in the village, for Lepo and he sends word. Shortly eight years ago to train Musingku’s John called Lepo and, whilst I a grim-looking man wearing militia. Their arrival sparked couldn’t understand what was said, neat military gear walks towards a major international incident I did catch the word “Fijian” a us. He’s a big, solid black guy - between Papua New Guinea and couple of times. When John hung Bougainvilleans take pride in being Fiji. The former soldiers were forced up he had a worried look on his the blackest on the planet - and to leave – some surrendered to the face. He said the Fijian had raised he doesn’t smile, even when being Papua New Guinea Government some questions about my visit. 11 UNA VOCE introduced to me, his in-law. But the big man is, nonetheless, polite. We sit and shortly the Fijian gestures for me to stand. From an adjoining room the King emerges. He stands Lepo takes me to a nearby hut and tells me to wait while he fetches still in the doorway long enough for me to take in the the Fijian. The two return and I am full majestic sight of him. introduced to the former Special Forces combatant, who smiles as he They explain how the King is going King but before I can proceed we shakes my hand. to revolutionise the economy must pray. We close our eyes and not only of Bougainville but the they lay hands on my shoulder, He asks me my intentions and I entire World. The kingdom, they chanting loudly in a tongue I have explain that I am a journalist based proudly tell me, has printed not heard before. I feel slightly in Bougainville, here to write a its own currency. The different disoriented but the prayer is soon story about the King. Whilst he denominations feature variously over and they send us on our way does not make it obvious, I know the heads of Francis Ona, Jesus with God’s blessing. the Fijian is closely studying me and the King himself. The Bank of and what I am saying. Journalists We walk towards the Royal PNG had recently placed ads in the are to be treated with caution, the Headquarters, a plain fibro building, newspapers warning people not to King has had a lot of bad press - and enter an open door. accept these Bougainville Dollars. mainly from people who have not met him. The men also inform me that in Inside is the Fijian, calmly smiling. the Kingdom it is already 2014 After a few minutes of discussion, He is sitting at a long bench, at the and the current month is Jasper – the Fijian indicates he is satisfied by head of which is another man with all months here are named after my answers and says I may ask the a notebook. minerals mentioned in the Bible. King as many questions as I like. The Fijian gestures for me to sit and I nod as I take all this in, genuinely I tell him I am grateful and this is sends Lepo out to fetch ice creams. fascinated. when he asks me when I would like The man with the book looks at me, to conduct the interview. Lepo returns and takes me to a pen poised. third checkpoint, the gate of the “Name?” he asks. R Royal Headquarters compound. I arrive back at Tonu from the After all my details are written in Here I am met by a small group village dressed in oversized jeans the notebook they tell me the King of men who ask me the same and a scruffy long-sleeve button- is waiting for me in his office. I questions but this time I am up shirt. For this part of the world must go into the other room and searched and my camera is taken the outfit is more than formal. wait for him. I am to stand when he from me to be scrutinised. Lepo greets me and this time he is enters and will address him as Your smiling. When I tell them I am connected Majesty. He escorts me past the guardhouse to Lepo’s family the group leader shakes my hand and beams. I nod and am reminded I may ask up to the Protocol Office and leaves as many questions as I wish. me at the door. I’m met by two “I know you,” he says and opens the men who write my details down in gate. The King is, I imagine, sensitive a ledger. They are happy when I tell about his financial dealings and I them of my connection with Lepo – On the inside of the compound search for a polite way to say so. but it affords me no privilege. I will is a small hut occupied by two The Fijian makes it easy for me. still have to undergo further checks older men. They are extremely “Ask about any subject,” he says. before I can meet the King. welcoming and shake my hand with enthusiasm. The man with the notebook re- Whilst waiting for Lepo to return enters and I am told the King will the two protocol officers tell me They ask me all the same questions see me now. about the kingdom. They speak but I am not searched. with enthusiasm about God, who The two tell me how pleased they The Fijian and I enter. In the corner has blessed and protects the King. are that I have come to visit their sits a big man who nods in greeting. 12 JUNE 2015 The room is simple – a desk, some Whatever people may think about “People may think these are plastic chairs and a royal seal on the him – many are scathing – he is a forgeries,” he says, assuring me they wall. remarkable character. are not. We sit and shortly the Fijian gestures Musingku speaks at length about his I ask him about the money that is for me to stand. From an adjoining plans to unify Bougainville. But he owed to investors in U-Vistract, a room the King emerges. He stands says the Autonomous Bougainville sum estimated to be up to K350 still in the doorway long enough for Government refuses to fall in with million. It has been over a decade me to take in the full majestic sight his plans – plans which, it must be and people are still waiting – with of him. said, are somewhat unorthodox. varying degrees of patience. He is dressed in a sulu suit, has a Musingku has been accused of being It’s coming, he says and shows me a large gold crown on his head and is a separatist and a hindrance to the shipping manifest listing jeeps, fire clutching a sceptre which he places Bougainville peace process. engines and heavy machinery. This in a special holder. He nods regally cargo is arriving soon, I am told. In 2006 a neighbouring warlord led at me then walks over to take the an armed attack on the Kingdom There is a sports festival taking Fijian’s hands. They pray loudly and but retreated when one of his place in Tonu which will go on for the Fijian leaves, locking the door men was killed by the Tonu forces. forty days and forty nights. At the behind him. Musingku himself was shot in the festival’s conclusion, the money and “Knock on the door when you’re jaw, the bullet leaving a still-visible cargo will arrive. finished and I’ll let you out,” he says. hole and shattering several teeth. We rise and shake hands, the King The King asks me to sit down then The two leaders have since again thanking me for coming to sits himself. reconciled. visit. The big guy in the corner off to the I ask the King how he felt about Before I depart he invites me to side is silent and although I can’t see getting shot in the face. come back in a week’s time to him I can feel his presence. witness distribution of the cargo. I “It is God’s will,” he says, looking me tell him I shall if I can. The King welcomes me to his in the eye. kingdom and lets me know how I knock on the door and the Fijian The fact that despite being a marked happy he is for me to be here. Then lets me out. man he has survived for so long is, before I can ask my first question he he says, part of God’s Master Plan. Lepo takes me on a small tour of the starts giving me a detailed outline Kingdom and I watch some youths and history of his operations. He tells me a new shipment of playing soccer. On the way back to banknotes is on the way and I ask When he stops for breath I ask if I the Landcruiser I am met by the what reserves he has to support the can turn my tape recorder on. He protocol guys who have come to say currency’s integrity. explains that we are currently just goodbye. chatting – the interview has not yet We are sitting on a wealth of gold in They take pictures of me as I leave. begun – but, yes, I am welcome to the ground, he says. I go back to the village where I start recording. He shows me documents from the spend a wonderful few days relaxing, The King is a fine orator. His International Monetary Fund, the eating garden food and swimming mind is clearly full of many ideas European Council and International in the clear, cold, refreshing waters and thoughts which tumble from Organization for Economic of the nearby river before returning his mouth at lightning speed, Development. The documents home. one topic quickly turning into state that these organizations another. At university he took recognize Musingku’s “Government I am unable to make it back to the courses in engineering, architecture, of Bougainville Island” as the kingdom at the end of the forty computing, law and politics. legitimate ruler of the independent days and nights so cannot, at this state of Bougainville. King Peii II stage, confirm arrival of either the It is easy to see why people follow is recognised as the head of that cargo or the money. him. He has an indefinable government. charisma. And, yes, he is evangelical David Lornie in the Pentacostal mould. 