Monday, November 30, 2015
We wish you a happy and safe Christmas
It has been a unhappy fortnight for the ex-Bougie fraternity.In quite different ways Mike, John and Brother Lawrence all contributed significantly to our lives in Arawa, Toniva, Panguna and beyond.
This document will serve as our Xmas note as well as a general thank you to all who have assisted us and / or put their hand in their pocket for our various causes. If this is the first time we have communicated with you from this address then you have good reason to be suspicious. Yes, it is likely that we will have a job for you.
Most of the activities outlined from this desk have been associated with the support of the sourcing and distribution of medical equipment and the funding of medical causes.
Prior to returning to Rotary and prior to exiting from JDA / Applus I set myself for the Rio funded, 200 kms, Ride to Conquer Cancer, cycle mission to raise monies for Cancer Research. In the main we accomplished what we set out to achieve. Not the least was bringing myself to an adequate level of fitness. However a significant error in judgement saw me bounce over the handle bars some 20 kms short of the half way destination in Canungra. This was all quite painful but, miraculously, there were no broken bones. On the positive side we have raised some $15,000. I have pledged to write a personal note to all those who have supported me in this endeavour. This is one of my jobs for next month. Thank you so much for your spectacular generosity.
Over the last 12 months we have landed into the ports of Buka and Kieta a total of 4 containers. Another container is being documented to depart Townsville within the next several weeks. Our good President (of the Brisbane Bougainville Community Group) BBCG, Veronica Henderson coordinates much of the documentation. These works continue to be a challenge. We are most grateful for the support of Rotary International. Individuals to thank at R I include George and Mary Grant, Les Pedler, Peter Macaron, Ray Inkpen and Col Laurenson. We continue to accumulate materials and store them as best we can until we have another container load. There are a couple of container loads sitting in a temporary, donated warehouse in Townsville. Leading the Townsville push is Stan Neal of South Pacific Brewery fame and now of Ruswin Locksmiths. To support us in the North we have gathered the most wonderful team. Most of them from our Bougie network. We have Cliff Pollock, in Mackay, Ken Mills, at Hay Point,Ray Stiles, at Mt Perry, Ed Robertson and family, in Bowen and the list goes on. Key to gathering the first containers were Alan Wilkins, of Volvo and Ted Rogalski, visiting from Mandurah, WA. The Townsville crew, supporting Stan, include John Gretton, Ron Whalan, Fonso Martens, Ian Smith, Maurie Dyne and John Feltham. Numerous friends and workmates of Cliff`s at the Qld Dept of Health have assisted us. At a recent 7RAR reunion I came across a few old Vietnam mates who are also open to assisting us from their homes, in the North. This group includes Chris Derrick, Roger Gentle and another, who resides on Magnetic Island. To Connie Day and her family in Maryborough go our sincere thanks. Also thank you to Jim and Wendy Murren, in Hervey Bay. Kiwi McDonald has been a tower of strength on the long haul projects. David Boneham and Lindsay Fraser Byass kindly assisted us on some local works. Sue Krone and her people at Fastair kindly stored and handled much of the materials gathered in SEQ.
We continue to build our relationships with hospitals and other medical establishments. Keith Sherwood has been particularly active around the Sunshine Coast. Keith has been concentrating on surgical utensils and medical consumables including for the treatment of diabetes. A fruitful connection established by Keith has been with the Maleny Soldiers Hospital, local medical practitioners and individuals.
This year we have learnt a great deal from our adventures, across Queensland and Northern NSW. We had hitherto thought that the most difficult task would be the sourcing of the surplus material. This has not been so. The transport, from hospital to port, has in fact been the main challenge. During the early trips we were spoilt some. Volvo and their dynamic operations manager, Alan Wilkins did a wonderful job for us. Alan had access to Volvo`s state of the art container transporter / handler. Mark Flood of Applus was a key operative supporting the Volvo team. We ask everyone from the Bougie network to watch for contacts in the transport business and in materials handling. Former BCL Building Supervisor, John Brandson now retired to Northern NSW has some connections that we may be able to engage with. Ideally we would like to establish relationships with trucking companies that have space available on trucks travelling into Brisbane or Townsville.
An important part of our procurement network is based in Murwillumbah. It is made up of the local medical fraternity, under the leadership of Dr Chris Millar and the Rotary movement there. There have been numerous contributors including Tony Stanford, the district Director of the Rotary Foundation. Next to Chris works Dentist, Som-Ling Leung. Som-Ling possesses the most amazing network. She sourced for us a dental chair for dispatch to Kavieng. One of the crowning achievements for this group has been the construction of the Namuga Medical Clinic, in the remote Eastern Solomons. A truly remarkable undertaking. Please visit their website on the WWW. I cannot end this without making mention of Builder, Jack Visser. Jack has spent years in the Region volunteering his services. It takes a lot hands to complete such initiatives. The actual transport of the chair was handled by Lihir landowner company, Anitua and their CEO, Colin Vale, GM, Mark Edwards and their CFO, Anthony Neck, Yes, the Bougainville mafia has even infiltrated into Newcrest.
