PNG ATTITUDE

Ceb Barnes, the man who said ‘nothing’

You can listen to Brian Darcey, author of Bougainville Blue, reviewed a few days ago on PNG ATTITUDE, talking about the book with Jeremy Rose of Radio New Zealand here. In the interview, Brian makes a number of interesting points including:

▪          That he believes the seeds of the disastrous Bougainville conflict were sown by then Territories Minister Charles ‘Ceb’ Barnes who, responding to a Bougainvillean who asked what locals could expect to gain from the opening of the Panguna copper mine, replied tersely, “Nothing”.

▪          How he wrote the book to provide a balanced account of the conflict – “no one ever has clean hands in a civil war” – and the book tries to describe events “as they happened not how they were painted in the press”.

▪          That the main reason the biggest copper mine in the world was destroyed with so much collateral devastation was that “neither Moresby not Canberra were listening to the Bougainvilleans”.

▪          Even though Brian says he’s “a late blooming author if ever there was one”, a sequel to Bougainville Blue may be on the way.

You can also visit Brian’s blog, and order the book, here.

B/ville Blue – more than a good yarn

Some months ago in these notes, I mentioned the publication of Bougainville Blue, a novel by Brian F Darcey that is more than loosely constructed around events on Bougainville in the couple of decades from the late 1960s.  When I noted its publication, I hadn’t read the book, but a current sojourn in Noosa has relieved me of other responsibilities and given me an opportunity to immerse myself in what has turned out to be far more than a rattling good yarn. In fact, Brian subtitles it ‘An Allegory’, which is a neat insight into what the reader can expect.

The novel is articulated through a rich cast of nicely drawn characters, the principal of whom is Josip Nugui, a bright and well educated young Bougainvillean who is inexorably and somewhat reluctantly drawn into the struggle of his people against the development of the copper mine and the massive consequent disruption to the culture and lifestyle of the village people.

The plot is well conceived and nicely structured, with enough tension and twists to satisfy even the most jaded armchair adventurer.  But Brian’s book is more than an absorbing novel. It is also a social and political commentary on attitudes of and towards Papua New Guineans around the time of national independence in the mid-seventies. And, beyond the politics of colonisation and change, it shows a depth of understanding about the nuances of PNG – the topography and ecology, the sights and smells, the eccentricities (e.g., the pretentiousness of 'Kieta International Airport'), the contesting values and wilful behaviours of the main players – whether kiaps, Australian politicians, entrepreneurs, planters, the media or the native people themselves.

Wherever you go in this book, apart from the plot which is a fictional collage, although close enough to reality to be plausible, there is an authenticity of observation and an acute awareness of much of the tangible and latent stresses that characterised PNG at a time when many of us felt we knew the country very, very well.

Brian Darcey has written a splendid book and Diane Andrews has done us the service of editing and publishing it. Find out more about the Bougainville Blue, and how you can obtain a copy, here.

Bad journalism 101: Burying the lead

 

 

Anna Bligh dons hard hat
in Cairns hospital car park

By Steven Wardill

CAIRNS may be a long way from home, but Anna Bligh has arrived there with her favourite piece of apparel in her luggage - a hard hat.

Blah, blah, blah.

Ms Bligh is in Cairns for this term's sitting of regional Parliament, along with her ministers and their armies of minders, backbenchers, the Opposition and a seemingly endless array of staff.

Much more blah, blah, blah for par after interminable par.

Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare will address Parliament today.

Yep, it was the last par. Imagine Kevin Rudd addressing the Simbu Provincial Government - and getting one par at the end of a Kundiawa News story about the local Governor wearing a beanie.

And what a great headline. Really compels you to read more…..

TV special on East New Britain

Under friendly fire: New Guinea 1943

Hal Holman has written a memoir, ‘The Phoenix Rises Eternal’. We’ve published a couple of extracts previously from the many chapters that refer to Hal’s experiences in Papua New Guinea. Here’s another…..

They hedgehopped over the kunai and it wasn’t until they were almost level with us that the pilot of the leading aircraft banked sharply and flattened out, swooping directly at us. Simultaneously I noticed two smoke trails streak from the guns in both wings. We were being strafed!

“Air raid!” I screamed, doubling up and rolling into the creek bed. As the bursts tore through the camp our entire unit scrambled in behind me.