13 UNA VOCE 2014 PNG Games /VZ[LKI`3HL*P[`4VYVIL7YV]PUJL The PNG Games were initiated by the PNG National Sports Institute of the PNG Sports Foundation in 2000 to provide the opportunity for youths to represent their provinces in a multi sport L]LU[;OLNHTLZWYV]PKLMVY[OLPKLU[PÄJH[PVUVMV\[Z[HUKPUN sporting talent whilst promoting provincial pride and national unity. 14 JUNE 2015 In 2014 the PNG Games were The budget for the games was K27 The HOC ensured local service staged in Lae from 16 to 29 million with funding provided providers and suppliers were paid November. The Host Organising by the national and provincial promptly. Free transport for athletes Committee (HOC) delivered governments and their agencies. and officials was provided by local the biggest, most successful and Sixty percent of the funding was bus operators. Private security, professionally run games ever. used to upgrade public sports the Royal PNG Constabulary, the facilities. Lae and Port Moresby Australian Federal Police and the Nearly 11,000 people were directly businesses supported the event, PNG Defence Force ensured a involved with the games, with the Bank of South Pacific secured trouble free event. approximately 7,000 athletes from naming rights and the event was all 23 provinces competing in 28 For the first time the opening and used as one of the launching pads for sports. closing ceremonies were televised the PUMA energy brand. live on EMTV and live telecasts of outdoor and indoor sports treated the nation to a feast of sport. 15 UNA VOCE The delivery of the games was a confidence booster for the country’s preparations for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby and it allowed officials to identify new talent. Fifty athletes were selected to attend camp after the games, with a number of them continuing to train for the Pacific Games. According to Tony Green, President of the Papua New The opening ceremony was vibrant and colourful. Guinea Athletics Union, the 2014 PNG Games was by The Prime Minister, Peter O’ Neill, was the guest of far the best to date. Morobe Province won the games honour. Horses and cowboys from the Markham valley with NCD second and Central Province in third place. led the provincial teams into the Sir Ignatius Kilage The Autonomous Region of Bougainville turned in a Stadium with their provincial flags. The PNG Defence huge performance to secure fourth place. Force mounted a full guard of honour to welcome The 2014 PNG Games was one of the most successful the Prime Minister and commandos abseiling from a sporting events to be staged in the country. The future helicopter delivered his speech. The stadium was filled of sport in PNG is now more promising than ever. with the rhythmic dancing and colourful costumes of numerous singsing groups. Games ambassadors Toea Materua Tamarua, Chief Executive Officer, 2014 Wisil, Commonwealth Gold Medallist Dika Toua and PNG Games Rugby League legend Scott Prince were amongst the and VIPs. The day was closed with superb performances from Australian singer Christine Anu and Morobe band Phil Franklin MBE, Chairman, Host Organising Jokema. Committee 2014 PNG Games 16 JUNE 2015 The 2014 PNG Games was one of the most successful sporting events to be staged in the country. The future of sport in PNG is now more promising than ever. 17 UNA VOCE Moresby - paradise for women The Argus, Melbourne, December 1953 Melbourne’s torrid Papua’s summer temperature was Port Moresby is a paradise for much more moderate and pleasant, women, whether married or not, heat has been too she said, ‘I am longing to return she declares. There are more men much for Mrs. A R home to cool off’, Mrs. Wardrop than women and girls who go there added. to work seem to be married in no Wardrop, who left by time, particularly nurses, she said. She has been in Melbourne for the air yesterday to return last three weeks, and on Saturday Typists and stenographers earn attended the wedding of her son, about £13 a week and live for to her home at Port Robert and Miss Joy Nelson, who reasonable cost at hostels, and there Moresby. has just completed her fifth year is no direct taxation. Cost of goods, medical studies. most of which have to be imported, is high. Reita and Anthony Wardrop and Jean and Bob Smith at Chevron, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 1962 18 JUNE 2015 But your prices are high in Australia, Returning in 1946, she had to The only thing which Mrs. Wardrop too. There is plenty of competent take back everything, for their old really misses is fresh milk for a cup help for the householder. Most have home which had been bombed and of tea. All their supplies are tinned. a cookboy, houseboy, and laundry stripped of everything. The Wardrops lived at Poligolo boy. This relieves the housewife of Her younger son, 20 year-old Plantation on the Kemp Welsh all household chores and she is free Owen, went to a 1,500 acre estate River until about the time of to enjoy a very nice social life. at Poligolo, 50 miles from Port Independence when they moved to It is 19 years since Mrs. Wardrop Moresby, when he left Scotch a year Northern NSW. went to Papua with her husband and ago. two young sons. They were part of a Port Moresby’s population has Below: small community at Misima Island, Wardrop family home in risen from 900 before the war to Poligolo, Rigo, PNG and were isolated from any medical 5,000 today. This has meant more help. amenities in the way of electric After a year they moved to Port stoves and refrigerators. Moresby and have lived there ever Fresh vegetables are grown in the since except when Mrs. Wardrop highlands and pineapples, bananas, was evacuated in 1942, her husband papaws and tropical mandarins remaining in the Army. Both boys and oranges, a different variety were then at Scotch College. from those grown in Australia, are plentiful. 19 UNA VOCE Art of the Sepik River, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Myth and magic: art of the Sepik River, an exhibition of over 80 impressive works of art, opens on 7 August 2015. It includes art from communities of the lower and middle Sepik River, the Murik lakes, the Blackwater and Korewori, distinguished for their visual arts. Iatmul people, East Sepik Province Mai mask mid-20th century, wood, shell, clay, fibre, tusk, ochre, porcelain. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 2014, IRN 250193 20 JUNE 2015 Many of the exhibits were collected from 1914 to just before World War II. During and after the upheavals of the early twentieth century, the region’s communities continued to practise many of their art traditions. The art of the region is bewilderingly inventive. Materials including pig tusks; feathers; shells; clay; human bones, hair and teeth; wood; fur and skins; fibre and a vibrant palette of ochres are used. Although the artists used the resources they had at hand, they did not always restrict themselves: materials obtained from trade was incorporated into their work. Reckitt’s Blue (the blueing agent) was particularly sought after, as was red paint. Stone-bladed adzes were used - and were still in use as late as the 1960s - to fell trees and rough out blocks of wood for masks or spirit figures. More detailed work was done with wooden mallets and blades hafted to form chisels. A tooth of a pig, rat, flying fox or other mammal was hafted to create a fine engraving tool. Slivers of bamboo, the sharp edges of certain shells and pig tusks were used to scrape and smooth the surface of wooden objects. The particular tools used can be Sawos people, East Sepik Province ‘Malu’ plaque 19th century, wood. discerned in the subtle effects National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1977. IRN 116223 upon the surface of a figure or mask. There is less visual rigidity created and differ from community Floods are the crocodile settling than when metal tools are used; to community. Observances down into the waters as the land the designs are more fluid and included sexual abstinence, food and the crocodile’s back are one sculptural volumes seem more taboos and working in secrecy at a and the same and earthquakes are organically expressed. secluded place away from the village signs that the crocodile is moving. Aside from the immense skill and and the eyes of the uninitiated. The jaws of a crocodile symbolically intimate knowledge of materials represent the worldview: the upper Each community has its own artistic that all Sepik River carvers attain, jaw is the sky and all within it and cannon, history and cosmology. there are ritualised rules of conduct the lower jaw is the land and the According to an origin myth of that must be followed when making river and everything on or in it. the Iatmul people, the world was important objects. These vary created by a primordial crocodile The saltwater crocodile is the most depending upon the religious or that swam everything into being. revered and respected inhabitant of magical significance of the object 21 UNA VOCE the Sepik, perfectly adapted to the environment, it is a neighbour of which to be wary. Understandably, the crocodile permeates the