What to you remember about Moresby in the late 60's and early 70's ?

I wondered what other people who lived in Moresby in the late 60's and early 70's remember about it.

I remember the day Steamies in town got all the flavoured ice creams (I think there was about 20 flavours - it was a magic day for us kids)

I remember the "Show day" near the Uni in around 1968 when the showbags were "Real" sample bags, they actually had samples of matches would you believe !!!

I remember going to the drive-in every weekend - you didnt even care what was on - you just went every week. I remember that at the drive-in on your birthday your name was called out and you got some free lollies - not just a packet, but a drink, potato chips and many packets of lollies. We had a cyclone on my sisters birthday one year and still we went - there was two cars there, and they showed the movie (and she got her free lollies). I also remember when they built the picture theatre at Boroko near the entrance to the drive in. I remember "check your dockets" when you went to the drive in and had dinner there. (It was not the "greasy take aways" you get at drive in's now, but great meals).

I remember the songs of the time - (I always think of Moresby when I hear them)
"Is this the way to Armarillo" - Tony Christie.
"Raindrops keep falling on my head" - Johnny Farnham
"Green green grass of home" - Tom Jones

Lets hear what YOU remember ?

Margaret

I lived in POM mid 70s to early 80s first as a student at upng(76-80). Breakfast then was real breakfast where you had choice of different cereals,with cold milk, fried eggs, bacon and sausage and you could toast bread your own bread, however many you liked or you could have them without toasting with butter or any jam of the popular brands. Lunch and dinner were real and decent dinner. I mention this because it is very sad what the upng mess is feeding our kids at these institution now. is there any truth in this rumor that some students going in late to meals get very little to eat and leave the mess hungry. We could walk to the cinema outside next to the drive-in theater next to POM teachers colledge but you can't anymore as it is too dangerous now. I now work for a private firm and have been in the private sector since 1983 and it amazes me to how well off the top bracket of the public servants are while 90% of them are in a vicious cycle of borrowing to service to the next pay day. The top public servants and the politicians are sadly the biggest thieves and are bringing this country down. Public servants of the sixties and early seventies did real work. It is a very sad state PNG is in, looking at it from the private sector, it is unbearablly shamefull. If the politicians and public servants worked like we do in the private sector, PNG would be one hundred times better of then it is now.

kdonem

Oh yes I remember Moresby in the 60's:) .....Boroko cinema at the afternoon matinee.....when u walked into the drive in cost two bob...sitting up on the balcony with your guy:love: .....going to Ela Beach each Sunday to burn to a crisp....when a big drive was going to Bomana...swimming in the army pool when Steemies and Burns Phillip were the Harrods of New Guinea...when you waited 6 weeks for a record on the top 40 to be imported from south...memories how wish I was there again ;-)

Davos - are you referring to the first year of the primary school or the high school ?

My sister and I went to Gordon Primary. I was there for 1 year in 1969 and she was there for a couple of years. It was built in 1969 and we were the first students. I was in the final year. I loved that uniform.

My sister went to Gordon High in the first year (I think it was two years later.)

Margaret

Margeret and Daveo....you both have a younger memories of Moresby than me.

There was no Gordons school when I left to go "South" in 1966 only Port Moresby High or Ela Beach Primary.

You have both brought back fond memories and big smiles to me.

My Dad owned PNG Motors cnr Hubert Murry Highway and Hospital Rd Boroko he was in Moresby till around 1970.

Moresby was a great place for a teenage girl in my time...so many boys so little time :)

I also remember Sunday night's at the Aviat club at the outside movies those curves at Three Mile, Crystal Rapids that I had forgotton (thanks Daveo) the smell from low tide at Koki and sending the house boy to Koki market to get you cheap veges. Moresby parties were like no others. No TV hated it at the time but it forced us to socialise and make our own fun.

Having a house boy made it hard when you had to start your life on your own...those dirty cloths were still there when you got home...damn so were the dirty dishes in the sink...lol

I would give any thing to go back to that time in Moresby...but like every thing progress takes over...we have great memories and that no one can take from us.

Bamahuta

Rhonda

I was there from the middle of 69 to about 72. I went to school at the Port Moresby High and then worked down at Steamships Shipyard. Saturday matinee at theatre in town. Sitting in the back with your mates and if lucky a girl. Swimming at Ela Beach, Brown River jumping off the bridge, yes Crystal Rapids. The Drive In was also special the in crowd would park right at the back and you where lucky to see half the movie. I once walked from 3 Mile Hill to a dance and walked back again from Boroko East, don't think you could do that now. We arrived in Moresby from Samarai in 69 and had our first exprience with the Moresby Show. 69 was the time that a riot took place over the league match Papua verus New Guinea. We lived opposite the Boroko Hotel and watched as streams of people ran pass and a white police officer and his men walked down towards the masses, he had only been in the country 1 day he was scared. We went to the show and left quite early as trouble was brewing and just missed having the car smashed up on the way home. PMF had a milkbar next to the theatre in town and I use to have a hamburger there. Anzac day was at Bomana War Cemetery then back to the Ela Beach RSL for a gunfire breakfast. New Year was also spent at the RSL as the piper played in the New Year. Burms Philp had the first automatic doors which had the locals worried a little trying to figure out who was opening the doors. Paga Hill was a place to view the harbour from and the outer reef.

arrrrrrr Titan....you were probably at school with my mates and in the matinee with the same bunch.
I left Morseby in '66 but you have mentioned exactly the things we used to get up to.
Was Mr Sargent still giving out the cuts at Moresby High when you were there??
Rhonda

rhondam

For once I never recieved the cuts I got close to being expelled for have a magazine in my bag that wasn't meant to be found. The only thing I can remember about the principal was he wore glasses. If my memory hasn't failed me I do remember a class mate being caned for something he did. I do miss those days nothing seemed important casual days swimming and picnicing. We use to go around checking out cars at the Drive In and when we found someone making out we would shake the car and run for our lives. Glad I could run. I had put my memories of PNG on hold until I found this web site and now the old brain is working overtime rememebering all the thing back then.

There was a Catalina Flying boat dumped down near the end of the runway in Moresby. I think there was also a mock-up plane there that the firies used to light up and practice their stuff on. If I remember correctly, you went past a sports field (cricket pitch and AFL?), and then the Aero Club to get to it. Back the other way were aircraft hangers and then the main "terminal". I seem to recall that so long as you stayed away from the main terminal area, it was OK to explore not only the Catalina, but also the real planes that were parked on the airport.

I guess, being around in Port Moresby around that time, I miss the bus service. I kind of prefer them to today's PMVs. The other thing that I miss would be the Papuan Hotel and the Corner Bar where the just about every Tom, Dick and Harry and his dog hung out. Also the RSL club down on Ela Beach.

Hi everyone. Wow! I've just come across this site and it sure has bought back some memories.

I was a child in Moresby from the age of 3 to 10 years old. Arrived in '66 and left in '74. Went to St Josephs and lived on Paga hill.

My father worked for the public works department and supervised the building of the Sogari high school.

I remember the Ela beach RSL and the outdoor movies on a friday night, playing on the beach with my brother and the little pontoon they had floating on the water outside the RSL.

I remember the smell of the beach at low tide and walking out on the reef to look for sea-urchins.

I remember salty-plums and dried ginger, fireworks and koki market.

I remember the catolina, as well as the wrecked planes and bunkers at the airport.

I remember driving up the mountains to hom-broms bluff ??? and the water falls falling onto the road.

I remember the house boys and pidgeon english, and the smell of food being cooked on kerosine fires, beetle nut and red teeth.

I remember the expeditions to find WWII guns and the competitions with my school friends as to who had the most.

I remember playing marbles in the school grounds and after school day-care, green tree frog, papuan black snakes and so many butterflies.

I miss it.

Hi, does anyone remember the Moresby kindergarten/preschool that was on Ela Beach Rd? I was there in the late 50s and left Moresby in 1963. Have always wondered what happened to the kindergarten.

Hi, I was in Moresby a bit earlier than late 60s/early 70s but still have lots of the same memories. I was there from birth to age 10, 1953-1963. Went to St Josephs and lived on Davara Rd. My father was a builder with John Stubbs & Sons. I remember the milk bar in town and the baby crocodile that was kept as a pet in a cage at the back of the milk bar. I remember going to the wharf with my father to buy fresh lobster for two shillings. I remember the smell from Koki village and the 'floaties' that found their way to Ela Beach. I remember walking on the reef, finding sea urchins, crabs, star fish and 'sea sausages'. I remember Friday night fish and chips on Ela Beach. I remember the drive in and free goodies on your birthday. I remember the Saturday matinees at the picture threatre at Boroko. I remember seeing 'Tonka', 'Hand in Hand', and 'Guns of Navarone'. I remember Sundays at the yacht club with my father and Santa arriving by helicopter at the yacht club. I remember getting lots of sunburns. My name was Kathy Bishop.

Hi, I just came across this forum and read it with great interest. My family was in PNG until 1974. I went to St Joseph's, and lived in Minihi Avenue, Boroko. I remember:

- buying coloured chicks at the show (purple, blue, pink)
- the drive-in... my Dad driving over the humps to get a spot and hooking the speakers onto the side of the car. Making the walk to the snack bar and special attention at birthdays.
- the cinema
- learning to swim at the olympic pool
- going to the riding school with my sisters and watching gymkana.. finding WWII helmets and bullets in the long grass. The family who drove their shetland pony to the club in the back of a mercedes with the seat removed.
- Mum taking us and the houseboy out of town to cut long grass for the horses.
- Dad volunteering to help burn a dead horse that had been speared by the locals.
- Going to (what I think was) the race track in the evening and playing red rover with the other kids, then going inside to watch a movie.
- Being allowed to stay up late to listen to the radio with Mum and Dad if we had a sleep during the day.
- taking a drive into the hills (Segari(?))
- standing on a sea urchin at Ela Beach and finding shells on Shelly Beach
- playing soccer in the St Joseph's under 8s and being thrashed by the kids from the army barricks.
- Mum driving us through riots around Koki Markets and telling us to get down on the floor of the car.
- the one set of traffic lights in town.
- Dad taking us to Parliament house
- Dad returning from overnight fishing trips and sorting the fish on the front lawn with his fellow fishermen.
- returning from Christmas in Brisbane to find out house had been burgled (twice)
- playing marbles in the dusty school playground
... and lots more

Cheers

Wow..funny u should mention playing soccer for St Josephs under 8's..just so happens that I was one of the kids from the army barracks, my father Jim Hampton coached us..and yes I can truly relate to most of the things you have mentioned missing bout Port Moresby..never forget the pontoon out by ela beach RSL..you weren't a real kid unless you swam out and back again..and the undescribable smell on low tide from the village beside Koki market..and I wil never forget those great big smiling faces of the locals...after they have had there share of beetlenut..beautiful red teeth..and the mary's..child breastfeeding on one breast..and a piglet on the other..But we could never forget the soccer grounds we played on back then...it was a good day if there was a little bit off grass on some of the grounds..lol..cheers John Hinds jhinds57@hotmail.com

Yes I remember the little twin hulled boat(Pontoon) moored off the Ela beach RSL. All the kids used to swim over the seaweed just off shore to get to it. and sit out there for hours. It was always packed with kids. salty plums,Being able to buy fire crackers all year round from the chinese shops in Boroko. The Wards drive in where every one used to sit out the front of their car with an esky on Satuday night. Also the friday night movies at the Murray Barracks Seargent Mess. The Sing Sings at the old show grounds. And does any body remember the stock car races out near the show grounds on the way to wards Strip.