There were several strafing runs and what saved most of us was the shelter afforded by the natural trench. Had the Kittyhawks approached up the creek we would have been wiped out.

“What the bloody hell are the bastards doing?” Peter Danne called. “Don’t they recognise us.”

“I’m stuffed if I know! But don’t stick up your head to find out!”

I began frantically to scoop out river sand from under my belly to worm lower still.

Mulga Don, also lying prone, could only see the soles of my boots and my backside bucking up and down. “Are you hit Gidgee — or are you screwing some poor bastard?”

“I’m digging for victory, lame brain, and stop looking up my Khyber Pass.”

After one more savage burst of gunfire, the aircraft peeled off and disappeared.

Read the entire Chapter 22, ‘Return to the Fray’, of ‘The Phoenix Rises Eternal’ here.   Download Hal-WWII.pdf

The Holman Collection goes on sale

For the first time, the splendid art works of the man who designed the Papua New Guinea crest, Hal Holman OAM, have been made available in a limited series of four numbered prints featuring selected images of PNG subjects.

Haldane Sinclair Holman is famous in Papua New Guinea, having been a commando in World War II and returning after the war as senior artist for the PNG Government.

Many of his artworks and sculptures are to be found in Port Moresby, including busts of PNG's six Prime Ministers since Independence that grace the grounds of Parliament House and a bronze of Queen Elizabeth II at Government House in Konedobu.

Hal’s sculptures can also be seen in the Botanical Gardens and on the Supreme Court building. His largest work is the five metre high stainless steel Bird of Paradise that dominates Sir John Guise Drive in Waigani.

Hal Holman has been associated with PNG for nearly 70 years and still visits frequently (he has returned from his most recent trip just in the last few weeks).

In the course of his visits, he has produced hundreds of oil paintings, pastels and watercolours - landscapes, portraits, flora and fauna. His real passion is seen in his images of the Bird of Paradise and his impressions of the heroic features of the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea. Hal’s paintings and drawings are in private collections and in galleries throughout the world

For further works visit Hal's website here.

The price of each of the originals runs into thousands of dollars, but these quality prints, at $50 each, are indistinguishable from them. They’re A2 size and printed on 200gsm art board. They are supplied unframed and dispatched in mailing tubes.

You can order prints from Clive Troy at this email address, or phone him on 02 9868 2123 or write to PO Box 23, Thornleigh 2120, Australia.

Photos: Two of the outstanding prints from the Holman Collection - 'Central Highlander' and 'Red Bird of Paradise'

It all started from nothing, a PNG novel

Brian Darcey

It was a word delivered on the lawn of the District Commissioner's house at Kieta. It was a word that changed Bougainville’s history. The word was, ‘Nothing’. And it was delivered by Charles ‘CEB’ Barnes, the Australian Minister for Territories. The question that elicited the fateful word, asked by the leader of a delegation of tribal elders, was, ‘What's in it for us?’ ‘It’ was a potential mine in the mountains of central Bougainville, at a village called Panguna,  on land tilled and cultivated by its native owners.

My just-published novel Bougainville Blue has a description of this encounter. I was there when Minister Barnes answered a polite query from a dignified village elder. The Minister’s answer was technically accurate but insensitive; to the consternation of senior field officers present. ‘What’s in it for us?´ ‘Nothing’.

The mine, focal point of the conflict between Bougainvilleans and the governments of both Australia and Papua New Guinea, crystallised and gave form to an endemic resentment of outsiders, which had existed on this mountainous island since its first contact with the outside world. Germans, Japanese and Australians had been left in no doubt as to the wish of the people for them to simply go away, leaving the owners of the land to continue their lives unhindered. Control by these various colonial administrations had been tolerated, but never accepted.

Bougainville Blue is about a blue - a fight. It’s about the beauty of Bougainville, its flora and fauna, and about the destruction which became a by product of modernisation. It’s a novel but it’s also about the true happenings of the tragedy that followed the plugging in of the Panguna Mine, which was to be closed – and the whole island devastated - by a ragtag militia bent on reclaiming their land.

You can find out more about Bougainville Blue here.

Holman art available to wider market

Clive Troy

He’s been something of a reluctant debutante, but Hal Holman has responded to numerous requests made over many years for reproductions of his works by releasing a limited series of numbered prints of four selected images of Papua New Guinea subjects.

