AGARABI - The Golden Jubilee!

In anyone's experience, 50 years is a long time. My experience in over fifty years of association with Papua New Guinea has been well 'Beyond all Expectations'! I wrote about this in my book of that title and emphasised that our lives in PNG has been part of an amazing journey where we learned so much - often the hard way. I am forever grateful for the special privilege that was ours to work among the Papua New Guineans.

I was one of the first E course graduates who, after six months of training in Rabaul, were sent to open new schools across the country, often in isolated places and away from cultural, emotional and professional support. The E course was an initiative of the Australian Administration in 1960 with the objective to accelerate primary education in Papua New Guinea. Many old timers in PNG did not think this would work and there were many sceptics.

Glad to say, that the scheme was an outstanding success, as was acknowledged by Loch Blatchford and Don Owner.

In part, these Educators made the following observations:

"I always admired the contribution made by the six-month trained E Course teachers. Those I met were of high quality, often working under difficult circumstances."

Don Owner, at the time the Chief of Division, Teacher Training, was another to recognise their worth. In February 1963 he stated, "Graduates of the first and second 'E' Courses are displaying a remarkable degree of enthusiasm. A continuous supply of 'E' Course graduates will ensure the Territory of a vastly improved system of primary education."

The comments seem extravagant, but it is nice to know that my fellow graduates and I were part of a special initiative that made a difference in the development of PNG. As for me personally, I believe that the Papua New Guineans taught me a lot more about life than I could have taught them. I am forever grateful to them and the opportunity given to me to be involved.

In the end, I left teaching in 1967 and returned to a position in administration, finally completing my days in Papua New Guinea as the Accountant of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in 1972.

So where is all that leading to. I could continue to ramble on and on about my years as teacher and tell you of the many happy - and some not so happy, experiences that were part of our lives. My family can read more about this in the book I have written. However, the purpose of this blog is to jump to 2011, which is the golden jubilee year of the school that I was privileged to be Head Teacher of.

In May 1961, I was posted to Agarabi (near Kainantu) to start a new primary school with the help of a couple of national teachers and the local government council. The project was totally self-help as there was no money to build the school. It is a story too long for this blog, but in brief, the local populations built three classrooms from bush materials - bush timber, bamboo and thatch roof. They looked great and blended in perfectly with the environment. I loved them, and was especially pleased to hear Sir High Foot (later Lord Carrington), as head of the United Mission to PNG in 1962 comment on the 'pleasing design and beautiful setting of the school, and the use of traditional design and local materials'.

The first three classrooms almost ready for occupation!

There was no fanfare when we finally moved into our school later in May 1961; just a normal assembly. First assembly in May 1961

When 50 years later, almost to the day, I met the Headmaster and staff of the school, along with the School Council, I was deeply overcome with emotion, especially when the Headmaster invited me to speak at an assembly of all the students on the grounds of the school (That in itself evoked memories of my children playing there and where Carol had her first driving lesson in our jeep).

A welcome sign along the Highlands Highway!

There are many highlights of our visit and it is not possible to cover everything. One notable occasion was to meet up with a dear old man. Mr. Ono Aia, who in 1961 was the President of the Agarabi Local Government Council who, along with Patrol Officer Barry (now Sir Barry) Holloway, were instrumental in supporting the establishment of the school. I recall with gratitude their support and counsel.

Ono Aia, now in his eighties.Ono, Brenda, Graeme and I watched over by one of my students - Kusap.

In May 1961, the school numbered 100 children from Prep through to Grade 2. In May 2011, fifty years on, the school numbers 550 students, ranging from Prep through to Grade 8. The school looks great and is a tribute to the School Council, the community and the staff. Headmaster Kapi is a man of vision who was really happy to show us around and talk about his hopes and aspirations for the years ahead. A fine man indeed!

The Agarabi Primary T School in 1964. Note the use of local architecture and materials

The same School in 2011 - 50 years since the school's opening.
The small building on the foreground left and the building on the foreground right date back to 1961-2.

We made an unexpected visit on Saturday (the day after arriving in the Highlands) and were delighted that Kapi was around, along with some staff. It was a wonderful reunion that was enjoyed by all of us, including my daughters, sons in law and grandchildren.

Above: Happy reunion. Below: Plus with Kapi's wife and family

With Kapi, some of his family and, of course, my family and other kids.

When Headmaster Kapi realised we would be visiting on the Monday, he arranged for the school Council to be available to welcome us. When we arrived the school was buzzing with final preparations for our visit. We felt very honoured that the School Council made a special effort to meet us.

The School President was happy to receive five copies of the Agarabi New Testament - just released the day before, for use in the new school library that was funded by the Petrusma family. There were plenty of happy smiles, as you can see:

Above: The presentation of five Agarabi New Testaments.
Below: Kapi received a gift for the school from the family.

The new school library. We were told that this initiative so pleased AUS-AID, that the school was allocated PNGK20,000 to assist in purchasing resources.

The new School Library nearing completion.

The above delightful picture of this youngster among hundreds of donated books still to be sorted. What will become of this youngster?
And below: This staff member showed obvious delight in proceedings, as did all staff members.

Having made our presentations to the School Council, I was invited to address the school assembly. A very special moment indeed. Brenda likewise was asked to say a few words and found the experience very moving. While she would not remember her time in Agarabi, she was nevertheless a child of the area, having spent her first two years here.

An attentive school. It was so pleasing to see how well the school is going.

Below: With the School Council President, Headmaster Kapi, and Brenda.

One of the other pleasures was to meet up with some of my old students. Some in their village and others at the New Testament dedication:

Heather, Brenda & Jan with Karato who was a foundation student of the school.

Add Pasin (above) and Darasi (below) as two more foundation students.

Farewell to Darasi.

There is much more that I could share, but hope that the above gives a good indication of how special our visit was. The intriguing thing was that the school was totally unaware of its 50th Anniversary (almost to the day we visited). We hope they enjoyed our visit as much as we enjoyed meeting with them.

As mentioned above, Brenda spent the first two years of her life in Agarabi. She was born in the township of Goroka - about 2.5 hour drive from Agarabi. Having one spare day, we decided to drive to Goroka and briefly see this place of memories.

The old Goroka hospital where Brenda was born.

Glad we could relax over lunch.

The ever vigil Graeme, who took many of our photographs, along with Jan.

And the last word belongs to Jan. While in Kainantu (near the school) I took the family to the Kainantu Cultural Centre to purchase locally produced goodies, including pottery. The temptation was too much for Jan, and she delighted in throwing a pot. I was really happy for her!

Above: With one of the potters, and below, Jan at the wheel! So happy to see!