Freestone May River 1964/75 – Photos from Trevor Freestone
Trevor Freestone was an Education Officer in Papua New Guinea from 1964 to 1975. His postings included Ambunti in the East Sepik District, Pagei in the Sandaun (West Sepik) Province and postings at Bena bena and Watabung in the Eastern Highlands Province. Trevor completed the 5th “E” Course in 1963. His initial two year posting was to the Ambunti Primary School located on the Sepik River. Still in the Sepik he then spent two years at Pagei PS which is on the Indonesia border. From there he was posted to the Sigerehe Primary school at Bena Bena (Eastern Highlands District). After a year he was transferred to Watabung Primary school where he stayed until the end of 1974.
After a stint in the Department of Education HQ he left PNG in early 1975 but returned to help celebrate PNG Independence Celebrations in Goroka where he did the pyrotechnics for them. Trevor returned to Watabung in 2008 where the community changed the name of their school to the “Trevor Freestone Primary School, Watabung” in order to acknowledge the work that he did for their school and community.
MAY RIVER :
In 1963 the May River area was restricted due to very little contact being made with the people. Cannibalism still occurred and all visits were made with police escorts. I asked for permission and as the outpost at May River needed some supplies I was given permission to take supplies to May River. I was given a police escort and an interpreter. These photos are the result of this visit. In 1965 restrictions were relaxed a little and I returned without a police escort. I had strict instructions to visit only villages on the river and not to venture up any of the tributaries.
The May River Patrol Post.
A view of one of the hamlets.
3 young girls. One has lost her mother - thus the mud covering.
Father and daughter. He has lost his wife.
A group of men.
A hamlet near May River.
A patrol officers rest house (Haus Kiap) at Pegui Village.
A walking bridge in the swamp.
A Tauri Village girl.
Canoe at Pegui Village.
Women proudly showing me their babies.
Luluai with his two wives and daughter. Wives are in mourning. Tauri village.
With a group of women in another Hamlet.
Typical upper river house.
Mother, daughter and grandchild.
Family in canoe foraging the river banks for food.
Pegui Village
Mum dad and daughter.
Three young village girls
2. Mother washing baby. Daughter is keeping an eye out for crocodiles.
Thje 'Haus Kiap' at Tauri
Washing Sago
Warrior showing me his shield he has made, hopefully to sell to a passerby.
A group of young girls.
A mother feeding her baby.
Village youngsters with old man in background.
Canoe travellers visiting village.