The price of each of the original artworks runs into thousands of dollars, well beyond the reach of the average person, but these quality prints are indistinguishable from the originals. They’re A2 size trimmed to 420mm x 594mm and printed on 200gsm Art Parilux Silk White. They are supplied unframed and dispatched in mailing tubes.

Haldane Sinclair Holman OAM is famous in Papua New Guinea, having been a commando in World War II and returning after the war as senior artist for the PNG Government. He had the honour of designing the PNG crest during his ten years as a designer in the Department of Information. Many of his large bronze sculptures are to be found in Port Moresby, including the busts of PNG's six Prime Ministers that grace the grounds of PNG Parliament House in Waigani, and a bronze bust of Queen Elizabeth II at Government House in Konedobu.

 Hal’s sculptural work can also be seen in the botanical gardens at the University of PNG and on the Supreme Court building. His largest sculpture is a five metre high stainless steel Bird of Paradise at the beginning of Sir John Guise Drive in Waigani.

Hal has been a frequent visitor to PNG over the years and has just returned from his most recent trip. He has produced hundreds of oil paintings, pastels and watercolours of landscapes, portraits, and flora and fauna - particularly the varied Bird of Paradise. His paintings and drawings are in private collections and in galleries throughout the world. For further works visit Hal's website here.

In 2004, Hal was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community in designing and sculpture.

You can order the prints from Clive Troy at this email address or phone him on 02 9868 2123 or write to PO Box 23, Thornleigh 2120, Australia.

Photos: Two of the outstanding prints - 'Central Highlander' and 'Red Bird of Paradise'

Keravat book gets boost from readers

A couple of weeks ago, Barbara Short shared with readers a project she’s working on to write the history of Keravat High School. The story triggered a number of useful responses: a letter from an ex-student who’s now a lecturer in law at the University of the South Pacific campus in in Port Vila; contact from David Keating (“We have had a good time renewing our friendship,” writes Barbara); and Loch Blatchford is also sending Barbara information on the 1950s, which she says will be a great help.

Now the ask gets a little more difficult for readers. Barbara wants to know where she can find obituaries or biographies for Frank Boisen or Jack Doonar. You can contact her at this email address, by phone at 02 9876 1018 or by post at 27 Chesterfield Road, Epping NSW 2121, Australia.

Bush poet tells story behind Anzac poem

Jim Brown

When ASOPA PEOPLE published the poem ‘Anzac on the Wall’ on Anzac Day, we set off a chain reaction amongst readers, who are still accessing the poem on the website two weeks later. I’ve been in touch with the poet, Jim Brown, and here’s the story of how the poem came to be written - KJ.

The story behind the Anzac on the Wall is that I was a TV journalist and, in 1990, went to Gallipoli to cover the 90th anniversary of the Anzac landing.

Before I went, I visited the Military archives in Canberra looking for photos for a documentary film, and a lovely old man put a cardboard box in front of me which contained letters written to and from the war front. The letters could not be identified, and therefore could be returned to the families.

I made notes at the time and later in life became a bush poet. The trigger for the poem was the photograph of the Anzac on the Wall, which I have in my possession and carry it with me when I perform the poem. The photo led me to incorporate the information I had gleaned from the letters. The suffering of those waiting at home had not been written about enough, and time and again it seemed that those close to the land knew the very instant they had lost a loved one on the other side of the world. From those letters I wrote about the lightning storm, the horse bolting etc.

I am humbled by the fact that so many people have been moved by the poem, especially around Anzac Day.

I have recorded the poem on CD, with other Australian classic and original poems. The cost is $25 which includes postage etc.

You can contact Jim by emailing him here.

Experiences of a lifetime – a kiap’s story

Chris Viner-Smith’s book, Australia’s Forgotten Frontier, reminds us that, in addition to many other duties, the Kiap was also a commissioned officer of the Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary, with the rank of Sub Inspector; although with no uniform or badge of office. Viner-Smith was 19 years old in 1961 when he responded to an Adelaide newspaper advertisement for the position of ‘Cadet Patrol Officer, Territory of Papua and New Guinea – Training Provided’. His application was successful and his experiences in PNG until 1971 provide the basis of this book.

