HOWCROFT | DENOON | HARDY | LOCKLEY | RIDDELL | WEARNE | Thurston

HOWCROFT, Neville OBE

1. 2 November 2024

Queensland-born Neville Howcroft joined the Queensland Forestry Department as a trainee in forestry survey and assessment, based at Byfield plantation, about an hour’s drive from Rockhampton. He travelled to Papua New Guinea in the mid-1960s, joining TPNG Forests in Bulolo in 1966, where he assumed responsibility for the Araucaria tree improvement program from Leon Clifford.

Working closely with John Smith on the Pinus tree improvement program in the Bulolo-Wau area and the PNG Highlands, Neville’s work extended to trialling eucalypts and casuarina. He went on to lead the establishment of the National Tree Seed Centre at Bulolo to support reliable seed sources, genetic resources, and conservation.

During the 1970s, at Bulolo, Neville conducted activities on grazing under the Araucaria and pine plantations, including making several new legume introductions. He was transferred from the Bulolo Research Station and National Tree Seed Centre to join the Forest Research Institute in Lae. Here, Neville enrolled with the University of Technology to study and research a terrestrial orchid genus part-time while working at the Forest Research Institute in Lae, receiving an M.Ph. degree in Plant Taxonomy in 1994.

Neville and his team made several Hoop and Klinki (also spelt Klinkii) provenance seed collections in PNG in the late 1960s and early 1970s, funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. Klinki pine is a Papua New Guinean softwood usually made into plywood in Australia. Neville specialised in high-value plantations, plant propagation, small-holder agroforestry systems, regeneration of disturbed sites, tree improvement programs, training and extension.

Queensland’s renowned vintage tree breeder, Garth Nikles, first met Neville at Byfield in the early 1960s. He wrote of how once Neville went to PNG, he was dedicated to all aspects of forestry to which he was assigned and started many other projects. His enjoyment of discovering and creating new orchid forms was legendary.

Ian Bevege, another ex-Queensland Forestry and AusAID consultant, also knew Neville in Qld forestry before he went to PNG. Their paths crossed again in the 1980s to 1990s. While Neville was at Unitech Lae, he and Ian forayed into the Hoop/Klinki country and admired Alan Cameron’s teak plantings. After Neville retired to Brisbane, their contact was ever botanical, involving Begonias and Rhododendrons. Ian spoke of Neville’s orchid skills and knowledge as amazing. ‘Neville was a real botanist of the old school as well as an accomplished forest tree man and, latterly, academic.’

In the early 1980s, Neville provided pollen from the Bulolo trees that were used in Queensland to produce provenance-hybrids contributing to advancing the Queensland Hoop pine breeding program.

In 1995, Neville accepted a position as project manager on a Balsa Project in East New Britain. With selected PNG staff, he re-established the industry in the Gazelle Peninsula, introducing a tree improvement program and improved tree seed sources.

He joined Vudal University in July 2007 to start a Forestry Department in the School of Natural Resources. Neville specialised in high-value plantations, plant propagation, small-holder agroforestry systems, regeneration of disturbed sites, tree improvement programs, training and extension.

From 1966 to 2017, Neville Howcroft was PNG’s leading plantation tree breeder. His global botanical knowledge was second to none. Neville personally described several new species of orchids and published many forestry and botanical papers, including a wide range of scientific illustrations in overseas journals. He was recognised as a global authority on orchids, with an orchid, a shrub, and a new insect (a potential Pine pest) named after him.

Nevile was awarded an OBE for services to eco-forestry and conservation of commercial tree species in the Pacific on 17 November 2011.

In 2017, Neville retired to Brisbane. A constant factor in PNG’s forest tree plantation development program from 1965 through to his final days, Neville Howcroft OBE must be given special recognition for his professionalism and relentless devotion to forest tree plantation development in PNG.

Kanawi Pouru, President of the PNG Forest Industry Association and former longest-serving managing director of the PNG Forest Service, acknowledged the loss of Neville Howcroft to the PNG Forest scene. ‘Mi sori tru long harim olosem Neville lukim yumi pinis.’ We’ve lost again another of our comrades and a cornerstone in PNG’s Forestry history—a great silviculturist, tree breeder and a friend.