myths and legends and art and architecture of many Sepik communities. Sculptures of crocodiles, such as the 6.3 metre long spirit crocodile figure from the Korewori River on loan from the Papua New Guinea Museum and Art Gallery, can be larger than life size. Every village has at least one ceremonial house, Haus Tambaran, that is the centre of all political and religious activity. These majestic buildings are supported by giant wooden posts spectacularly carved with clan- associated figures, animals and overlapping patterns. Ritual objects, such as ancestral figures, masks, and other important items are stored in the concealed upper chamber of the house. The ceremonial house is where youths are initiated into manhood. Initiates are kept in seclusion for months while being instructed in arcane knowledge Yimam people, Korewori River, East Sepik Province Yipwon and receiving scarification marks to the back and early–mid 20th century, wood, patina. National Gallery of chest. These marks are one of the most spectacular Australia, Canberra, purchased 2011, IRN 211518 forms of indigenous body art still practised. The scar patterns symbolise the teeth marks of the ancestral crocodile, which has devoured the initiate, transforming him into a man, and a warrior. Life along the Sepik continues much as it has done for centuries. Cooked sago is still a staple food and the ubiquitous dugout wooden canoes continue to be made and used for travel and fishing. Communities still have a strong sense of identity defined by pre-Christian myths and oral histories, and continue the traditional cycle of events such as initiations and, to a lesser extent, the creation of extraordinary ceremonial arts. Myth and magic: art of the Sepik River provides a rare opportunity to encounter masterpieces from the Sepik, works that speak of a time and a place where spirits and ancestors were integral to daily life. The National Museum and Art Gallery of Papua New Guinea has generously lent five of its masterpieces, but most of the works come from the exceptional collections of Australian museums and art galleries, and many have never been shown before. Crispin Howarth Curator Pacific Arts, National Gallery of Australia Sawos or Iatmul people, East Sepik Province Wundjumbu (spirit Images courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia face from a ceremonial-house post) 19th century, wood. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, gift of Margaret and Michael Cockburn and family, 2007, IRN 167425 22 JUNE 2015 Leslie Hore’s WWl Pictures Like many Australian ex-service men, Lt Colonel Leslie FS Hore, MC MID went to the former German colony of New Guinea after WWl. When he died in 1935 he owned a plantation on the island of New Ireland. During his war service with the 8th Light Horse Regiment (LHR) at Gallipoli in 1915 Leslie Hore produced 32 water colour paintings and drawings and another 70 pictures during his service on the Western Front. He was badly wounded during the infamous charge at The Nek in August 1915 when the 8th LHR was nearly wiped out. In 1919 Leslie Hore gave his WWI pictures to the Mitchell Library, Sydney before he went to Rabaul with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF). The pictures are on the NSW State Library website at www.sl.nsw.gov.au ANZAC Beach – June 1915 Click on Manuscripts and Pictures and search for Leslie Hore. The Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs education website at http://anzacsite.gov. au/5environment/hore/hore.html has a section about Leslie Hore and his Gallipoli pictures. The National Library of Australia website, http://trove.nla.gov.au/picture/ result?q=Leslie+Hore has a link to a photos of Leslie Hore. Patrick Bourke Photos from Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW The Morning After 23 UNA VOCE Christy King receives Star of Courage Christy King was presented with made no sense. She immediately the Star of Courage bravery award identified herself as the group leader by the Governor-General, Peter and negotiated and pleaded with Cosgrove, on 30 March 2015. She the attackers to stop their assault. was cited for the award, one of the Although she had been clubbed country’s highest decorations, for with a machete she organised displaying conspicuous courage first aid, medical assistance and in circumstances of great peril in evacuation after the attacker leading trekkers to safety after the ransacked the campsite and fled. Black Cat Track attack in PNG. She led the trekkers who could walk A trekking party led by Christie down the mountain for five hours, was attacked by men armed with mostly in darkness, taking the most machetes and a shotgun. Three men vulnerable position herself. were killed, seven wounded and the Christie paid tribute to the 19 trekkers were beaten and robbed Papua New Guinea porters on the when ambushed at Banis Donki on trek, the trekkers and the rescue September 10 2013. team. Christy described the attack as a frenzied bloody massacre which PNG Oral History Efforts to capture the oral history of WWII through the eyes of Papua New Guineans have been made possible through an Oral History Program supported by the Kokoda Initiative, a bilateral program of the Australian and PNG governments. Dr Andrew Moutu, Director of the National Museum and Arts Gallery, said: ‘Because we are dealing with PNG subjects, we Dr Moutu hopes this program will contribute to thought we would do this orally. Much of what the museum’s vision of seeing more Papua New we know of PNG history cannot be found in Guineans placing greater value on their history. books; very few Papua New Guineans write and ‘We want to foster a deeper appreciation of some of them are now in archival materials, but history and the knowledge of history to be utilised photographs and such can lead us somewhere. elsewhere.’ Dr Jonathan Ritchie, Team Leader of the Oral Information from: http://www.emtv.com. History Program, describes Papua New Guineans pg/article.aspx?slug=National-Museum- perspective on WWII history as dark hole. Apart Seek-out-Options-to-Revive-PNG-s-WWII- from Ben Moide’s book, very little is known about History&subcategory=Education the Papua New Guinean experience as told by Papua New Guineans. Ford Trimotor on display at the National Museum and Art Gallery 24 JUNE 2015 Digitising of Family History Many PNGAA members would like to give new life to personal or family archival papers. Here is how to do it! I persuaded my 90 year old mother- to a wider group in-law, Marjorie, not to throw out a than ever expected bundle of letters sent to her by her and may eventually husband, George, from PNG from be published 1943 to 1944 when he was serving as an IBook on in the AIF 9th Field Ambulance. ITunes, using a After Marjorie died in 2011, I free download glanced through the letters and application for Mac letter-cards which were in various called I Author. stages of decay. What first attracted my interest was descriptions of *VU]LY[PUN events and the day-to-day drudgery [`WL^YP[[LU in army camps in Sydney and Rigo, TH[LYPHS near Port Moresby. I wanted to make Harry West encouraged me to a legible copy of a preserve and develop them. He book, Every Man pointed out that the letters were for Himself by John social history and would be of Dawes and Ken interest to the Australian War Scully which is out Museum (AWM), where they are of print. It tells the now preserved, each in a plastic story of the escape jacket, in chronological order. of some of Lark Force from Rabaul in Encouraged by the AWM’s Curator 1942 and Father Ted of Private Records, I converted the Harris of Mal Mal. contents of the bundle into a single Microsoft Word document so they Andrea Williams lent publish details of where to find the can be searched for names, places, me a copy of the book which was a electronic version of the book. newsprint paperback probably more officers, regimental numbers, movies I was surprised at how easy it was to than 40 years old. I used an Optical and the like, making them much convert the book and how quickly Character Recognition (OCR) more accessible. and cheaply it was completed. package, OmniPage Ultimate 18, You can probably get this done *VU]LY[PUNOHUK^YP[[LU to copy it by scanning two pages on commercially quite cheaply but I TH[LYPHS a Hewlett Packard 3 in 1 printer. doubt that I would have ever got Using a voice recognition package, After proofreading, I edited the around to it. The do it yourself Dragon Naturally Speaking, I scanned material and converted it. approach has the advantage of dictated each letter. The package is The accuracy of the recognition was allowing you to study the material readily mastered and it is more than extraordinarily high. of 90 percent accurate. carefully and put it into useful order. I then used the package to convert Once I had transcribed all the letters Dragon Naturally Speaking cost the result into an editable document I added photos, family and historical about $120 and OmniPage Ultimate that allows for conversion to an or regimental details to complete 18 cost $150, both with a discount. e-book. Once I have the family’s the resource. It is now available