A tropical life permeated by books
11 January 2009
Mark
Thomson
My
earliest memories of my father are permeated by books. They were an integral
part of the daily rhythms of his life. Books arrived constantly in boxes or
cardboard sleeves, by ship and by air to our tropical outpost [in Papua New
Guinea]; they were forever being stacked or rearranged in hall cupboards as
protection against the ubiquitous threats of pests and damp. During his waking
hours he was happiest musing over book catalogues or perusing the literary gold
within his latest acquisition. It was a highly infectious affliction that he
willingly passed on to his son. [Looking for a Good Book] is his 'tale
of a gentle madness', written by my father during his sixties and seventies,
the story of a book collector thrown hither and thither by tumultuous events
beyond his control.
To
set the scene of a quest for the roots of 'madness' like no other, the author
dwells on several dramatic episodes from history (the battles for Troy,
Gallipoli and the Aztec empire) that cast light on the sometimes fickle nature
of literary records of human folly, frailty and fragility. He ponders the vital
role chroniclers of history and creative writers perform in enriching our
appreciation and understanding of past events. We are taken on a whimsical
exploration of the 'anatomy' of collecting, and asked to consider the pathology
of this 'madness' through the lens of anthropologists, psychologists,
logisticians and historical informants.
The
author was born in Victoria in 1919. The memoir casts back over his childhood
in Golden Square and Eaglehawk in the Bendigo region. He remembers key
influences on his early development as a reader and on his lifelong passion for
book collecting. He left school at thirteen to work in a series of jobs in
rural Victoria, joined the YMCA, and enlisted in the Australian Army in 1941. I
once asked him whether his parents collected books. He replied they had none
but the family next door lent him books. This part of the tale provides a
snapshot of growing up in a small rural Victorian township in the 1920s and
1930s. We are told of his apprenticeship as a butter maker, membership of the
YMCA, and aspirations to become a journalist. His increasing interest in and
knowledge of writers and books is woven into all aspects of retelling his
story: 'The progress from a desire to read, to a similar urge for ownership,
indicates the affliction is now gathering momentum'.
The
author describes the years following his demobilisation, during which he gained
admission to the University of Adelaide under the Commonwealth Reconstruction
Scheme. On completion of a Diploma in Social Science he joined the colonial
administration in Papua New Guinea as a junior education officer. In
preparation for his colonial service in early 1949 he was admitted to the
Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) located in Sydney. His
association with the school lasted for 24 years, both as a student and later as
a sometime lecturer. The first-hand account of studying at the ASOPA is a
highlight of the memoir.
In
late 1949 the author began his long career in Papua New Guinea, where he
quickly climbed through the ranks to serve with distinction in a number of
positions including Executive Officer for Social Development and Director of
Child Welfare. He describes journeys into isolated areas, indigenous
communities he visited, his appreciation of the work of colleagues and his own
role in key actions of the Australian colonial government. Writers on PNG are
canvassed, several of whom were personal acquaintances of the author. He
retired from the PNG administration in 1973. In 2000 he received recognition
for his contribution in a 25th Year of Independence award from the Government
of Papua New Guinea.
My
father survived wartime injury and illness and dangerous journeys in post-war
PNG, and throughout his long and eventful life, books have remained a passion.
In this book he tells us of his philosophy of book collecting, the methodology
he applied in putting his collection together and historical antecedents to his
'madness'. The book finishes as he started, with my father musing on the nature
of this affliction. He quotes Holbrook Jackson to advise fellow travellers
about the joys of reading and collecting books. The rich and varied library he
has collected is a fine testament to his continuing search for a good book.
You
can contact Mark Thomson here to find out how to get your copy of ‘Looking for a Good
Book’.
The publisher is proposing to launch Dad’s book on Tuesday 14 April on the Gold Coast. We would like to invite ASOPA alumni and PNGAA stalwarts living in South East Queensland especially in the Brisbane-Gold Coast area to attend.
It will be a wine and cheese event with a few short words from various people, including Graham Parry, who worked with Dad for years in social development. Dr Lenore Coltheart, a Canberra based historian will also provide some words for the event, which I will relay.
The publisher will send out invitations. It will be an opportunity for ex-PNG hands to enjoy some reminisces over wine and cheese.
You may be interested to know the Australian War Memorial bookshop is considering selling the book.
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If you wish to attend the launch of Reginald Thomson’s ‘Looking for a Good Book’, reviewed earlier on PNG ATTITUDE, you can contact me care of this website - KJ
Posted by: Mark Thomson | 17 March 2009 at 11:44 AM