Dick McCarthy

DENOON, Emeritus Professor Donald John Noble

1. 3 July 2024

Professor Denoon, born in 1940, was on the academic staff of the Australian National University from 1982 to 2003 in what would become the School of Culture, History & Language. He was Professor of History at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) from 1973 to 1981.

The professor’s inaugural lecture at UPNG in 1973, titled People’s History, signalled the importance of oral traditions for national identity in a country on the eve of independence. His tenure at Waigani straddled Papua New Guinea’s transition from territory to independent state, a watershed period on which he wrote extensively.

For those wanting to know more about his career, they can search for his papers at the ANU’s Pacific Research Archive in the Menzies Library (ANUA 411).

(Photo and information taken from the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific website)

HARDY, Graham Gregory

1. 24 August 2024

Graham Gregory Hardy passed away peacefully in Brisbane, surrounded by members of his loving family.

Born on 22 May 1931 in Wooloowin, Brisbane, Graham lived a life defined by service, adventure and devotion to his family. The eldest child of Greg and Eileen Hardy, Graham spent his early years on the family’s dairy farm at Springbrook with his siblings, Ian and Judith. From an early age he demonstrated a resilience that would mark his life.

Graham’s childhood was one of exploration and solitude with Springbrook as his playground, barefoot and free-spirited, he developed a deep love for the land, a trait that would stay with him throughout his life. Graham attended primary school locally and later went on to St Joseph’s Nudgee College for his secondary education.

After completing Senior, Graham embarked on a career in the Queensland wool industry, working at Grazco’s Woolstores in Brisbane and travelling to southwest Queensland for wool classing. His early career also included two years of service in the Citizens Military Forces.

In 1952, Graham’s adventurous path took him to Papua New Guinea. Following the short course at ASOPA he was posted to Kikori in the Papuan Delta as a cadet patrol officer. Subsequent postings included Minj in 1955, Wabag in 1957, Mt Hagen in 1959, Tambul in 1961, Kaiapit in 1964 and Lae in 1966 before culminating in 1974 at Pt Moresby where he was appointed Deputy District Commissioner of Central District.

A defining moment of Graham’s time in PNG came in 1957 when he was assigned as the defending officer in the Supreme Court trial of Aro, a tribesman sentenced to death for the murder of his two wives. This case, which culminated in Aro’s execution, forever changed Graham’s view on capital punishment. Aro was the last person to be executed under Australian rule in PNG.

In 1958, Graham married Patricia Barry, his lifelong companion and the love of his life. Together, they raised eight children—James, Michael (Mike), Christina, Timothy, Anna, Matthew, Helene and Ben.

After PNG’s independence in 1975, Graham and Patricia returned to Australia where Graham transitioned to a new career with the Health Insurance Commission and later the Commonwealth Department of Health. His humanitarian spirit shone during a six-month secondment with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ethiopia during the devastating 1984–85 famine.

Graham and Patricia retired to Springbrook in 1995, spending their later years operating ‘Hardy House’ a bed and breakfast surrounded by the natural beauty that shaped his childhood. Graham’s involvement in the community continued with participation on various local committees including the chamber of commerce and land care.

Graham was not only a man of action but also a man of reflection and letters. In his later years, he took to writing his memoirs, capturing his life in the pages of notebooks filled with memories of his adventures in New Guinea, his childhood on the farm and his career in public service. His legacy, however, extends far beyond those pages. He was a man of great integrity, compassion, and loyalty—a quiet leader who made a difference wherever he went.

Graham loved singing, and he was an active member of the Queensland Bach Society Choir and his parish choir. His Catholic faith was a steadfast guide throughout his life, and he was especially proud of his involvement with the Secular Franciscan Order in his later years.

On 24 August 2024, Graham’s long and remarkable journey came to a peaceful close. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary yet unpretentious life and he leaves a legacy of service, love, and resilience. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, their eight children and families, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Mike Hardy

(Photos courtesy of Mike Hardy)

LOCKLEY, Ian BEM

1. 13 August 2024

A full and interesting life!