approval, I hope PNGAA will Paul Munro 25 UNA VOCE PNG IN THE NEWS PNG 75.KLÄULZTHYYPHNLHNL Visas for The revised Lukautim Pikinini Act will enforce the Australians legal marriage age of 18 years in PNG. It will be illegal for people under 18 to marry under the new Sir Peter Barter, Chair of law. the Madang Visitors and Constitutional Law Reform Commission Secretary Eric Kwa Cultural Bureau, took up outlined the marriage age and other measures to protect children’s rights in the new Lukautim Pikinini Act during the 2015 the issue of PNG Visas PNG Women’s Forum in Port Moresby. for Australians with the /LZHPK[OH[P[»Z[OLÄYZ[[PTL[OL.V]LYUTLU[OHZKL]LSVWLKH Minister for Foreign child protection policy, which would guide the implementation of (ќHPYZ9PTIPR7H[V the Lukautim Pikinini Act. at the opening of the Three laws: Lukautim Pikinini Act 2009, Deserted Wife and Cairns Consulate. The Children’s Act and the Infant’s Act have been merged and Minister said the issue amalgamated as a single legislation. was being discussed Radio New Zealand, and he hoped it 14 March 2015 would be resolved by December. Although the fee has been dropped, Sir Peter suggested Melanesian Airlines that the two week delay in obtaining a tourist visa from Agreement 75.VѝJLZPU(\Z[YHSPHPZZ[PSS a deterrent to tourists. It would be discriminatory to issue visas The Melanesian airlines of PNG, Solomon Islands on arrival to passengers on and Vanuatu have signed a partnership agreement KPYLJ[*HPYUZ9HIH\SÅPNO[Z which is now in force. and cruise ship passengers but not to other Australian Under the Memorandum of Understanding the three airlines tourists. will share promotion and sales and introduce a codeshare arrangement on a PNG to Vanuatu route, via Solomon Islands. Sir Peter intends to make further representation to Solomon Airlines commercial services manager Gus Kraus told the Government to have Koroi Hawkins that the partnership is just the beginning and Australians issued with visas hopefully will expand to include other Melanesian carriers in Fiji on arrival in Port Moresby as and New Caledonia in the future. He said that it links PNG and they are for people from most Vanuatu, making it easier to travel between these countries and other countries. M\Y[OLYHÄLSK 26 JUNE 2015 DIY Surfboards Surfers in PNG are learning the traditional Hawaiian techniques of timber surfboard building from renowned Australian surfboard shapers Tom Wegener and Bryan Bates. Members of the Tupira Surf Club in Madang Province were taught to build boards like those ridden in pre-20th century Hawaii (Alaia style). ‘It’s a bit of work, a lot of man power and a lot of Z^LH[»ZHPK75.:\YÄUN(ZZVJPH[PVUWYLZPKLU[ (;\WPYH:\YM*S\ITLTILY\ZLZHI\ZO Andrew Abel. The boards are made from locally- RUPML[VZOHWLOPZUL^Z\YMIVHYK sourced balsa wood and carved using a combination of hand tools, axes and machetes. Photo: Robert Weber The thin boards feature round noses, square tails HUKVM[LUKVUV[OH]LÄUZº;OL`»YL]LY`KPѝJ\S[[VYPKLI\[HSV[VM[OLSPNO[^LPNO[RPKZOHKUV[YV\ISL whatsoever in hopping onboard and ripping those waves up in Tipura’, Mr Abel said. 4Y(ILSOVWLZ[OLZ\YMIVHYKZOHWPUN[YHPUPUN^PSSIL[OLJH[HS`Z[MVYHUL^LYHPU75.Z\YÄUN Sam Bolitho From ABC Online News: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-15/papua-new-guinea-surfers-learn-how-to-craft-diy-boards/6393942 When Malcolm Fraser stopped military intervention in PNG Malcolm Fraser, Australia’s 22nd prime minister, died aged 84. One little known story about Fraser’s time as Defence Minister under Liberal Prime Minister John Gorton was that he averted Australian military intervention in Papua New Guinea during the Mataungan uprising of 1970. Gorton wanted to send Australian troops to the Gazelle Peninsula to restore order. He intended to do this without involving Cabinet by getting the Governor-General to sign an Order In Council to authorise it. When word got to Fraser he was outraged as he had clear principles about the circumstances in which the military should be used and he did not believe that, in this case, it was appropriate. Without Gorton’s knowledge, Fraser warned the Governor-General not to consider making such an order as it was unconstitutional and promptly resigned, triggering the eventual downfall of Gorton who from that time on refused to speak to Fraser. Later Fraser recalled the incident in Robin Hughes’ extensive interview with Malcolm Fraser for Film Australia, Australian Biography Online. Peter Kranz http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2015/03/the-time-malcolm-fraser-stopped-military-intervention-in-png.html#more 27 UNA VOCE WHAT’S ON? 29 May 6-7 June 28 June 7HPU[LYPU7HYHKPZL! 4HKHUN-LZ[P]HS 9HIH\SHUK 4VU[L]PKLV4HY\ >PSSPHT+VILSSPU5L^ The Madang .YV\W .\PULH,_OPIP[PVU Festival will 73rd Annual Commemoration SH Ervin Gallery, 2 Watson Road, be held on 6 Service and Luncheon – Millers Point, Sydney, Australia Canberra - 7 June (the 29 May to 12 July 2015 We have decided to keep the In 2015, the year of Papua New Queen’s Birthday service and luncheon on the same Guinea’s 40th anniversary of weekend) in day. It is always a special service independence, the SH Ervin Galley Madang. It is held and the stories and camaraderie is presenting a major exhibition that flow with the luncheon focusing on the little-known work annually on the make it a memorable occasion. produced by William Dobell Queen’s Birthday We look forward to seeing you following his journeys to the Weekend. there! Territory of PNG in 1949 and 1950. Date: 11am Sunday 28 June 2015 Where: The Australian War 20(7!:[VYPLZ)LOPUK[OL4LKHS Memorial, Canberra, ACT We will then meet for a banquet On 14 June 2015 the PNGAA will host a belated launch and an style lunch at: Thai Chiang Rai opportunity to view this DVD on a large cinema screen. Following the Restaurant, 48 Giles Street, screening guests will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A by Kingston, ACT former Kiaps. Everyone is invited - please ask your friends to come along but make sure you respond quickly to ensure your place! Cost: $28 per person (drinks at own expense) Chris Viner-Smith spent 10 long years campaigning for some recognition for the unique work of the Kiaps in Papua New Guinea. The film was RSVP by 19 June by email: initiated when PNGAA member Greg Harris and the PNGAA President [email protected] or and committee members recognised the need to have this historic Kiap phone Rebecca Mills: medal presentation recorded. 0427 111 377 Without this recognition, the story of the Kiaps would not have survived. Payment to PNGAA: CBA, The PNGAA was delighted to join with Gum Leaves Productions in BSB 062 009 Account ensuring that their story was told. To view go to: No: 0090 7724 with email to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C52NIcXD6I [email protected] quoting your name and membership 14 June number, or via Treasurer’s Corner *05,4(:*9,,505. Brisbane Memorial Service MVSSV^LKI`8 (1\UL 9:=7!56> What: KIAP: Stories Behind the Medal The NGVR and PNGVR When: 1 – 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2015 Association hold an annual Where: Roxy Theatre, Screen Australia, 101 Eton Road, Lindfield, NSW public Montevideo Maru Cost: $25 per person – includes film and light refreshments Memorial Service at the Brisbane RSVP: 5 June 2015 Cenotaph at 10am on July 1. email: [email protected] or phone the Secretary Please contact Phil Ainsworth Payment to PNGAA: CBA, BSB 062 009 Account No: 0090 7724 with on 0418 730 348 or email: email to [email protected] quoting your name and membership [email protected] if number, or via Treasurer’s Corner you are interested in attending. 28 JUNE 2015 22 Aug 2VRVWV-LZ[P]HSZ )\PS[VU*\S[\YL! The National Cultural Commission and East New Britain Provincial Administration present: [OL(Y[VM7HW\H5L^ .\PULH Celebrating 40 years of PNG Independence at >HY^HNPYH the National Museum -LZ[P]HS and Art Gallery, Port Moresby, PNG. Opening 15-19 July September 2015 DWU Cultural Show 4HZR-LZ[P]HS The Divine Word University 9-14 July (DWU) Cultural Show in Madang on 22 August 2015. Entrance K10. This annual event is considered by some to be the best cultural show in PNG. 12-27 Sept 25 Oct 75.(( (Y[,_OPIP[PVU )HSSPUH.H[OLYPUN *LSLIYH[PUN7HW\H5L^.\PULH»Z[O(UUP]LYZHY`VM 1VPU75.((TLTILYZHUK 0UKLWLUKLUJL^P[OHUHY[L_OPIP[PVUZOV^JHZPUNIV[O MYPLUKZMVYS\UJOPU[OL OPZ[VYPJHSWPLJLZHUKJVU[LTWVYHY`HY[^VYRZ :WPUUHRLYZ9VVTVU[OL ^H[LYMYVU[H[[OL)HSSPUH The PNGAA is calling for artists to explore their creativity. 9:3*S\I This dynamic exhibition will also feature a diverse collection of historical and cultural pieces to view. When: From 11.30 to 3pm on Sunday 25 October 2015 When: Official Opening: Cost: The cost for the buffet lunch Saturday 12th September to Sunday 27th September is $45 (pay for your own drinks) Where: Space 145, 145 St Johns Road, Glebe, NSW Contact: Charles Betteridge for Contact: Julianne Ross Allcorn: 0466 521 313 enquiries Email: [email protected] Entry Fee: $20 PNGAA member $25 PNGAA Non member RSVP: To Charles Betteridge by Note: At present this is not a competition and there are no prizes. 