Another matter worthy of mention is associated with our level of fitness. Most of us are getting on in years. I turned 70 last week. Lumping beds and other electrical driven furniture is sometimes beyond us. Ray Stiles, Ken Mills and Kiwi did a marvellous job on our last Townsville trip. We missed the brawn of Wilko and Raggles. We ask that you keep this in mind. We may be obliged to mobilize some sons and grandsons on future projects.
Responsibility for manifesting the materials rests with the removals teams. This documentation is then picked up by Veronica. We have learnt that in working with customs agents and the PNG Dept of Internal Revenue nothing can be taken for granted. Veronica has exhibited the highest level of drive and tenacity (also patience) to bring these works towards successful outcomes. To assist with these works we have engaged with Rotary. We have been disappointed that even Rotary have been subjected to comments that would seem to question the integrity of their organization. Sometimes we find it difficult to remain positive. Thank you so much, Vero.
High on our level of achievements sits the formation of a Rotary Community Corps at several remote PNG locations. These include Lorengau, Arawa and Wewak. While this has been, in Arawa, a team effort, the input from Mary and George Grant, at the Bribie Island club and long time Arawa resident, Richard Green`s contribution has been quite over the top. Richard is a volunteer, as is his wife, Ann. Ann is a volunteer Physio at the Arawa hospital. We now look forward to getting behind the newly elected Chairman there, Clement Bireo. Clement is an Arawa businessman. Any of you who spent time in Tabubil may remember Clement as an Electrical Foreman in the OTML mine pit workshops reporting to the late, Peter Jacks. Other Board members include Peter Joyce and Mark Machen and his lovely partner, April. Mark`s late father, Bruce was my boss when he was the Manager Maintenance, at B60, back in the mid-70s. My Christene and I hope to visit Arawa in February. Christine Leonard and Christopher Leonard have been willing helpers in Arawa. Christine has been engaged on an aid facilitation project there. The President of the Rotary Club of Buka is Francis Tonny.
We have mentioned above, Ruswin, Fastair and Volvo. Other significant contributors include Consort Shipping and North Queensland Customs Services. All of these people have been generous in the extreme.
Christene has gathered from Facebook the interesting commentary around Peter and Marion Commerford`s recent trip into Panguna. Arthur and Jocelyn Perry, Robert Makosi and Phil Lugg accompanied them. If anyone has such a story, associated with our works or about Bougainville then please share it with Lindsay Swanson and / or myself. Robert was that first Papua New Guinean I befriended when I arrived in Panguna, back in April, 1970. Thanks to Arthur and Jocelyn for looking out for Robert.
You may be interested to know that our first involvement in facilitating medical equipment into PNG took place at the Porgera Joint Venture`s gold mine in Enga Province from around 1997. The small town of Paiam was built beside the mine to meet the requirements of the original agreements. While the town's construction was funded from non-PJV sources, PJV did in fact contribute management and funds from a PJV Kina 50m Infrastructure Development Fund and the Tax Credit Scheme. Apart from providing thelocality with urban infrastructure they so keenly desired, the town was also intended to fulfill the original agreement that PJV FIFO workers could settle into the Porgera valley. This ultimately proved more difficulty than expected,for a variety of reasons. Sighting the town was always going to be problematic, but the chosen site, Paiam, sat on a ancient mud slide under the cliffs of the imposing Mt Paiam. Despite this, the town resident could not avoid having an operating mine as the main front verandah view, not necessarily idyllic. Early works at Paiam included the construction of the roads , sewage, water supply, 8 residential homes and 2 duplexes.
Also included in the original agreements was provision for the construction of a 60 bed hospital. Construction of the hospital, that was essentially a political arrangement with little consideration at the time for the regulatory and operational requirements, commenced in 1994 and was completed by about 1997. Unfortunately the end product was an empty shell that the Department of Health was reluctant to accept and operate as it was not compliant with the provincial curative care model of that time. The hospital required equipment, furnishing, staff and operating funding. Thanks to the goodwill of a range of stakeholders, the Ipili (landowner company) dream of a township with a functioning hospital was eventually achieved. Central to this was an arrangement, facilitated by landowners and the PJV, for an experienced team of missionary doctors to take up various medical and administrative roles. Without their involvement it is doubtful the enterprise could have proceeded as quickly and smoothly as it did.
I was then a member of the Strathpine Rotary Club but I was spending much of my time away from JDA`s Brisbane office. We approached Bill Waterfield of Rotary Donations in Kind and he sourced our needs via his warehouse in Durack, Brisbane. A few months later Bill`s containers (and Bill and John Paskin) arrived. Some photos from those days are attached.
The Medico’s were veteran operatives, a husband and wife team, from Austria, I believe. The male Dr was well into his eighties. He could be found at 6am in the morning striding around the undeveloped roads of Paiam. He had already been out walking for half an hour before that. As a regular high point in our day for Project Manager, Trevor Shelley and the good doctorwas stopping for their 5 minute yarn. A personable man who was adamantin advising Trevor that he was not treating warriors involved in tribal fights. The hospital was a very clean establishment especially when compared to other such medical centres in the country. Trevor remembers that there was a dentist at Paiam who was insanely busy.