Ian was born in Adelaide on 11 December 1942, and the family moved to Brisbane when he was seven years old. As a young child Ian was fascinated with how things worked. His favourite present was a battery, a torch light bulb and some wire so he could rig up a light for a model house he was building with pieces of timber and other oddments, right under his mum’s clothesline.

During Ian’s growing years he became very interested in underwater activities, which led to his learning to dive and sail. Ian learned to sail on the Toowong Reach of the Brisbane River and, later with a mate, built a 22-foot plywood catamaran in the backyard. The ‘cat’ provided for great diving holidays around the Great Barrier Reef, establishing Ian’s great interest in all things marine.

Ian started his working life as an apprentice fitter and turner with the Department of Main Roads in Brisbane, and on the weekends he enjoyed racing motor-cycles, and diving on odd jobs with Engwirda Marine Salvage & Construction. In 1964 Engwirda Salvage was called upon to assist the Danish-owned and operated dredge, Kaptajn Nielsen, that capsized in Moreton Bay with much of its 24 crew members trapped. One by one, twelve survivors were brought to the surface. Ian and other divers were awarded the British Empire Medal in honour of their gallantry.

Ian was doing diving work on a cofferdam (a temporary enclosure built around a body of water to create a dry working environment for construction) at Burrum Heads in 1967 when he met a Maryborough Queensland girl, Betty Crawford. Ten days after meeting Betty, Ian left to join the MV Craestar as the ship’s engineer for three years. Owned by CRA Exploration, the ship travelled through the Pacific Islands with geologists on board to explore for minerals. Ian and Betty married in January 1969.

In 1970 Ian and a friend modified a 45-foot vessel, the Salmar, to make it suitable for salvaging aluminium from a wreck in Southern Lau, Fiji. A planned six-month trip to Fiji lasted 20 years, with Ian completing numerous salvage contracts throughout the Pacific. For example:

• Ragna Ringdal (Fiji 1971) recovery of aluminium ingots, Southbank (Rossellini Is, Kiribati) recovery of lead ingots.
• Nam Hae 210 (Fiji 1971) salvaged Maplebank (Fiji 1975) from a reef in the Fiji Islands.
• Tasgold (PNG 1978) salvaged from Rossel Island, Waigani Express (PNG 1981) from Hood Point, Manhattan Duke (PNG 1983), an oil tanker salvaged near Port Moresby.
• President Coolidge (New Hebrides 1976) — removal of oil, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, MS Mikhail Lermontov (NZ 1986) removal of oil, Port Gore, South Island. New Zealand.
• Anro Asia (Aust 1981) salvaged from the beach at Caloundra Qld, Co-Op Marine ore carrier (WA 1981) salvaged near Port Headland, Western Australia.

Ian later purchased a larger vessel, MV Pacific Salvor, concentrating on ‘under the ocean work’ using robots from Benthos in the USA. Unfortunately, the coups in Fiji and the 1980 recession in Australia affected his ability  to gain parts for machinery and finances for some ventures. Returning to Australia after Fiji’s second coup, Ian was asked to manage the operation at Bing Bong Loading Facility in the Northern Territory, for the McArthur River Mine. He did this for five years before returning to Brisbane.

Following Ian’s next contract with the Australian Reef Pilots overseeing the building of new pilot boats and supervising the running of boats already in service, Ian and Betty chose a relaxed retirement on the Gold Coast.

Ian is survived by his wife, Betty, of 55 years, a daughter, Kirstine and son-in-law Anthony Healey (who was brought up in Port Moresby), a son, Stuart and grandchildren, Caitlin, Ayden, and Keelan, Ian’s sister, Barbara and her family.

Keitha Brown

RIDDELL, Robert Binnie (Bob)

1. 16 December 2024

Bob was born in Brisbane on 5 September 1939. Dissatisfied with life in Brisbane he saw an advertisement for several positions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and applied for a patrol officer position and was successful. He started his career in the PNG public service as a Cadet Patrol Officer on 17 July 1961. Bob was 21 years of age when he attended an induction course at the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA).

Popondetta was Bob’s first posting and, later in the year he was transferred to Tufi. After three months of leave, he returned to Popondetta in July 1963 and was promoted to Patrol Officer Grade 1. After six months Bob successfully completed ASOPA’s external entry exam to qualify for the long course which commenced in February 1964. After six months he asked to return to Port Moresby and the request was granted.