25 August 2015 All work is submitted at the artist’s expense. The PNGAA will not Charles Betteridge, Phone: pay for transport. 25% commission on all sales goes to the PNGAA to 02 66282064, Email: support a chosen project. For further details please see the PNGAA [email protected] website, www.pngaa.net or the PNGAA Facebook page, For payment details please see https://www.facebook.com/groups/PNGAA/ Treasurer’s Corner. All entries to be finalized by 7 August 2015. 29 UNA VOCE BOOK NEWS & REVIEWS 7L[LY9`HU-LHY+YP]L4` A Game to be Played: The Great War +Y7L[LY4\UZ[LY6(4! -LL[ and Australian Football in Sydney (/PZ[VY`VM*VU[HJ[HUK was launched by Ian Blackley and *OHUNLPU[OL.VYVRH=HSSL` 7\ISPZOLKPU HZH;L_[*SHZZPJ Lesley Bryden, the son and daughter ^P[OHUPU[YVK\J[PVUI`7L[LY7PLYJL *LU[YHS/PNOSHUKZVM5L^ I`;L_[7\ISPZOPUN of Freddie McGargill, a WW1 digger .\PULH who played Australian Rules in 0:)5! 7HWLYIHJR 7\ISPZOLKI`+LHRPU 30 JUNE 2015 7L[LY;OVTWZVUHUK9VILY[ )Y)HYY`3V\PZZVU4VTLU[Z +PHUUL4J0UULZ7PJ[VYPHS 4HJRSPU6WLYH[PVU9PTH\ VM;Y\[O /PZ[VY`VM7HW\H5L^.\PULH 7\ISPZOLKPU I`/HJOL[[L +PZ[YPI\[LKI`*OYPZ[PHU)YV[OLYZ 7\ISPZOLKI`7PJ[VYPHS7YLZZ (\Z[YHSPH =\UHRHUH\,5)7ZVM[JV]LY (\Z[YHSPH0:)5! 0:)5! 7HWLYIHJR WHNLZ :L[;^V]VS\TLIV_LKZL[=VS WHNLZ(]HPSHISLH[)LYRLSV\^ (]HPSHISLMYVT)Y)HYY`3V\PZZVU 7YL HUK=VS7VZ[ *VZ[ )VVRZ*YVU\SSHMVY IHYY`]\]\'NTHPSJVT\U[PS1\S` WLYZL[WVZ[HNLPUJS\KLK Previously published as Kill the *VZ[ WS\ZWVZ[HNL (\Z[VUS`;OV\ZHUKZVM^VYKZHUK Tiger, new material has been 75.[V(\Z[YHSPH TVYL[OHU PTHNLZ(]HPSHISL -YVT 1\S` H]HPSHISLPU MYVT7PJ[VYPHS7YLZZ(\Z[YHSPH76 added to this edition of Operation (\Z[YHSPHMYVT3LZ3V\PZZVU )V_ *VYPUKH83+ 7OVUL Rimau. Australia’s heroic and daring SLZSV\PZZVU'NTHPSJVT*VZ[ -H_ commando raid on Singapore. WS\ZWVZ[HNL^P[OPU(\Z[YHSPH ,THPSYVILY['WPJ[VYPHSWYLZZJVTH\ In the last months of 1944, a group In the early 1950s Br Barry of elite Australian and British Louisson, originally from New +YV^UPUN0U[OL:\UZOPUL commandos was selected for the Zealand, travelled to Rabaul in the biggest Allied behind-the-scenes Territory of Papua and New Guinea. On this sunny autumn day We are many miles away operation of the Pacific War. Their His mission work started at St mission: to devastate the enemy’s Lost in time Mary’s Central School, Vuvu and in Drowning in the sunshine. shipping by destroying the Japanese 1955 he was posted to Bundralis on ships at anchor in Singapore the north coast of Manus. In 1962 It’s another world Harbour. For me and you he returned to St Mary’s Junior The Second World War Operation Rimau, Britain’s last High School, Vuvu as Headmaster. The dark days of 1942. throw of the colonial dice in Br Barry believed in process and Our men waited in Australia’s South-East Asia, was intended as preparation, not just the imposition Garden of Eden a body blow to the Japanese and a In the land of plantations they did dwell of ideas. He admired those signal to the world that she would Yet things would soon change dedicated to the teaching of children reclaim her Eastern Empire. Britain And they would be in a living hell. and was a key contributor to the was trying to reclaim past glory For in a blink of an eye Foot Enquiry which recommended - while Australia’s wartime prime They were overwhelmed the introduction of a national minister, John Curtin, had turned And most became prisoners teaching service. To an unforgiving foe. to America. In this atmosphere, Operation Rimau was planned ... He now lives in the Brothers’ House And so Most were shipped out Operation Rimau takes us inside at Vunakanau where he spends much of his time as an official Slaves to the core the fierce conflict, and tells what Slaves to work in mines really happened to these brave translator of work for Personality Until the end of the war. and Human Relations PNG. commandos - from the very Alas beginnings of the operation through Br Barry is not just big physically, The ship with the South American name to their intense and courageous he continues to be a magnificent Never made it to the distant shore fighting in the South China Seas, champion for education in Papua And our brave men went and its aftermath. It exposes the Down to the bottom of the sea New Guinea … little wonder that in The casualties of war. sloppy planning behind the raid, just three months 700 copies of his and names the officers who betrayed book have been purchased. Bodies lie in the plantations and abandoned them in their hour Bodies lie at the bottom of the sea For further details please refer to Countless lives were shattered of need, and details the political the PNGAA website or, If you do But a nation will always remember them double-dealing which for so many not have access to a computer and For they fought for what really mattered. years hid the real story behind red would like a hard copy, contact the On this sunny autumn day tape and bureaucratic lies. Secretary, PNGAA. We are many miles away For more information about Bob Lost in time Page and the Gallipoli Veterans John Kleinig Drowning in the sunshine. on Montevideo Maru refer to the Patrick Bourke PNGAA website. 31 UNA VOCE Invitations / Reunions 0U]P[H[PVU[VH2PHW9L\UPVU:\UKH` 5V]LTILY 2H^HUH>H[LYZ/V[LS5PJRSPU>H`)\KKPUH:\UZOPUL*VHZ[8\LLUZSHUK An invitation to a Reunion is extended to all Kiaps, their families and friends. It is at the same venue as the last few years. The Hotel is near Kawana Waters Shopping Centre, on the main road between Mooloolaba and Caloundra. There is a large parking area. The venue looks out over the water to a marina. It has a covered outdoor deck linked to an indoor bar/ lounge with adequate dining and seating facilities. There is a good restaurant/bistro adjoining our area where you can order meals and sit with whom you choose. The restaurant is open from 11.30 am to 8.30 pm. Please let us know if intend to attend as we need to provide approximate numbers 16 October 2015. Drinks are available at bar prices from the Lounge Bar and Public Bars open from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm. 0UMVYTHSP[`^PSSJVU[PU\L[VIL[OLVYKLYVM[OLKH`!KLÄUP[LS`UVZWLLJOLZL]LY`VULPZMHY[VVI\Z` catching up with friends. Sixteen hotel rooms have been booked at the Kawana Waters Hotel for the 7 and 8 November 2015. Phone the hotel on 07 54446699 and mention the Kiap Reunion group. First in, etc, the rooms were in demand at previous reunions. (JJVTTVKH[PVUTH`HSZVILH]HPSHISLH[! Kyamba Court Motel, 94 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54440202 Mooloolaba Motel, 46 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54442988 Mantra Sirocco, 59-75 The Esplanade, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54576000 9HўLZ4VVSVVSHIH -PYZ[(]L4VVSVVSHIH ...... 07 54440077 River Esplanade Motel, 98 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54443855 Twin Pines Motel, 36 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54442522 Seaview Resort, 143 The Esplanade, Mooloolaba ...... 07 54443400 Some of these provide special deals for us. Breakfast on the Monday morning will be at Bellissimo’s +LU`Z/LSLU-HP[OM\S Restaurant on the Esplanade at Mooloolaba, overlooking the Home 07 54444484 beach. [email protected] 46 Tawarri Crescent Please tell all the Kiaps you know as we could miss some. Really Mooloolaba Qld 4557 looking forward to seeing you all again. )VI/LH[OLY-H`SL There will be a gold coin entrance fee to cover costs of mail, etc. Home 07 54447446 [email protected] 7SLHZLJVU[HJ[+LU`Z/LSLUVY)VI/LH[OLY[VJVUÄYT`V\ 31 Moondarra Crescent attendance. Apologies will also be noted and recorded. Mooloolaba Qld 4557 32 JUNE 2015 Notice to 7HJPÄJ0ZSHUKZ9LNPTLU[ Members and PNG Command regarding 75th Anniversary Reunion PNGAA Collection, 1\UL Fryer .VSK*VHZ[83+ Library The Committee is currently investigating ASS7HJPÄJ0ZSHUK9LNPTLU[HUK options to the current arrangement whereby Papua New Guinea Command ex- photos and other Servicemen and their families and documents from Members of the PNGAA friends are invited to celebrate the have been donated 75th Anniversary of the formation of to the Fryer Library at Queensland University. [OL7HJPÄJ0ZSHUK9LNPTLU[H[4\YYH` Dr Peter Cahill’s collation Barracks. of this collection is a ZPNUPÄJHU[YLZV\YJLHUK There will be activities all day on we are hoping to develop an arrangement whereby Saturday from the Members will be able to view many of the 11 am and on Saturday night at photos and documents Surfers Paradise. via the Internet. We will keep you informed of the For details visit www.nashospng.com progress of this project. and follow All listings of donations the PIR Reunion 2015 link. to the PNGAA Collection, Fryer Library, will be For enquiries contact Kev by progressively updated on our PNGAA website at: email: [email protected] http://pngaa.net/Fryer/ Jun2015.htm or If you do not have access Greg 07 5476 6971 (Home). to a computer and would like a hard copy please contact the Secretary, PNGAA. 