There is a shot here of Don Flanagan in the mid-90`s. Don commenced his service to PNG, as a Works Manager in the PNG Dept of Works in the early 70`s. When I first met him he was visiting Kieta from his base, in Rabaul. On the veranda of the then new duplex is Lyndal Shelley. The backdrop is of Paiam town. Unfortunately we cannot bring to you the shots of the construction staff taking delivery of the medical furniture and equipment. Rotary International, Rotary, Donations in Kind volunteers, Bill Waterfield and John Paskin visited Porgera and Paiam at around this time. Thanks for the photos. The shot from high above Paiam, you will agree, is spectacular. I was a regular visitor during these time, managing JDA`s contractors and maintaining close contact with our clients, who were mainly on the payroll of Placer
In the 1990`s PJV were a significant client of JDA. Many of the senior PJV staff came from amongst the BCL refugees, dislodged by the Bougainville crisis. Some of them were involved in the hospital works via their day to day duties at the mine. Key operatives were Construction Manager, Trevor Shelley and Contracts Manager, Alan Carpenter. Others involved were Donal Flanagan, the PJV seconded manager of the successful Ipili landowner company IPI (who also had overall responsibility for the town's construction) and Community Affairs Managers, Greg McNee. While not from BCL both Donal and Greg had enduring Bougainville backgrounds, Donal as the Regional Civil Engineering Manager for the Dept of Works and Greg, as General Manager of the Buka Company (Numa Numa and Bonis Plantations and other enterprises) on Bougainville. Also in Porgera, at the time were Vance Hall, an engineering and maintenance manager and Bert Hansson who ran the fabrication and rebuild workshops. Vance came from BCL's Shovels & Drills Dept and Bert from the Central Workshops. We have seen shots of Vance taking delivery of our sea containers. There were many other ex-BCL employees employed by PJV including a multitude of our best maintenance PNG National operatives. Some of the employees at Porgera spent more time there than they did on Bougainville, see the careers of the following; David Jansen, Russell Machen, Ben McKelvie, John Wallace, Tony Bubb, John Butterworth, Don Collins, Bob Sexton, Brett Hillman, Robin Hustler, Ray Slimper, Mel Togolo, Garry Cowls. Peter Daniher, John Ecuyer, Russ Gill, Brad Givney, Moses Gurra and many others. The Bougie-ites usually enjoyed quick promotion on arrival in Porgera.
In those days we also had a lot to do with influential Ipili clan leaders and local strong men. Kurubu Ipara, a talented administrator and a principal negotiator for the Ipili landowners was our JV partner. We also had significant dealings with Jonathan Pariah who was the Ipili's first university graduate and along with Kurubu the landowner's principal negotiator. Kuruba suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Cairns for a time. I remember that Alan Carpenter and Christene spent significant time at his bedside.
There exist some fascinating stories around the lives of some the people mentioned above. Arguably the most interesting stories can be told by Trevor. Trevor saw significant action as a member of the “Tunnel Rats”, an elite group of Australian engineers who belonged to 1 Tp, 1 Fd Sqn RAE who supported 6 and 5 RAR in 19666/67. Subsequent to his Vietnam service he was seconded to the British RE for 2 years. On leaving the Army, in 1973, he moved with his wife, Lyndal, to Kundiawa and commenced a business specializing in drill and blast. Trevor`s family company, Tangin Drilling, was involved in many remote area projects throughout PNG over several years. Initially, as an 18 year old Sapper Trevor had his first introduction to PNG in 1965 with the Composite Troop, based in Mendi. He was formerly taught Pidgin English at this time. Since then he has been able to hone his skills further and along the way he gathered in some local, Highlands 'tok ples' (language). Greg`s achievements including activities on Bougainville at the time of the crisis, are no less spectacular. Greg served in Vietnam with 11 Platoon,Delta Company, 6 RAR in 1969 - 70 that is best known for its role in the Battle of Long Tan. He would hasten to point out that his service did not include Long Tan which occurred in 1966.
There are numerous people who have been sourcing materials for us.
Cliff`s spectacular contributions have filled several sea containers. Others have contributed less in volume but there efforts are equally appreciated. From Sunnybank Private, Manager of Nursing, Shirley Riley has come a quantity of beds. From Redland Bay Hospital via our Jill Ferguson has come a variety of medical consumables. From one of our key networkers on the Sunshine Coast, Keith Sherwood, has come a wide range of medical consumables including bandages and surgical instruments. Keith has several clients with surplus materials. Some of these items have reached there due date but they are unopened. A similar cache of materials has come from via the Brophy family. From Hervey Bay Hospital via the Days and the Murrens came over 200 pieces of physio works including crutches, moon boots and a variety of walkers. To one and all we are most appreciative.