Bob was later transferred to Daru and, following a short stint there, he was transferred to the Western Highlands where he stayed for several years in Tabibuga (Jimi River) and Mount Hagen.

Morrie Brown, the officer-in-charge at Tabibuga in 1965, had always wanted to climb Mt. Wilhelm, which can be seen on a clear day from the patrol post, so Morrie, Bob and Father Joe, a Catholic missionary from Ambullua, set off with a couple of carriers. They reached the summit early on the third day. The sky was clear and the view spectacular.

In January 1966 Bob was offered a place in ASOPA’s last long course, which he needed if he wanted a promotion beyond the rank of patrol officer.

Tinka recalls: ‘We met at the Manly Hotel opposite Manly Wharf in Sydney and married in November 1966. Bob was posted back to Tabibuga while for me it was the start of a whole new life—the most wonderful experience and adventure. After three months of leave Bob was posted to Mount Hagen. Our first two daughters were born there in 1969 and 1972.

After that leave period, Bob requested a change of posting, which led to him being transferred to Alotau in Milne Bay District. He was offered a generous redundancy package and towards the end of 1974 he applied for it. We left Alotau for Port Moresby so that Bob could take up his transfer to headquarters while waiting for the redundancy package to be processed. The house we were staying in was broken into twice and Bob decided that I and the girls should return to Sydney and stay with my parents until he could join us.’

Bob recalls: ‘By the time I finally said goodbye to Papua New Guinea in March 1975 I considered that the pinnacle of my career had been reached when I had been promoted to the level of Acting Deputy District Commissioner for the Milne Bay District. I was just 35 years of age.

As I stood in the doorway of the TAA DC9 jet at Jackson’s Airport in Port Moresby that was taking me back to Australia, I gazed out at the airport terminal and, with some degree of sadness, I bid farewell to a country where I had spent the past fourteen years.’ (Extract from Bob’s book that he wrote for his grandchildren).

Bamahuta Bob

Tinka Riddell

WEARNE, John Mowat

1. July 2024

John was born on 16 May 1933. He passed his final year of high school in Queensland and tried one year of university, but found the freedom of being a uni student was too much fun. When he was 19, another opportunity presented itself. In 1952 when he replied to a call for vacancies as a cadet patrol officer in Papua New Guinea. He had long, strong legs and, along with about 20 others, was selected.

Following an induction course in Port Moresby, John went to the Sepik District at Maprik and then to Yangoru. The young men of that intake formed strong friendships which lasted for many years.

John was posted to Maprik in the Sepik and used his legs to walk to Yangoru and vice versa. He was keen to learn about the local culture and, most importantly, his role in the area.

As I understand it, John had good training and a quick understanding of enforcing the law and keeping people happy. He occasionally enjoyed the use of a small motorbike to get around, but mostly used his own strong, long legs. The Maprik posting was a great introduction to the job.

After 21 months John was transferred to Namatanai in New Ireland, where travelling was as likely to be on a boat instead of in his boots. This was a great change from the Sepik. John spent another 12 or so months in New Ireland before being called to attend a course in Sydney, at Middle Head, with his colleagues.

The Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) consisted of highly valued lecturers teaching subjects from Law (and how to administer it) to Geography and others in between, which in Papua New Guinea is very varied.

I met John while he was at ASOPA, as I worked in the library, so we became members of the group of patrol officers married to ASOPA employees.

In 1958 John returned to Kagua in the Southern Highlands to work on an airstrip for me to land on when I travelled up. This did not quite work out and, to his great disappointment it was not inspected until we started the walk from Ialibu. It was certainly an introduction to me, but the walk only took a day and a half.

Kagua was a lovely place to live—hills and not too hot which was helped by living in a grass hut. We didn’t mind, and before our first child was born one year later we had a wooden cottage. All was well.

After two years we took leave, and in 1960 John was posted to Manus, which was different. Baluan, a lovely tropical island, became our home in 1961 for 12 months, which saw John being very busy with patrols and preparation for the coming local government elections.

