Brisbane, QLD


Sunday, October 5, 2014

WILL THE BOAT FLOAT?

During the 60's I was teaching in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. By 1967 I had completed my compulsory three years but I had made many friends and I loved my job so I returned to live there some more. I had a boyfriend too which helped me decide to return.
I taught in Pt Moresby at Korobosea Primary 'A' School. That means a school teaching the Australian Curriculum for expatriate children mostly from Australia but some from Europe and some local children too.
 I taught Grade 3 most of the time and I enjoyed that age group because they were developing independence but were not too old to be cheeky. They wore nice dresses for photo day. There are two children in this old photo who have recently found me on Facebook. Social media can be quite amazing.

The building in the background was the medical college behind the hospital (I think)

Time to return to the classroom for lessons. The buildings were built high off the ground to help keep them cool. No air-conditioning in those days just louvred windows and fans. The children ate their lunch under the buildings in the shade.

 Besides work there was play. My boyfriend at the time J, and his friend, F, spent weekends building a boat. J, on the right was very proud of his effort but on this day it was going to be put in the water for the first time.
  I wondered, "Would the boat float?" I wasn't popular for having doubts. It was early morning so J could get the boat transported by road without traffic hassles. 

 The boys managed to get the boat onto the truck which took the boat to Ela Beach from Boroko.

 The moment of truth, the launching.


All seemed good so now it was time to add the outboard motor.

It did float and we had some fun trips in the boat. We went fishing in it too. I was amazed at how easy it was to catch fish in the tropics. I hung my line over the edge of the boat and you could see through the crystal clear sea and watch the fish come and feed off the hooks. You could see when to give the line a tug and hook the fish. One after the other we landed into the boat. There was hardly any waiting for a bite. We had some great fish dinners on these days. However, I was not mad keen on boating or fishing it is okay now and then but I find it a bit boring.


1967 went fairly quickly. I had a fabulous trip around New Guinea mentioned in earlier posts, and I had enjoyed  going out with friends but it was always exciting at the end of the year when it was time to fly back home to Sydney (at the governments expense) and spend Christmas with my family. The photo above is the road to Jacksons Airstrip with its tiny terminal.

 We only have a small family. Mum, Dad, my brother, David, his wife Ann and children, Liz, David and Michael. David and family were also on leave from TPNG.

 It wasn't often that we were on leave together so this is a rare photo of the four of us. (Now I am the only one left)

David and his family. Ann lives in London. David Jnr lives in Wodonga, Victoria, Liz lives in the Cotswolds in England and Michael lives on St Lucia Island in the West Indies. Ann had her 80th birthday this year. That was a sad story and post.

My mum could cook the best Christmas dinner, English style.

31 comments:

  1. I feel there was a lot of the personal and emotion in this really good post. To lighten the moment, what was your hairstyle called?

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  2. Diane, your photos are so beautiful and precious. all the memories coming back. I know it is silly but it makes me sad, but this is life it continues for a while and then it peters out and a new generation follows, like little Banjo and his brother.

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  3. I'm glad the boat floated and you're here to tell your entertaining tale. I've always enjoyed boats but share your feelings about fishing.

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  4. that is a really nice boat, and what a great job they did building it... i love the old black and white photos...

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  5. Your memories are wonderful. Unfortunately time flies so quickly. I love your posts.

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  6. I always enjoy reading about your life in PNG. And the B&W family photos are precious. Interesting and emotional post too.

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  7. Hi Diane, I love seeing the school children. Neat photos. Your family photos are wonderful too, It is nice that everyone was together during the holidays..Happy Sunday!

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  8. such sweet family photos. and bittersweet memories, i am certain.

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  9. Will the boat float? You make me laugh. Of course it floated. And what a beautiful boat it was to be sure. A fine job. I love your posts Diane...they are always so good.

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  10. That sounded a bit sad, "I am the only one left". You always have had a family spread all over the world it seems, even your daughter and grandchildren are now living far away. Well things go as they go. The pictures of the boat are funny, clever he could make one that floated.

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  11. Oh I remember all the wonderful Christmas lunches we had at my nan's house she did a large cooked lunch with all the trimmings it was great thanks for bring that memory to mind for me.

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  12. Diane!!! Oh ye of little faith in the amateur boat builders, you are lucky you were invited on board.
    It sure was great to get home for Christmas and FREE plus 1st class - decent fresh food - nothing like
    the culinary ability of Mothers in those days.
    Interesting to note the road to Jackson's Airport - no potholes in those days!!!!
    Great report of those days in PNG.
    Cheers
    Colin

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  13. Your family Christmas Dinner brings back memories of my mum's Christmas dinners, good times. The boat looked very nice, I didn't like to fish either but went along with my dad sometimes. Loved all the old photos Diane.

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  14. Ahhhh---I love seeing all of the old pictures, Diane. I am the only one left my my family also...Gets rather lonely at times thinking of my parents and my two brothers. Christmas Dinners at our home were special also... Ahhhh--the memories! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. Lovely memories,and good to have a family photo...

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  16. I so enjoy your journeys back in time and those class photos - I bet you could compare them to any photos anywhere in the world and all kids would be the same! I agree with fishing - boring but I love being on the water. I'm quite impressed by the boat they built! Your family photos are so fun.

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  17. Happy family photos are a treasure to have, but sometimes I find it hard to look at them for missing the people and the times. But, life goes on and every age has its blessings.
    They built the boat? was my first reaction to the boat photo. Wow, it certainly does not look homemade!

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  18. I hope this post didn't make you too sad as it was a fun one to read. I totally agree that fishing is boring. :) How exciting that two of your former pupils found you on Facebook!

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  19. Oh what a lovely reminiscence! Love the photos of the kids in your class. And the boat! How neat that the two guys built it themselves. (Love J's white socks! Oh, the 60s! :-) ) I enjoyed seeing the photos of you and your family, but it was so sad about your SIL Ann becoming so ill on her 80th birthday! That was a sad post....but I did love the pig sculptures. They were wonderful!

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  20. I enjoyed reading about your memories of boating and fishing. How wonderful that some of the children from your class remembered you and found you on FB! You must've really made an impression on them. Great memories; thank you for sharing them!

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  21. What wonderful memories ! Your parents really had a hard life at the beginning, but it was worthwhile !

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  22. As always I love your stories. So full of fun and interest.

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  23. I enjoy these stories, and the old photos you share. So nostalgic to remember those happy times though many of the people are now gone.

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  24. It is so interesting reading about your early life and what an adventurous one it was.

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  25. I enjoyed the story about the boat, but the photos of you and your family were fun to see. Ot is sad that you are the only one left go share these memories. Thank you, adiane.

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  26. I've nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Details here: http://ballau.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/surprise-lovely-blog-award.html
    Cheers, Jill

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  27. I love your family memories! In our high tech, fast paced world of today, how many of us take the time to honor or even think about where we have been and who helped us to become who we are today.

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  28. I remember you well, you were a fantastic teacher and full of encouragement. I have the same photo from the class at Korobosea. Joanna

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the compliment. It is wonderful to know that I made a life long impression. Joanna I'm sad to say that I can't remember you. Which one are you in the photo?

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  29. I'm the blonde girl standing next to you.

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