33 UNA VOCE >,3*64,;65,>4,4),9: Dr Kirstie BARRY 47 Johnson Street, PASCOE VALE SOUTH VIC 3044 Dr John William Copland 57 Golden Grove, Red Hill, CANBERRA ACT 2603 Mr John Ross EGERTON PO Box 521, DRUMMOYNE NSW 1470 Mr Warwick EMANUEL PO Box 244, MT GRAVATT QLD 4122 Mr Denis James FISK 342 Main Road, CAMBERAWARA NSW 2540 Mr Humphrey Walter GILL 57 Gellibrand Street, Campbell, CANBERRA ACT 2612 Major Bernard Hayes ADS, AHC-PNG, Locked Bag 40, KINGSTON ACT 2604 Mr Kerry HENRY PO Box 7018, McMAHONS POINT NSW 2060 Mr Richard Campbell Hunter 24 Weatherall Road, BEAUMARIS VIC 3193 Mr. Peter INGRAM 7 Tashey Court, BUNDALL QLD 4217 Mrs Heather JANSSEN (nee Butler) Unit 1, 8 Salvado Street, COTTESLOE WA 6011 Mr Mark LAURIE 68 Repton Road, SOMERTON PARK SA 5044 Brother Barry LOUISSON PO Box 2510, RABAUL PNG Mr Michael LOWE 22 Galway Gardens, WARNBRO WA 6169 Mr Wally MOSER PO Box 13, DEEPWATER NSW 2371 Mr Mark STUBBS PO BOX 245, JABIRU NT 0886 */(5.,6-(++9,:: Mr John BLYTH 269C South Boambee Road, BOAMBEE NSW 2450 Apt 7918 - De Paul Manor Estate, Mr Ken CONNOLLY QLD 4214 1 Edmund Rice Drive ASHMORE Ms Marg CURTIS Box 2088, Wattletree Road PO MALVERN EAST VIC 3145 Apartment 111/112, Arcare Endeavour, Mrs June LF HARRIDGE QLD 4509 65 Endeavour Boulevard NORTH LAKES Mr Anthony HAZLEWOOD 193/126 Cotterill Avenue, BONGAREE QLD 4507 c/o Arcare St James - Suite 31, Mrs Colleen LAMBDEN QLD 4212 404 E Lensuale Road HELENSVALE Mrs Janet PALFREYMAN 19 Dangar Street, ARMIDALE NSW 2350 Mr Andrew PRATT 3/25 Duke Street, Kangaroo Point BRISBANE QLD 4169 Mr Ralph SAWYER 1 Orlander Avenue, GLENMORE NSW 2745 Ms Anne STEPHENSON PO Box 3769, MARSFIELD NSW 2122 Mr Philip (Hooky) STREET PO Box 61, EDGECLIFF NSW 2027 Mr Ray THOMAS Unit 168, 29 Wells Road CHELSEA HEIGHTS VIC 3196 Ms Dorothy TRIGG Uint 1, 69 Tiral Street CHARLESTOWN NSW 2290 Mr Harry WEST C/O John O’Dea, 16 Prices Circuit WORONORA NSW 2232 34 JUNE 2015 Mick Jagger visits PNG Sir Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) took a cruise through the Trobriand Island aboard the Kalibobo Spirit with Sir Peter Barter in late November 2014. He was impressed with his visit and said he would like to return with some of his children. Mick Jagger with a group of kids at Kitava Photo courtesy of Post Courier Mick Jagger on Kiriwina Photo courtesy of Post Courier 35 UNA VOCE +VUH[PVUZ[V [OL-Y`LY3PIYHY` 75.((*VSSLJ[PVU The PNGAA is grateful to the following members and friends for their donations to the PNGAA Collection at the Fryer Library, University of Queensland. It is their fastest growing collection, supported by the tireless work of Dr Peter Cahill whose passion ensures that this valuable history is kept and recorded. Donations to the Fryer Library, June 2015, were made by: • Roy and Daera Andrews • W.A. McGrath, Pacific Book House, Broadbeach • Mary Jenkins • Peter Stone • Don Matheson • Peter Cahill • Ron Sterland • Maxwell R. Hayes • Brian Johnstone • Charles Betteridge • Wendy Cousins Each issue of Una Voce will highlight various pieces from the collection. These photos were taken by Ron Sterland who was a teacher in various districts of PNG. Many more of his photos are located in the collection. A list of contributions can be found on the PNGAA website at: http:// pngaa.net/Fryer/Jun2015.htm If you do not have access to a computer and would like a hard copy please contact the Secretary, PNGAA. Over time, a complete historical listing of donations to the PNGAA Collection will be available on the PNGAA website for reference. To access the material contact Fryer Library, University of Queensland. 36 JUNE 2015 7LYJP]HS4\YYH`7LUOHSS\YPHJR JVSSLJ[PVU Help Does anyone know where the Percival Murray Penhalluriack collection is? I’ve heard he had a large archive of documents and photographs YLSH[PUN[VOPZ[PTLHZH7H[YVS6ѝJLYPU5L^ Wanted Guinea. If you know or have heard of him or his collection please contact Kylie Moloney: [email protected] 2`SPL4VSVUL` ,_LJ\[P]L6ѝJLY7HJPÄJ4HU\ZJYPW[Z)\YLH\ School of Culture, History and Language 1\SP\Z-VYZZ[YVT *VSSLNLVM(ZPH [OL7HJPÄJ Julius Forsstrom (born in Finland) was a very well- known copper miner in the Snowy Mountains, NSW in the early 1900s and built a huge pise *H[HSPUH,Z[H[L:VNLYP (clay) hotel in a Shangri-La type valley there called (M[LY>VYSK>HY00HTHNUPÄJLU[[^PULUNPUL7)@ Ravine or Lobbs Hollow. *H[HSPUHÅ`PUNIVH[^HZWHYRLKVUHWSHU[H[PVU Australian and family records indicate he died at beside the road to Sirinumu Dam. The plantation Wau or Bulolo on 31 May 1931 (aged 65) possible became known as Catalina Estate. after being speared. Does anyone know where /V^[OLHPYJYHM[NV[[OLYL^OVÅL^P[[OLKH[LVM records may be held which may have details on its arrival have intrigued people for years. I remem- his death? ber seeing it in the 1960s but am told that nothing of it remains. I need this for a forthcoming article and also family members who I am in touch with. Does anyone know more, or better still, have a photo which we could copy and credit to share )VI7PWLY with others. Canberra, Phone: 02 6254 8376, [email protected] )VI7PWLY Canberra, Phone: 02 6254 8376, [email protected] (YT`,K\JH[PVUPU75. I have a Commonwealth Army History Research :LLRPUN9PJOHYK1VOU4\YWO` Grant to write an account of the work of conscripted members of the Royal Australian PNGAA has had a request from an old friend Army Educational Corps in TPNG from 1966 of Richard John Murphy seeking news of his to 1972. I believe this scheme was part of the whereabouts. For at least four years from 1966, Australian Government’s plan to prepare TPNG for Richard worked as an Agricultural Extension self-government and independence. 6ѝJLYPU[OL>LZ[LYU/PNOSHUKZOLSWPUNLZ[HISPZO pyrethrum crops as well as working with tea and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who JVќLLWYVK\J[PVU6ULVMOPZZ\WLYPVYZ^HZ[OL might be able to point me in the direction of SH[L4PJR)LSÄLSK9PJOHYK^HZMYVT=PJ[VYPHHUKH people who may know more about this aspect graduate of Longerenong Agricultural College. or even suggest potentially useful publications. Please contact me at: If you can help, please contact KK`TVJR'NYPѝ[OLK\H\ 4\YYV\NO)LUZVU on (02) 94115560 or 0448 216 049 or +HYY`S+`TVJR email [email protected] 37 UNA VOCE MEMORIAL NEWS 9()(<3HUK465;,=0+,64(9<.96<7 73rd ANNUAL COMMEMORATION SERVICE AND LUNCHEON – CANBERRA This year we have decided to keep the service and luncheon on one day. It is always a special service and [OLZ[VYPLZHUKJHTHYHKLYPL[OH[ÅV^^P[O[OLS\UJOLVU make it a memorable occasion. We look forward to seeing you there! +H[L! Sunday 28 June, 11am >OLYL! The Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT Following that attendees will meet at the following restaurant at Kingston for a banquet style lunch: >OLYL! Thai Chiang Rai Restaurant, 48 Giles Street, Kingdom ACT 2604 *VZ[: $28 per person (drinks at own expense) 9:=7! ASAP or by 19 June Email: [email protected] or phone Rebecca Mills M: 0427 111 377 7H`TLU[[V75.((! CBA, BSB 062 009 Account No: 0090 7724 with email to [email protected] quoting your name and membership number, or via Treasurer’s Corner 38 JUNE 2015 >OLU(UaHJ+H`JVTLZHYV\UK I`.YHLTL3PUKZH`0:)5! Soft cover Large format 24 x 21 cm 277 pages colour throughout 100 Years from Gallipoli Poetry Published April 2015 Project Deloraine Tasmania www.ozzywriters.com Email: [email protected] (<:WLYJVW`73<:7 /(\Z[YHSPH! (<: MVYÄYZ[IVVRWS\Z (<:MVYLHJO additional book. Contact: Graeme Lindsay P O Box 170 Deloraine Tas 7304 Australia http://www.ozzywriters.com/images/stories/members/100Years/downloads/OrderForm.pdf This book presents answers to two questions that Graeme Lindsay posed to Australian and New Zealand poets as part of his 100 Years from Gallipoli Poetry Project: – What does Anzac Day mean to you, to today’s families, communities or nations? Patrick Bourke’s poem, Drowning In The Sunshine, is included in this book. This poem is about the sinking of the Montevideo Maru in 1942 and what happened in the New Guinea Islands during >>00/PZ[VY`[LHJOLYZJHU\ZL[OPZWVLTPU[OLPY[LHJOPUNVM[OLOPZ[VY`VM[OL>HYPU[OL7HJPÄJ Patrick recently visited his old school, Dubbo College, and discussed the book and the story of the New Guinea islands with senior students. The NGVR and PNGVR The History Teachers’ Association At least one of these former WWI Association hold an annual public of Victoria (HTAV) also knocked veterans, Harold Page, served at Montevideo Maru Memorial back the offer of a speaker from Gallipoli, where he was awarded a Service at the Brisbane Cenotaph at the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru military decoration. Harold Page 10.00 am on July 1. Please contact group at their Annual Conference was awarded the Croix de Guerre, Phil Ainsworth on Mobile: 0418 2015. Amazing…when the the French military decoration, for 730 348 or Email: majority of men from the 2/22nd his actions at The Apex (near Lone [email protected] if you Battalion, many of whom drowned Pine), Gallipoli, on 29th October are interested in attending. on the Montevideo Maru which 1915. The citation reads: “For was Australia’s greatest maritime daring reconnaissance of enemy’s Curriculum tragedy, came from Victoria! trenches during which he shot one Work done by members of the Turk with his revolver while Serg. Rabaul and Montevideo Maru 46 Australian WW1 Servicemen Bracher who accompanied him shot group have highlighted the drastic on Montevideo Maru another Turk in the act of lighting cutback in time allocated in the new At least 46 Australian WWI a bomb. Having secured a supply Australia syllabus for the study of servicemen are listed as dying of bombs the officer and NCO the Pacific War (WWII). Despite as Australian civilians on the proceeded to bomb the enemy’s record attendances at Anzac Day Montevideo Maru on 1st July trench, and eventually returned this year, and the 70th anniversary 1942. The service records of these with valuable information. This of the end of the war in the Pacific, WWI Australian servicemen can be officer has repeatedly distinguished it is tragic that our curriculum is viewed on the Discovering Anzacs himself by his gallant conduct in placing less importance on this vital website at http://discoveringanzacs. dangerous patrol work. (Source: and defining period in our nation’s naa.gov.au. You can register to official recommendation on AWM’s history. make contributions to this site by Honours and Awards website). hovering your browse over the words My Profile. 