PURPOSE
PNG Attitude was established in 2006 to address a major issue: the silence that for too long after PNG independence in 1975 existed between Papua New Guineans and Australians.
Regular citizens - people like us - didn't much communicate with each other. And this was after we’d spent a century thrown together by the winds of colonialism – a period during which many of us got to know each other very well.
That post-independence silence denied what had been for the most part a great friendship and close relationship.
So, propelled by the arrival of social media, PNG Attitude was established to instigate a mutual conversation between the people of our two countries, and those people elsewhere who felt a connection with PNG.
To a large extent we have managed to address this challenge. The blog has a daily readership of about 2,000 and a related Twitter following of 9,300. The blog has also published over 17,000 articles and over 51,000 comments.
PHILOSOPHY
PNG Attitude is committed to strengthening the people-to-people relationship between Papua New Guineans. However it has had to largely forego further projects that would enhance the relationship. Age and ailment are taking their toll on the publisher/editor, and I've been compelled to set aside the many projects we previously undertook. But the blog continues to encourage Papua New Guineans to write creatively and critically and to communicate with each other and the world beyond.
The blog itself does not seek to impose a world view or ideology on its readers, other than that it holds in special esteem the people of Papua New Guinea. Its aim is to provide a forum and meeting place where people interested in the PNG–Australia relationship can exchange opinions, stories, ideas, creativity, hopes....
I want Papua New Guineans to know that there are many Australians, and other people throughout the world, who are mindful of and sensitive to their concerns and issues. And I want outsiders to get to know Papua New Guineans better.
PNG Attitude provides a link between people of goodwill who want to perpetuate this relationship and to strengthen it.
CHARACTER
PNG Attitude is motivated by your support and by your words and by the thought it may be able to do some good. Its bias is towards Papua New Guinea and especially towards its people. We believe the PNG government should be doing better for them. We believe the Australian government should be doing better for PNG.
UTILITY
PNG Attitude in the past used the power and leverage of its readership to do good works beyond publishing. In earlier, more energetic days the Crocodile Prize national literary contest, book publishing, mentoring promising writers, enabling PNG writers to travel outside the country, providing charitable support, bringing long-separated people together and events promotion give a practical aspect to our role. As age and ill-health have wearied me, a number of these activities no longer exist. But the hub, the blog, continues.
Our primary function has always been the exposition of words and ideas, the provision and exchange of information and opinion and through these mechanisms the maintenance of an important relationship.
ASOPA
ASOPA is the acronym of the Australian School of Pacific Administration, which you can read more about here. The blog first appeared in February 2006 as ASOPA People. Its original purpose was to commemorate and keep alive the traditions and comradeship of an institution which trained many young Australians for careers in Papua and in New Guinea when both were Australian territories. The blog evolved to adopt a wider and more complex brief, but its foundation stones remain.
STRUCTURE
PNG Attitude is not a formal organisation. It is one publisher, hundreds of contributors and 10-15,000 readers, averaging between 1,500 and 3,000 each day. PNG Attitude does not do meetings. No one gets paid. No one’s ordered around. We just get on with it.
People read us because they want to, access us without charge and contribute when they feel like it. We are fortunate to have many experienced and talented contributors who regularly share their views and insights.
PNG Attitude is published from the editor’s computers at his office in Noosa, Queensland, Australia. The view from his window is of Pandanus palms and a cloudless sky.
CONTRIBUTIONS
You can contribute to either of these sections of PNG Attitude.
Main Page. If you have a story, article, commentary or poem on a subject related to the purpose of PNG Attitude you can submit it for publication (email the editor here.)
Comments. The best comments are short and to the point. Insert them directly into the website by clicking on the Comments link at the end of each article. All comments are reviewed by the editor before publication.
CONTRIBUTORS
PNG Attitude not only welcomes your contributions, it relies on them to maintain a lively, relevant and informed website. But there are some rules. (There are always rules.)
Rule 1 is that, when it comes to publishable material, the editor’s word is final. If you do not like your words being edited, this is not the place for you.
Most contributions are edited. Why? Because it is a simple truth that people who write are not always the best judges of how their words will be understood by people who read.
Nor are most people familiar with the laws of defamation. The editor has a good working knowledge of the laws that seek to stop you from untruthfully or maliciously destroying the reputation of others.
People sometimes mistake their own strongly held beliefs for more general truths. We try to our best to differentiate between fact, opinion and fake. The last is published only if it slips through the eye of our needle.
People do not always fully comprehend the effect of their words on others. We don't want - and have rarely experienced - the character assassination, offence and ill temper that characterises some social media.
PNG Attitude admires its contributors. We are deeply grateful for their knowledge, commitment and passion. And we are humbled because they give a damn. They care. Contributors and commenters have our unending gratitude.
EDITING
Your contribution to PNG Attitude may be edited for any one or a combination of these reasons:
Defamation. We use the defamation laws of Australia as our guide when deciding whether or not a contributor may have gone too far with personal criticism of another person. You always need to be careful when accusing someone of a crime or of poor character. But, if you’re not careful, we’ll be careful for you.
Offence. Abusive language, racist remarks and other words designed to hurt, generate excessive conflict or cause unreasonable offence to other people are not tolerated and will always be edited. We encourage the expression of strong opinions, but we want contributors to be fair in presenting them.