I grew up in Port Moresby - 1956 to 1968 - great memories. We lived at Ilamo Ave & Minihi Ave Boroko. Attended Boroko East Primary & Port Moresby High. I remember the fog truck that drove up the the circular drive of the primary school & all the kids would run through the white fog. School of the air, broadcast into the school rooms. Salty plums & red ginger. Swimming at Murray Barracks pool & Bomana pool. Being stung by jellyfish at Ela Beach. Judo classes & ballet classes. The drive-in, Boroko picture theatre. The PM Gun Club that my father & brothers were members of. The Red Cross, sunday school & Girls Life Brigade.
Robyn

Hi Robyn,
I lived there in 1971-72 in Murray Barracks, grade 5-6. My parents were also members of the PM gun club but it seems you left before we got there. Do you remember the Cooks and the MacDonalds. They were all members of the Small Bore club there that my Parents joined when we got there in 71.

Hi Spook,
I remember the McCartney's, the O'Brien's & the Rudge's from the PM Gun Club - as in the clay target shooting gun club.
Does anyone else remember driving (the whole family) to the native villages in the old jeep & all the children would come out to meet the jeep, asking to "throw penny", into the water & they would dive off wooden stumps & come out of the water with the coins they had retrieved.

Alas no Robyn, Mum and Dad were only members of the Small Bore club next to the clay target range. But I remember going down into the scrub on the clay target range to collect the unbroken clay discs, when the range wasn't being used. I'll throw those names at the old man the next time I see him, and see if he knows the names. Even though we wern't there at the same time it is still good to talk to someone who has been to the same places I have, brings back so many memories.

Hi RMCR
It seems that we both lived in the same street in Boroko. Do you remember any of the following names - de Silva, Cox, Erben, Gammon, Brown - all these people lived in Minihi Ave.

Hey Spook, yes I remember the stock car races. A friend drove the tow truck out there so we went quite a lot, remember the petticoat panic? Just reading through all the posts - it brings back so many memories. Made me laugh about the pontoon at Ela Beach, everybody must have memories of that, probably a right of passage. I remember our great expedition to climb Baldy Hill, the day we (a bunch of 12 year olds) decided to row to Local Island and the boat sank on the way back so we had to swim for it, Crystal Rapids, Idler's Bay, camping for weekends on Fisherman's Island, getting chased around the local cemetery at Sirinumu Dam by an old man with a machete (we were horrible kids), swimming in the Laloki up at 17 Mile and lazy afternoons at Aunty Woody's Rouna Hotel. We were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time to be able to grow up so wild and free - although the downside was that I had a helluva time fitting into so-called civilised society when we went finish. Never mind, I'm now at the age that I can be wild and free again and just called eccentric. Meg

Hi Meg, I lived in Murray Barracks from 1971 to 72, Climbed bald mountain with my friend David. If that mountain is the one behind Murray Barracks, went to fishermans Island a few times, nearly got swept out to sea in a lakatoi that we borrowed from some locals. Went to Idlers bay regularly, played hide and seek in the old war bunkers there. Never got to local island though. don't remember the Petticoat panic but it was a long time ago! But they are good memories.

Hi Robyn here is a pic of the small bore range right next to the shot gun range, thought you might remember it if you ever went down there. the woman in the pic is my Mother. Taken in 1971.

And for all those who remember the pontoon off the RSL at ela beach, here is a pic of Ela beach looking back towards the RSL. If you look closely I think you can see the pontoon in the water. Pic taken in either 1971 or 72.

yes ,what lasting memories

Just Registered As I Have Been Looking Up Information For My First Return To Png Since 1974. Taking My Kids For A Nostalgic Tour And To Walk Kokoda. Went To St Josephs And Was In Mrs Grahams 5th Grade. Before That I Think It Was A Mrs Healy And Also Remember Sr Antonia. Two Of My Three Younger Brothers Carl & Joe Also Went There. Some Names Of Friends Like Dexter Ning/derek Purdy/milosh Pelican And Two Indonesian Guys Arko And ?indri Spring To Mind. Lived In Murray Barracks And Was A Military Brat. Have Enjoyed Reading Everyones Memories And Stories And Can Relate To Most. Any Useful Current Information Would Be Appreciated. Regards Paul Ekman

Hi Paul, I was just reading the information on this link. http://www.pngbd.com/forum/t2549s.html It may help you. It's a pitty to think things have gotten this scary, while it was always a bit of a worry to walk around off the base at night, it saddens me to think of how things have changed like this. All things relative though, I wouldn't walk around Fortitude Valley after dark either! I lived in Murray barracks 1971-72. Just across the road from the front gate of the school, in the married quarters on the base.

I started at port moresby high in 1972 - remember the science teacher with pet snake, the food days when we brought in something to share, the drive in and movies, being incredibly naughty... I would love to hear from anyone in that first year of high school in 1972
jo

Hi Jo,
I started at Moresby High in 1972 as well. I seem to recall your name but am having trouble putting a face to it (senile decay). My name's Megan - I was blonde and dumb. I recall a few first names but not many surnames. I remember Dianne Auchettl, Margaret, Frances and Pamela, Diana and Jenny from Murray Barracks. And I remember 2 science teachers but can't recall whether it was in 1972 or later, one was a little woman that I only remember as 'the mouse' and the other was Mr Stephenson. Aah, my memory is so bad, but there was a teacher who I think taught commerce who lost it one day with David Dwyer who was a cheeky little bugger. Am still in touch with Dianne spasmodically, she is living in Queensland as well.
Megan

i remember the puplic pool at ela beach where we spent most saturdays and sundays,the skyline drive in and ofcourse saturday martnee at the papuan thearter

I remember the day Steamies in town got all the flavoured ice creams (I think there was about 20 flavours - it was a magic day for us kids)

I remember the "Show day" near the Uni in around 1968 when the showbags were "Real" sample bags, they actually had samples of matches would you believe !!!

I remember going to the drive-in every weekend - you didnt even care what was on - you just went every week. I remember that at the drive-in on your birthday your name was called out and you got some free lollies - not just a packet, but a drink, potato chips and many packets of lollies. We had a cyclone on my sisters birthday one year and still we went - there was two cars there, and they showed the movie (and she got her free lollies). I also remember when they built the picture theatre at Boroko near the entrance to the drive in. I remember "check your dockets" when you went to the drive in and had dinner there. (It was not the "greasy take aways" you get at drive in's now, but great meals).

I remember the songs of the time - (I always think of Moresby when I hear them)
"Is this the way to Armarillo" - Tony Christie.
"Raindrops keep falling on my head" - Johnny Farnham
"Green green grass of home" - Tom Jones

Lets hear what YOU remember ?

Margaret[/QUOTE]

I REMEMBER CHASING THE "FOGGER" MACHINE AROUND THE STREETS CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER IN THE MIST. SOMETIMES WONDER HOW MUCH DDT WE ABSORBED INTO OUR SYSTEM. AT THE DRIVE IN THE DRINKS WERE 8 CENTS AND WE USED TO HANG AROUND THE MACHINES TO SCAB THE 2c CHANGE AND AFTER THE MOVIE WOULD GO ROUND WITH A SACK COLLECTING BOTTLES FOR A REFUND.
I REMEMBER OLD TARZAN MOVIES AT WARDS THEATRE AND SOME LOCALS WHO HAD NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE BOLTED OUT OVER THE TOP OF THE CHAIRS AT THE SIGHT OF A HERD OF ELEPHANTS ON THE CHARGE.
I CAN REMEMBER THE SMELL OF THE FUEL AT THE SPEEDWAY AND THE SLIDERS AND CARS. SOMEONE GOT BADLY INJURED/KILLED WHEN A CAR OR TYRE WENT INTO THE CROWD ONE NIGHT. FROM MURRAY BARRACKS WE USED TO GET A VARIETY OF TRANSPORT TO SCHOOL EITHER JEEPS ,TRUCKS OR WHAT WE CALLED THE TIN OR SARDINE CAN WHICH WAS A CLOSED IN TRUCK WHICH WAS AS HOT AS HELL. WHEN THE DRIVER TOOK OFF WE USED TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR AND FOLD DOWN THE STEPS AND SIT THERE DANGLING OUR LEGS AS IT DROVE ALONG OR SWING OUT ON THE DOOR.
WE ALSO USED TO BUY FIREWORKS FROM A CHINESE SHOP IN BOROKO ANY TIME OF THE YEAR AND HAVE "WARS" OUT THE BACK SHOOTING SKYROCKETS AT EACH OTHER AND BLOWING THINGS UP.
SANTA USED TO TURN UP IN A HELICOPTER.
THE KING OF THE PLAYGROUND WAS THE ONE WITH THE MOST MARBLES.
I STILL BUY SALTY PLUMS AND GINGER WHEN I CAN FIND IT. USED TO GET THESE TRIANGULAR PLASTIC FROZEN CHOCOLATE MILKS AT THE SCHOOL TUCKSHOP. I ALWAYS REMEMBER ENJOYING THE START BUT BY THE END THE ICE AND CHOCOLATE WAS TERRIBLE. WE HAD SIX MANGO TREES IN OUR YARD AND IT WAS HEAVEN. WOULD GO TO SLEEP HEARING THE FRUIT BATS CHATTER ALL NIGHT.

Hi Spook, The photo of Ela Beach brings back fond memories of Sunday morning beach cricket with the boys from Raniguri Hostel. Also remember the bottom pub was the only place to be on a Saturday morning. Great girl watchers viewing spot from the front bar balcony. They also baked fantastic pies straight out of the oven at about 11-30am. Although I had a few good memories of my early days in Port Moresby - arrived December 1968, because I was housed in Raniguri Hostel (very basic accommodation, hot as hell - no a/c or even fans in them days, not very effective fly wire with mosquitoes as big as wasps, poor food and worse dining times, and being broken into and cleaned out completely 3 times in 5 months) I was counting the days to complete my 21 month contract and get out of there, and back to civilization. Luckily in May 1969 was transferred to Mount Hagen, and fortunately not returning until March 1991, when we got kicked out of Bougainville. Always felt sorry for those people who were unfortunate enough to have spent their whole stay in such a wonderful country solely in Port Moresby. Stayed in POM till July 1992 and sorry to say it had not got any better as a place to live. Still had some great times and left behind some great friends. Must admit now though with bashing and robbing of soft targets, and the road rage we now have in Perth, maybe POM wasn't so bad after all. You don't know what you got until you lose it.

Many great memories, lots more - dancing to Clockwork Orange (Jack)RIP and the boys, at the 4 mile club, sipping iced chocolate at Pinochios coffe shop in Boroko, the Choulais parties, Leo's truck carting many kids to the drive-in, the list goes on and on, maz

yea maz,i do remember the clockwork orange and 4 mile club, favorit watering hole.best time ever,leo choulai,i use to drag race him around town, friday or saturday nights when we got bored, best fish & chips at oyster bar across from
boroko police station,pom high best school ever. made many friends there.

OTE=Maz]Many great memories, lots more - dancing to Clockwork Orange (Jack)RIP and the boys, at the 4 mile club, sipping iced chocolate at Pinochios coffe shop in Boroko, the Choulais parties, Leo's truck carting many kids to the drive-in, the list goes on and on, maz[/QUOTE]

Hi Jaycee,
There was also the HUN nightclub, very tiny but lots of fun, hanging out at the pool, and getting absolutely fried, (we used baby oil in those days to tan), how dumb was that!!!, knowing what we know now, ah yes and those drag races around town, Leos' truck did many miles, remember them well, did u live in Lae as well as Moresby?