“[These experiences] could be described as the origins of international deployment of Australian Police to overseas countries,” writes reviewer Mick Barnes. In 1964, the PNG-West Irian border. Smith details his experiences of having to confront large groups of Indonesian troops who had crossed the border and attacks on his police patrol by local tribes.

Reviewer Nancy Johnston writes: “In the chapter ‘Seeking Recognition for all Kiaps’, the author tells how he challenged the Federal Government, without success, [to acknowledge] that Kiaps were different to the expatriate regular police and that they should be recognised for the rather amazing things they did in the early post war years including controlling the International border with the Indonesians and maintaining law and order in an Australian Territory under extreme conditions; thus assisting Papua New Guinea towards Self Government and ultimately Independence.”

Both reviewers agree that Viner-Smith has written an interesting book that makes enjoyable reading.

Australia's Forgotten Frontier by Chris Viner Smith, ISBN 978-0-646-47541-7. Price $14.95 incl p&p. Available from PO Box 394, Curtin, ACT 2605 or email chrisviner@netspeed.com.au

Sources: Nancy Johnston, ‘Una Voce’; Mick Barnes, ‘Queensland Police Union Journal'

Citizens must assert global rights: Kerr

Elect the Ambassador is a breath of fresh air and worth taking seriously. Duncan Kerr maintains a balance between critics opposed to the growing interconnectedness of nation states and those who argue for the benefits of globalisation without the need for any checks on the integration of national economies. The key assumption is that democracy is still alive and global institutions can be democratised and made responsible. “Cynicism about democracy is fashionable,” he says. “But a belief in the fundamental importance of democracy is the foundation of this book”.

Duncan Kerr claims human societies are increasingly interconnected and emphasises politics as the most important guiding factor. He argues that politics, guided by people, can control globalised markets and counter some of the negative social effects experienced by Australians and other people around the world. Further, politics can provide people with a stake in the globalisation process that is above and beyond any economic incentive.

Effective democratic participation in our world is now not possible unless we both think and act globally, he argues. Part of our energy and commitment as citizens, therefore, has to be devoted to asserting our rights as members of the global community. The very word ‘foreign’ is becoming obsolete.

Duncan Kerr is Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs.

Source: Duncan Kerr, ‘Elect The Ambassador! Building Democracy in a Globalised World’ (ISBN 1864031328), Sydney, Pluto Press, 2001, 194 pages, paperback, $32.95. Abstracted from a review by Robert Imre, University of Notre Dame.

‘Papa Bilong Chimbu’ is must-see TV

In 1936 a young German Catholic missionary, John Nilles (1905-1993), arrived in the PNG Highlands of. There he remained for 54 years, living with the Chimbu people, learning their way of life and language (he translated the Bible into Kuman), and introducing them to his God and Western culture.

Father Nilles’ work reached beyond his role as a missionary. A trained anthropologist, he envisioned a way to marry Chimbu beliefs with those of Christianity. As a linguist, author, politician and citizen of PNG he became a local leader and a true Chimbu. Late in his life, he unexpectedly left PNG for Germany and there he died. But the Chimbu people claim his body should be returned and buried amongst them.

Through Nilles’ extraordinary archive of photos, diaries and letters, as well as interviews with those who knew him, filmmaker Verena Thomas has compiled a portrait of this fascinating man. Her award-winning documentary will be screened on ABC-TV tomorrow night [see below].

John Nilles was well known to many readers of ASOPA PEOPLE. Leo Carroll, who gave me the heads up about the TV program, mentioned that Nilles’ had baptised his daughter Lisa at the Anugl Mission church. For many of us, Papa Bilong Chimbu is a must-see television event.

‘Papa Bilong Chimbu’, Compass, ABC 1, Sunday 16 March, 10.15 pm

The Governor-General's collection

Sir Paulias Matane, born on the Gazelle Peninsula in 1931, has been Governor-General of PNG since 2004. He has been a teacher, school inspector, member of the Public Service Board, Secretary for Business Development and Ambassador to the US, UN and Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada. By any measure this has been a very distinguished career.

One of Sir Paulias' passions is writing (he's published 44 books and is easily PNG's most prolific author). A related pursuit has been inspiring other Papua New Guineans to write. "Up to now," he says, "due to my encouragement, 32 people have had their first books published here and overseas."