Length. The average reader spends about three minutes reading PNG Attitude each visit. All our editing is done from the perspective of this typical reader. We do want people to read what you write, not give up halfway or because the headline does not appeal. Contributions which are so long they make an excessive demand on readers are almost always trimmed.
Clarity. If you’re not thinking clearly, it’s unlikely your words will emerge clearly on the page. Big words are not necessarily good words. Long sentences do not triumph over short sentences. Five ideas in one paragraph do not get a special prize. If we do not think you are communicating clearly, we will do our best through editing to try to make sure you do.
Relevance. Some contributors seem to think just because they mention ‘Papua New Guinea’ somewhere in their writing that they have attained the state of grace known as ‘relevance’. They haven’t.
Truth. If we believe that a statement may be untrue or non-factual, we will try to establish the facts and vary your contribution accordingly. If the whole thing is riddled with falsehoods or disingenuity it will be spiked.
Spelling, grammar and punctuation. If errors in these departments detract from the content of what you have written, or inadvertently make you look foolish, we will correct them.
Repetition. Is boring and will be eliminated.
CENSORSHIP
We believe, in general, that it is better to have matters out in the open where they can be addressed rather than lurking in the dark as shabby untruths that people may believe because they know no better.
By nature the publisher is not a censorial person. But PNG Attitude will protect its own position and reputation by eliminating defamatory and offensive remarks and words. While we will try to rescue remnants of defamatory and offensive articles, contributors should not test our patience too much.
If we believe a contributor is abusing the privilege of reaching an audience through this website, or is in some other way undermining the integrity of what we do, it is possible this person may be electronically ‘blocked’ from accessing the site. This has happened only a handful of times since we first occupied this space in February 2006.
ANONYMITY
We discourage the use of pseudonyms (false names), initials, first names without last names and pen names (e.g., ‘Concerned Mother’), and will almost always reject your contribution in such cases. Any contribution with a false email address will be deleted upon detection.
There are some cases where people are legitimately concerned that the publication of their name may endanger them or in some other way be a threat to them. At such times, you should let the editor know the circumstances and your case will be treated with careful consideration.
Sometimes people use false names to cover up disinformation (which by its nature is unethical) or to avoid disclosing their true motives.
False names may also be used as a shield behind which people who do not want to be associated with their own views for whatever reason feel they can launch cowardly attacks on others without detection. In such cases, we delete your contribution. In all the years since 2006 this has been a rare occurrence.
PNG Attitude treats each case on its merits. But for the greatest credibility, believability and persuasiveness, a contribution will almost invariably appear under the real name of its author.
Let us know if you wish to use a pen name, why you wish to use it and provide us with your real name and email as a sign of good faith. We will not disclose your name if there may be some real threat in you doing so.
CONFLICT
Readers do not generally object to conflict (after all, the mass media thrive on it), but in PNG Attitude we draw a line at that point where conflict becomes personal and switches readers off instead of turning them on.
Sometimes a public forum represents a tempting way to lash out at someone you dislike or whose opinions you despise. On these occasions we scrutinise how views are expressed and, if legitimate criticism turns to abuse, the offending words are removed.
ACCURACY
PNG Attitude adopts a general view that comment is free but facts are sacred. But we do not necessarily delete misconceived comment, unless it is likely to mislead and possible harm may ensue. However, it will probably be edited.
FAIRNESS
It is always the case in public discourse that wrong and unfair things are said and that sometimes villains are elevated and good people traduced. This is not something of which we approve and we will use our judgement to determine whether a particular view offers fair comment or is unfair and needs to be moderated.
CRITICISM
Given the professed intention of PNG Attitude to build stronger links between our two countries, it is proper for readers to ask why we often take a critical view of PNG's political leadership and of Australian policy towards Papua New Guinea.
We have no particular axe to grind with individual politicians but we are deeply concerned with how ordinary people are affected by the decisions and actions of politicians and public servants.
We support entrepreneurship (the publisher spent 25 years establishing and running his own company), but we have no truck with business people who exploit or harm ordinary people in the name of free enterprise.
PNG Attitude seeks to influence people to do the right thing and this necessarily means that, from time to time, it will criticise.
We are especially critical of corruption, which is an unfortunate part of life in PNG and increasingly so in Australia and which harms and denies the rights of ordinary people.
PLAGIARISM
Let's be blunt about it, plagiarism (that is, taking someone else's ideas or words and claiming them as your own) is a pretty low act. It's no better than stealing.
Plagiarism is bad at any time but becomes of crucial importance where something hangs on the result: like stealing someone else's words and benefiting from it in some way. Where we detect plagiarism, it is exposed. Thankfully, we have had very few cases.
AND FINALLY....
This document is added to and amended from time to time. Please feel free to comment on it or suggest ideas that may improve or augment it in an email to the publisher.
Keith Jackson AM
Publisher and Editor
Published January 2011
Updated October 2013
Updated January 2015
Updated February 2017
Updated February 2018
Updated September 2019
Updated March 2021
Updated May 2022
Updated February 2023
Dear Keith - The PNG Attitude masthead states 'Our Attitude? It's the people who matter'.
It is pure Orwell, who was one of the most distinguished political writers of the twentieth century.
During your tenure as a teacher in Simbu you may have been familiar with the work of Richard Stanley Peters who focussed on the philosophy of education and had a stint at the ANU in Canberra.