We have been filling containers with a wide range of medical materials. The containers cost us around $2500. When they arrive in Buka, Kieta or wherever, Veronica recovers most of our costs by selling them to local business people for storage, site offices and / or workshops. They are particularly in demand in Arawa. Going forward we would like to reign in our use of containers. We have satisfied the needs for some of the bulkier items like beds. We have networkers with business interests in PNG. We encourage them to advise us if they find themselves with any space in their containers.
We encourage our clients, at the PNG end, to furnish us with photos depicting the arrival of our goodies at remote hospital and medical stations. Quite naturally donors would like to see that their efforts and their generosity is appreciated.
Below are some kind responses to our sad news
From: Oken Sakia (LAE)
Sent: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 8:45 AM
Subject: RE: John Barr RIP
Hi John,
Good morning and thanks for the email regarding the passing away of another member of the ex Bougie fraternity.
I know John Barr for his love for rugby league back on the island. Him and Dave Ross use to coach us in the Muruks rugby league team during my young days back there.
His boys use to follow him down to Loloho rugby league field for training with us and it was really nice to see the boys following their father and get involve in the sport.
It just shows how much love they have for the sport during those days .We will miss John Barr because he was such a nice bloke. May his soul rest in peace
Davo pls. pass my condolences to John's family. I will relay the message to the ex Muruks Bougainville members who are still alive and working around in Png.
Thanks again and a blessed day to you.
Cheers
Oken
From: Mick Billing
Sent: Monday, 16 November 2015 7:13 PM
Subject: RE: John Barr RIP
Very sad Davo
John moved next door to me in Section 8 after David Green & family moved on. A great neighbour & all round good bloke.
Said some very nice things making a speech about me at my farewell BBQ in October 1979
Rest in Peace John
From: Frances Leddick
Date: 16 November 2015 8:48:01 pm AEST
Subject: Re: John Barr RIP
Thanks Davo – Deepest sympathy to the families. We didn’t know Mike Smith as we were Morgan Equipment people for our first 6 years on Bougainville but I know Joan Daniels had a lot of respect for both her and Marguerite Smith.
Didn’t know John Barr well but knew him and his lovely wife, Annette, through Maxine Dean connection. I certainly knew Brother Lawrence from the golfing fraternity and also, his paintings (naïve style) of which he was so humble. I treasure the one I ‘bought’ from him, he wouldn’t take any money so I bought him a new set of golf shoes – he was happy and so was I. Yes, Bro Lawrence will be guarding the place! The painting depicts Kieta Harbour which meant a lot to me as we lived at Toniva when we first went to that beautiful island and those memories of being driven from the airport through to the Davara Hotel late afternoon will stay with me forever.
Hope you and Chris are keeping well.
Cheers
Fran Leddick
We take this opportunity to wish you and yours all the very best for the festive season.
Regards
Davo
John@johndavidson.com.au
http://johndavidsonbougainville.blogspot.com.au
0418 784 186
This document will serve as our Xmas note as well as a general thank you to all who have assisted us and / or put their hand in their pocket for our various causes. If this is the first time we have communicated with you from this address then you have good reason to be suspicious. Yes, it is likely that we will have a job for you.
Most of the activities outlined from this desk have been associated with the support of the sourcing and distribution of medical equipment and the funding of medical causes.
Prior to returning to Rotary and prior to exiting from JDA / Applus I set myself for the Rio funded, 200 kms, Ride to Conquer Cancer, cycle mission to raise monies for Cancer Research. In the main we accomplished what we set out to achieve. Not the least was bringing myself to an adequate level of fitness. However a significant error in judgement saw me bounce over the handle bars some 20 kms short of the half way destination in Canungra. This was all quite painful but, miraculously, there were no broken bones. On the positive side we have raised some $15,000. I have pledged to write a personal note to all those who have supported me in this endeavour. This is one of my jobs for next month. Thank you so much for your spectacular generosity.
Over the last 12 months we have landed into the ports of Buka and Kieta a total of 4 containers. Another container is being documented to depart Townsville within the next several weeks. Our good President (of the Brisbane Bougainville Community Group) BBCG, Veronica Henderson coordinates much of the documentation. These works continue to be a challenge. We are most grateful for the support of Rotary International. Individuals to thank at R I include George and Mary Grant, Les Pedler, Peter Macaron, Ray Inkpen and Col Laurenson. We continue to accumulate materials and store them as best we can until we have another container load. There are a couple of container loads sitting in a temporary, donated warehouse in Townsville. Leading the Townsville push is Stan Neal of South Pacific Brewery fame and now of Ruswin Locksmiths. To support us in the North we have gathered the most wonderful team. Most of them from our Bougie network. We have Cliff Pollock, in Mackay, Ken Mills, at Hay Point,Ray Stiles, at Mt Perry, Ed Robertson and family, in Bowen and the list goes on. Key to gathering the first containers were Alan Wilkins, of Volvo and Ted Rogalski, visiting from Mandurah, WA. The Townsville crew, supporting Stan, include John Gretton, Ron Whalan, Fonso Martens, Ian Smith, Maurie Dyne and John Feltham. Numerous friends and workmates of Cliff`s at the Qld Dept of Health have assisted us. At a recent 7RAR reunion I came across a few old Vietnam mates who are also open to assisting us from their homes, in the North. This group includes Chris Derrick, Roger Gentle and another, who resides on Magnetic Island. To Connie Day and her family in Maryborough go our sincere thanks. Also thank you to Jim and Wendy Murren, in Hervey Bay. Kiwi McDonald has been a tower of strength on the long haul projects. David Boneham and Lindsay Fraser Byass kindly assisted us on some local works. Sue Krone and her people at Fastair kindly stored and handled much of the materials gathered in SEQ.