39 UNA VOCE Your Club Your Stories Your History by Gail Thwaites Inaugural Olney Family Best on Ground Medal was arranged by Gayle Thwaites with the Warburton Football Club for the recent 2015 Anzac Day match. Gayle’s great uncles, Neil and Jock Olney, played for many years before WWII for Warburton Football Club who will now make this an annual presentation. Whilst at Bonegilla Training Camp, Originally, Jock was enlisted in the enlisting in 1942 and departing for Neil joined the 2/22nd Football 2/2 Medical Regiment as Driver New Guinea in 1943. Wally was team and they got through to – but he was then transferred tragically killed in when the Jeep he the AIF Grand Final played in into the 2/22nd Battalion D Coy was driving, plunged over a 450ft Wodonga, which they lost against and sent with them to Rabaul – gorge, as the bridge he was on over 11th Field Artillery. The battalion New Britain. When the Japanese the Wau-Edie Creek, collapsed. departed in April 1941 for Rabaul attacked on the 23rd January Gayle says: ‘It’s nice to know – New Britain. On the 23rd 1942, Jock was captured at the that not all memorials need to be January 1942, the Japanese attacked airfield. On the 22nd June 1942 on a state level or national level, Rabaul– the small Australian the Japanese decided to move the communities can do their own.’ garrison was totally unprepared for POW’s and they were boarded the attack. The order was eventually onto an unmarked ‘Hell Ship’ the Gayle Thwaites with the Healesville given ‘everyman for themselves’. MS Montevideo Maru. On the 1st FC & Warburton FC Presidents Neil and a few of his company July 1942, just before dawn near and Gayle’s Great Uncle Joe who’s managed to escape capture. It took the northern Philippine coast, an brother was Wally, and whose them over five months to get to Mt American submarine, the USS uncles are Neil and James. Joe got Hagen in New Guinea. They treked Sturgeon fired four torpedoes at the to the flip the coin – a very special over dangerous mountain ranges Montevideo Maru, which caused moment. As a tribute to their and crossed rivers and seas with the vessel to sink. family members, both Gayle and little or no food plus they had to Joe the National Anthem and Last Another uncle, Wally, played with avoid being caught by the Japanese Post. Healesville Football Club before or hostile natives. 7OVLIL7HYZVUZ ¶+VU/VVR»ZNYHUKKH\NO[LYHNLK This watercolour is of a scene depicting life in the trenches on the Western Front and was painted to commemorate the centenary of the WW1.’ 40 JUNE 2015 Rothman’s What a great photo Maxwell Hayes sent in of two expat school girls handing out free cigarettes to locals in 1964 (Una Voce No.1, 2015). Twenty years later Barbara and I sailed into Madang gravestones of some of the German missionaries. I was Harbour. We passed Sir Peter and Jan’s 5 star Madang told that when the death rate from malaria reached 10 Resort Hotel, and went right down to the bottom where percent per annum they packed up and went to Rabaul. a group of other cruising yachts were anchored. Lofty We had two wonderful years there but the time came Hansen operated a small ships’ chandlery ashore. We for us to continue our cruising life. I smoked heavily at all came to his Friday night barbecues which were a lot the time so I went to see the manager of the Rothman’s of fun. And on several of those nights a yacht would be factory and asked if I could get some duty free. Over boarded and items taken – mostly food. I remember the a cup of tea he said that I could – if I did the paper locals saying, ‘It’s not us – It’s those thieving Sepiks.’ No work. So I completed five copies of a licence to export one was ever caught. and obtained the elaborate seal and signature of the For us Madang was a tropical paradise and, by Collector of Customs. chance, I got a job working for the Madang Provincial I returned with the completed form. He called an Government, under Premier Max Moeder. On the employee in and asked him to put one shipping carton day we arrived Barbara sent me shopping and an expat in Mr. Noble’s boot. I asked how much and gave him asked me to have a drink in the club. He was talking to my cheque and left. a friend but heard me chatting to the waiter in fluent tok pisin. I explained that I had previously worked in When I got home and opened the boot I found that Port Moresby as a lawyer. Lawyers who could talk to the I had just purchased 10,000 sticks at the unbelievable locals were not common – hence I was offered a job. price of 20 toea a packet. The Recommended Retail I learnt that, under its former name Price per packet was 1 Kina. Wow! Fredichswilhelmshahen, it had been the first capital of Rod Noble the German 19th century occupation and I saw the .PSTVYL-HTPS`9L]PZP[[OL/PZ[VYPJ/V[LS4HKHUN The Hotel Madang is a part of history, going back to when it was a guest house during the German colonial days. At one time the Gilmore Family owned the hotel and it changed hands several times until acquired by the Barter Family in 1976. They have expanded and rebuilt the hotel, now known as the Madang Resort. Members of the Gilmore clan revisited Madang for a week leading up to ANZAC Day. They were taken on a tour of the property by Sir Peter Barter which left them spellbound, trying to recognise the remains of the old Hotel Madang. The Madang Resort remains the oldest hotel in PNG and is one of the best loved hotels in the From left to right John (Butch) McEvoy, Jeremy Pacific. McEvoy, Karen McEvoy, Sir Peter Barter, Alison Rayner, David McEvoy, Suzie McEvoy and Travis Aslett - all members of the Gilmore Clan 41 UNA VOCE Obituaries Joachim (Joe) Josef Nitsche, Melba (Mel) Esme Pike, 22 November 2013, aged 80 28 January 2014, aged 78 Joe Nitsche was born in Teheran, Persia (Iran) on 17 Mel Pike passed away at Redcliffe, Brisbane. She was February 1933. During World War II, his family, the widow of Senior Superintendent James Rennie Pike, together with other German and Austrian families, RPNGC and is survived by three daughters and their was expelled and the men sent to Russia or Australia. families. Joe, with his mother and younger sister, returned to Germany. His father spent the war in an internment I best knew the Pikes when I was stationed at Lae in the camp in Victoria, while Joe and his family lived in early 1970s where Mel worked at ABCO Transport and Angemunde, Germany. After the war, Joe’s father later at NAMAU. stayed in Australia and in 1949 the family was reunited in Sydney. Maxwell R. Hayes Soon after they arrived in Sydney, his father, Hugo, went to work as an Agricultural Officer in PNG where Joe’s mother, Flora, joined him after the children went to boarding school. Doreen Beadle, 6 April 2015 Joe attended St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown, Doreen, wife of Frank Beadle, passed peacefully away on then studied Agriculture in Gatton, near Brisbane. Monday 6 April 2015. They had 71 years together. In 1954 he went to PNG as an Agricultural Officer. Joe lived in a number of places in PNG, including Kainantu, Kapagery and Goroka. He loved his life there, particularly in Goroka. His final job as Joan Dowling, 21 April 2015, aged 94 National Coffee Co-ordinator involved travelling across the Highlands, quarantining plantations Joan Dowling passed away peacefully at her Kenmore with diseases, training local people to grow coffee home on Tuesday 21 April 2015. commercially, etc. After Independence and a number of break-ins at his home in Goroka, Joe retired and returned Melba (Mel) Esme Pike, to Australia in 1984, moving into his house in Killarney Heights. 28 January 2014, aged 78 In Australia, Joe became involved with the Mel Pike passed away at Redcliffe, Brisbane. She was ROAPNG (now PNGAA) in 1984. He was the widow of Senior Superintendent James Rennie Pike, Secretary From June 1987 to June 2001 he was the RPNGC and is survived by three daughters and their Secretary and remained on the committee until June families. 2009. He significantly increased the membership, spent much time folding, wrapping and posting Una I best knew the Pikes when I was stationed at Lae in the Voce, and was involved in every function and most early 1970s where Mel worked at ABCO Transport and activities. later at NAMAU. Joe died three months after being diagnosed with Maxwell R. Hayes cancer which he’d thought he’d beaten six years earlier. 