In his younger days in the United Kingdom his private tutor was none other than George Orwell:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stanley_Peters
_______
Hi Bernard - Never had the pleasure of meeting RS Peters. And yes, I know my propaganda - KJ
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 22 November 2024 at 07:00 AM
Donald William Eisenhauer was born in 1919 and was a permanent soldier in the Artillery before World War II. In 1940 he transferred to the RAAF and learned to fly.
Posted to 30 Squadron he flew Beaufighters and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for operations against enemy installations at Wewak. He was based at Tadji.
With the end of the war and cessation of operational flying, like a number of other servicemen, Donald Eisenhauer transferred to the Army and was posted to the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) as a Patrol Officer.
He saw service at Manus until the military administration ceased and he was discharged from the Army in March 1946,
Returning to Australia he gained employment as a pilot for Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) until 1947 when he resigned and returned to Papua New Guinea as a Patrol Officer.
His initial posting was Goroka per the Patrol Reports that Phil highlights and the Staff Postings list at National Archives Australia per the link below.
The Staff Postings list dated 10 April 1951 lists Patrol Officer DW Eisenhauer as having resigned on leave.
His RAAF service file has an application for reinstatement of his commission in the Air Force dated 5 November 1950 and indicating he is still employed as a Patrol Officer.
With the imminence of the Korean War, this application is not unusual but I can find no indication anywhere of further military service by Eisenhauer.
The only other reference I have is a death notice dated 23 February 1962.
_______
Thanks once again to Ross for his fine work of building a portfolio of PNG's colonial field staff, the nation builders - KJ
Posted by: Ross Wilkinson | 19 November 2024 at 06:57 PM
There's no one called Eisenhauer in the 1952 staff postings at Goroka or anywhere else Baka.
The University of California San Diego Library, with permission from the PNG National Archives, is providing online access to patrol reports through the Library's Digital Collections website. The reports date primarily from the post-WW2 era and were scanned from microfiche held at UC San Diego. The original reports are in Port Moresby, of course.
The short-cut URL is: http://lib.ucsd.edu/png-patrol-reports
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 19 November 2024 at 10:48 AM
I am looking for information for a Don Eisenhauer who was said to be a patrol officer in Goroka in 1949 to 1952.
How do I find where he was in the public service machinations? And where might I find the patrol reports or surveys he would have done?
Posted by: Baka Bina | 18 November 2024 at 02:22 PM
Rayner L Bellamy was posted to Kokoda in September 1904 as the Assistant Resident Magistrate. Bellamy was an Englishman who had studied medicine at Cambridge and Edinburgh universities but didn't complete his studies. He opened the Kiriwina Special Hospital (to treat VD) in 1905. He later completed his studies. Bellamy retired in 1937. CAW Monckton was the Northern Division Resident Magistrate and probably had something to do with naming Mount Bellamy. See "Gavamani: The Magisterial Service of British New Guinea" by Jim Sinclair.
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 02 October 2024 at 08:53 PM
Dear Borana,
Further your article entitled "Ethical challenges faced by educational leaders" the following link provides access to some recent commentary from Henry Giroux, which you may find interesting:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/09/30/paulo-freires-legacy-and-the-necessity-of-critical-pedagogy-in-dark-times/
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 02 October 2024 at 08:30 PM
It's believed that Mount Bellamy was named after Rayner Laming Bellamy who was appointed an Assistant Resident Magistrate in the Northern Division in 1905. He was a partially qualified doctor who transferred to the Health Department as a senior doctor after completing his qualifications. He remained in the Territory of Papua until 1937.
Stuart Hawthorne may know more
Posted by: Ross Wilkinson | 02 October 2024 at 06:47 PM
As my go to guru on all things PNG, just wondering if you know who named Mt Bellamy on the Kokoda Trail and who it’s named after?
If you don’t know, is there any chance you could share on your website?
PS, First draft of Doc Vernon biography almost finished.
________
Hi Adrian - You've got me stumped on that mountain. Hope a reader can assist. And keep us in touch with your book - KJ
Posted by: Adrian Clack | 02 October 2024 at 05:04 PM
Ethical challenges faced by educational leaders
While leading and operating educational institutions, the inevitability of ethical dilemma is a constant challenge for ethical leaders due to staff diversity and other stakeholders’ issues encountered daily.
Mihelič (2010), stated that “values have a profound effect on a leader’s performance”. Simply put, ethical leaders are guided by their personal moral convictions that fuels their motivation and inspiration in decision-making.
However, an educational institution is governed by a set of educational policies, guidelines and processes that insulates its operation.
Therefore, guided by the policies, guidelines and personal moral compass, ethical leaders should consider their decision-making vital for the institution’s growth and development.
However, practicing of ethical leadership should not diminish managerial obligations in the institution.
As proclaimed by Saiti & Arar (2022), ethical dilemma resulted in leader’s moral values contradicting to that of others in the educational institution or vice versa.
Thus, the principals’ and administrators’ decisions will either make or break the school culture and furthermore, deteriorate or build the organization’s integrity when confronted with ethical dilemmas.
Keddie (2016), affirmed that integrity is based on three values: public ownership, equity and excess and public purpose.
Respectively, that implies that the governance of the institution must serve the interest of the people, there must be enough funding for student admission and the prioritizing of moral and social purpose of education should be the uttermost concern.
According to Kutsyuruba & Walker (2014), professional ethical issues predominantly occurred between school administration and teachers involves staffing arguments, teaching load pressure, scheduling issues, evaluation and supervision problems, breach of confidentiality, miscommunication, backstabbing, gossiping, personality clash, physical and verbal abuse, stealing, misuse of resources and dishonesty.