Our neighbour was Paliau Moloat, who won first place in the voting, a position he kept for some years. John was responsible for keeping an eye on the Millennium Movement which Paliau had formed.  

In 1964, after four years in Manus, John was posted to Telefomin, so it was back to the mountains, a move we enjoyed. There were some concerns owing to the Konfrontasi, a dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia that ran between 1963 and 1966 in a dispute about the border. There was no dispute with Australia, so it wasn’t a problem, but we did have more visits from the Australian armed forces than usual.

The routine transfer was proposed for John, and our next home was in Kundiawa with its colourful dancing and costumes. We enjoyed that time but it was a short posting, as John applied for a position in Port Moresby with the Department of Labour.

Our family had grown to six, and three of our children were in school—one on home correspondence and two at the local school. John then applied to change departments, as we were thinking of making a change to Australia.

Following our next leave, we could see that sooner or later there would be more Papua New Guineans taking over, which was a good thing. John decided to try for something in Australia, as he felt he was a long way from retirement, and of course he was right.

John applied to the Commonwealth and got a job with AIDAB, which meant he would still be dealing with the PNG government, even if it was from a completely different place.

In 1970 we left our long-time home to become Canberrans.

John died at home in July 2024 after our very happy times and years in Papua New Guinea, which were always in his mind.

Patricia Wearne

 

Thurston, Elizabeth (Liz)

1. 1 December 2024

Author of two books and a great friend to the PNGAA, Liz joined the Management Committee in 2004 and was a vibrant and creative part of it for five years, continuing to help in various ways over the following years. In 2007 the PNGAA DVD, Walk Into Paradise, was launched, produced by Liz, with assistance from Ross Johnson and the PNGAA committee. Always interested and engaged, she spoke thoughtfully and was a kind friend to many of us. Liz was also a founding member of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society (initially called the ‘Montevideo Maru Committee’). More to come on Elizabeth Thurston in the next issue. 

Andrea Williams

CADDEN, Elizabeth Gloria, née Dibbs

1. 24 January 2025, aged 108 years

MARCHMENT, Isobel

1. 16 January 2025, aged 103 years

Vales for these two PNGAA Centenarians will be included in a later issue of PNG Kundu.

 

A TRIBUTE BY ANDREA WILLIAMS

Sir Charles Watson Lepani KBE, CBE, OBE

28 October 1947–10 January 2025

PART ONE

The Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA) was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Sir Charles Lepani on 10 January.

Sir Charles was a tremendous supporter of the PNGAA over his many years as PNG High Commissioner to Australia, where he was based in Canberra from 2005 to 2017. The many ways Sir Charles generously supported the PNGAA are too numerous to list, but nevertheless are well recorded and remembered by its members.

He was humble and articulate; a gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour, passionately committed to the people-to-people links between Australia and PNG and was a dear friend to many Australians and Papua New Guineans.

A few special highlights of his connection with PNGAA were his interest in and attendance at many of the PNGAA and Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial events. He was instrumental in the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial occurring on time by ensuring a generous donation from Papua New Guinea acknowledging the WWII losses from both Papua New Guinea and Australia. 

Sir Charles was a great supporter of the 2014 PNGAA ANZAC Centenary Commemorative Dinner and Symposium on 17 and 18 September 2014, titled From Pacific WWI battlefield to Pacific Powers: A Century of Australia Papua New Guinea Relations. He also kindly participated in an interview, which can be seen in PNGAA’s film, Kiap: Stories Behind the Medal.

Sir Charle always wished to spark the academic and research interests of Australian students and scholars in PNG and similarly with PNG students. Sir Charles advanced PNG’s profile through education by speaking at schools and encouraging them to form close relationships with schools in PNG.

Sir Charles considered his role in nation-building and the period from PNG’s self-government to independence in 1975 as a highlight in his life. The feeling of enthusiasm and sense of excitement was unique. As he tried to explain those feelings, he drew on past discussions with kiaps. ‘When you talk to some expatriate kiaps, those who go out in the jungles, take patrols—that sense of nation building. For us—it was independence.’

