Dear All,
We regret to advise of the passing of our wonderful old friend, Reg Givney. Our condolences go to Pam and to the extended Givney family. It was pleasing to hear that all of the children were close by including Brad and Maree, from Benaraby, Gladstone; Bernie and Enid from Mareeba; Bronwyn and Simon, from Wilunga, Adelaide; Rhonda and John, from Vanuatu; Debbie and David from Karana Downs and Anona and Darryl from Delaney`s Creek.
Reg was our longest serving Power Reticulation (Linesman) Foreman. He was raised in Tennyson, Brisbane and he completed his apprenticeship with the State Electricty Authority of Qld (the SEAQ). Reg served the SEAQ until 1970, the year in which he arrived in Bougainville in the employ of one of the main electrical contractors, Barclay Bros. He was a Leading Hand Linesman, reporting to Les Nicholls. In late 1971 he transferred to the Client, BCL / Rio. He was soon promoted to Leading Craftsman. Reg was based at B16. Some of his expatriate workmates of those days inluded Russ Wilson, John Olton and Andy Byrde. With the bulk of the other BCL employees he departed Bougainville in 1989.
A few words from his Boss of many years, Father Barnham sums up Reg`s attributes pretty well, "A true gentleman! Reg, as a Foreman ran a very efficient reticulation line gang across the Pit area. He was a man you could always rely on."
Rod remembers that his workers used to call him "Papa Reg". He went on to say that working with Reg was a privilege and that not many would have ever experienced what was done by the BCL Linesmen during the Crisis. Rest in peace buddy, Rod.
It is nice to have a brief to recall our times with the Givney family. . . . . . . . as neighbours, at the weddings and as lifelong friends. We were fortunate to have them living just around the corner at House 24 in Section 13. I remember that we became quite stretched, in the mid-70`s, when coping with a couple of new additions to our family. There was always unlimited love and affection available to the Givney kids and there seemed to be plenty left over for our little ones and for many others in the neighbourhood. In `76 the family base was moved, with a promotion, to Panguna. Like myself, Pam was then working for Peter Martin (Planning Pete) in B60. As with so many of our youngsters the Givney`s completed much of their education here in Australia. The Givney youngsters thrived on the boarding option. When we look at them today we can safely comment that it did them no harm, no harm at all. Like their parents they to, are completely devoted to their families.
Towards the end of `73, Reg survived a terrible accident at his work in the Open Pit. It slowed him down for quite a time. However he was not one to sit back and dwell on his woes and he missed the minimum time possible away from his job. Of enormous importance to Reg was the welfare of his PNG workers. In return he was much loved by all of his people and by their families. Last year I was able to employ one of Reg`s old BCL Linesman / Foreman on Manus Island with SFL Piletech. During our interview his first questions were about the welfare of Reg and of his opposite number, in BCL - Technical Services, Rod Gerhardt. This lad was is in his early 60`s and with failing eyesight. However he performed well for JDA as a Crane Operator.
You will remember well that all the BCL linesmen worked well above their usual call of duty during the time of the Crisis. Much of their perfomance can be attributed to the exemplary leadership of Reg, Rod, Arthur and others during these dark days of the Bougainville Crisis. This was a most difficult time for Reg. He loved Bougainville and he loved the Bougainville people. When he came under hostile fire as he and his men restored the power reticulation facilities adjacent to the PMAR he decided it was time to find a safer location, back in Aussie, for Pam and the kids. For many years they have been based in the Glasshouse Mountains region.
Funeral details are as follows; 10.30am on Thursday, 31st March at the Glasshouse Country and Peachester Community Uniting Church in Twin Peaks Drive, Beerwah. The priest there is Keith Ewin on 0754 390282. If you would like to send a note or a card then please use Brad`s address to connect at; brad.givney@gmail.com. Thanks, Brad, for your help with these words.
Rest well old cobber. You will be sadly missed.
Davo
Regards
John
John@johndavidson.com.au
http://johndavidsonbougainville.blogspot.com.au
0418 784 186
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