Thus, the lack of communication and increased ethical issues in schools leads to financial mismanagement and resource misappropriation.
On the contrary, resource allocation and financial decision-making are considered critical factors that ensure the smooth progress of an organization.
Without clear vision and goals to guide decision-makings of administrators, financial mismanagement is likely to occur in schools.
Mugala et al. (2023) have highlighted that without clear personal and professional norms and regulations, unaccountability occurs on all hierarchy levels in an administration.
Therefore, financial decisions and resource allocation when made, should firstly consider the goals of the institution with respect to stakeholders’ interests and values.
Those decisions should be for the greater vision for achieving quality teaching and learning.
Given that, above all aspects in an educational institution is the students learning.
Posted by: Borana Bonney | 18 September 2024 at 11:44 AM
I saw a post referring to Franciscan Fr Dom. I knew him here in Port Moresby in the 1970's to 80's. He was a great and very amusing fellow. Not a Lutheran. A Catholic. Malol, Sissano and Selio are Catholic missions. The Australian Franciscans could provide more information.
Posted by: Lawrence Stephens | 21 August 2024 at 03:27 PM
There is a song that occasionally comes into my head, more frequently of late, which may be cause for concern.
It was often played on Port Moresby radio, possibly as part of a schools' program.
It was sung (enthusiastically) by children, and contained the line (as I recall) ‘ Oh fish and eggs and rice, are very, very nice’.
I can’t find any record of this online. I wonder if there is a recorded version of it somewhere, or at least a record of the words.
It will be unfortunate if it’s been lost.
_________
Any takers? The original school broadcasts team (Brian Halesworth, Lester and Fay Goodman, John Bili Tokome, Doug Fyfe and Wal Capper) are gone from our midst but there must be someone who remembers the song and who can supply Geoffrey with the complete version - KJ
Posted by: Geoffrey Dabb | 16 August 2024 at 04:56 PM
I am working on writing something about B McBride's patrol in Simbai in 1956.
I would like to fill it out with any information about him that is available.
If any one knew him, maybe I could correspond with them?
___________
If you can assist Inge with her request, you can contact her at [email protected] - KJ
Posted by: Inge Reibe | 11 August 2024 at 01:49 AM
Hello Keith - I have a collection of books on New Guinea. I am trying to decide what to do with it as I downsize.
Books are mainly anthropology and history, more than 100 in number.
Can you suggest any institution or bookshop or individual that would be interested in obtaining such a collection?
_______
Thanks Peter. That's a generous offer. I'll ask readers if they have any suggestions and also give the matter some thought myself. Is it intended that the recipient pay for postage (and perhaps you can tell us where you live) - KJ
Posted by: Peter Obendorf | 11 June 2024 at 01:59 PM
Hi Keith - I came across your site by accident after I had been talking to an old school mate from Nowra High (1962 class).
That reminded me of others, including Bob Burlington. I followed him (and you it seems) to PNG in 1969 and went looking for him on Kar Kar but missed him.
Your post about Kar Kar Days is the only hit I can get on his name. After 60 years I would like to contact him again.
I don't know if you run a matching service but if you do I wonder if you could pass on my interest in catching up with him.
_______
Hi John - Yes, Nowra was quite a happy hunting ground for the Department of Territories in the 1960s. I got my guernsey in 1962 and Bob, and I think another fellow, was recruited the year after.
I haven't encountered Bob since then, although I had hoped to.
Over the years, PNG Attitude has been successful in bringing many people together and I hope one of our readers may be able to assist you to locate Bob - KJ
Posted by: John McClelland | 24 April 2024 at 08:23 AM
I left Sonoma and now I am based in Port Moresby to establish my AD Astra Academic Reading and Writing Coaching Centre and to publish three books I have written.
I left the school and with all the email addresses, so I couldn't send poems and essays for publishing. But I have been enjoying all the essays and articles published on PNG Attitude.
I tell my students, PNG Attitude is the 'haus man' of PNG writers because, it provides the best content and shapes PNG writers. I encourage them to read everything on the PNG Attitude blog.
Personally, the blog sharpened my thinking and writing skills and I met my tribe of the finest thinkers and writers.
Without PNG Attitude, my writing would be shoddy and not embellished. I am eternally grateful for stumbling on to PNG Attitude and it proffered me the literary wings to soar.
Posted by: Simon Davidson | 31 January 2024 at 05:16 PM
I’m living in retirement in South Australia. I spent six years in the New Guinea Highlands from 1961 to 1967 as an employee of the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries and I'm about to compile a small book for my extended family about those times.
It will be illustrated with photos taken at places like Korn Farm, Mt Hagen, Laiagam, Wabag and Mendi. To give the publication currency I would like to know several things about life at these places now – 60 plus years after I was there.
Is Korn Farm still an agricultural training establishment? Why has Hagen’s population grown from about 100 in the early 1960s to an apparent 40,000 plus now? Is coffee production still a viable industry in the Wahgi Valley? Has the pyrethrum industry in the Enga region and Southern Highlands flourished or faltered? And what of Mendi and Wapenamanda? Etc etc.
For anyone that can help me with this type of detail, my email address is [email protected]
Posted by: Denys Slee | 05 January 2024 at 10:31 AM
I was in Wewak in 1972-73 and travelled overland to London with Brenda Macdonald, a teacher from Brandi High School who I became friends with.