Now ASOPA PEOPLE is proud to be able to offer readers access to the Matane Library. Twenty-eight titles are available through the charitable Paulias Matane Foundation. Look for The Matane Library under ASOPA People Extra at left where you can find book descriptions by Sir Paulias himself and an order form.

By purchasing these books, which are offered at very reasonable prices, you can delve deeper into the issues that interest Sir Paulias while at the same time assisting charities in PNG. Never before have the Governor-Generals's books been offered in Australia.

Meanwhile, here's a taste of what's on offer in the words of Sir Paulias. I think you'll agree that even this small sample represents a splendidly eclectic collection. By the way, all prices includes postage and packing).....

Humour: The Papua New Guinean Way. "Humour is the quality of something that makes it funny and evokes laughter. What makes humour distinct is the environment and quality of life of the people in a particular region. Papua New Guineans are generally among the happiest people on earth. They live a carefree life and smile and laugh a lot. This book has 100 jokes that will make you laugh and make you happy and healthy."

The Time Traveler. "This book contains a collection of my popular and much sought after weekly columns in The National from 2000-05. It was published to coincide with the 30^th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's political independence."

Ripples In the South Pacific Ocean. "This is the longest historical novel ever written by a Papua New Guinean. It was first published in 2003. The novel portrays the development in the village life and culture of Papua New Guinea. It is an eloquent portrait of Aimbe, who, by his attributes of courage and compassion, becomes a leader of his community after his father's death." [318 pp]

50 Golden Years: Saga of True Love. "This was my 40^th book. It's in colour and black and white photographs and was published just before Lady Matane and I celebrated our 50^th Wedding Anniversary on 20 January 2007. The book narrates the story of our true love and how we have remained united for such a long time. It addresses important questions like what true love is, the pressures of work on married life and what it takes to make enduring relationship in marital life. Contributors to the book include our three children, grandchildren, adopted and those we helped to raise when they were children." [211 pp]

Paulias Matane – educator, author, leader

Sir Paulias Matane, a former Director of Education, has been PNG’s Governor-General for the past four years and has served the office with great distinction. Sir Paulias is a sprightly 76 - he walked part of the Kokoda Trail last year – and he tells me that since he ‘retired’ from the Public Service (“not public service,” he adds) at the end of 1985, he’s been very active.

“I went home and continued to work hard for communities, wrote books, weekly columns for one of our dailies, produced weekly EMTV Chit Chats, and travelled the world,” he writes. “I have been to all seven continents on earth.” In 2004, Sir Paulias was ‘forced’ by the PNG leadership to take up vice-regal office, where he remains today.

One of his passions over the years has been writing (he’s published 44 books) and another pursuit has been encouraging other Papua New Guineans to write. “Up to now, due to my encouragement, 32 people have had their first books published here and overseas. Five have written their second books. This shows me that there are capable people here who can write. I am pleased with their interests.”

Sir Paulias’ latest writing has been a Foreword to a new 419-page book entitled: ‘Major Religions of the World’ by Indian author Mohan L Ahuja. The book is virtually a mini encyclopedia and covers all major religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahai’i Faith, Confucianism, Jainism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Zoroatrianism. If you’re interested in this book you can email the author here.

We’ll be providing a full list of Sir Paulias’ books together with prices and ordering information in a future ASOPA PEOPLE.

By the way, each of Sir Paulias’s emails is signed off with the delightful words, ‘Serving with Love from Government House!’

How a home-grown discipline was forged

When I met Dr Ruth Fink Latukefu in the common room at the Macleay Museum last week, she was brandishing a copy of Dr Geoffrey Gray’s latest book, ‘A Cautious Silence’. It was, in the circumstances of an exhibition featuring the first generation of Australian anthropologists, an apposite choice of reading.

In this book, Geoff, who will we hope later this year begin work on the first definitive history of ASOPA, explores the foundations of modern Australian social anthropology, examining the forces that shaped it and revealing the struggle to establish it as an academic discipline.

He argues that to achieve this position, anthropologists had to demonstrate that their discipline was the predominant interpreter of indigenous life. Having done this, they were able to assist government in the control, development and advancement of indigenous peoples especially in Papua New Guinea and Australia. Indeed, it is arguable that, without an Australian Anthropology, there may have not been an ASOPA – although this is my conclusion not Geoff’s.

