COMPILED BY KEITH JACKSON
The first year’s publication of the Kundiawa News came to an end with issue 24 of 4 December 1964. The pre-Christmas leave exodus of expatriates from the 'Territory' was about to begin and production of the newsletter was suspended until February 1965. The period of leave was to be my first homecoming since arriving in TPNG more than a year previously and – my parents having moved from the NSW country town of Nowra to Sydney – I was looking forward to six weeks in the big smoke and my twentieth birthday.
PERSONAL PARS WITH KEITH JACKSON
Gratitude is international. An uncle of young orphan Waim appeared at the single men’s quarters last Wednesday with a fine plump hen for Murray Bladwell and me. He spoke on behalf of his clan and thanked everyone concerned in the rehabilitation of the young boy who had approached death in Kundiawa Hospital. He said how grateful Waim’s relatives were and promised yet another hen and vegetables for a feast. True Chimbu hospitality.
Record air movements. There were more aircraft movements in and out of Kundiawa last weekend than we are likely to see for some time. Throughout the weekend there were about 100 movements, 80 of them for Brian Heagney. Six of TAL’s aircraft worked through the two days bringing cargo for Heagney’s obviously much-depleted Mauro bulk store and backloading some of the Coffee Society’s tremendous coffee stocks.
By the right, quick carry. Officer-in-Charge of the Goroka Junior High School, John Hey, took them on a Goroka-Omkolai training patrol last week. Despite efforts to get himself fit, John failed to reach Omkolai and was carried in by the cadets, flying back to Goroka on the next plane. The cadets completed the exercise in fine style and walked back.
New to town. Merea Gavera, newly-appointed Coffee Society accountant late of Port Moresby. A member of the well-known Gavera family of the Central District. A keen cricketer who will no doubt show up in local cricket before long. And he has children who will no doubt boost the A School numbers next year.
In town. Henry ‘Blue’ Russell. Heard an interesting story about Blue. Apparently he tried to negotiate his way across a rather marshy portion of a landslip on the Goroka-Kundiawa road which ahd the consistency of quicksand. Blue was successfully hauled out after sinking to his girth in slime.
In town. Kerowagi cricketers led by Ken Connolly who failed to take home the Ashes against a strong Kundiawa team.
In town. Heinz, our man from Goroka, who attached some little boxes called load limiters to 16 Kundiawa residences. Not as great an inconvenience as first supposed although the power blacked out three times the night after the limiters were installed. Said a slightly perturbed Heinz talking to his boss in Goroka: “What happens if der blackout comes again tonight? I better get out of town quick!”
Out of town. Lionel Davies of Public Works for a prolonged stay at Watabung to work on the road over the Daulo Pass.
Departed (Go Finis Division). Dr Tim and Pat Murrell and family to Adelaide where Tim will lecture at the University of Adelaide.
Departed. Wicketkeeper of the Kundiawa cricket team Boio Hedu back home to Port Moresby.
Ill. Oala Rarua, one of Kundiawa’s leading cricketers, now recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
Parties. At the Haus Pig single officers’ quarters a really wild party for members of the Adult English Class and others. Over 60 students of English attended with Keith Jackson, Murray Bladwell and Terry Shelley joining in festivities.
Parties. Tomorrow night should be one of the best of the year. A reverse show, women come as men, men come as women, its come as themselves.
ONLOOKER SAYS….
Nice to see a learner and an Administration driver circling the rather marshy outskirts of the Kundiawa Oval, churning up mud and grass in true learner-driver fashion. Going to have our cricketers struggling to score fours… The threatened closure of the airstrip should never have occurred. With proper maintenance all year round and major repairs during the dry season (no, incidentally, over), the Chimbu strip would be in good order.
Advertisers in the Kundiawa News must be a noble group. They have stuck with us through printing difficulties, and the many other birth pains of a newspaper, without complaint. And now Colyer Watson (Goroka) has added themselves to the list. We try as far as possible not to campaign for advertisers but are always pleased when we get them. Regular advertisers this year have been Burns Philp, AH Bunting, AMP Insurance, Shell, and Highland Transport.
In the first House of Assembly, Graham Gilmore MHA for Kainantu brought up the question of tipper trucks. This received much publicity in the New Guinea press and other media of communication. It would appear that Kundiawa’s tipper situation is at the moment worse than in Kainantu six months ago. I’m no mechanic but what looks like two unserviceable tippers are now standing in the workshop area (awaiting spare parts perhaps?). Also believe Goroka and Hagen are the sites for another two of our tippers.
And a Merry Christmas to all of my critics who have made Onlooker worthwhile. No doubt when we resume publication next February the fun and games will commence once again. There have been four different Onlookers this year – all of them with a similar forthrightness of opinion if not, in cases, tactfulness.