Cheers,
Maz

I wondered what other people who lived in Moresby in the late 60's and early 70's remember about it.
MargaretWow, I have goose bumps!
I was in Moresby from 1968 till around 1972, I went to Boroko East Primary and Port Moresby High. I lived at the back of my Dads shop in Tabari Place above Dr Jacobi's surgery. Dad had a business called Hayco electronics and did all the sound systems an stereos.
My best friends were Sharon ?( I can't remember her surname), Jan Keen, Joan Barber and also Marion Latch. I know a heap more will come to me after I post this.
I remember the school dances at Port Moresby High and when ever I hear "looking out my back door", it transports me back to that time.
Grade 4 teacher was Mrs Graham, I think I decided that droping out of school in grade 4 would have been a viable option, she certainly left an impression on me.
Mrs Bridges in Grade 5 was fantastic.
We went to Koitaki on Weekends Dad was president there and my parents were at the 4 mile club every night. Movies at the four mile on, I think it was Thursday nights.
I was really into horses so Koitaki was great for that, I didn't have my own horse but people were kind enough to let me borrow theirs.
I remember the Saturday matinees in Boroko pictures, Pinocchio's cafe was a cool place to hang out. Loved salty plumbs, still do.
The show was always great fun and so cheap arm loads of show bags that were really real. Shopping at steamies and BP.
Listening to the radio the argonauts and the latest music was on at about 5pm.
Hanging out at the pool was always fun, the lady who ran the shop was always nice.
Going to the swap shop with my magazines and books once a week. I loved reading.
There are so many memories, and I don't think I ever fitted back into Australia, I was sent to school in Melbourne. I am in Queensland now about an hour from Brisbane which fits me much better.
I can' wait to hear what more people have to say on this forum!
My surname was then Hayward.

hi glenda, i could have seen you at the 4 mile club, i know joan barber, went to the same primary school at korobosea, joan lived at korobosae on dorren street, i think sharon boyce is your other friend. saw her and joan together alot . where you in form 1 in 1970? marion latch rings a bell i think she was in some of my classes at pom high, from 1970 to form 4, bruce spark was a friend of mine ,claimed to have seen a ufo one night in boroko while been drunk, i dont if that rings a bell 1974 .Wow, I have goose bumps!
I was in Moresby from 1968 till around 1972, I went to Boroko East Primary and Port Moresby High. I lived at the back of my Dads shop in Tabari Place above Dr Jacobi's surgery. Dad had a business called Hayco electronics and did all the sound systems an stereos.
My best friends were Sharon ?( I can't remember her surname), Jan Keen, Joan Barber and also Marion Latch. I know a heap more will come to me after I post this.
I remember the school dances at Port Moresby High and when ever I hear "looking out my back door", it transports me back to that time.
Grade 4 teacher was Mrs Graham, I think I decided that droping out of school in grade 4 would have been a viable option, she certainly left an impression on me.
Mrs Bridges in Grade 5 was fantastic.
We went to Koitaki on Weekends Dad was president there and my parents were at the 4 mile club every night. Movies at the four mile on, I think it was Thursday nights.
I was really into horses so Koitaki was great for that, I didn't have my own horse but people were kind enough to let me borrow theirs.
I remember the Saturday matinees in Boroko pictures, Pinocchio's cafe was a cool place to hang out. Loved salty plumbs, still do.
The show was always great fun and so cheap arm loads of show bags that were really real. Shopping at steamies and BP.
Listening to the radio the argonauts and the latest music was on at about 5pm.
Hanging out at the pool was always fun, the lady who ran the shop was always nice.
Going to the swap shop with my magazines and books once a week. I loved reading.
There are so many memories, and I don't think I ever fitted back into Australia, I was sent to school in Melbourne. I am in Queensland now about an hour from Brisbane which fits me much better.
I can' wait to hear what more people have to say on this forum!
My surname was then Hayward.

maz, i recall the hun,i never lived in lae but was there at the tech collage for few weeks.peter fong and robert chee use to to play at the tabu at badili , have ever been to the cryistal rapids at rouna for a swim? what else do you remember about port moresby QUOTE=Maz]Hi Jaycee,There was also the HUN nightclub, very tiny but lots of fun, hanging out at the pool, and getting absolutely fried, (we used baby oil in those days to tan), how dumb was that!!!, knowing what we know now, ah yes and those drag races around town, Leos' truck did many miles, remember them well, did u live in Lae as well as Moresby?

Cheers,
Maz[/QUOTE]

hi glenda, i could have seen you at the 4 mile club, i know joan barber, went to the same primary school at korobosea, joan lived at korobosae on dorren street, i think sharon boyce is your other friend. saw her and joan together alot . where you in form 1 in 1970? marion latch rings a bell i think she was in some of my classes at pom high, from 1970 to form 4, bruce spark was a friend of mine ,claimed to have seen a ufo one night in boroko while been drunk, i dont if that rings a bell 1974 .Hi Jaycee,
Yes it was Sharon Boyce, when I went down south to school we lost touch and I will be forever sad about that. I stayed at Joans a lot, her Mum was the dressmaker at Lexie's dress shop, it had all the really cool stuff.
My Dad used to do the movies at the 4 mile. The name Bruce Spark really rings a bell, and I wish I could remember but it will come to me though, lots of stuff is coming back reading this forum. I left in 72 to go to south to school.
Do you remember Anne Mulcay? I met up with her Brother on a bus one day and it turned out that she lived around the corner from me. We stayed in touch till we were in out mid 20's. Her Sister Kim was older and well known at POM.
Do you remember a boy we used to call titch, everyone really liked him. I can remember him getting really drunk at one of the school dances and we were all trying to sober him up.
I'm pretty sure I was in form 1 in 1970. I can remember that year one of the girls commited suicide, that had a huge impact on the whole school.
Form one math teacher used to comb his hair a lot and I did get kicked out of his class a couple of times because I had a pretty bad attitude at times.
I remember one of the boys in form 1, his Mother died and I often thought how dificult that must have been for him.
Mrs Herd was the home ec teacher, I really enjoyed that class. There was also a new teacher who drove a pale blue ford capri, can't remember what he taught though.
I can remember a boy called Uki who was often at the 4 mile, he had a dragster bike.
Do you remember the fish and chips at the place out on the road to the drive in, the guy who owned it drove a green sports car.
There are so many memories, and I wish I had some school photos so I could place people.
cheers, Glenda

Jaycee, thought you may have lived in Lae as I recall Deb Hastings mentioning you (she is now here in Brisbane). I was trying to think of the name of that place where Robert Chee used to play, of course, the TABU, went there quite a few times, remember Willy Love, Robert Chee, Jack Clunne playing at the Chinese Club also, mainly on school holidays when all the kids were up from DOWN SOUTH. Recently went to a Lae and Morobe Province reunion held here in Brisbane, it was HUGE, lots of old faces from Lae High, instead of snacks being put on the tables, there they were as large as life, SALTY PLUMS AND dried ginger, had a good laugh at that one. Do you remember Terry Saleh from Moresby? Cheers, Maz

Glenda - you have brought back some memories for me

Dr jacobi's Surgery - mmm, I remember that

Koitaki.... We lived in Sogeri for a year or so (my Dad was in charge of the polcie station in Sogeri for a year or so)

Here are a few photos of the Koitaki Country Club (One is with our friends Jo and Mandy in the pool at Koitaki Country club, 2 of the others are the ladies and gentlement of the Sogeri Lions Clb when they raised the money to buy an ambulance for Sogeri)

I remember the Saturday matinees in Boroko pictures, Pinocchio's cafe was a cool place to hang out. Loved salty plumbs, still do.
The show was always great fun and so cheap arm loads of show bags that were really real. Shopping at steamies and BP. (I rememberall of these)

Going to the swap shop with my magazines and books once a week. I loved reading. (I was just telling someone about this the other day. I was a fan of "June and School friends" picture novels)

Hey Glenda,
you must have been a couple of years ahead of me, I remember Dr Jacobi's - you would have been really central living there. You brought back some memories though about the the suicide. If my memory is correct, it was one of the Bostock girls. She was older than me, but I knew them, not very well, through other people. It was the first time I'd heard of anyone killing themselves and it really made an impression - still sad after all these years.
Did Bruce Sparks have a younger brother - this is a laugh, but my first kiss was at a party at the Hardacres near Coronation Primary A while playing spin the bottle and it was from a boy called Sparks but I can't remember his first name - obviously left an impression. I live down south of Brisbane now and I go to Sunnybank regularly to buy my salty plums and red ginger. Was it you who was talking about someone seeing a UFO while drunk? A friend of mine at primary and high school has an older brother who did all his schooling in Moresby and he is now something of ane expert in UFO stuff, John Auchettl. It's good to talk about the old stuff, I still miss it and Moresby.
Megan

Glenda - you have brought back some memories for me

Here are a few photos of the Koitaki Country Club (One is with our friends Jo and Mandy in the pool at Koitaki Country club, 2 of the others are the ladies and gentlement of the Sogeri Lions Clb when they raised the money to buy an ambulance for Sogeri)


Hi Margaret,
These photos did bring back memories, the lady in the centre is Dot Bell, her husband is Colin. I know the other ladies but can't remember names. The man sitting at the front edge of the truck pic is Alec or Mac, we used to stay with him sometimes. And I must know you too, I am sure I know the faces, what were your parent's names? The name Mulhern was mentioned to me by Alan Stucky who was also in the police service up there.
I have just spoken to both Alan and Annette Stucky, I actually went to their wedding when I was about 13. They live in NSW now
Thanks so much for posting these pictures!

I only have a couple of pictures, one in a gymkhana at Koitaki and one when I went to see Little Patty at the four mile club, Tony Hearn and his wife Sally were there too. I will dig them out and scan them in.
I remember Butch Lukin breaking his arm (I think it was an arm) when he was drunk and went to dive into the pool, but actually dived into the kids pool.
Do you rememeber them playing Polo cross at Koitaki, Freddy Klekham was really into it and is now in Fiji, he is still involved in Polo in Fiji, or was a few years back.

I used to read Princess Tina magazines and remember writing to them in the UK to become a member.

I am so excited about finding this forum!

Hey Glenda,
you must have been a couple of years ahead of me, I remember Dr Jacobi's - you would have been really central living there. You brought back some memories though about the the suicide. If my memory is correct, it was one of the Bostock girls. She was older than me, but I knew them, not very well, through other people. It was the first time I'd heard of anyone killing themselves and it really made an impression - still sad after all these years.
Did Bruce Sparks have a younger brother - this is a laugh, but my first kiss was at a party at the Hardacres near Coronation Primary A while playing spin the bottle and it was from a boy called Sparks but I can't remember his first name - obviously left an impression. I live down south of Brisbane now and I go to Sunnybank regularly to buy my salty plums and red ginger. Was it you who was talking about someone seeing a UFO while drunk? A friend of mine at primary and high school has an older brother who did all his schooling in Moresby and he is now something of ane expert in UFO stuff, John Auchettl. It's good to talk about the old stuff, I still miss it and Moresby.
MeganHi Meg,
You are right it was one of the Bostock girls, very sad.
Jaycee mentioned Bruce Sparks, and I do know the name but I just can't place him.
I don't rememebr the name John Auchettl, but I seem to hacve forgotton many names.
I can also remember my first kiss being at a party with spin the bottle, it was so very daring back then!
When I go into Brisbane I buy salty plums, usually at China town, it's certainly an aquired taste, most people think I am nuts to like them.

It was very central living in Tabari Place, but not really a great life style as a kid, there was no where to play, one day Jan Keen came over and left her bike at the bottom of the stairs leaning up against Dr Jacobie's surgery the Bike well and truly had gone when we came down stairs.