We continue to build our relationships with hospitals and other medical establishments. Keith Sherwood has been particularly active around the Sunshine Coast. Keith has been concentrating on surgical utensils and medical consumables including for the treatment of diabetes. A fruitful connection established by Keith has been with the Maleny Soldiers Hospital, local medical practitioners and individuals.
This year we have learnt a great deal from our adventures, across Queensland and Northern NSW. We had hitherto thought that the most difficult task would be the sourcing of the surplus material. This has not been so. The transport, from hospital to port, has in fact been the main challenge. During the early trips we were spoilt some. Volvo and their dynamic operations manager, Alan Wilkins did a wonderful job for us. Alan had access to Volvo`s state of the art container transporter / handler. Mark Flood of Applus was a key operative supporting the Volvo team. We ask everyone from the Bougie network to watch for contacts in the transport business and in materials handling. Former BCL Building Supervisor, John Brandson now retired to Northern NSW has some connections that we may be able to engage with. Ideally we would like to establish relationships with trucking companies that have space available on trucks travelling into Brisbane or Townsville.
An important part of our procurement network is based in Murwillumbah. It is made up of the local medical fraternity, under the leadership of Dr Chris Millar and the Rotary movement there. There have been numerous contributors including Tony Stanford, the district Director of the Rotary Foundation. Next to Chris works Dentist, Som-Ling Leung. Som-Ling possesses the most amazing network. She sourced for us a dental chair for dispatch to Kavieng. One of the crowning achievements for this group has been the construction of the Namuga Medical Clinic, in the remote Eastern Solomons. A truly remarkable undertaking. Please visit their website on the WWW. I cannot end this without making mention of Builder, Jack Visser. Jack has spent years in the Region volunteering his services. It takes a lot hands to complete such initiatives. The actual transport of the chair was handled by Lihir landowner company, Anitua and their CEO, Colin Vale, GM, Mark Edwards and their CFO, Anthony Neck, Yes, the Bougainville mafia has even infiltrated into Newcrest.
Another matter worthy of mention is associated with our level of fitness. Most of us are getting on in years. I turned 70 last week. Lumping beds and other electrical driven furniture is sometimes beyond us. Ray Stiles, Ken Mills and Kiwi did a marvellous job on our last Townsville trip. We missed the brawn of Wilko and Raggles. We ask that you keep this in mind. We may be obliged to mobilize some sons and grandsons on future projects.
Responsibility for manifesting the materials rests with the removals teams. This documentation is then picked up by Veronica. We have learnt that in working with customs agents and the PNG Dept of Internal Revenue nothing can be taken for granted. Veronica has exhibited the highest level of drive and tenacity (also patience) to bring these works towards successful outcomes. To assist with these works we have engaged with Rotary. We have been disappointed that even Rotary have been subjected to comments that would seem to question the integrity of their organization. Sometimes we find it difficult to remain positive. Thank you so much, Vero.
High on our level of achievements sits the formation of a Rotary Community Corps at several remote PNG locations. These include Lorengau, Arawa and Wewak. While this has been, in Arawa, a team effort, the input from Mary and George Grant, at the Bribie Island club and long time Arawa resident, Richard Green`s contribution has been quite over the top. Richard is a volunteer, as is his wife, Ann. Ann is a volunteer Physio at the Arawa hospital. We now look forward to getting behind the newly elected Chairman there, Clement Bireo. Clement is an Arawa businessman. Any of you who spent time in Tabubil may remember Clement as an Electrical Foreman in the OTML mine pit workshops reporting to the late, Peter Jacks. Other Board members include Peter Joyce and Mark Machen and his lovely partner, April. Mark`s late father, Bruce was my boss when he was the Manager Maintenance, at B60, back in the mid-70s. My Christene and I hope to visit Arawa in February. Christine Leonard and Christopher Leonard have been willing helpers in Arawa. Christine has been engaged on an aid facilitation project there. The President of the Rotary Club of Buka is Francis Tonny.
We have mentioned above, Ruswin, Fastair and Volvo. Other significant contributors include Consort Shipping and North Queensland Customs Services. All of these people have been generous in the extreme.
