hello well, im so happy to read your comment, i am eau suve refered to in your article. my father suve latoro worked with mrs jonhson all those years ago.
unfortunately my father passed away in 1981.
however, my mum would be so pleased when i tell her about your article

ive lived in brisbane since 1981 and work with ozcare a community care organisation here.

thankyou, ive never forgotten mrs johnsons in my education, and always acknowledge her part in my life the social graces of "white people" in any given situation.

i am happy for you to contact via my email,
love to hear how magaret, alan and gary are these days and especially mrs johnston.
please pass on my warmest regards to the family

A part history of PNG and PNGAA.

As a Member of the PNGAA, and interested in the History of Papua New Guinea from the late 1800’s until now, I have encountered many very interesting people, some admirable, and some notorious. As a standout personality I have chosen a Lady who completed her Secondary School Training before the Second World War and attended the Cambridge Business College in Sydney graduating in Business Principles and Stenographic Skills. Her first employer was the Australian Gaslight Company where she met her future Husband.

Marrying in 1946 she spent the next thirty years in the Territory beside her Kiap Husband, much of it on remote Outstations without the usual amenities enjoyed in even the minor Sub District Headquarters. She typifies the strong women who labored beside their Husbands to help in the development of Papua New Guinea from the grass roots to the Independent Nation it is today.

During these years she gave birth to, and reared three children, tragically losing her daughter Christine, and then followed a further two children as some compensation. Unless you have had the experience of Outstation Life it is difficult to grasp the loneliness and insecurity suffered by a young Mother particularly when her husband is absent for prolonged periods. The family was then transferred to Manus Island.

My subject developed an interest in voluntary work with Indigenous Women, and in 1958 when challenged by Lady Baden- Powell to help form a Company of Girl Guides, she studied the movement, and helped outfit the Girls with Uniforms. Her Company was officially recognized as the best turned out Girl Guides in Papua New Guinea.

In addition to her voluntary work the Director of Education offered her the position of Home Economics Teacher, and she was complimented on the “Interest and Versatility that she had given to her lessons. The visiting Inspector gave her a letter of appreciation for her efforts. The Family was then transferred to Popondetta.

She was then appointed to a Tempory position as Senior District Clerk, a position she held for the next seven years, and both she and her Husband became heavily involved in civic activities such as the Parents and Citizens Association, and she became an active member of the Country Women’s Association. She served as Treasurer, and later became the recipient of The Loyal Service Badge after serving as the Branch President.

Aware of the deficiencies in the education of Indigenous Girls, she taught the social graces to two local girls. One, Eau Suve later became a Diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and was crowned “Miss Papua New Guinea” and represented her country in Australia. The other lass, Winnie Arek, daughter of Paulus Arek, an elected Member of the House of Assembly, after Secondary education in Australia became a successful Business Woman in Port Moresby.

In 1970 The family was transferred to Port Moresby where her Husband was appointed Director of Civil Defence, and she replaced a Male Clerk in the Division of Intelligence and Security. Naturally her interest in the CWA continued. She was selected as an Executive to the National Council the Governing Body of the Country Women’s Association of Papua New Guinea, and the following year she was elected as National President, a prestigious position recognized by the Government and the Associated Country Women of the World. In 1974 she was granted Life Membership. A glowing accompanying citation stressed her understanding of the needs and problems of Out Station Women.

Her Marriage of 56 years ended with the death of her Husband in 2001, and Nancy Edith Johnston, now 88 years old has a lifetime of exemplary service both in Papua New Guinea and to the PNGAA behind her. She neither sought, nor received the usual Australian Honors, but I invite the reader to compare her achievements with their own. I am honored to have met her.

Bob Curtis