There seems to be a lot of us in Brisbane, I did go to a reunion in Melbourne in the late 70's but there wasn't a lot there. I am in the Upper Brisbane Valley which is about 90 minutes from Brisbane. My husband was asking me if I wanted to have a holiday in Moresby and I am now thinking about it, it would be great to see what it is like now.

It's great to talk to people who had the same experiences, it was certainly a different lifestyle.

Hey Glenda,
not sure about John but the other Auchettl kids went to Coronation Primary A. I remember John played drums in a band called the 'something Custards' so to a 12-13 year old he was pretty cool. Couple of good friends went to Boroko East though, Debbie Brooks was probably in your year and Melody Musicka would have been in the year after you. Was the swap shop that you went to the one at Taurama? My mum and I actually met up with the lady who used to run that shop around the end of the '70's in Sydney. There does seem to be a lot of expats in Brisbane. A friend went to a reunion up here probably about 10 or more years ago now and she said there were heaps of people there - maybe we're all gravitating back slowly. I would love to go back, I'm just afraid I'll be disappointed though, but I think I'll do it one just for the hell of it. I never fitted back in well either, but I'm kind of cool about being different now - just pass it off as eccentricity now I'm hitting the big half century soon.
Cheers,
Megan
PS. Remembered the band's name - it was the 'Copper Custards'

Is anyone interested in starting a private yahoo or google group so that we can all share our photos or memories of Moresby ?

I am happy to do set it up.

It would just be a place to swap stories, save photos so we can share them and bring each other up to speed on what memories we have of people.

We could call the site "ellabeach" or "4mile" or "boroko" or anything that brings back a memory.

Let me know what everyone thinks of the idea.

Margaret

I really have to go through all of my Dad's photo's. He was a mad photographer and I've got boxes of slides and photos. Dad passed away late last year, but he worked for TAA and then Air Niugini so most of the photos and stuff relate to TAA or other airline or DCA staff. Did anyone else go to the TAA Mess at Gordons? My Mum and Dad were both in the darts team and Mum was the Ladies Darts Champion of Moresby in 1972 - whoo! what a claim to fame.
Megan

Hey Margaret,
I think it's a great idea - will give me incentive to hunt out the photos and slides
Megan

i do remember ann and kim mulcay , ann was in some of my class ,bruce spark use to go out with kim back then .they were there till end of form 4.cant recall titch nor uki. mrs griffith was my scicence teacher and she had a phyton in the scicence lab.i m sitting here trying to write this and can see all this faces but cant put names ,how frustrating is that . ithink i know who you are. do you know royan he was the shortest boy in class,we where in the same english. mrs davis was our english teacher. she had anervous break down,poor thing she couldnt handle the stress.do you know gary. cant remember his name, yes its all comming back to me now. joan. sharon and glenda .cheers Yes it was Sharon Boyce, when I went down south to school we lost touch and I will be forever sad about that. I stayed at Joans a lot, her Mum was the dressmaker at Lexie's dress shop, it had all the really cool stuff.
My Dad used to do the movies at the 4 mile. The name Bruce Spark really rings a bell, and I wish I could remember but it will come to me though, lots of stuff is coming back reading this forum. I left in 72 to go to south to school.
Do you remember Anne Mulcay? I met up with her Brother on a bus one day and it turned out that she lived around the corner from me. We stayed in touch till we were in out mid 20's. Her Sister Kim was older and well known at POM.
Do you remember a boy we used to call titch, everyone really liked him. I can remember him getting really drunk at one of the school dances and we were all trying to sober him up.
I'm pretty sure I was in form 1 in 1970. I can remember that year one of the girls commited suicide, that had a huge impact on the whole school.
Form one math teacher used to comb his hair a lot and I did get kicked out of his class a couple of times because I had a pretty bad attitude at times.
I remember one of the boys in form 1, his Mother died and I often thought how dificult that must have been for him.
Mrs Herd was the home ec teacher, I really enjoyed that class. There was also a new teacher who drove a pale blue ford capri, can't remember what he taught though.
I can remember a boy called Uki who was often at the 4 mile, he had a dragster bike.
Do you remember the fish and chips at the place out on the road to the drive in, the guy who owned it drove a green sports car.
There are so many memories, and I wish I had some school photos so I could place people.
cheers, Glenda[/QUOTE]

Is anyone interested in starting a private yahoo or google group so that we can all share our photos or memories of Moresby ?

I am happy to do set it up.

It would just be a place to swap stories, save photos so we can share them and bring each other up to speed on what memories we have of people.

We could call the site "ellabeach" or "4mile" or "boroko" or anything that brings back a memory.

Let me know what everyone thinks of the idea.

MargaretHi Margaret,

I am just glad that you started this thread on this forum! As there were so many different threads that didn't relate at all and you were the only one who put into words what we were all looking for.
It's a great idea but a yahoo private group wouldn't leave it open for new people to join in and I am really hoping that more people will add their info.
But in saying that I really haven't had a lot of experience recently with the yahoo type groups.
Perhaps an open forum, like this one. That way it still has the same format and people can join in easily, it can also be moderated. The software for these is free and easily set up.

Hey Glenda,
not sure about John but the other Auchettl kids went to Coronation Primary A. I remember John played drums in a band called the 'something Custards' so to a 12-13 year old he was pretty cool. Couple of good friends went to Boroko East though, Debbie Brooks was probably in your year and Melody Musicka would have been in the year after you. Was the swap shop that you went to the one at Taurama? My mum and I actually met up with the lady who used to run that shop around the end of the '70's in Sydney. There does seem to be a lot of expats in Brisbane. A friend went to a reunion up here probably about 10 or more years ago now and she said there were heaps of people there - maybe we're all gravitating back slowly. I would love to go back, I'm just afraid I'll be disappointed though, but I think I'll do it one just for the hell of it. I never fitted back in well either, but I'm kind of cool about being different now - just pass it off as eccentricity now I'm hitting the big half century soon.
Cheers,
Megan
PS. Remembered the band's name - it was the 'Copper Custards'Hi Megan
I remember Melody, she would come home with me after school quite often. I remember the name Debbie Brooks but can't see the face.
The swap shop was at Taurama I can remember the faces of the people who ran it but can't think of the names.

I can't remember any of the bands names, I can remember the ones who played at the school dances but not their names.

Many of the people that I have met who have come back south from PNG say that they don't quite fit in. I think we had such a different life, a life of relative freedom which is so far removed from the then constraints of suburban life. Our lives were something that unless you have lived it you could never understand. My older sister stayed in Australia and came up for holidays, she could not understand how anyone could live in such a horrible place. She couldn't see the beauty of it all. I can't live in the suburbs as I just don't fit.

i do remember ann and kim mulcay , ann was in some of my class ,bruce spark use to go out with kim back then .they were there till end of form 4.cant recall titch nor uki. mrs griffith was my scicence teacher and she had a phyton in the scicence lab.i m sitting here trying to write this and can see all this faces but cant put names ,how frustrating is that . ithink i know who you are. do you know royan he was the shortest boy in class,we where in the same english. mrs davis was our english teacher. she had anervous break down,poor thing she couldnt handle the stress.do you know gary. cant remember his name, yes its all comming back to me now. joan. sharon and glenda .cheers

Hi Jaycee,
I am pretty sure it was Royan (or was it ryan) that we used to call titch
Mrs Griffith used to have her hair pulled up in a bun and I think she had a visable birth mark on her face that she used to cover with heavy makeup.
I remember the snake got out of it's tank and was in the iron breams accross the ceiling.
Poor Mrs Davis she hit me over the head with a dictionary and it wasn't long after that that she had her nervous break down. I can remember a few of us tying one of those fire crackers to the leg of her table from the leg of her chair and when she pulled it back it went bang, not a big bang, but enough to make us all be in fits of laughter. No wonder the poor woman lost the plot.

Mrs Marr taught us Italian, she was lovely. Was it Mr Macallum that was the head master?
I do remember a boy called Gary, but can't remember anything else or a face.
I remember the plastic bags of frozen milk, yum, I loved them.
It is such a long time ago now and it is hard to remember things, but I am having a lot of memories come back.

Hey Glenda,
I'm still in touch with Melody, she's up here in Qld too but the last time I spoke to her she wasn't on the internet. Don't know if you're interested, but I could give her a ring if you wanted to catch up with her.
Megan

took photos down

hello glenda,margaret and others. loved the photoes. i was a bit younger (mrs grahams yr 5 in 1974) so have not so many social memories or memories of friends as we left after that. i remember the koitaki pool but not as clean as in your pictures. it seemed like green soup the few times we went there.i am going back for the first time in 4 weeks and taking my family for 3 weeks so should be good to see the place again. its been great to read this forum since i found it while doing some research in preparation. i also cant get my wife or kids to like ginger or salty plums and i always have a supply and have some occasionally-even have ginger in my laptop bag at work.
cheers.

Paul - you are so right about the pool. I swear it didnt have a bottom it was so green.

It would be great if you could post a few pictures here when you get back so we can all see how PNG looks now.

Glenda - did Tony Hern ride a horse ?

I think I may remember him from the KCC.

hello glenda,margaret and others. loved the photoes. i was a bit younger (mrs grahams yr 5 in 1974) i remember the koitaki pool but not as clean as in your pictures. it seemed like green soup the few times we went there.Hi Paul,
I actually think that there may have been 2 Mrs Grahams, or that she transferred from Boroko East to St Josephs.
I remember everyone stripping the paint off the pool at Koitaki and repainting it, it was a very big job. Does anyone remember Kahgi (not sure how you spell his name) at Koitaki?

Paul I really would love to know what your trip was like as my husband is sugesting a trip but I am a little apprehensive. I think we will all be eagerly awaiting your verdict and to see some pics!

Have a great trip,
Glenda

Glenda - did Tony Hern ride a horse ?

I think I may remember him from the KCC.Hi Margaret,
He sure did, he played polo. I had such a huge crush on him when I was about 12 or 13, I used to go all googly when he was around.
He married Sally who was a nurse, she was full of life.

Cheers,
Glenda

hello margaret. i plan to check a few places out and hoping to get a photo of spooks old place for him. turns out we occupied houses only a stones throw from each other but possibly at different times as i was there 65-68 and again 72-75. we will be in moresby for the first 4 days then the last 2 days of our three week trip. you may prefer to keep this forum as memories journal but i am happy to attempt to update anyones curiosity and i have a long list of old haunts i will try and visit.
cheers

hello glenda. im not sure if she was the same teacher that left such an impression on you but she was a thin,tanned lady probably in her fifities. she used to have her hair in a bit of a wispy beehive/bun and was a bit scary but not as scary as some of those nuns. ill let you know how it goes as i have always wanted to return but circumstances such as work/kids/life etc have prevented it until now. i also had hesitations about corrupting my childhood memories with an adult perspective if you know what i mean.
cheers

hello glenda. im not sure if she was the same teacher that left such an impression on you but she was a thin,tanned lady probably in her fifities. she used to have her hair in a bit of a wispy beehive/bun and was a bit scary but not as scary as some of those nuns. ill let you know how it goes as i have always wanted to return but circumstances such as work/kids/life etc have prevented it until now. i also had hesitations about corrupting my childhood memories with an adult perspective if you know what i mean.
cheersHi paul,
Mrs Graham was about 50 (I think) but quite tall with black hair that was piled up into a bun I would imagine she was quite thin (I was very thin so most people never looked thin to me) and did have a tan. It is really had to describe a teacher as it always comes from a childs perspective and they all seemed tall and big.
I was reading one of the threads on this forum that said Boroko is a no go zone, a far difference from what it was like for me living in Tabari Place everyone shopped in Boroko and it was quite a social hub. There were often riots on a Saturday night, but on Most Saturday nights I was at Koitaki so it didn't really have a great impact. So probably for me if I go I really want to see Boroko, Koitaki, Rouna Falls/ Woodie's pub, my schools and to find out what happend to the 4 mile club, Koki markets. I found the thread about the drive in, it was facinating to see the website. For those who haven't seen it
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~p.berrett/drivein/png.html (http://members.optusnet.com.au/%7Ep.berrett/drivein/png.html)

I do so hope you come back with a positive feeling that enhances your childhood memories. And your children have an understanding of what your childhood was like. I would like to take some of my kids if I go too, but they may not be as eager as me.