Christene has gathered from Facebook the interesting commentary around Peter and Marion Commerford`s recent trip into Panguna. Arthur and Jocelyn Perry, Robert Makosi and Phil Lugg accompanied them. If anyone has such a story, associated with our works or about Bougainville then please share it with Lindsay Swanson and / or myself. Robert was that first Papua New Guinean I befriended when I arrived in Panguna, back in April, 1970. Thanks to Arthur and Jocelyn for looking out for Robert.
You may be interested to know that our first involvement in facilitating medical equipment into PNG took place at the Porgera Joint Venture`s gold mine in Enga Province from around 1997. The small town of Paiam was built beside the mine to meet the requirements of the original agreements. While the town's construction was funded from non-PJV sources, PJV did in fact contribute management and funds from a PJV Kina 50m Infrastructure Development Fund and the Tax Credit Scheme. Apart from providing thelocality with urban infrastructure they so keenly desired, the town was also intended to fulfill the original agreement that PJV FIFO workers could settle into the Porgera valley. This ultimately proved more difficulty than expected,for a variety of reasons. Sighting the town was always going to be problematic, but the chosen site, Paiam, sat on a ancient mud slide under the cliffs of the imposing Mt Paiam. Despite this, the town resident could not avoid having an operating mine as the main front verandah view, not necessarily idyllic. Early works at Paiam included the construction of the roads , sewage, water supply, 8 residential homes and 2 duplexes.
Also included in the original agreements was provision for the construction of a 60 bed hospital. Construction of the hospital, that was essentially a political arrangement with little consideration at the time for the regulatory and operational requirements, commenced in 1994 and was completed by about 1997. Unfortunately the end product was an empty shell that the Department of Health was reluctant to accept and operate as it was not compliant with the provincial curative care model of that time. The hospital required equipment, furnishing, staff and operating funding. Thanks to the goodwill of a range of stakeholders, the Ipili (landowner company) dream of a township with a functioning hospital was eventually achieved. Central to this was an arrangement, facilitated by landowners and the PJV, for an experienced team of missionary doctors to take up various medical and administrative roles. Without their involvement it is doubtful the enterprise could have proceeded as quickly and smoothly as it did.
I was then a member of the Strathpine Rotary Club but I was spending much of my time away from JDA`s Brisbane office. We approached Bill Waterfield of Rotary Donations in Kind and he sourced our needs via his warehouse in Durack, Brisbane. A few months later Bill`s containers (and Bill and John Paskin) arrived. Some photos from those days are attached.
The Medico’s were veteran operatives, a husband and wife team, from Austria, I believe. The male Dr was well into his eighties. He could be found at 6am in the morning striding around the undeveloped roads of Paiam. He had already been out walking for half an hour before that. As a regular high point in our day for Project Manager, Trevor Shelley and the good doctorwas stopping for their 5 minute yarn. A personable man who was adamantin advising Trevor that he was not treating warriors involved in tribal fights. The hospital was a very clean establishment especially when compared to other such medical centres in the country. Trevor remembers that there was a dentist at Paiam who was insanely busy.
There is a shot here of Don Flanagan in the mid-90`s. Don commenced his service to PNG, as a Works Manager in the PNG Dept of Works in the early 70`s. When I first met him he was visiting Kieta from his base, in Rabaul. On the veranda of the then new duplex is Lyndal Shelley. The backdrop is of Paiam town. Unfortunately we cannot bring to you the shots of the construction staff taking delivery of the medical furniture and equipment. Rotary International, Rotary, Donations in Kind volunteers, Bill Waterfield and John Paskin visited Porgera and Paiam at around this time. Thanks for the photos. The shot from high above Paiam, you will agree, is spectacular. I was a regular visitor during these time, managing JDA`s contractors and maintaining close contact with our clients, who were mainly on the payroll of Placer
In the 1990`s PJV were a significant client of JDA. Many of the senior PJV staff came from amongst the BCL refugees, dislodged by the Bougainville crisis. Some of them were involved in the hospital works via their day to day duties at the mine. Key operatives were Construction Manager, Trevor Shelley and Contracts Manager, Alan Carpenter. Others involved were Donal Flanagan, the PJV seconded manager of the successful Ipili landowner company IPI (who also had overall responsibility for the town's construction) and Community Affairs Managers, Greg McNee. While not from BCL both Donal and Greg had enduring Bougainville backgrounds, Donal as the Regional Civil Engineering Manager for the Dept of Works and Greg, as General Manager of the Buka Company (Numa Numa and Bonis Plantations and other enterprises) on Bougainville. Also in Porgera, at the time were Vance Hall, an engineering and maintenance manager and Bert Hansson who ran the fabrication and rebuild workshops. Vance came from BCL's Shovels & Drills Dept and Bert from the Central Workshops. We have seen shots of Vance taking delivery of our sea containers. There were many other ex-BCL employees employed by PJV including a multitude of our best maintenance PNG National operatives. Some of the employees at Porgera spent more time there than they did on Bougainville, see the careers of the following; David Jansen, Russell Machen, Ben McKelvie, John Wallace, Tony Bubb, John Butterworth, Don Collins, Bob Sexton, Brett Hillman, Robin Hustler, Ray Slimper, Mel Togolo, Garry Cowls. Peter Daniher, John Ecuyer, Russ Gill, Brad Givney, Moses Gurra and many others. The Bougie-ites usually enjoyed quick promotion on arrival in Porgera.
