A BLAST FROM THE PAST

In 1963 at the ripe old age of 21, I went to TPNG (Territory of Papua New Guinea) to teach there. I joined the Judo Club and made some friends. A few years ago one of the fellows, Charles, started to try and find members of the club in Australia. (Most of us had returned to Australia after TPNG gained independence.) Charles found a few of us and organised a reunion, since then we have had a reunion every year. This year it was held in Stanthorpe, a small town in the Granite Belt ranges, 223km west of Brisbane. 

Some of the friends I made were Del, Graham and Charles.

46 years later we meet again. This time Charles had found Michelle a previous junior member of the Pt Moresby Judo Club. Michelle is opposite me.

Graham, me, Penny, Michelle, Charles and Del.

In 1965 Charles went to Japan to train for six weeks, while there he earned his Black Belt 1st Dan. In 1971 he and Penny were  transferred to Lae, where he started another junior and senior club, He was awarded life membership of the Pt Moresby Judo Club and the PNG Judo Federation.

I was only in the club for one year 1964 and obviously didn't have any photos taken. I reached the  Orange Belt level. I especially enjoyed the self defence lessons.