Cheers,
Glenda

glenda is that geoff snowdon with u in the photo

glenda is that geoff snowdon with u in the photoI can't remember, I think he was a friend of my brothers. I think he was about 17 or 18 I think, I just can't remember that much about him.
My brothers name is Ian, he used to drive an MG around and he had quite a few friends up there.

hi all, I remember a Jacobi (female) at PMHS, a year or two above me. We went finish in late 1968. I remember the Saturday matinee at Boroko pictures and of course salty plums & red ginger - never did like red ginger much. The phone-in to the radio station to request that special song on Sunday (I think) nights. Lexie's dress shop rings a bell. The swap shop near Boroko East. I was in the same class at PMHS as Kim Mulchay - Form 2, as it was called at the time. Someone mentioned Debbie Brooks - not sure if he is related, but I was in grade 6 with Norman Brooks at Boroko East. Like so many of you are saying, great memories & there is a feeling of not quite fitting into the Aussie society.
Robyn

Hi Robyn
I went to PMHS with a Norman Brooks from 1969 Form 2 to 1971 Form 4. He use to live out at 17 Mile. After I left POM I went to Lae then onto Madang. I met him in Madang when he worked for Wards Air Cargo. Norman was friends with 2 Ians', one a McIntosh and the other was a Wilkinson.

Hi guys,
yes, that Norman is Debbie's brother. The family lived out at 17 Mile as Titan said. You had to go over a low level crossing of the Laloki to get to the house and we used to bath in the river when we stayed there, because the water connection to the house was broken. We thought it was brilliant as kids. Norm was a bit older than me and I remember him being really kind to us kids - had a bit of a crush on him - poor Norm. I heard a few years after we went finish that he was up around Townsville somewhere, but that was a long time ago. Debbie is somewhere in Brisbane apparently, but I haven't seen her for years.
Megan

I do remember two Ian's. Has anyone heard of a book called "Territory Kids"? The input in this book was by residents of PM, memories, photos etc., much of which was before my time, or I was too young to remember, but interesting to read. Does anyone remember the Minnis twins - Stuart & Jim?
Robyn

Hi Robyn,
You are a little older than me, but we probably share many similar memories, I think I was in form 1 in 1970.
I am fascinated by the book "Territory Kids", I have just read the forward and now have to buy it.
I found this link for those who would like to buy it.
http://www.seaviewpress.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=455


I don't remember the Minnis twins. If you were in the same form as KIm Mulcahy, do you also remember her brother Shane? And the Keens, Jan was in my class and I can remember she had a brother who was into surfing. For the life of me I can't remember his name.

I am also interested if anyone knows if there was a bowling club next to or near or part of the RSL on Ela beach. I can remember going to the RSL but I also seem to have a memory of a bowling club with lots of photos of past presidents or something like that around the wall.
Thoughts of PNG have brought on a rush of memories lately.

Hi Robyn

Yes, I remember the twins, I was at POMHS when they came. I was pre warned about them. I hung around with Jim I think. One evening we walked from 3 Mile Hill were I use to live to a dance at the Golf Club. Couldn't walk that now.
I been looking at Google Earth and checking out Port Moresby. Some of the areas I still can recognise there has been so many changes.

Hi,

Jan Keen has a brother Garry Keene, blonde, now living in Townsville and another brother, who lives in Cairns, and yes there was a bowls club, near the beach my parents were bowlers and played there often, maz

Hi,

Jan Keen has a brother Garry Keene, blonde, now living in Townsville and another brother, who lives in Cairns, and yes there was a bowls club, near the beach my parents were bowlers and played there often, mazHi Maz,
Thanks so much for that. Jan was a really good friend and I can remember both brothers, now that you mentioned there were two. You haven't by any chance heard what Jan has been up to?
I am also really glad that I wasn't imagining the bowling club!
The memories are a little faded and sometimes when one comes back I wonder if it was real or am I confusing it with something else.
thanks, Glenda

Hi Glenda,

Just remembered the other Keene brother is John, (living in Cairns), no idea what Jan is up to, know Garry really well, shared a house with him and a few others years ago in Townsville, then I returned to Townsville, 1986, caught up with Garry again, also in Townsville is Chris and John Andrews, good friends of Garrys, did you know them, and Paul Coman, Garry New (all ex DCA employees), can find out from Garry what Jan is up to and let you know. Cheers Maz

Hi Maz,
Thank you so much Maz!! I remember Jan's brothers as John and Gary but they were older than Jan and I. I remember they were both very good looking, blond and cool.

I would really love to find out what Jan is doing now and would really love to get in touch with her.

I was really only a kid, Jan's Dad used to go to the....... what I thought was the aero club (but probably was the aviat) and I would go with them sometimes, Jan's Mum had had a stroke. But mostly Garry and John were doing their own thing.

It's funny what I can remember, like their house and Jan's bike getting stolen from my place, her Dad getting a new Holden Brougham, we were good friends but I can't remember what happened, if she went south before me to school.
Thanks,
Glenda

Hi Glenda,

Jans dad (also John) passed about about 2 yrs, I used to clean his house in Townsville, as he got on in age, he was very much into building model trains, and had an amazing collection. Garry is a panel-beater/spray painter in Townsville, never married never had kids, John (i think) has a few kids, will see if I can get onto Garry and find out where Jan is for you.

Cheers Maz

Hi Glenda,

Jans dad (also John) passed about about 2 yrs, I used to clean his house in Townsville, as he got on in age, he was very much into building model trains, and had an amazing collection. Garry is a panel-beater/spray painter in Townsville, never married never had kids, John (i think) has a few kids, will see if I can get onto Garry and find out where Jan is for you.

Cheers MazHi Maz,

This is so amazing, I have often thought of Jan and her family over the years.
And you know them well, just shows that it is wonderful to have access to a forum such as this. I am certainly happy that you have stayed in touch with the family after POM.
I will await the news!

I am sorry to hear that John Keen Died, I would imagine that he would have been a fair age. I remember him as rather dapper.
I also found out that Lexie Burns who had the dress shop at Turrama (not sure on the spelling) was living at Bribie Island, she also passed away recently.

Thanks,
Glenda

Hi all,
Bribie must have been a popular spot with ex-pats. Aunty Woody from Rouna Pub retired there as well but she passed away in the late 70's if my memory is correct. She was a tough old chook. I have been thinking of returning for a while now, but I'm so afraid o fit spoiling the memoriesl Someone on one of these forums was going for a visit so I'm waiting with bated breath to see what they think. My other option is to keep putting in for jobs at Cooktown - at least it's close to home.

Hi Glenda
I used to work for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning at Lexie Burns dress shop when I was 14. I think our neighbour (Margaret Erben) organised it for me. Did you get a copy of Territory Kids yet? If so, the Minnis twins' sister is mentioned in the book. I think they left Moresby after grade six. I remember when we were in grade 6 their dad lost his arm in a car accident at Ela Beach. A while back someone mentioned Mrs Herd - Home Ec teacher - I was in her class too. One of her daughters was in my class - Susan. Yes, I do remember Kim Mulchay's brother.

Hi Robyn,

You mentioned Margaret Erben, was that Nicki Erbens' mum? Remember the dress shop, used to shop there myself.

Cheers,
Maz

Does any one remember Johnny Rosser......a rubber planter,,,

Hi Maz
Yes it is Nicki & Helen Erben. Last I heard Nicki married an English man & was living over there. Helen lived in the UK for a few years, but came back to Brisbane. Margaret Erben was living at Rochedale last time I spoke to her - a few years ago now.

Does any one remember Johnny Rosser......a rubber planter,,,I read this and instantly answered, but I remember Tommy Rosser, maybe his younger brother was Johnny, can't really remember.

As for Tommy, Tommy came to visit my parents when they were visiting me in Brisbane about 22 years ago and he had been on Perfect Match!

When we were at Kotaki he was a frequent visitor there. My family knew him well and his little bother used to stay with him when he was home from school.

He would be about 57 now. His little brother would be about 50 I think.

Last I heard of Tommy, he was going to open a bush safari business in north Qld taking people on tours.

Hi all,
Bribie must have been a popular spot with ex-pats. Aunty Woody from Rouna Pub retired there as well but she passed away in the late 70's if my memory is correct. She was a tough old chook. I have been thinking of returning for a while now, but I'm so afraid o fit spoiling the memoriesl Someone on one of these forums was going for a visit so I'm waiting with bated breath to see what they think. My other option is to keep putting in for jobs at Cooktown - at least it's close to home.Hi Meg,
I have really fond memories of visiting Rouna pub and Woody. I loved the animals, at one stage she had a baby croc, but he grew up pretty quick.
On my parents 25th aniverary, we stayed there during the week and and Woody put on a wonderful night for them. I so remember having one of the motel rooms as my very own that night.
We would always call in for lunch on the way to Koitaki.
I wish she would have written a book, what amazing tales she could have told!
Cheers,
Glenda

Hi Glenda
I used to work for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning at Lexie Burns dress shop when I was 14. I think our neighbour (Margaret Erben) organised it for me. Did you get a copy of Territory Kids yet? If so, the Minnis twins' sister is mentioned in the book. I think they left Moresby after grade six. I remember when we were in grade 6 their dad lost his arm in a car accident at Ela Beach. A while back someone mentioned Mrs Herd - Home Ec teacher - I was in her class too. One of her daughters was in my class - Susan. Yes, I do remember Kim Mulchay's brother.Hi Robyn,
Lexie had the coolest shop in town, my dad put in a sound system for her. Joan Barbers Mum used to do the sewing for Lexie.
I haven't purchased the book yet, have to budget for it. I really can't remember the name 'Minnis'. But I seem to have forgotten many names.
I remember Sue herd, I always thought she was quite tough, but then again a lot of the kids in higher grades than me seemed tough.
We need more pic's posted on here, the more photos the more it will jog some memories. I don't have any more pics.
Do you remember the icy pole bikes that used to get arouind, Bill Leahy (not sure on the spelling) used to own them.

Cheers,
Glenda

Johnny worked in the sogeri area...i was there 1975/76....in the high school...often went to kCC...any further info welcome...
paud

When you mention the rouna pub are you referring to the hotel...i remember rob and Dawn Mc Gregor

When you mention the rouna pub are you referring to the hotel...i remember rob and Dawn Mc GregorMy parents were members of the Sogeri Lions Club and the Lions Club used to run raffles there at weekends to raise money to buy the ambulance for Sogeri.

Woody used to have dancing competitions there at the weekends and the kids loved the. That was the first time I heard the song "Running Bear...."

Was Dawn Rob's daughter ? Did she have long brown hair ?

These are a bit old - they date back to 1968 - 1970.

Here are a few more from 1968 - 1970

Hi Nurney_2000

I had left prior to 1975 and I can only rememeber Woody running the Rouna Hotel.
I really am not sure about Johnny Rosser only Tommy Rosser (who was a rubber man) was still going to KCC.
My family was very involved in KCC, I left to go south to school in 1972. My parents would have left about the time you were there. Dad (Des Hayward) was president of KCC for a few years.
We used to stay there on weekends in one of the donga's down the back.
I'm sorry I can't help you with any information on Johnny.