In those days we also had a lot to do with influential Ipili clan leaders and local strong men. Kurubu Ipara, a talented administrator and a principal negotiator for the Ipili landowners was our JV partner. We also had significant dealings with Jonathan Pariah who was the Ipili's first university graduate and along with Kurubu the landowner's principal negotiator. Kuruba suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Cairns for a time. I remember that Alan Carpenter and Christene spent significant time at his bedside.
There exist some fascinating stories around the lives of some the people mentioned above. Arguably the most interesting stories can be told by Trevor. Trevor saw significant action as a member of the “Tunnel Rats”, an elite group of Australian engineers who belonged to 1 Tp, 1 Fd Sqn RAE who supported 6 and 5 RAR in 19666/67. Subsequent to his Vietnam service he was seconded to the British RE for 2 years. On leaving the Army, in 1973, he moved with his wife, Lyndal, to Kundiawa and commenced a business specializing in drill and blast. Trevor`s family company, Tangin Drilling, was involved in many remote area projects throughout PNG over several years. Initially, as an 18 year old Sapper Trevor had his first introduction to PNG in 1965 with the Composite Troop, based in Mendi. He was formerly taught Pidgin English at this time. Since then he has been able to hone his skills further and along the way he gathered in some local, Highlands 'tok ples' (language). Greg`s achievements including activities on Bougainville at the time of the crisis, are no less spectacular. Greg served in Vietnam with 11 Platoon,Delta Company, 6 RAR in 1969 - 70 that is best known for its role in the Battle of Long Tan. He would hasten to point out that his service did not include Long Tan which occurred in 1966.
There are numerous people who have been sourcing materials for us.
Cliff`s spectacular contributions have filled several sea containers. Others have contributed less in volume but there efforts are equally appreciated. From Sunnybank Private, Manager of Nursing, Shirley Riley has come a quantity of beds. From Redland Bay Hospital via our Jill Ferguson has come a variety of medical consumables. From one of our key networkers on the Sunshine Coast, Keith Sherwood, has come a wide range of medical consumables including bandages and surgical instruments. Keith has several clients with surplus materials. Some of these items have reached there due date but they are unopened. A similar cache of materials has come from via the Brophy family. From Hervey Bay Hospital via the Days and the Murrens came over 200 pieces of physio works including crutches, moon boots and a variety of walkers. To one and all we are most appreciative.
We have been filling containers with a wide range of medical materials. The containers cost us around $2500. When they arrive in Buka, Kieta or wherever, Veronica recovers most of our costs by selling them to local business people for storage, site offices and / or workshops. They are particularly in demand in Arawa. Going forward we would like to reign in our use of containers. We have satisfied the needs for some of the bulkier items like beds. We have networkers with business interests in PNG. We encourage them to advise us if they find themselves with any space in their containers.
We encourage our clients, at the PNG end, to furnish us with photos depicting the arrival of our goodies at remote hospital and medical stations. Quite naturally donors would like to see that their efforts and their generosity is appreciated.
Below are some kind responses to our sad news
From: Oken Sakia (LAE)
Sent: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 8:45 AM
Subject: RE: John Barr RIP
Hi John,
Good morning and thanks for the email regarding the passing away of another member of the ex Bougie fraternity.
I know John Barr for his love for rugby league back on the island. Him and Dave Ross use to coach us in the Muruks rugby league team during my young days back there.
His boys use to follow him down to Loloho rugby league field for training with us and it was really nice to see the boys following their father and get involve in the sport.
It just shows how much love they have for the sport during those days .We will miss John Barr because he was such a nice bloke. May his soul rest in peace
Davo pls. pass my condolences to John's family. I will relay the message to the ex Muruks Bougainville members who are still alive and working around in Png.
Thanks again and a blessed day to you.
Cheers
Oken
From: Mick Billing
Sent: Monday, 16 November 2015 7:13 PM
Subject: RE: John Barr RIP
Very sad Davo
John moved next door to me in Section 8 after David Green & family moved on. A great neighbour & all round good bloke.
Said some very nice things making a speech about me at my farewell BBQ in October 1979
Rest in Peace John
From: Frances Leddick
Date: 16 November 2015 8:48:01 pm AEST
Subject: Re: John Barr RIP
Thanks Davo – Deepest sympathy to the families. We didn’t know Mike Smith as we were Morgan Equipment people for our first 6 years on Bougainville but I know Joan Daniels had a lot of respect for both her and Marguerite Smith.