During the trip I shot movie film which Brenda has never seen. That was 50 years ago this year and I thought that I had better try and find Brenda before it is too late.
Brenda had a mate at Brandi, another teacher by the name of Glennis Holland. I hope Keith may have contact information on Brenda or contact details for Glennis.
_________
If any reader can help locate Brenda or Glennis, drop a note under Comments below and I’ll make sure Kevin gets it - KJ
Posted by: Kevin Hook | 01 November 2023 at 06:17 AM
The book is by M Ernest Young Lewis.
I wrote a review of it a few years ago:
https://www.pngattitude.com/2018/12/papua-new-guinea-brief-home-to-the-remnants-of-the-british-raj.html
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 16 November 2022 at 07:41 AM
Hi Keith - I am trying to find the book called, The Tigi Adventures. Can you help?
________
Can't find any reference to that one, Lewis. Perhaps one of our readers can help - KJ
Posted by: Lewis Mora | 15 November 2022 at 02:16 PM
Greetings Keith. Firstly, I wish you a speedy recovery.
As an avid reader of PNG Attitude, I wish to inform you that the retired commander of PNG defence Jerry Singirok had a book launch on Saturday night.
The book is his autobiography, A matter of Conscience, dealing with his life and Sandline Affair.
He would welcome you contacting him via WhatsApp on +675 7260 7579. I think there is a story in it for you and no one more qualified and able than you to attend to it.
Anyhow I will continue to support and read your publications and with just as much eagerness go through comments which are quite amusing.
______
Thanks Edin. My apologies for this late response. My ill health allows me little latitude these days, even in getting to the keyboard.
In April PNG Attitude published a review of Jerry's book by Rae Kataha Smart which can be linked to here https://www.pngattitude.com/2022/04/-the-mutiny-that-saved-png-singirok-reveals-all.html
I would welcome a further article by Jerry or an associate but right now I'm not even up to holding a decent phone conversation. Best wishes - KJ
Posted by: Edin Corr | 05 November 2022 at 03:22 PM
"An editor is someone who separates the wheat from the chaff and then prints the chaff" - Adlai Stevenson
Old Adlai was one of the best. During a US election campaign in the early 1960s an elderly lady took to the microphone and congratulated him for a truly remarkable speech and proclaimed that every decent thinking American citizen must vote for him.
Adlai quickly grabbed the microphone back and responded, "Unfortunately lady, I require a majority".
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 20 May 2022 at 07:17 AM
I’ve appropriated this space to mark the 50,000th Recent Comment in PNG Attitude – which this is.
Our own town square and toktok save where readers provide much that is wise, principled, astute, knowledgeable, clever and amusing.
It may be of historical significance or current insight. Some comments may seem to you to be a load of old rubbish. Which they may be but, in the interests of allowing a fair go, have passed through the editorial filter as a mercy decision.
Wherever possible I edit for fact, additional information, better comprehension, grammatical soundness and to remove unjustified attack or abuse and to avoid litigation.
I want to note here that Recent Comments for the most part are thoughtful and civil, even when written with passion, irritation or feelings of affront.
Recent Comments has also been used productively to put people in touch with missing friends, authors in touch with editors, journalists in touch with sources, and information seekers in touch with that vast library of anecdote and experience stored in the minds of readers.
For more than 16 years, our readers have averaged more than three comments for each article or item published on the main page, a figure that itself signals how important this column is to the purpose and character of PNG Attitude.
An embracing tenkyu tru to each one of you.
Posted by: Keith Jackson | 19 May 2022 at 09:00 PM
I enjoy researching and writing new stories and I'm seeking your help for my current book. Perhaps your readers can help with some more information.
In the early sixties there was a maritime disaster in which an inter-island trading vessel foundered on a voyage from Buka Passage to Rabaul. My recollection from the time is that she was heavily overloaded with deck cargo and passengers and capsized in a storm.
The skipper was a mixed race guy named Harry Hoeller and he became the hero for ensuring the survival of many passengers. Some also managed to swim to New Ireland however I believe many died. I believe extensive coverage was done by Pacific Islands Monthly, a great source of shipping news.
Harry was also famous for buying a shell at the Kavieng bung for a few bob and selling it for $US800 when it turned out to be a Gloria Maris.
I knew Harry and many other mixed race skippers. There were several other disasters including a fire on board the Frisia while docked in Rabaul. I would be grateful if you or your readers can recall any details.
I did many sea voyages around the islands as a didiman and at times experienced some mighty rough weather. There were excellent seamen among the Islanders as there are throughout the Pacific.
_______
You can contact John here [email protected] and I’ve also directed him to the complete set of PIM magazines (August 1930 - June 2000), every page digitised by the National Library of Australia. This can be linked to here https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-310385031 and tap the ‘Browse this collection’ key - KJ
Posted by: John F Bent | 17 May 2022 at 07:03 AM
Thank you Keith for all you do in keeping transparent information flowing in PNG Attitude.
We here in PNG are grateful.
I wonder if you would like to see recent photos of Rabaul's Anzac Dawn Service 2022.
After two years of pandemic protocols, Rabaul was able to commemorate in full and had representatives from the Royal Australian Airforce and the Australian Defense force in Port Moresby also participate.
The ceremony was followed by the traditional Gunfire Breakfast held at the Rabaul Yacht Club.