Cheers,
Glenda

MY brother has been sending through various images, things I have long forgotten, such as stock car racing behind Jacksons. He and his friend built a wonderful little red car.
He thought that they stopped the cars after someone was killed, but I did hear mention that the stock cars kept going for quite a while.

well- 1 week back after 3 weeks in png. first time back since 1974. moresby - lots of big shiny buildings and also lots of poverty and expanded settlements & plastic rubbish. ela beach was filthy. the papuan hotel and theatre are a vacant block probably waiting for a bank/insurance or mining company building to go up. lots more people around than i remembered but all mostly friendly. stayed out at goldie river for 4 days then did the kokoda track with the family and a few friends and then another week exploring oro province before coming back to boroko for a few days. it has seen better days but still felt like my old home and i was excited to see it all again as well as being sad to leave. will probably go back again although havent enjoyed the tropical ear, tropical ulcer on my leg and never want to eat red bannana/taro/kau-kau for 3 meals every day ever again.

Hi Paul,
I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your trip back to Moresby. And it is wonderful to hear you talk of things like the Papuan now sadly gone. The Manager was a friend of my Fathers, Geoff someone and I remember going to see new movies, one I remember well was Ned Kelly with Mick Jager in the lead role.
I read so much about the dangers of Port Moresby now so it is refreshing to hear you say you would go back again.
I actually feel that I would love to go and see it again, but am very apprehensive about making the trip.
What would you say gave you the biggest surprise to see.

hello glenda

if you decide to go back be prepared to accept the change and not to dwell on the past as things certainly look different from an adults perspective. my old house/yard/distance & time seemed smaller than back in the 60s &70s. the town is now approached from a highway that joins past hanabada to near the yacht club. the hubert murray stadium was new when we left but now looks a little worn. the town is disorienting due to the high rise buildings and i found it a little difficult to navigate and get my bearings. there are a lot less expats around and you tend to stand out and draw attention wherever you go but then again maybe as a kid i just wasnt aware of it. beetlenut chewing and spitting is rampant and i dont ever remember the roads and paths being stained red and littered with nut husks. i should sit down and write an extended review one day before i forget everything. as to risks i would rather be in boroko than on a train at night in sydney. people are generally friendly and curious and we didnt have any major problems but then again maybe i'm scary looking to them. my two daughters and son went around boroko without difficulty (17/18 &20yo). i did have to surrender my fishing knife when i went in the bank and when i went to collect it on leaving was interested to see the wide range of weapons my fellow customers had also handed over. i also think the guards and razor wire may be there to appease the fears of the tourists but then i remember some houses were like that back when i was a kid. ive said it before but it was still like going home despite all the changes.

Thanks so much for you info Paul. Like Glenda, I've also been a little cautious about returning, but I've always wanted to simply because it's home. I'm seriously planning a holiday for next year now. I know my mum would love to go back as she really enjoyed our years up in Moresby and my partner has heard so much that I think he just just wants to get it over with!! I was always afraid that I would be really disappointed as with everything else, things change, but as you say - be prepared for that. I think I can do that, coz it's still home to me anyway. Never really felt that Australia was home.

Regards, Megan

hi spook,
we had a stock car, it was purple and called the streaker, i loved that smell...we were there all the time in 1973 to 1975...

Hello all. My name is Geoff Snowdon. My family arrived in December '71 and left on 28 November '74 just before Independence. I started Year 2 at PoM high in '72 aged 14. Yes, I turn 50 in February. My sister, Jennifer (Jenny) turned 11 in '72; she would have started at PoM high in '74. My little sister, Peta Louise was just one year old then.

We were Army brats and lived in Murray Barracks at No 14 Sattleberg Circle. Our back door led down to a small park that contained the family pool.
Here are some memories I jotted down. It was hard at first but slowly, like a game of Ouija, 'spirits' of the past came one at a time.

Arriving
Being sprayed by the cabin staff with cans of Mortein on arrival.
Hitting a wall of humidity as we dismembarked the aircraft.
Ernie, the biggest, tallest Buka you have ever seen smiling when he met us at Jackson airport.
Sleeping for the first six months, naked, on top of the sheets with the ceiling fan on high.

People at PoM High
Bonnie Meertens who looked me up in Brisbane over ten years ago. She was married (to a Peter?) with two children, living in Perth.
Paul Sainsbury who lived next door at one stage (12 Sattleburg Circle?), his girlfriend Julie.
Peter Stephens and his sister who was a year below.
Peter Stokes and his sister (Wendy?).
Gwendolyn Veth who sat next to me one year in science. I think the science teacher was Mrs Griffiths but
I don't remember the snake. She had dark hair that she wore up (maybe in a beehive) and always dressed very smartly (like all her wages
went on clothes).
My English teacher in Year 4 was Mrs Wright, I think.
Was one of the Maths teacher a Mrs Small?
Deanne Frost, who arrived in '73, I think. She was a friend of Peter Stephens's sister.
Margaret Barclay, was it? She may have been in the year ahead.
There was a Sue who was in my English class. I think she was the school captain.
There was a Glenda too but I am pretty sure she was in the same year as me. She was quite tall and we played squash after school one term. I can 'see' that she had a girlfriend but I can't remember who she was. It may have been a red-haired girl.
Two sisters named Foot; one was Karen.
There are a whole heap more faces, some of them very good friends but I am ashamed to say that their names just won't come. I'll keep trying.

Murray Barracks
The trailer-mounted fogger (TIFA was the acronym my Dad used) that chuffed its way around the streets spreading clouds of DDT
One house boy named Harvey.
BBQs - till I was sick of them.
Watching movies at the mess on Sunday nights.
Reading books, books, books (having no TV back then was a blessing). I can remember hurriedly turning off my light at midnight or beyond when my parents arrived home.
Swimming training at the main pool.
Cpl Eddie Lachs started a social club for the kids and we held a few dances in a hall on the barracks. A lot of Neil Diamond was played.
Getting myself kicked out of a birthday party for bringing (and playing) a Frank Zappa album that used the "f' word repeatedly.

Around POM
Dad's 27 ft motorised catamaran, "Wanem". BBQs on the front deck at Local Island with other boats tied up alongside.
Papua Yacht Club: sailing Corsairs on the harbour with Maj Brian Doyle; A Paper Tiger pitch-poling in a blow; Brian Doyle and I gybing a 32' polynesian cat to its mooring in a 'Goober'.
That yellow tinge the sky took on most afternoons in the wet season just before the deluge that stopped just as quickly as it started.
The fire sale at Steam Ships where my Mum was employed as their telephone receptionist.
Betel nut splashed over the footpath.
Catching a boy truck back to Murray Barracks.

Thanks for the opportunity to dig these memories out, Margaret.

I wondered what other people who lived in Moresby in the late 60's and early 70's remember about it.

I remember the day Steamies in town got all the flavoured ice creams (I think there was about 20 flavours - it was a magic day for us kids)

I remember the "Show day" near the Uni in around 1968 when the showbags were "Real" sample bags, they actually had samples of matches would you believe !!!

I remember going to the drive-in every weekend - you didnt even care what was on - you just went every week. I remember that at the drive-in on your birthday your name was called out and you got some free lollies - not just a packet, but a drink, potato chips and many packets of lollies. We had a cyclone on my sisters birthday one year and still we went - there was two cars there, and they showed the movie (and she got her free lollies). I also remember when they built the picture theatre at Boroko near the entrance to the drive in. I remember "check your dockets" when you went to the drive in and had dinner there. (It was not the "greasy take aways" you get at drive in's now, but great meals).

I remember the songs of the time - (I always think of Moresby when I hear them)
"Is this the way to Armarillo" - Tony Christie.
"Raindrops keep falling on my head" - Johnny Farnham
"Green green grass of home" - Tom Jones

Lets hear what YOU remember ?

Margaret

hello geoff.
funny enough "the snowdons" came up on two occasions recently, one with spook who recalled you guys and one with my family at christmas as we were reminiscing over new guinea after our recent trip back. i cant remember you but the name rang a bell as did casey/dermanns/stanford/shepherds/ cross/curry/roylance/doyle/ray stevenson/knights etc.
i think my dad said your father had something to do with the workshops across wards road if my memory is ok. ive got photoes of the old fogger in action.
recently tried to walk through that back paddock but its all overgrown. were you guys the ones who used to ride that old motorbike around the paddock or was it the shepherds? someone also owned a white boxer/bulldog (?archie) that used to chase people up that lane to the paddock. we lived at 24 sattleburg circle 72/73/74 and at wau st in ?66/67/68.
cheers

I too remember being sprayed in the aeroplane. I was dressed in a pure polyester pink dress that stuck to me when I got out of the plane. We came from Melbourne and yes it was hot hot hot. My sister had a broken leg and when we arrived at our house it had 125 steps straight up, my dad had to carry my 13yr old sister, who was very tall, all the way up. We often ate at dunkos diner on the right i think on the way to the drive in. There was a little coffee shop in boroko with a yellow picture of a foot on the window where we ate toasted cheese sandwiches. I recall the arrival of princess anne and captain mark phillips, there was a huge to do at an arena. I remember independance day, watching the planes fly over. I rememeber a little car called a FART - an acronym for something I have forgotten. Being in the girl guides and supervising the cubs on their camp. Babysitting often even though I was only 11. Spending many weekends on islands, getting there by someones catarman, sailing with matthew connor for the first time. Our dog humphrey falling off the boat and under the motor while we all waited to see if he was dead or alive, he was alive and dad jumping in the ocean to save him, then having to jump back in because his smokes fell out of his pocket and were floating away (they were in a waterproof packet). Steak Diane at the Yacht Club. Dad's boat - rat fink, speeding over the waves sitting on the front of it, squealing with joy. The beautiful fish we saw when we stopped in the middle of the ocean. Climbing that many coconut trees I became almost professional at it. Finding a phone box behind the shop that rang tasmania (our grandparents) for free! Spending an enormous amount of time at the speedway with our purple stockcar the streaker which mum painted a picture of a naked woman on the roof of. Spending time with lefty, john and nadia o'connor and their kids. Walking home literally through the family pool as it was so hot and by the time we got home we were dry again. Watching all my friends leave on the arcadia. Adult parties that lasted for days while us kids just amused ourselves. Playing spin the bottle near a gas tank at the sargeants mess on a friday night and being caught by an MP, we all ran for our lives. Sweet potato chips at the university show day. Kokoda trail and the motel attached to it. Being scared to death by the mud men. Having to leave our dog there with our houseboy Gillian. A lot of fun.

Hey Glenda,
not sure about John but the other Auchettl kids went to Coronation Primary A. I remember John played drums in a band called the 'something Custards' so to a 12-13 year old he was pretty cool. Couple of good friends went to Boroko East though, Debbie Brooks was probably in your year and Melody Musicka would have been in the year after you. Was the swap shop that you went to the one at Taurama? My mum and I actually met up with the lady who used to run that shop around the end of the '70's in Sydney. There does seem to be a lot of expats in Brisbane. A friend went to a reunion up here probably about 10 or more years ago now and she said there were heaps of people there - maybe we're all gravitating back slowly. I would love to go back, I'm just afraid I'll be disappointed though, but I think I'll do it one just for the hell of it. I never fitted back in well either, but I'm kind of cool about being different now - just pass it off as eccentricity now I'm hitting the big half century soon.
Cheers,
Megan
PS. Remembered the band's name - it was the 'Copper Custards'I came across your post on google search and gee you bring back my band stalking/groupie years:love: , how pathetic am I:'( , but great memories so I had to post this:) .