Didn’t know John Barr well but knew him and his lovely wife, Annette, through Maxine Dean connection. I certainly knew Brother Lawrence from the golfing fraternity and also, his paintings (naïve style) of which he was so humble. I treasure the one I ‘bought’ from him, he wouldn’t take any money so I bought him a new set of golf shoes – he was happy and so was I. Yes, Bro Lawrence will be guarding the place! The painting depicts Kieta Harbour which meant a lot to me as we lived at Toniva when we first went to that beautiful island and those memories of being driven from the airport through to the Davara Hotel late afternoon will stay with me forever.
Hope you and Chris are keeping well.
Cheers
Fran Leddick
We take this opportunity to wish you and yours all the very best for the festive season.
Regards
Davo
John@johndavidson.com.au
http://johndavidsonbougainville.blogspot.com.au
0418 784 186
Medical associated aid to the Islands Region
All,
It is sometime all but impossible to make things happen from remote desks here in distant Brisbane, Townsville, Murwillumbah, etc. The following is a correspondence track that proves that, in spite of all the obstacles and miscommunications we can still achieve.
We have been losing heart over the on-going delays to our 3 x sea containers for Buka. Veronica has been obliged to expand her network some, including with shipping agents and into the IRC and at long last progress is being made.
Those people who have been calling us asking as to how they can assist can read this and advise what they have to offer. A good example to follow is Richard and Ann`s introduction to Tracey Tsiroates follow by the positive action of Joan Daniels. Subsequent to a brief conversation with Joan she connected with the relevant people and then, without another word, she rushed in and filled the gap. Thank you so much, Joan. I still cannot see exactly how you achieved this. Also a huge thank you to Chris and Christopher Leonard.
At the risk of repeating ourselves please note that, almost overnight we have established a small network of people who live in Townsville and Bowen. Leading the way here has been Stan Neal of Ruswin Locksmiths. Watch this space.
Apart from the ongoing Bougainville works we have unfinished business at Namuga, in the Eastern Solomons, Kavieng (photos of dental chair please), Lorengau, Kokopo, etc. Christene remains connected into the Manus Training Centre and she plans to visit there again in the New Year. Hopefully, at the same time we can visit Bougainville.
Regards
Davo
It is sometime all but impossible to make things happen from remote desks here in distant Brisbane, Townsville, Murwillumbah, etc. The following is a correspondence track that proves that, in spite of all the obstacles and miscommunications we can still achieve.
We have been losing heart over the on-going delays to our 3 x sea containers for Buka. Veronica has been obliged to expand her network some, including with shipping agents and into the IRC and at long last progress is being made.
Those people who have been calling us asking as to how they can assist can read this and advise what they have to offer. A good example to follow is Richard and Ann`s introduction to Tracey Tsiroates follow by the positive action of Joan Daniels. Subsequent to a brief conversation with Joan she connected with the relevant people and then, without another word, she rushed in and filled the gap. Thank you so much, Joan. I still cannot see exactly how you achieved this. Also a huge thank you to Chris and Christopher Leonard.
At the risk of repeating ourselves please note that, almost overnight we have established a small network of people who live in Townsville and Bowen. Leading the way here has been Stan Neal of Ruswin Locksmiths. Watch this space.
Apart from the ongoing Bougainville works we have unfinished business at Namuga, in the Eastern Solomons, Kavieng (photos of dental chair please), Lorengau, Kokopo, etc. Christene remains connected into the Manus Training Centre and she plans to visit there again in the New Year. Hopefully, at the same time we can visit Bougainville.
Regards
Davo
Tracey Tsiroates
Tracey is a Health Extension Officer at the Arawa Health Centre. She is 30 years old and has 3 older sisters – one is Principal of a high school, one an economist (both in Bougainville) while the third is a radiographer in Port Moresby.
Her mother, who passed away last year, came from a small village, Ororo, in Siwai. She was a nurse and became a matron.
Her father’s village is Hanahan on Buka Island. He worked as a mechanic but has been retired for many years and now lives with Tracey and her family.
Tracey went to play school and preschool in Arawa. Her primary schooling was at Hanahan Mission School after which she went to Bishop Wade Secondary School, a Catholic mission school in Buka Town.
From secondary school she went to Divine Word University, a private university in Madang, where she studied for a Diploma in Health Extension. This diploma is similar to a paramedic’s qualification.
She spent 12 months of her 15-month practical experience residency at Buka General Hospital and the remaining 3 months at Arawa Health Clinic before completing her thesis in 2009.
Tracey’s first post- graduate job was at the provincial health head office on Sohano Island, Buka. She began working as a Health Extension Officer at the Arawa Health Centre in 2012 and covers Out Patients, In Patients, Theatre and Maternity. She is always on call and at times works very long hours. At times she gets very frustrated at the lack of available resources but she loves her job for the many rewarding experiences it gives her
Tracey is happily married to a man who we would call a househusband.
He looks after their 3 year-old daughter as well as the house.
Her spare time interests are singing, strumming the guitar, and church. She previously played soccer.
She would like to have more time to spend with her family but she says they are very understanding about her work.
Her wish list would be to have her own stethoscope, portable blood pressure monitor, an oxyometer and an earoscope
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