Over eighty people attended the event which was hosted by the volunteers of the Rabaul Historical Society.
Lest we forget
Posted by: Susan McGrade | 27 April 2022 at 10:43 AM
Keith - I really like the photo you have on the blog. I am guessing it is near Kundiawa? It is beautiful.
__________
It was taken in 2019 on the road between Kundiawa and Gembogl, don’t know the exact location. Mathias Kin is with my granddaughter and me. The white woman is my daughter in law Rebekah and I can’t remember the name of the Chimbu woman pointing out a feature to her.
I had taken my family to spend time in the Chimbu area to get to know the kind and generous people who guided me through my first years in PNG. It was a great trip - KJ
Posted by: Garrett Roche | 23 April 2022 at 07:04 AM
You probably know you can also follow PNG Attitude on Twitter, at this handle @PNGAttitude.
My tweets exist in their own right as comments on what’s going on in the world and most of them provide links back to stories on the blog, helping boost blog readership.
@PNGAttitude has 8,600 followers on Twitter and these were the two top tweets in February:
“Australia’s journalists union says the suspension of 24 reporters by EMTV in PNG ‘is an assault on workers’ rights and media freedom’. The union says it has ‘ongoing concerns about allegations of political interference in editorial decision-making’ at EMTV” (3,196 impressions)
“As we sit in the middle of a Covid pandemic, await variant BA.2, try to comprehend how to treat Long Covid and leave the most vulnerable to their fate, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP shows appalling health & political judgment by pulling a stunt like this. Please wear your mask” (2,556 impressions)
Posted by: Keith Jackson | 20 March 2022 at 08:23 AM
I have been in the hausik for a short time this week and while my sickness has not gone it has withdrawn from the heights. I offer this by way of explanation to readers and especially contributors, who may have wondered what the hell the man was doing, possibly putting it down to Christmas excess rather than the privation (excess having no other suitable antonym) that it was - KJ
Posted by: Keith Jackson | 30 December 2021 at 08:54 AM
Dear Keith - How does one contact you? Could you send me your email address?
I'd like to ask you a question about your engaging and personal tribute to Ruth Fink Latukefu.
_______
I have contacted Natalie in relation to her question - KJ
Posted by: Natalie Konopinski | Editor, Anthropology News | 28 October 2021 at 01:17 AM
G'day Keith, It's amazing what you find, wandering around the web! Somebody should give Keith a train to show our appreciation.
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When I left PNG to work with the Armidale community to establish 2ARM-FM in 1976, Garry was the station's only other paid employee (part-time) and the best broadcast engineer I ever worked with. Reputed to be the longest ungraduated student at the University of New England who avoided exclusion by the skin of his teeth, he went onto to get a string of degrees. Not sure about the train, though. Garry he may be mistaking me with Keith Jones of the Dorrigo Steam Railway Museum, which has dozens of locos bu is still not open to the public after 40 years - KJ
Posted by: Garry Woods | 21 October 2021 at 08:45 PM
I am writing a novel set in Papua in the 1930s and 1940s. It describes an Australian man's adventures with miners, missionaries, planted, government officials and, most importantly, Papuans.
I want to be sure it is accurate in the depiction of Papuans and Papuan culture and, more importantly, that I don't inadvertently offend Papuan readers.
For that purpose I am looking for a Papuan - preferably a writer or academic - to read my draft and provide feedback. Please contact me if you are interested.
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James can be reached through this blog - KJ
Posted by: James Damman | 30 September 2021 at 06:27 PM
My mother has written a book, The Last District Commissioner, the Memoirs of David Milbourne Marsh OBE - 1940-1975, and I am assisting her complete it ready for publishing.
Mum (Bev Rybarz) worked for David in Port Moresby in the 1950's.
In the book we would like to quote passages from some of the contributors to your blog. We would be happy to attribute the author and your site at the appropriate place in the book and in the credits. Is there anything else we need to do to obtain permission from the author and/or publisher?
The book is a great read and we are looking forward to its release and sharing it with the world.
I will send you a copy when it is published. Probably still a few months away.
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I advised Jane that the usual attributions will be fine - KJ
Posted by: Jane Rybarz | 11 September 2021 at 06:26 PM
I am assisting an elderly couple who wish to erect a small memorial or plaque in Townsville ANZAC Park to commemorate their uncle who was serving in Rabaul during World War II.
He was taken as a prisoner of war and died on the Montevideo Maru.
I have crossed reference some lists to locate Townsville soldiers (1), however, I am having problems locating civilian internees. I have been unable to obtain an alphabetical listing of civilians who also died onboard the Montevideo Maru.
I really require a list or lists that will give me the towns where they came from, were born or next of kin resided and were made aware of their deaths after the war.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I have provided David with a significant amount of information and wish him well in his research - KJ
Posted by: David Hancock | 05 August 2021 at 01:00 PM
Hi Keith, I am doing some research into our family's time in Rabaul from WW2 to the1970s and came across your very informative webpage.
I note you lived in Rabaul in the 70s and wondered if you (or your readers) may recall names of Australian solicitors practicing there at the time as the details are of relevance.
We would be grateful for your help and thank you in advance.
