Papua New Guinea Association of Australia Blog

About

PNG Experience

My father – JOHN MCDONOUGH worked in the Public Health Dept (PHD). Initially in the islands then highlands – finishing off his time at the Goroka Hospital in hospital administration. Early days saw him in charge of local hospitals, doing health patrols, then administration. Both parents were medically trained. John left the UK in 1956 for Australia, then onto PNG. He passed away in 2005 in Queensland.

My mother GWEN MCDONOUGH started the Brownies in Mt Hagen in the early 60’s then worked for Goroka Council, Kundiawa Council and Summerscales and Lambert. Gwen passed away 1980. Gwen and John left the UK in 1956 for Australia then PNG in 1957. Gwen remained in Australia to have me then joined John in Finschaffen in 1957

They officially ‘went finish’ in  1974

They are survived by me (only child) 2 grand children and 1 great grand child (2023)

LOCATIONS POSTED IN PNG

  • 1957 Finschaffen
  • 1958 – 62 Keita, Bouganville
  • 1962 Lorengau, Manus Island
  • 1963 Wabag
  • 1964 – 66 Keltiga, Mt Hagen
  • 1966 – 70 Goroka
  • 1970 Kundiawa
  • 1971 – 74 Goroka
  • Retired – Eumundi, Sunshine Coast Queensland

Details

Name

Janet Watt (Nee McDonough)