You can find out more about ‘A Cautious Silence’ and also read a chapter from the book by visiting this website.

‘A Cautious Silence: The politics of Australian anthropology’, Geoffrey Gray, Aboriginal Studies Press, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra, August 2001, paperback, 304 pp, RRP $39.95

Gold and treachery – the Mt Kare affair

“The mob was yelling and screaming behind us, carrying bush knives and spears. It wasn’t a good time to stop, so we kept driving, keeping a couple of hundred metres ahead of them. Then the chopper squeezed between the trees and landed on the road. I scrambled aboard. It had been a close call, and my non-smoking resolution fell by the wayside yet again.”

Andi Flower arrived in PNG from New Zealand in 1965 and found he had little time for the expatriate community. He had a flair for trading and developed a special affinity with the Huli people of the Southern Highlands. Then CRA found gold at nearby Mount Kare. By mid-1988 thousands of people were taking gold worth tens of millions of dollars from Mount Kare’s cold, black, glutinous mud. Conditions were truly appalling: no medics, no law enforcement and no Government presence.

The Huli people asked Andi to help them negotiate equity in the CRA mine. In the end they won 49 percent of the project but had to compete with unscrupulous opportunists that Prime Minister Rabbie Namaliu later branded as ‘spivs, crooks and carpet baggers’.

Between 1990 and 1993 Andi was subject to personal attacks, public humiliation, death threats and serial legal actions alleging impropriety, dishonesty and fraud. He saw dirty tricks, duplicity, greed and corruption on a scale he had never imagined.

This book is Andi’s story of the Mount Kare saga, told from the inside. It exposes the consequences of applying Western remedies to Melanesian problems, the destructive activities of outsiders and the greed, graft and corruption these engender.

Last weekend the Australian published a long review of Andi Flower’s book ‘Mt Kare Gold Rush’ by Greg Roberts. You can read the full article here  and go to the book’s website here.

‘Mt Kare Gold Rush: Papua New Guinea 1988-1994’, by Dave Henton and Andi Flower, $48 plus $14.95 postage to www.mountkaregoldrush.com or PO Box 678, Cotton Tree, Qld 4558.

Source: ‘How PNG gold lost its lustre’ by Greg Roberts, The Australian, 16 February 2008

Hal Holman puts phoenix to bed at last

In a long career as jackeroo, soldier, ad man, artist and sculptor, Hal Holman OAM has lived a rich life. As a young commando, he fought in the New Guinea campaign in World War II beginning an association with PNG that continues to this day. It is a relationship that has yielded a strong cultural outcome: he designed the PNG national crest, sculpted larger than lifesize bronzes of every PNG prime minister since Independence and contributed significantly to the design of the PNG flag.

Hal has now completed the long task of writing his autobiography. The book focuses both on the making of the artist and the trials and tribulations that seem an inevitable part of the artistic life. Here's an extract from the book, ‘The Phoenix Rises Eternal’…..

We spread out again until I began to doubt that Jack would tend toward the furthermost signal fires. From earlier conversations I knew that he would head for the saddle on the eastern side of Mount Wilhelm. That would keep him more toward the two fires we had passed. In view of this I also surmised that Jack might have treated the five shots as a Japanese ploy. I also realized it was possible that he might be dead.

My gut feeling was that a repeat volley of five shots was needed to affirm that there was someone here who was not afraid of being heard. So I fired another five rounds at measured intervals. The echoes seemed to go on and on.

A great hush fell on the carriers. Then a shot rang out within a reasonable distance!

The team had been ordered to remain silent in such an event and they all converged on me to seek my instructions. I addressed them when all were accounted for. In subdued tones I instructed them about the folly of rushing to the origin of the shot in case it came from the Japanese. I took two carriers with me and we approached the site with stealth. If it were Jack I would let the carriers know. With that I left with two men; the others were to hide in the bush to await our return.

You can read the full chapter in The ASOPA Archives at left.

‘The search for Private Jack Dellar’, from ‘The Phoenix Rises Eternal’, an unpublished memoir by Haldane Sinclair Holman OAM

The growing ASOPA–YouTube library

Diane Bohlen’s been busy, very busy, ensuring that the visual history of the Class of 1962/63, together with its attendant hangers on, is recorded for posterity in a modern 21^st Century form.