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Hi Julie - Lawyer Kerry Dillon was in Rabaul around that time. I reviewed his book about his PNG career late last year: https://www.pngattitude.com/2020/11/time-of-tension-revisiting-kerry-dillons-chronicle.html I am not aware of the solicitors in private practice and will ask readers if they can help with this - KJ
Posted by: Julie Lee | 07 June 2021 at 09:28 PM
Thank you Keith for your kind words regarding my Uncle John, and Ian for your addition of Auntie Barbara’s death notice.
I wasn’t sure if this forum was OK to put up the information, so I’m glad you did. In recent times Auntie Barbara was reliving their time in PNG and regaled me with stories of Goroka, right up until her last days.
To that end, we are wondering if anyone can help with information regarding the ASOPA site at Middle Head.
We were hoping to scatter both J & B’s ashes there as it was such a significant part of their journey, is there access to the old training site and would this be permissible?
Also, would there be any interest in memorabilia that we have of that period?
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I have put Kate in touch with Max Uechtritz, president of PNG Association of Australia, a fine man always faithful to the PNG heritage - KJ
Posted by: Kate Groenewegen-Prowse | 12 May 2021 at 03:46 PM
I am sorry to have to add a follow-up to Kate's post about John and Barbara Groenewegen. Barbara recently passed away in Sydney. Attached is the SMH notice.
Groenewegen, Barbara (nee Joyce)
10/08/1936 - 04/05/2021
Beloved only daughter of the late Nobby (Cyril) and Myra Joyce. Adored wife of John Matthjis Theodor Groenewegen, late of East Ryde. Sister-in-law to Hans, Peter (dec), Michiel and Guido and their families.
At Barbara's request no funeral service will be held.
Posted by: Ian Robertson | 10 May 2021 at 09:32 AM
Hi Keith, I am a niece of John and Barbara Groenewegen and I am guessing you knew them from ASOPA.
I was hoping to get in touch with you if you did know them.
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Hi Kate - John and Barbara were some years ahead of me at ASOPA and I knew John only from a few fleeting associations in PNG. He was known to his mates as 'Groggo' and, as the name suggests, was an affable man. He was also a capable, committed and respected teacher. Unfortunately I did not know him well. There was a good obituary published in Una Voce in 2016 some time after his death and I link to it here (page 57) in case you have not seen it. Best wishes to you and your family. You are the niece of a fine man - KJ
https://pngaa.org/ArchivedUV/J2016-03.pdf
Posted by: Kate Groenewegen-Prowse | 08 May 2021 at 06:56 PM
I am writing to you because I came across your blog whilst doing some research for the updated edition of a book first published in Germany about small islands around the world.
https://www.mare.de/atlas-der-abgelegenen-inseln-8117
I need to find out the most recent known population of Takuu island which has been quite difficult to know exactly. For 2019, I found anything ranging from 50 to 400.
As I read the article you published in 2012, I thought maybe you would know something (or someone) that could help me. It would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and for the great work you do with PNG Attitude.
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If you can assist Julie, contact her here: [email protected] - KJ
Posted by: Julia Boxheimer | 03 May 2021 at 11:11 AM
I am writing a book of my experiences some of which were in Papua New Guinea in 1966 to 1968 and from 1971 to 1973.
In the book I would like to quote passages from some of the contributors to your blog. Of course I will attribute the author and your site either at the appropriate place in the book or in the credits or notes.
Let me know what you prefer and is there anything else I need to do such as to get permission from the author or publisher.
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That's all we ask, David. All the best with your project - KJ
Posted by: David Willis | 04 April 2021 at 08:13 PM
Paul from Simbai is trying to contact Janet, daughter of Jim ‘Deadly Dudly' McKinnon. She is working as a lawyer in Brazil.
Jim was originally from Queensland and his wife was from Gulf Province. In 1954 he started a gold mine at Kumbruf village, Simbai in Madang Province. In a diverse career he also operated a sawmill in Angoram and was elected to the House of Assembly.
If you have any information that might lead to a contact with Janet, get in touch with Gus Lee here - [email protected]
Posted by: Gus Lee | 27 March 2021 at 10:08 AM
I’m doing some research on the background to the Ellis Rowan bird of paradise collection in the National Library.
An issue that has come up concerns her claim that in 1917 she travelled ‘near’ or ‘under’ the Bismarck Range.
This is relevant to which birds of paradise she might have come across. Ellis was based at a Lutheran mission on ‘Nobonob’ hill, inland from the coast road. - about 9km NW of Madang. To get to the Bismarcks she would have needed to cross the Ramu.
Now from memory, from the vicinity of Madang on a clear day, you can see a looming range to the south, but I’m not too sure which peaks you’d be looking at.
Is it possible Ellis could have seen the Bismarcks, or the highest peaks of the central range, from Nobonob (about 390 meters above sea level)?
I wonder if Chips Mackellar might know? Or maybe some other Madang expert. Perhaps someone in Madang now could settle the issue.
I’d be grateful for any help on this.
Posted by: Geoffrey Dabb | 22 March 2021 at 02:41 PM
Dear Keith, thanks for the great work. My colleague Jon Ritchie and I teach a unit at Deakin University called 'Australia's Empire: Colonisation and Decolonisation in Papua New Guinea'.
We encourage our students to engage with contemporary PNG issues while learning about the history from 1884-1975.
You certainly maintain a lively site with some excellent content. We want the students to learn that PNG does have a presence in Australia, often through those who worked as kiaps or had businesses there.
Are you happy for us to link PNG Attitude to our teaching site?
