Coastwatchers talk in Brisbane
An Invitation is extended to all interested persons to attend a talk by Philip Selth OAM on “The COASTWATCHERS” . . . who played a vital role in the Pacific War.
Where: Everyman’s Hut – in the Wacol Military Heritage Precinct, 907 Boundary Road, Wacol, Brisbane 4076.
When: 9 September 2017 (Saturday) 10:30 am
Cost: No charge – morning tea sponsored by PNGVR & NSAAQ;
In his book “The Coast Watchers“, Eric Feldt, the Godfather of Wo
rld War 2 Islands Coast Watching Service, tells us that the Coastwatchers played a significant part in determining the outcome of the war – far beyond their number and status. By necessity they conducted themselves in an unorthodox and pragmatic methology. If the Coastwatchers had not been there, Japan would have still been defeated, but over a much longer time frame, and at a much higher cost in terms of human lives and suffering.
Philip Selth OAM, the recently retired Executive Director of the New South Wales Bar Association and CEO of the Australian Bar Association, came across the former New Guinea Patrol Officer Captain John Joseph Murphy during his writing of a biography of Eric Miller QC, whose wife was Murphy’s cousin. Eric Miller QC represented Murphy when he was court martialled on charges of treacherously giving information to the Japanese after being landed on New Britain to set up a coast watching station.
This story led to Philip spending what little spare time he had over the past five years researching the stories of the Coastwatchers. His research led him to have hundreds of files locked away in Archives disinterred for the first time since they were put away at the end of the war, and to trace relatives who often had little, if any, idea of what their relative had really done during the war.
In his address, Philip will tell of the story of two Coastwatchers, Jack Read and Paul Mason, of whom Admiral Halsey said that the intelligence they signaled from Bougainville had saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal had saved the South Pacific. He will also refer to the life and the case of John Murphy. These are some of stories that need to be told.
This event is sponsored by the:
New Guinea Volunteer Rifles & Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles Association
National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (QLD Branch) and
Papua New Guinea Association of Australia
Everyman’s hut
Where: Everyman’s Hut – in the Wacol Military Heritage Precinct, 907 Boundary Road, Wacol, Brisbane 4076.
When: 9 September 2017 (Saturday) 10:30 AM
Cost: No charge – morning tea sponsored by PNGVR & NSAAQ;
Note: Wheelchair friendly venue
Getting there: Parking available onsite with nearby street parking available. Public Transport – Richlands, Darra and Wacol Rail nearby with taxi ranks and Uber available
RSVP: 1st September 2017
Colin Gould 0424 562 030
E-mail: pngvr@optusnet.com.au or admin@pngaa.net
Booking form for the Coastwatchers Talk in Brisbane on 9th SeptemberCoastwatchers Talk in Brisbane