Thus, when Sir Charles met Australian kiaps through the PNGAA and while living in Canberra working in the role of PNG High Commissioner to Australia, he encouraged them to write their stories. ‘What you did is part of our history; it’s important that you put it in writing for future generations, both Papua New Guineans and Australians, to learn how PNG came to be what it is today.’ Sir Charles was always keen on ongoing discussions about PNG. He believed it was the right of Australians to do this, ‘because today’s PNG is your creation also.’

Knowing that the road beyond independence would be both exciting and challenging, Sir Charles well understood the country’s available capacity at independence; that people with little experience had to run a new country, build leaders and a nation.

It was important to Sir Charles that his roles and experiences were both successful and enjoyable. He believed in equitable growth and development for Papua New Guinea. He greatly respected those Australians who were in PNG to help the new nation transition. This respect was mutual. Another tribute focusing on the life and career of Sir Charles Lepani will be included in the June issue.

The Papua New Guinea Association of Australia feels an enormous loss and extends its heartfelt sympathy to Dr Katherine Lepani and her family.

In keeping with Sir Charles’ wishes, a haus krai was not held but a man of his standing cannot leave without recognition. A memorial service will be announced in due course.

 

A TRIBUTE BY ROBERT MAGIN

Sir Julius Chan GCL, CGMG, KBE, PC

29 August 1939–30 January 2025

THE LAST MAN STANDING

I was saddened like many others to hear of the passing of Sir Julius Chan in his home province of New Ireland at the age of 85. He will always be remembered as the ‘Last Man Standing’ for many other reasons.

Julius was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1968 as the Member for Namatanai. In 1970 he founded and was the leader of the People’s Progress Party. In 1972 he was re-elected to the Assembly, and shortly thereafter I had the good fortune of meeting him.

Following the elections Michael Somare, the leader of the Pangu Pati, became the Chief Minister, and Julius Chan (knighted in 1981) was appointed Papua New Guinea’s first Minister for Finance. He was absolutely the right man for the job. Julius was already a very successful businessman, being involved in coastal shipping in Rabaul with his good friend Henry Chow. Julius was thus able to apply his business acumen in this new role for the benefit of the entire country.

At that time I had been in PNG for nine years and was working in the Dept of Treasury at Konedobu. Julius had asked the Departmental Head, the Treasurer, to nominate someone suitable in the department to be his private secretary. Two of us were nominated, and following an interview with Julius, I was fortunate to be appointed to the position.

Working with Julius was an honour and a privilege. He was always calm and dealt methodically and pragmatically with issues, no matter how complex. Having responsibility for the state of the economy and the financial health and wellbeing of PNG’s diverse peoples did not phase him at all.

Soon after joining Julius’s staff we travelled to Rabaul where his home was located. There I met his wife Stella and young children. The next day we travelled by helicopter from Rabaul along the full length of New Ireland, stopping first at Namatanai, Julius’s electorate, to meet and have discussions with his constituents, then to other villages along the way to Kavieng on the northern tip of the island. The island is so narrow in most parts you can see the ocean on both sides of the island for much of its length.

Amongst the top priorities for the Minister was the future of the Reserve Bank of Australia; the commercial banking system generally (currently all Australian banks); the PNG Investment Corporation; the PNG Development Bank; and importantly the future replacement of Australian currency with PNG notes and coinage.

In preparation for ultimate independence, which was to come much sooner than most people expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia became the Bank of Papua New Guinea in 1973, the country’s central bank. It was a smooth transition, and Henry ToRobert (later knighted) was appointed the first Governor, a position he was to hold for 20 years.

The year 1973 was to be an even bigger year for PNG, the year the country was to attain self-government, the date which had already been agreed by the PNG government to be 1 December 1973. However, PNG was a United Nations Trust Territory, and consequently the Australian government was required each year to report to the UN Trusteeship Council on its administration of PNG.

Julius Chan was appointed by the PNG Cabinet to lead a delegation to the Trusteeship Council meeting in New York to put PNG’S position on impending self-government and ultimately independence. In addition to Julius, the delegation consisted of Thomas Kavali and Joe Nombri as special advisers, John Nowles, Iambakey Okuk and me as secretary to the group.

