The 1959 short course reports in

David Craig

I have just discovered your ASOPA blog and enjoyed it very much. I hope you don’t mind but I think the Chronology could mention the following ‘happening’:

1959 - The first short course (orientation) for experienced teachers seconded from Australian states to teach in PNG for two or four years was held. Although I don’t know the numbers there was quite a group of us combined with a group of first time Cadet Patrol Officers. I missed out on a lot of after-hours fun as my home was in Sydney and I didn’t live in with the rest of them in the guest house down the road.

I successfully applied for secondment from NSW after training at Bathurst (1953-54) and spending four years teaching in a one teacher school at Pine Ridge. I spent one year at Henganofi and two years at Kundiawa, both in the Eastern Highlands. Also met my wife of 46 years, Ruth, at Kundiawa, where she was a teacher at the Lutheran Mission. We have lived in South Australia since we returned to Australia.

I wonder could I put out a call for information on a missing friend. Frank Hiob trained at Bathurst and ASOPA and then taught at Goroka Technical School but went finish in January 1961 after we had done a trip to Dutch NG, Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. I believe he returned to PNG later while I returned to Australia at the end of 1961. Have lost touch with him.

Keep up the good work. The blog is certainly interesting reading and a vital link with the ‘good years’.

See ‘’Missing People for David’s contact information. The ‘ASOPA Chronology’ has been updated. - KJ