I remember John Auchettl, yep! he was drop dead cool(:p) and right into space science stuff he used to hang out with Tex Stephens (also very cool), but the band were the only heavy rock band in PNG, great sound, just great(Y) , played at the PM High School alot, army barracks, around the clubs and on the ABC radio. I remember them mostly at the Germaniam Club (spelling?) out at wards strip/drivein way, with all my band stalking girl friends.

They played great stuff - CCR, Led zeppelin, Black sabbath and Deep purple, lots of stuff very cool band. That name you gave was their original name back when they got started in grade 6 at coronation primary around 1967? From what I can remember but they changed that to "Survival" around 1969/70??

They were just 12 year old kids... with a big sound, very cool.

I can only remember three members of the final band setup - John Auchettl, Chris Roach and Robert(?) Bruce. Chris was Greg Roachs (both drove gocarts at wards) brother Mark the younger brother, Chris left PMHS at form 4, Auchettl and Bruce went on to 6 form. Other band members from what I remember are Brett Homan, his father owned the music shop 'Keynote' and a guitarist called Goudy Dardy (spelling?) he was a local and older I think he was in the original formation of the band with Auchettl & Roach and worked in government printing at konedobu.

Still a groupie as I said how pathetic am I, and at my age.:'(

Hi Geoff Snowdon,

You jogged a memory for me, I can remember playing squash I think on Friday afternoons. If I remember right we had all sorts of sports on a friday afternoon at school, it was kind of elective. I think there was also table tennis that one could play. My friend then was Sharon Boyce and I think she also played squash.
I will be fifty in May, boy did that come up fast! I have had so many memories come flooding back since I joined this forum, but many are quite hazy and I just wish they were clearer.

Glenda
Have you managed to get a copy of Territory Kids? If so, did you enjoy reading it & silly question but, could you relate to most of the memories?

Hi Robyn,
You are going to think I am awful. I don't have it yet but you have prompted me and reminded me. So I will get this book ordered finally, I just plain forgot as I am reading a huge pile of books on a particular subject at the moment. I am sure this book would be a welcome diversion and I hope a nice little stroll down memory lane!

Namaste,
Glenda

I think I am going to go to the PNG reunion at the Gold Coast on the 21st June, I am a little worried that I will turn up there and not know anyone and sit like the proverbial stale bottle on my own.

Has anyone been to one before?

http://www.pngreunion.com/png-reunion/papua-new-guinea-reunion.php

I came across your post on google search and gee you bring back my band stalking/groupie years:love: , how pathetic am I:'( , but great memories so I had to post this:) .

I remember John Auchettl, yep! he was drop dead cool(:p) and right into space science stuff he used to hang out with Tex Stephens (also very cool), but the band were the only heavy rock band in PNG, great sound, just great(Y) , played at the PM High School alot, army barracks, around the clubs and on the ABC radio. I remember them mostly at the Germaniam Club (spelling?) out at wards strip/drivein way, with all my band stalking girl friends.

They played great stuff - CCR, Led zeppelin, Black sabbath and Deep purple, lots of stuff very cool band. That name you gave was their original name back when they got started in grade 6 at coronation primary around 1967? From what I can remember but they changed that to "Survival" around 1969/70??

They were just 12 year old kids... with a big sound, very cool.

I can only remember three members of the final band setup - John Auchettl, Chris Roach and Robert(?) Bruce. Chris was Greg Roachs (both drove gocarts at wards) brother Mark the younger brother, Chris left PMHS at form 4, Auchettl and Bruce went on to 6 form. Other band members from what I remember are Brett Homan, his father owned the music shop 'Keynote' and a guitarist called Goudy Dardy (spelling?) he was a local and older I think he was in the original formation of the band with Auchettl & Roach and worked in government printing at konedobu.

Still a groupie as I said how pathetic am I, and at my age.:'(
Hey Annette,
I sort of recall that there was a name change, but I knew John because I was friends with his younger sister Dianne and John had his drums set up in the loungeroom of their home - they were probably an old set because I remember they had the copper custards name on them. I was at Coronation and then POM High with Dianne and Marc Roach was in my class too.
John is obviously still into the space science stuff - he's the director of PRA - phenomena research australia - which is about ufo studies. I'm still in touch with Dianne as she is up here is Qld also. My memories of John apart from him being truly cool, are getting lifts to school in his little black and blue Anglia (I think) and being able to see the road underneath your feet while you were driving coz the floor had rusted out. Fun memories.
Cheers, Megan

Hey Annette,
I sort of recall that there was a name change, but I knew John because I was friends with his younger sister Dianne and John had his drums set up in the loungeroom of their home - they were probably an old set because I remember they had the copper custards name on them. I was at Coronation and then POM High with Dianne and Marc Roach was in my class too.
John is obviously still into the space science stuff - he's the director of PRA - phenomena research australia - which is about ufo studies. I'm still in touch with Dianne as she is up here is Qld also. My memories of John apart from him being truly cool, are getting lifts to school in his little black and blue Anglia (I think) and being able to see the road underneath your feet while you were driving coz the floor had rusted out. Fun memories.
Cheers, Megan
Thanks for that memory; I had forgotten about the car. I remember he did take the blue Ford to HS and parked it right in front of the English Teachers (Morrison) class on the ground floor in the new brick block near the canteen and teachers room. At lunch, I remember once they would drive in very fast, brake heavily in the soft soil and fill the class with dust, and then they would be set off the see the head master. Yes I did get a few rides in the blue Ford, I don’t remember the holes in the floor, but they had a wood T shift knob on the gear stick. They drove me home a few times from dances, and drove the Ford flat out down 4 mile. I also remember at time he drove a green Datsun. I remember Chris Roach had a VW Combe and Robert Bruce a Plain VW.

I don’t remember Dianne, but he had a brother called Brian. Another friend was Roger McCook who had a brother called Bruce. Both went to PMHS, Roger went on to 6 form and I think Bruce went to boarding school???? Rogers’s father was a chief pilot with Telair, that is how I remember that. Also I think John went out with a girl called Debbie Brown, I remember that she had a brother called Simon, they lived very close to us, that is how I got a lift home to Airvos Av. Her mother worked also for Telair at some stage. Also Chris Roach lived in the same street before they moved to 7 mile.

Thanks for the other information about Auchettl, my husband (not a PNG kid) has met him a few times, as he worked in the aviation business like my hubby. But that was back in the late 1980s. But I am not in touch with anyone these days.

They all went to the 2005 Port Moresby High School
http://www.geocities.com/moresbyhigh2005/

List of names
http://www.geocities.com/moresbyhigh2005/Registered.htm

Some Old Images
http://www.geocities.com/moresbyhigh2005/Photos.htm

Auchettls, Roach, Brown, McCook etc name is in the list. I never went. May be next time?

Thanks for that memory; I had forgotten about the car. I remember he did take the blue Ford to HS and parked it right in front of the English Teachers (Morrison) class on the ground floor in the new brick block near the canteen and teachers room. At lunch, I remember once they would drive in very fast, brake heavily in the soft soil and fill the class with dust, and then they would be set off the see the head master. Yes I did get a few rides in the blue Ford, I don’t remember the holes in the floor, but they had a wood T shift knob on the gear stick. They drove me home a few times from dances, and drove the Ford flat out down 4 mile. I also remember at time he drove a green Datsun. I remember Chris Roach had a VW Combe and Robert Bruce a Plain VW.

I don’t remember Dianne, but he had a brother called Brian. Another friend was Roger McCook who had a brother called Bruce. Both went to PMHS, Roger went on to 6 form and I think Bruce went to boarding school???? Rogers’s father was a chief pilot with Telair, that is how I remember that. Also I think John went out with a girl called Debbie Brown, I remember that she had a brother called Simon, they lived very close to us, that is how I got a lift home to Airvos Av. Her mother worked also for Telair at some stage. Also Chris Roach lived in the same street before they moved to 7 mile.

Thanks for the other information about Auchettl, my husband (not a PNG kid) has met him a few times, as he worked in the aviation business like my hubby. But that was back in the late 1980s. But I am not in touch with anyone these days.
Hi Annette, some of those names ring bells. When you say you remember Roger McCook coz his dad was a Talair pilot, does that mean your dad was in aviation too? My dad worked for TAA and then Air Niugini for a bit. He was groundcrew. Lots of the TAA mob lived in the Airvos Ave flats so was just wondering. You must be a couple of years older than me and that would probably be why you don't remember Dianne. I think we were in 1st form when John was in either 5th or 6th.
Cheers Megan

Hi Annette, some of those names ring bells. When you say you remember Roger McCook coz his dad was a Talair pilot, does that mean your dad was in aviation too? My dad worked for TAA and then Air Niugini for a bit. He was groundcrew. Lots of the TAA mob lived in the Airvos Ave flats so was just wondering. You must be a couple of years older than me and that would probably be why you don't remember Dianne. I think we were in 1st form when John was in either 5th or 6th.
Cheers Megan
Hi Megan,

Dad was with DCA (An X WWII RAAF) mum worked down at the club just below Airvos Av. That is how I remember Brett Homman, his father worked for DCA, then he went and started the Music Shop Keynote in Turumu St, Boroko, behind BPs... I think???

I am a year ahead of John Auchettl, but left around 5th form.

I think the Auchettls lived in Angau Drive, it was close to the High School.
I would also see them up at the Boroko RSL on movie nights (Sunday) with Mom & Dad when it was on or when we could get there.

Hi Megan,

Dad was with DCA (An X WWII RAAF) mum worked down at the club just below Airvos Av. That is how I remember Brett Homman, his father worked for DCA, then he went and started the Music Shop Keynote in Turumu St, Boroko, behind BPs... I think???

I am a year ahead of John Auchettl, but left around 5th form.

I think the Auchettls lived in Angau Drive, it was close to the High School.
I would also see them up at the Boroko RSL on movie nights (Sunday) with Mom & Dad when it was on or when we could get there.
Hi Annette,
My dad was ex RAAF too, he was stationed in Moresby for a bit during the war, returned in the fifties for a few years working for Helicopter Utilities and then we all went back in the sixties when he was with TAA and Air Niugini.
One of my best friends Dad worked for DCA too, don't know if you would remember her, their name was Hardaker and they were from Albany/Perth. There were three kids in the family, Kelvin who was probably born around '57, Robyn who was my age (about '59) and a little brother whose name I really can't remember. They were only in Moresby for a couple of years and then went to Rabaul before going finish. I lost touch with her years ago, but have often wondered how/where she is.
Yeah, the Auchettl's lived just off Angau, can't remember the name of the road now, we lived just off Angau too, right down near the RSL, which is why I got lifts to school with Di.
Am seriously thinking of taking a trip back in the next year or so. My Dad passed away in late 2006, but Mum is living with me now and has fond memories of our years up there and I think she might enjoy it too. She's getting on, but is pretty fit and healthy for her age, so it might be a bit of fun to have a look around at all the old places - will just have to be prepared for the changes though.
Cheers,
Megan

Hi, My name is Steve Munro. I was born in Rabaul. Dad was at Malaguna Tech and Mum was with Burns Phillip. We then lived in Lae and Madang. I joined the RAN and became a Clearance Diver getting back to New Guinea to clear WW11 ordinance also demolished the old German wharf. I am very keen to comunicate with someone from Kokopo to get a perspective of life in New Britain today. Some time ago I came across a News letter someone was publishing out of Kokopo but I lost the information.
I would appreciate any information anyone can send.

How wondeful to read all these wondeful memories of PNG in the late 60s and early 70s.

My family, the Bostocks, lived there from 1963 till 1975. I went to St Josephs and we lived in Six Mile and Boroko.