The latest addition to YouTube is Friends Forever, which you can find here under the title Friends For Life, a collection of pics from the latest Sofitel luncheon of the Brisbane Chapter of seafood and vin rouge aficionados, which cannot let go those friendships so firmly cemented during the planning and organisation of the Brisbane ASOPA reunion.

Friends Forever joins a rapidly growing library of ASOPA YouTube video content: 2007 Brisbane Reunion (Parts 1 and 2), Port Macquarie 2002 (Parts 1 and 2), ASOPA Buildings and Grounds, Class of 62/62 Brisbane 2003, Dianne’s ASOPA Days, Sydney Reunion 2005 and Brisbane River City. Well worth catching up with on a lazy afternoon.

And drop Bill Bohlen an email here if you’d like to add your own content to the ASOPA program on YouTube.

Rare book found for proud daughter

Early last year Elizabeth Arek in Brisbane wrote to Jim Toner in Darwin seeking information about “a thin paperback book about the war heroes of PNG”. Her father, Christian, featured in the book.

Christian Arek was a Northern District policeman. As a constable, he took part in the first skirmish with the Japanese invaders at Buna in July 1942 and, in 1943, retrieved the remains of Lucian Tapedi, the Anglican martyr, for burial.

Ten years later, as an honoured and bemedalled Sergeant-Major, he was in London marching with the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary contingent in the Coronation parade.

On 13 June last year, ASOPA PEOPLE put out an all points alert to see if a copy of the book could be found. Now, Eric Johns (ASOPA 1958-59) has located a copy of the book, which he is sending to Elizabeth. There are only two known copies of the book held in Australian collections.

Elizabeth writes: “Just got off the phone with my daughter, Renee. I am thrilled to know that I can get a copy of this book about my dad Christian Arek. Please extend my gratitude to everyone who made this possible.” Happy ending.

The sights & sounds of old New Guinea

Bill Bohlen’s passion for cinematography goes back a long way. When he and Diane lived in Papua New Guinea in the sixties, 16 mm and 8 mm cameras were part of the household equipment. Some of this footage shot between 1967 and 1969 has now been converted and posted on the You Tube website under the title ‘Papua New Guinea in the 1960s’. This now historic film is five minutes long and mainly features the colourful sights and sounds of the exotic Goroka Show.

It so happens that I was at this event for the weekend in question, sleeping on the dirt ‘floor’ of the Chimbu district pavilion and retain a vivid recollection of a plumed warrior using a bow and arrow to shoot a small pig in front of a horrified Queen Elizabeth II – with squads of kiaps running around aimlessly trying to figure what to do about it.

Bill’s video has many highlights, including a shot of possibly the last gentlemen in PNG to where a pith helmet. I really like Bill’s sound track, though, well compiled and very evocative of the time. Catch the video here. It really is a must see.

Community education in PNG

The biggest ever reunion of ASOPA education officers is just over two months away. Renewed interest in those far off days (that do not seem, upon reflection, to be so far away) is reaching fever pitch. Well, to calm you down, I offer the comprehensive story of community education in Papua New Guinea.

It's a story that ranges from the deepest traditions of the people….

“[In the west] individual intelligence and perceptiveness are acknowledged as important factors influencing learning. In contrast, in inspirational systems [as in Melanesia] intelligence has no equivalent concept. As Carrier noted when commenting on the Ponam Islanders: "Ponams do not invoke notions like 'intelligence' or 'a capacity to learn'. They have no word for intelligence". For the Melanesian the important thing was to possess knowledge. In practice this meant “to know where to find the right sources and to have good contacts. In inspirational systems, people explain successful learning in terms of hardwork and struggle, not in individual intelligence or how smart one is.”

And it’s a story that extends up to and beyond our arrival in the then Australian territory….

“The appointment of GT Roscoe as Director of Education in 1958 ushered in an expansion of the primary school system spearheaded by an influx of Australian teachers. These teachers, though sometimes short on experience, were placed in positions of responsibility as school principals or senior teachers. It was expected that they would provide leadership and guidance for their less academic PNG colleagues.”

Most of McLaughlin and O’Donoghue’s 1996 book is now available on the internet [click through on this hyperlink] and is something to be read thoroughly (if you sat in the front row at ASOPA) or dipped into (if you had to rush off to the Buena Vista).