42 JUNE 2015 Summarised Obituaries Due to space constraints, the following obituaries have been summarised. For further details, please refer to the PNGAA website: www.pngaa.net or, if you do not have access to a computer, please contact the Secretary, PNGAA for a hard copy. Enid Ann Edgeworth Bartlett (nee Saunders), David was also an art collector and works from his 1 February 2015, aged 82 collection are to be hung in the National Gallery in Canberra. Ann was born in Kavieng, New Ireland in 1932. At the start of World War II, Ann, with her mother and Originally from South Australia, he lived in Canberra. brother, was evacuated to Australia. She lost her father Ray Watson during the Japanese invasion of Kavieng. Ann taught PE at SCEGGS Redlands, Cremorne. She married John Bennett and they had three sons, Peter, Dennis Gray, 14 February, 2015. Aged 71 Michael and Robert. It was sad to hear of the passing of Dennis Gray. I never met him but we had several conversations, and I was the fortunate recipient of some remarkable film and Margaret Jacquelyn Briggs, 29 November photographs of his. 2014, aged 87 Dennis was an Ansett pilot and flew in PNG in the 1970s. He was a member of the remarkable Gray family: Margaret was the beloved wife of the late Donald three generations of pilots flying in PNG. Harrison Briggs. After their marriage they lived in Rabaul where they stayed for 47 years. Their children, Dennis was the son of Chas and Tess (both dec’d), Lorraine, Rain, Meredith, Gae and Brad were born in husband of Margaret, father of Paula and Jeremy and quick succession. friend to many. In the late 90s they moved to Brisbane where Don A tribute to Dennis was published in the Post Courier. passed away in 2002. Robin Mead Dennis got in touch with me a few years ago. We had Dennise Margaret Filan, 31 October 2014, PNG in common and we both went to Stafford State School in Brisbane. aged 68 He wrote a book about growing up in the 50s. He was Dennise was born on 4 April 1946. She trained as a so funny. He wrote as he spoke, like an awful young boy. nurse and a midwife. She met Mark Filan in Hagen and He was a lovely man and I liked him. they married. Susan Hertrick Den excelled in a variety of nursing roles in PNG and Australia. She passed away on 31 October 2014. She will be Geoffrey Michael Peter known as an irreplaceable friend, wife, mother and Gray, 6 February 2015, grandmother, and will not be forgotten. aged 76 Geoffrey was born in 1938 David A Fopp, 8 March 2014, aged 85 in London. He was part of the forced child migration David first went to PNG in 1966, working in Port depicted in the film Oranges Moresby. He had a remarkable theatrical career, both as and Sunshine. an actor and director. 43 UNA VOCE Geoffrey taught in PNG before beginning the Geoffrey Francis McKenzie, work in Industrial Relations which defined his life. 22 March 2015, aged 90 He established an unfair dismissal practice and an Industrial Relations Hotline Service in Perth. Geoffrey was a well-known Rabaul and New Guinea identity. Geoffrey led a remarkable life which started with State and institutional brutality and finished with the After service in the RAN and the Royal Navy in WWll debilitating effects of Parkinson’s. His life was filled with he returned to New Guinea and became involved in loving friends from all over the world. underwater salvage operations. He married Gwen Lazarus and they started Rabaul Stevedores. His interest in palletised and container shipping led to his invention June Head, 23 December 2013, aged 77 of the ABILIFT for transporting containers on shore. June was born in After selling Rabaul Stevedores and retiring to Australia Melbourne in 1936. in the 1980s he was invited to join the board of John With her husband, Swire & Sons. In retirement he lived both in Sydney Rob, she served from and overseas. 1962 to 2008 in PNG, translating the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament, Norman Edward Mullins into four dialects of the His motto was, God has been on my side. Kaugel language group. Norman was born on 14 October 1922 in Coburg, June and Rob had Melbourne. As the eldest of eight children, he had a lot two children, Peter of responsibility from a very early age. At 18 he enlisted and Nola, and eight in the Army and was sent to New Guinea. grandchildren. As a dedicated member of the Wycliffe family, June will Norman and Therese were married in 1946 and went to be dearly missed. live in PNG where their children Helen, Joan, Damian, Sue, Margaret, Judith and John were born. In 1975 Norm retired to the Gold Coast. Norman was Reinhard Martin Kuhn, 12 March 2015, Chairman of the National Civic Council and instigator aged 74 and Chairman of the Knights of the Southern Cross in Surfers Paradise. Reinhard was born in Leutental Germany. With his wife Elisabeth, he migrated to Australia in 1960, then moved to the Eastern Highlands District of PNG in 1966. Janet Rowe (nee Dallas), 13 February 2015, aged 79 years In 1968 they leased a coffee plantation, Abiera, near Kainantu. In 1974 the returned to Germany but Janet was born in Wynyard, Tasmania. She trained eventually settled in Queensland, where they built a as a nurse and continued her interest in nursing fabrication business in Mackay. In 2007 they moved and disability services over the years. She married to Koumala where they produced avocados and Barry Rowe and they celebrated their 52nd wedding mandarins. anniversary in December 2014. Reinhard died at Mater Private Hospital, Mackay after Janet had three children, Tom, Sam and Jenny, and six a long illness. He is survived by Elisabeth, his wife of 54 grandchildren. years and a son, Martin, and his family. 44 JUNE 2015 Joseph Shaw, Vale Summary 22 October 2O14, aged 84 With deep regret we record the passing of the Joseph Shaw’s wife Margaret said: Living with Joe following members and friends. Shaw for 62 years was not always plain sailing, but it was never boring! Enid Bartlett (nee Saunders) 1 February 2015, aged 82 Joe was born in Melbourne. In 1961 He moved his family to PNG where his work as a clerk to the Doreen Beadle Public Trustee took him all over the country and he 6 April 2015 immersed himself and his family in PNG culture. Margaret Jacquelyn Briggs Joe coached David Palmer, a junior squash player, to 29 November 2014, aged 87 became a World Champion. Joan Dowling In 1972, Joe returned to Australia and worked for 21 April 2015, aged 94 Medibank. Shirley Dunbar-Reid 2 April 2015, aged 79 Dennise Margaret Filan John Ronald Stuntz, 31 October 2014, aged 68 21 February 2015, aged 86 David A Fopp John passed away in Angeles City, Philippines. 8 March 2014, aged 85 He went to PNG in 1949 as a Cadet Patrol Officer Dennis Gray and later bought a copra plantation. He was 14 February 2015, aged 71 appointed to the Legislative Council and was the Geoffrey Michael Peter Gray member for East Papua Regional Electorate in the first 6 February 2015, aged 76 House of Assembly. June Head After the death of his wife, Wari, in 2007 John moved 23 December 2013, aged 77 to Angeles City and married Tess Genambiang. He is survived by his wife and daughters Julia and Jana in Reinhard Martin Kuhn the Philippines, another daughter, Beverley, and two 12 March 2015, aged 74 adopted sons Kopi and Peter. Geoffrey Francis McKenzie An obituary, together with photos, was published in 22 March 2015, aged 90 the Sydney Morning Herald, 25-26 April, 2015. Peter Muller 10 April 2015, aged 92 Florence Wilkinson, 8 August 2014, Norman Edward Mullins aged 95 Joachim (Joe) Josef Nitsche 22 November 2013, aged 80 Florence’s husband Ernest was with the PNG Health Department from 1930 until his retirement in 1962. Melba (Mel) Esme Pike Following their marriage, they lived in PNG from 28 January 2014, aged 78 1946 to 1972. Janet Rowe (nee Dallas) From 1955 they lived in Goroka where Florence was 13 February 2015, aged 79 a welfare officer for the Eastern Highlands District. Joseph Shaw They also lived in Rabaul and Buka and after Ernest’s 22 October 2O14, aged 84 retirement in 1962 they built the family home in West John Ronald Stuntz Goroka. 21 February 2015, aged 86 She is survived by her son John, daughter Anna, four Florence Wilkinson grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. 8 August 2014, aged 95 John Wilkinson 45 :*9,,505.79,40,9,>693+ +=+ SALES ;/96<./ PNGAA 20(7!:[VYPLZ)LOPUK[OL4LKHS *05,4(:*9,,505.MVSSV^LKI`8 ( :\UKH`1\UL 20(7!:[VYPLZ Time: 1-5pm 0U[OPZ\UPX\LÄST2PHWZ[LSS )LOPUK[OL4LKHS >OLYL!Roxy Theatre, their stories of living and +=+¶-VY:HSL Screen Australia, 101 Eton Road, Papua New Guinea 3PUKÄLSK:`KUL`5:> working in Papua New Guinea. Association of Australia and Gum *VZ[!$25 per person There is also footage of the 2013 ceremony at ¶PUJS\KLZÄSTHUKSPNO[YLMYLZOTLU[Z 7HYSPHTLU[/V\ZL*HUILYYH^OLYL2PHWZ^LYL Leaves Productions awarded the Police Overseas Service Medal. 9:=7!Now – and by 5 June 2015 latest *VZ[MVY+=+! 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