I too remember the drive in and the special birthday ackowledgements, and I remember playing down under the screen with all the other kids.

I also remember the cinema. I remember Arthur's Pies in Boroko, does anyone else remember them being as good as I do.

I remember the good times at the clubs around town. I even remember the riot at the football which someone mentions in the forum. My Dad was manager of the Magani Badili club and I was a ballboy on the day mentioned.

I remember the sing sings, the Koki Markets, the salty plums, the red ginger, Ela Beach, and our lovely houseboy, Joseph.

I remember the great parties we used to have.

I most remember the day we left. To this day I still call PNG my home and I miss it so much and wish I could just go back there and live.

Anyone who remembers me or any of my family, please email me at jimi@108.net.au (i was commonly known as Jamie Bostock then). I would love to hear from you

Wow. Paul, I remember Miss Healy at St Josephs. I think she was my first crush and she wore short dresses.

Sorry to bombard the forum. I had forgotten about the stock car races. They were great fun. I remember motor bike racing as well. One of mys sisters was friends with one of the bike riders who was killed and I remember hos funeral procession being what seemed like a hundred bikes. I even think his family lived next to us in Boroko.

Talking about that, does anyone remember the Kingstons who lived in Boroko. Charmaine Kingston was my first love. It would be a hoot to hear where she ended up.

Hi Glenda

I think the girl you are talking about was my sister Debiie Bostock. Maybe I am getting the years mixed up. She was 14 when she died and I still remember it like it was yesterday/

Someone also mentioned Dr Jacobi - he came to our house the night Debiie died. I think he lived near us. I remeber going to his surgery when I was sick.

[QUOTE=Glenda]Hi Jaycee,
I'm pretty sure I was in form 1 in 1970. I can remember that year one of the girls commited suicide, that had a huge impact on the whole school.

Wow Meg

You made me cry, how you remembered that it was one of the Bostock girls (my sisters)

It was Debbie and as far as I know, she did not mean to commit suicide but got drunk and chocked on her oown vomit. Boy I remember the night so well and I am still so sad.

Keep posting, the memories are amazing

Hey Glenda,
you must have been a couple of years ahead of me, I remember Dr Jacobi's - you would have been really central living there. You brought back some memories though about the the suicide. If my memory is correct, it was one of the Bostock girls. She was older than me, but I knew them, not very well, through other people. It was the first time I'd heard of anyone killing themselves and it really made an impression - still sad after all these years.
Did Bruce Sparks have a younger brother - this is a laugh, but my first kiss was at a party at the Hardacres near Coronation Primary A while playing spin the bottle and it was from a boy called Sparks but I can't remember his first name - obviously left an impression. I live down south of Brisbane now and I go to Sunnybank regularly to buy my salty plums and red ginger. Was it you who was talking about someone seeing a UFO while drunk? A friend of mine at primary and high school has an older brother who did all his schooling in Moresby and he is now something of ane expert in UFO stuff, John Auchettl. It's good to talk about the old stuff, I still miss it and Moresby.
Megan

i do remember ann and kim mulcay , ann was in some of my class ,bruce spark use to go out with kim back then .they were there till end of form 4.cant recall titch nor uki. mrs griffith was my scicence teacher and she had a phyton in the scicence lab.i m sitting here trying to write this and can see all this faces but cant put names ,how frustrating is that . ithink i know who you are. do you know royan he was the shortest boy in class,we where in the same english. mrs davis was our english teacher. she had anervous break down,poor thing she couldnt handle the stress.do you know gary. cant remember his name, yes its all comming back to me now. joan. sharon and glenda .cheers Yes it was Sharon Boyce, when I went down south to school we lost touch and I will be forever sad about that. I stayed at Joans a lot, her Mum was the dressmaker at Lexie's dress shop, it had all the really cool stuff.
My Dad used to do the movies at the 4 mile. The name Bruce Spark really rings a bell, and I wish I could remember but it will come to me though, lots of stuff is coming back reading this forum. I left in 72 to go to south to school.
Do you remember Anne Mulcay? I met up with her Brother on a bus one day and it turned out that she lived around the corner from me. We stayed in touch till we were in out mid 20's. Her Sister Kim was older and well known at POM.
Do you remember a boy we used to call titch, everyone really liked him. I can remember him getting really drunk at one of the school dances and we were all trying to sober him up.
I'm pretty sure I was in form 1 in 1970. I can remember that year one of the girls commited suicide, that had a huge impact on the whole school.
Form one math teacher used to comb his hair a lot and I did get kicked out of his class a couple of times because I had a pretty bad attitude at times.
I remember one of the boys in form 1, his Mother died and I often thought how dificult that must have been for him.
Mrs Herd was the home ec teacher, I really enjoyed that class. There was also a new teacher who drove a pale blue ford capri, can't remember what he taught though.
I can remember a boy called Uki who was often at the 4 mile, he had a dragster bike.
Do you remember the fish and chips at the place out on the road to the drive in, the guy who owned it drove a green sports car.
There are so many memories, and I wish I had some school photos so I could place people.
cheers, Glenda[/QUOTE] Hi Glenda, I can't be entirely sure but I think I have a photo of Bruce Spark. WAs going through albums on Thursay and could NOT remember this guys name but after seeing it mentioned I am sure it is him. We were in the same class in form 2 i beleive.
Regards Debbie (nee Thorpe)

hello glenda,margaret and others. loved the photoes. i was a bit younger (mrs grahams yr 5 in 1974) so have not so many social memories or memories of friends as we left after that. i remember the koitaki pool but not as clean as in your pictures. it seemed like green soup the few times we went there.i am going back for the first time in 4 weeks and taking my family for 3 weeks so should be good to see the place again. its been great to read this forum since i found it while doing some research in preparation. i also cant get my wife or kids to like ginger or salty plums and i always have a supply and have some occasionally-even have ginger in my laptop bag at work.
cheers. Hi Paul, I have been trying to work out the years in my head and thanks to a class photo that Yvette Brewis posted in another site I know I was in Yr 1 in 1973, which means you would have been year 3 and the same age as my sister Mindy. Not many Mindys around so if the name rings any bells let me know.
Regards Debbie (nee Thorpe)

I too remember being sprayed in the aeroplane. I was dressed in a pure polyester pink dress that stuck to me when I got out of the plane. We came from Melbourne and yes it was hot hot hot. My sister had a broken leg and when we arrived at our house it had 125 steps straight up, my dad had to carry my 13yr old sister, who was very tall, all the way up. We often ate at dunkos diner on the right i think on the way to the drive in. There was a little coffee shop in boroko with a yellow picture of a foot on the window where we ate toasted cheese sandwiches. I recall the arrival of princess anne and captain mark phillips, there was a huge to do at an arena. I remember independance day, watching the planes fly over. I rememeber a little car called a FART - an acronym for something I have forgotten. Being in the girl guides and supervising the cubs on their camp. Babysitting often even though I was only 11. Spending many weekends on islands, getting there by someones catarman, sailing with matthew connor for the first time. Our dog humphrey falling off the boat and under the motor while we all waited to see if he was dead or alive, he was alive and dad jumping in the ocean to save him, then having to jump back in because his smokes fell out of his pocket and were floating away (they were in a waterproof packet). Steak Diane at the Yacht Club. Dad's boat - rat fink, speeding over the waves sitting on the front of it, squealing with joy. The beautiful fish we saw when we stopped in the middle of the ocean. Climbing that many coconut trees I became almost professional at it. Finding a phone box behind the shop that rang tasmania (our grandparents) for free! Spending an enormous amount of time at the speedway with our purple stockcar the streaker which mum painted a picture of a naked woman on the roof of. Spending time with lefty, john and nadia o'connor and their kids. Walking home literally through the family pool as it was so hot and by the time we got home we were dry again. Watching all my friends leave on the arcadia. Adult parties that lasted for days while us kids just amused ourselves. Playing spin the bottle near a gas tank at the sargeants mess on a friday night and being caught by an MP, we all ran for our lives. Sweet potato chips at the university show day. Kokoda trail and the motel attached to it. Being scared to death by the mud men. Having to leave our dog there with our houseboy Gillian. A lot of fun. Hi cbatchelor, I wasn't going to post anything until reading it all but i MUST ask .. these steps you speak of? Where exactly was that? I too remember mountains of steps as a 3 yr old and my dad was in the ARMY until 1963. Does it have something to do with that as I don't remember much about Murray Barracks but was born whilst he was still serving?
Regards Debbie (nee Thorpe)

mindy may have been in the same year as my brother carl. ill ask him next time i see him and let you know. cheers paul ekman

Hi Glenda, I can't be entirely sure but I think I have a photo of Bruce Spark. WAs going through albums on Thursay and could NOT remember this guys name but after seeing it mentioned I am sure it is him. We were in the same class in form 2 i beleive.
Regards Debbie (nee Thorpe)[/QUOTE]Hi Debbie,
I really want to see a class photo, so I can remember people. Some memories just pop back which is great and some are are so cloudy that it's frustrating, it's sort like remembering an old movie, you and remember it but are trying to remember the names of the actors. I am soon to be 50 so probably anyone around my age would have been in the same grade as me, I think I was in form on in 1970. I do think I remmber your name though.

Glenda

Hi Glenda, I can't be entirely sure but I think I have a photo of Bruce Spark. WAs going through albums on Thursay and could NOT remember this guys name but after seeing it mentioned I am sure it is him. We were in the same class in form 2 i beleive.
Regards Debbie (nee Thorpe)Hi Debbie,
I really want to see a class photo, so I can remember people. Some memories just pop back which is great and some are are so cloudy that it's frustrating, it's sort like remembering an old movie, you and remember it but are trying to remember the names of the actors. I am soon to be 50 so probably anyone around my age would have been in the same grade as me, I think I was in form on in 1970. I do think I remmber your name though.

Glenda[/QUOTE]Hi Glenda, this photo is actually an individual photo not a class one. The name sparky rings bells, but if the Bruce Sparks you speak of was in your class then it may actually be this "sparkys" older brother. My name might ring a bell but it is actually Mindy Thorpe my sister who would have been your age. She turns 50 in July and im 48 in June. If you look at the photos posted by Yvette Brewis, Im the one 2nd left front row. Our dad ran the Skyline Drive In from at least 1963 to 1973. I beleive we left PM in 1974

I loved in Moresby in "67 & '68 and was in Form One and Two. They were some of the best years of my life. My mother taught at St Josephs and my sisters went there. We lived next to the Cathedral. I chopped down a banana tree one day and cut off the archbishops phone line - they said he was on the phone to the Vatican at the time!! I never lived it down. I remember Brenton Michael, Sue Purivs, and Teena Mottershead. Was anyone in my class?

Hi MarkRu
I went to PMHS in Form 1 & 2 in 1967 & '68. I know the name Tina Mottershead, but can't picture her at all.

Hi MarkRu
I went to PMHS in Form 1 & 2 in 1967 & '68. I know the name Tina Mottershead, but can't picture her at all.
She had long black hair, was quite small and was very pretty. Her best friend was Sue (Purvis I think). They worked during the holidays in Burns Philps I think.

Tina Mottershead - her father managed Burns Philp. She was in form 6 PMHS in 1972, her good friend was Margaret Kimmorley. Think Sue Hird was also in that year, and Greg Roach was a year ahead. The Roach family owned the funeral parlour.

I also remember Debbie's death and the funeral - as I represented the school at the cemetery.
It was sad, didn't know Jamie, but knew Neil quite well - he was a representative swimmer and a couple of years older than me. Neil wore some nasty face injuries for a while as a rock came through his windscreen in one of the more anti-social periods of Port Moresby.