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Hi Helen - Congratulations on developing and presenting your PNG unit. We need more of this in Australia. We're happy for you to link your website to PNG Attitude - KJ
Posted by: Helen Gardner | 15 February 2021 at 06:27 AM
I'm a writer and musician living in Darwin. I've written a short story set in Moresby in 1990, when I travelled and performed throughout PNG.
The country and its people had a profound effect on me and my art.
To try and capture the true feel of Pidgin in the dialogue in my story, I'm hoping to find a national who can read my work and appraise it.
Do you know any writer - short story writer, novelist or journalist - who would be happy to help out? The dialogue would only amount to one page.
I've been published in Australia and abroad and have won a number of awards. Whilst in Moresby, I collaborated with the National Theatre Company's William Takaku and lived at the university for six weeks before travelling with a one man mime show for two months Moresby-Alotau-Ferguson Island- Lae- Rabaul- Wewak- Vanimo.
Thanks and great work on your site.
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If anyone can help out Lee, his email is [email protected] - KJ
Posted by: Lee Frank | 28 January 2021 at 10:05 PM
Thanks for your email re Father Dom. I would be very pleased to discuss with Neal Price my meeting with Dom during our (my wife and I) year long stay on Seleo Island as missionaries.
Dom was an amazingly eccentric priest. Please let me know how you wish to proceed.
Posted by: Peter O’Brien | 27 January 2021 at 12:20 PM
I'm working on material on a Tasmanian painter, Dorothy Stoner, who’s brother was a Lutheran priest in Malol and Sissano in the 1940s. His name was Fr Aslaom, affectionally known as Dom. He had a religious conversion at the age of 27 and joined the priesthood.
I found your blog and noticed a post from Peter O'Brien from February 2020. Peter had met Dom and I would like to contact him to discuss this meeting further.
While Dom only plays a small part in my research, his is a fascinating character and his religious conversion is of interest to me.. I knew his sisters in Tasmania and only ever heard of his adventures via his sisters. I have several pieces of material from the Catholic archives in Sydney so new information would be helpful.
It would be excellent to talk to someone who knew him personally. All the best. Your blog is very good.
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Thanks Neal. I've contacted Peter to let him know of your request - KJ
Posted by: Neal Price | 24 January 2021 at 08:29 AM
I would like to get in contact with the editor in relation to the following article on your website:
https://www.pngattitude.com/2012/04/doc-vernon-of-daru-doctor-planter-trader.html
I am researching Doctor Geoffrey Vernon and wish to find out your sources if possible. Any help would be appreciated.
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Hi Adrian. Unfortunately the author of this article, Philip Selth, died earlier this year. If any reader may be able to assist, Adrian can be emailed at [email protected] - KJ
Posted by: Adrian Clack | 03 December 2020 at 04:36 PM
I recently found about your efforts to have service in TPNG recognised and realised that you were much further along that path than I am currently on.
It is almost like re-inventing the wheel. I would welcome a chance to discuss a way forward with you.
I was a stock inspector with DASF in the Goilala in the period 1968-70 and in the Goroka-Chimbu-Kainantu area after that.
I hope you can help me achieve this common goal for not only our ageing colleagues but also for their families who want some recognition for their parents and grandparents who did so much to help build PNG.
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Hi Bill - I fear that news of my involvement is greatly exaggerated. I did assist some kiaps a little in the early stage of a successful project which resulted in the award of the Police Overseas Service Medal - a partial recognition of their services. I understand there may have been some separate moves for a more general TPNG award but have no knowledge of this. I recommend you visit the Ex-Kiap website to get in touch with those who organised the POSM award. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to assist - KJ
Posted by: Bill Deer | 02 December 2020 at 09:44 AM
I'm currently helping to organise a large worldwide online choral project by the artist Esmeralda Conde Ruiz which is set to feature over 288 choirs from all across the world.
I came across PNG Attitude whilst researching for choirs and choir leaders in Papua New Guinea and I wondered if through your network you had any direct links to people who I might be able to speak with specifically about PNG choral groups?
Your blog is really interesting and its sentiment of creating stronger friendships between Australia and PNG is very much in tune with your project intentions.
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Respond to Eira at the email address below if you are able to assist with this fascinating project - KJ
[email protected]
Posted by: Eira Szadurski | 02 December 2020 at 07:20 AM
Andrew - Peter is available on Facebook.
Posted by: Harry Topham | 20 October 2020 at 08:23 AM
Hello Mr Jackson, I came upon your site/blog yesterday while I was hunting for a book you reviewed in 2013 - 'Singsings, Sutures And Sorcery: A 50-year Experience In Papua New Guinea' by Anthony J Radford (Fairfield Press).
My husband and I worked in Mount Hagen Hospital as Canadian volunteers (CUSO) in the mid-1980's, and we would love to get our hands on this book. Amazon UK used to have it, but no longer.
Do you by any chance have an email address for Dr Radford or any other info about the book's availability?
I am thrilled to find your site; it will provide lots of interesting news for us to follow. Many thanks.
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The book is out of print, Jenny, but Prof Radford may be contacted at [email protected] - KJ
Posted by: Jenny Kirkpatrick | 20 October 2020 at 02:08 AM
I am trying to get information on Peter and Harry Humphreys. I believe Peter was governor of West New Britain for a while. I wonder if any of your readers may have an email or other contact for Peter Humphreys.
Posted by: Andrew Lattas | 23 August 2020 at 09:11 AM