Along the way we had a stopover in Hawaii. There the Australian Consulate had arranged (would you believe) a pink Cadillac convertible to take us on a sightseeing tour of part of this beautiful island. Being a sunny day, the top of the Cadillac was down. Julius and the group thoroughly enjoyed the outing. I didn’t mind it either.

In New York we were joined by Mr Hay, Special Representative from the Dept of Territories in Canberra, and a Papua New Guinean, Ben Sabumei, who was attached to the Australian Consulate in New York.

In preparing for our first meeting with the UN, a humorous event occurred that deserves recording. Iambakey Okuk lost the keys to his suitcase. In sheer frustration and using brute strength, he literally ripped the case apart. On hearing of this, Andrew Peacock, whom we had met by chance in New York, purchased Iambakey a new case. Subsequently he was reimbursed through the system, and then PNG was charged through the financial arrangements. Being a former Treasury employee I knew how the system worked.

Andrew Peacock had been extremely popular in PNG as Australia’s Minister for Territories in the Liberal government. Whenever Andrew visited PNG it was said he would bring a new shirt for Boyamo Sali. Boyamo was always the best dressed politician in town.

At the UN Trusteeship Council meeting Mr Hay, Julius Chan, Thomas Kavali and Joe Nombri sat at the Council table, and the rest of us sat behind. It was agreed that Thomas Kavali would speak in Melanesian Pidgin, and when this occurred Ben Sabumei would translate into English. The questioning from the UN representatives was quite intense.

Concern was expressed by a UN member that PNG was being rushed into self-government and subsequently independence by Australia so the latter could rid itself of the responsibility of administering the country. Julius assured Council this was not the case. He said it was clearly the PNG government that had decided upon the date for self-government and would decide the date for future constitutional changes.

Julius mentioned that concerns had been expressed, particularly by Highlanders in the PNG government, that they had less exposure to the outside world and hence they might have less opportunities than others in the country. Julius said these concerns were taken seriously and were being addressed (I recall when I first arrived in PNG in 1963, there were areas in the Highlands and in the Western District that had not been contacted by Europeans).

Another matter of interest to the Council was what powers if any would be retained by Australia following self-government and independence. Australia might retain only defence and foreign affairs although internal security might remain in Australian hands beyond self-government.

A further concern of Council was the general question of localisation of the public service. Localisation of positions, ie the replacement of expatriates with Papua New Guineans, had picked up pace by the late 1960s and early 1970s (permanent expatriate public service appointments had ceased as early as 1963).

Many other questions and issues were raised by Council and were all satisfactorily answered by Julius, Thomas, Joe or Mr Hay: matters such as the judiciary, the cost of borrowings, foreign investment, economic and social progress and even the price of copra, a major PNG export.

At the conclusion of the UN Trusteeship Council meeting, Ben Sabumei had made some arrangements to ensure we used our time constructively. First stop was a meeting with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Most surprising to Julius and the rest of us was the amount of knowledge they had on PNG, and they were keenly interested to learn more about progress towards self-government and independence. A useful two-way flow of information occurred.

In the evening the Australian Consulate had arranged drinks for Julius and the delegates to meet local politicians and business leaders.

The next day executives from Kennecott Copper Corporation, who were mining copper at Ok Tedi, took Julius and us all to lunch at the famous 21 Club. And that was not all. On the way home they flew us to Salt Like City in Utah to visit the Bingham Canyon Mine. At that time it was the world’s largest copper mine. Julius was most impressed, as we all were, when we stood on the viewing deck, looking down into the enormous pit below. No doubt they were saying the mine in PNG could one day be as large and profitable as this one.

The trip to the Trusteeship Council meeting had been hugely successful, and Julius and the other delegates were very pleased with the outcome. Only six months later, on 1 December 1973, PNG attained self-government, and in less than two years after that the country was independent. Julius was knighted in 1981 and during his lifelong political career was Prime Minister on two occasions, Deputy Prime Minister four times, Minister for Finance on three occasions, and all the while a member of the House of Assembly. From July 2007 until his passing, Julius was the Governor of the New Ireland Province.

Sir Julius Chan was a great man and an impressive politician. He loved Papua New Guinea and all its people, and he spent his entire adult life serving the country. It was a great honour to work and spend some time with him.

My deepest condolences to his wife, Lady Stella, and to the family.