Vale Murray Day – 6 December 2020

Murray Day lived in PNG from 1970 to 1983. He joined the Department of Forestry in 1970 as a senior draftsman at Konedobu (Port Moresby). After six months he was transferred to the Forestry College in Bulolo as a lecturer in Cartography/Surveying for the following two years, 1971- 72. The course was transferred to the then PNG University of Technology in Lae in 1973 where he was successful in being appointed to teach, holding a variety of positions until 1983. During this time Murray had one year back in industry in Madang – again with Forestry. He always remained fluent in Tok Pisin.

Murray excelled in sport, representing PNG in cricket v West Indies and in Australian Rules football, New Guinea v Papua.
His two children were born at Angau Hospital, Lae.

On return to Perth he was recruited by TAFE and developed new courses in Remote Sensing (which he also taught in Malaysia) and GIS. He spent two years as consultant Education and Training on a World Bank project in Vietnam introducing Torrens Title systems. Appointed as Director of International Operations he set up teaching institutions in China, Hong Kong, Qatar, Kuwait, and also worked in Iran.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma 14 years ago, retiring in 2007.

Shortly after Murray joined the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia (PNGAA), and despite his illness, he energetically volunteered to initiate the Western Australian chapter of PNGAA. He knew how important it was for PNG folk to get together and share their memories and history.
Murray was a generous, kind, enthusiastic, energetic, brave and friendly gentleman and the PNGAA will miss him. Our thoughts go to his family and friends.