[Dennis McLaughlin and Tom O’Donoghue, Community Teacher Education in Papua New Guinea, 1996]

Impressive historical scholarship

It’s been called “one of the most impressive pieces of historical scholarship to come out of Papua New Guinea” and I must admit that, until recently, it had escaped my attention. ‘It’ is My Gun, My Brother, the story of the PNG colonial police in the years between 1920 and 1960. It’s a fascinating read for people interested in PNG under Australian administration and, good news this, it is accessible free on the Internet and the section that relates to ASOPA – and the benefits colonial officers derived from being trained there – can be found here.

The author, Dr August Kituai is an academic historian at the University of Papua New Guinea. A reviewer has written “If [it] sounds a rather wooden topic, a dry administrative history, don't be fooled. This is a book full of rich stories…..”

My Gun, My Brother: The World of the Papua New Guinea Colonial Police, 1920-1960, August Ibrum K Kituai, University of Hawaii Press, 1998

This is just bragging...

This has nothing to do with ASOPA or PNG or even pedagogy. On Wednesday, The Australian  newspaper will carry, as a supplement, a copy of the July Australian Literary Review. If you take the paper, or can borrow it, or - heaven forfend - you go out specially to buy a copy - you will find an article by me reviewing a book by my former boss at the ABC, David Hill. As a review, I think you'll find it a bit out of the ordinary. You may even enjoy it. As Jeff Chapman used to say (probably still does), 'nuff said. The clipping above is from a 'rush' of the ALR I was given yesterday. At the very least you can say you know someone who got published in ALR, OK?

STILL THE CHALLENGE

With Brisbane reunion preparations building in intensity, this might be a good time to begin preparing for the experience. There’s no better way to do so than settling down with a rattling good read. And Gail Burke’s compilation of true stories by former teachers in Papua New Guiinea, Meeting the Challenge, is exactly that. If you haven't read it, the book is still on sale and remains a wonderful reflection of great times now, sadly, past.

In the 1950s and 1960s young Australians were recruited to teach in PNG, often the only reference material being a slender leaflet entitled, ‘Careers with a challenge’. As one of the adventurous people who met this challenge, Gail Burke recounts her own story and has gathered many others from her fellow teachers. The stories not only provide an invaluable insight to PNG and its people but offer a very entertaining account of how young Australians dealt with the cultural and other differences experienced along the way.

Meeting the Challenge provides a mine of information about an eventful period. You can order it from Copyright Publishing by visiting this website or by writing to the publisher at GPO Box 2927 Brisbane Queensland Australia 4001.

Meeting the Challenge: Personal stories of Australian teachers in Papua New Guinea pre-Independence 1955-1975. Edited by Gail Burke. 236 pages. Hard cover. $27.50 (incl postage)

ANOTHER BELFIELD

Jane Belfield is nothing if not prolific. The former PNG Government Broadcasting Service journalist has written a second e-book under the name of her alter ego, Jane Hill. The Prayer Tree and Other Stories (you can read an excerpt if you follow the link) was published by Alinar Publications on 4 February. “This is a collection of short stories I’ve written over the years,” says Jane.

“The first story sets the theme, and is the only one in the collection which is not fiction. In the other six stories: a retired spinster schoolteacher goes in search of flowers for an old friend’s funeral; a widow visits a flamboyant fortune-teller; a wife takes revenge for her husband’s infidelity; an elderly woman, lonely following the death of her husband and the estrangement from her granddaughter, finds herself in hospital; a migraine forces a young woman to visit a doctor in an unfamiliar town; an encounter on a lonely beach is unnerving for a young divorcee. Yes, the leading players in all seven stories are women.”

JANE'S NEW NOVEL

A former Port Moresby-based colleague and ex PNG Department of Information journalist, Jane Belfield, writes she recently had a novel released by Internet publishing company Alinar Publishing.

An online biography says “English-born Jane Hill [her pseudonym] lives in Victoria, Australia, in a house on 10 acres by the sea. Jane - who lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for 25 years - is a former radio and print journalist, now writing and editing freelance. Her work, published and broadcast in several countries, includes short stories in the romance genre, but this is her first attempt at a romantic novel.”

"Any resemblance to ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is quite intentional," says Jane about this modern take on an age-old theme. The book, ‘King of the Castle’ is available for $US4.49 on Alinar’s website here.