Vale Bert ‘Whyte’ Edwards

I first met Bert Edwards in Goroka in 1963 not long after I arrived in Papua New Guinea. He was in his early forties which, to a 19-year old, already put him in the veteran class, but the age gap was quickly overwhelmed by Bert’s warmth and invariably good nature. In addition, his daughters were considered the prettiest women in town.

Bert, who has died on the Gold Coast at the age of 87, went to PNG as a teacher in 1962. His first posting was to Asaro Primary T School and he later served in Goroka and Port Moresby before leaving PNG around the time of Independence in 1975. His son Jon was born and still lives in Goroka, working in the coffee industry. Bert’s daughter Laura was a teacher in PNG from 1967-77, having been a Cadet Education Officer at ASOPA in 1965-66. Laura is now married to former Asopian David Keating.

Bert is survived by five children, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.