The above photos are from Louis Tagovono's facebook page. And there are more. Just click here, then click on 'Open Photo Viewer', and click next and next and next ...
23 December 2014
Down memory lane with Louis Tagovono
22 December 2014
Christmas 1980 on Bougainville - Recollections from the Blogmaster
While in Brisbane in 1980, MORGAN EQUIPMENT asked me whether I would be interested to return to Bougainville Island. Would I ever! They had problems with their incumbent financial controller and company secretary and wanted me to "clean up" the place and introduce some tight financial and administrative procedures while he was on leave. I flew back to Bougainville just before Christmas - and Shirley joined me shortly afterwards - for the first time since 1974 and it was almost like coming home! I revisited all the old places, Kieta, Arovo Island, Camp 6, and Loloho Beach, however, time did not permit to see Panguna and the minesite again.
MORGAN EQUIPMENT was a good company and their boss, Roger Brandt, a very pleasant man to work for. Having sorted out a great many of the accumulated problems in the first week or so of my being there, he promptly made me an offer of a permanent position which I said I would seriously consider. He even gave Shirley a job as receptionist for the short two or three weeks we were there. An attractive salary, house and company car and future opportunities with MORGAN EQUIPMENT on any of their other world-wide projects.
Shortly after New Year we flew back to Brisbane where a job offer from Ranger Uranium was already waiting for me. So what did I do? I took the Ranger job. Was it a mistake? Yes, I think so because a couple more years on Bougainville would have been most beneficial to both Shirley and myself. (Funnily enough, when I returned from Saudi Arabia in 1985, MORGAN EQUIPMENT once more offered me the job and I again let the opportunity slip)
18 December 2014
John Gemmell emailed:
Hi Peter,
My name is John Gemmell. I was at Kieta from 1964 to 1967. I was a plumber and worked for a Rabaul company called Paul and Thompson. We did a lot of work for the government and also C.R A.
The geologist at the time was Ken Philips, and everyone used to board at the Kieta hotel as there was nowhere else to stay. The hotel was owned and run by Helmut Kroening.
Social evenings were held at the Kieta Club next to the pub.
The only way to Panguna was by helicopter. I can remember the road being constructed and how scary it was when we first used it.
I am having trouble remembering names but now that I have found your excellent website perhaps it will jog my memory.
Cheers John
whatevermudgee[AT]me.com
14 December 2014
Geoff Finnigan emailed:
Hi,
I worked in Bougainville in 1970/71. I was employed by H.H. Green electrical contractors to work on the Panguna mine site. We were one of the first contractors to be on the mine site installing a diesel-powered generator station for the electric shovels. Our dongas were on site 10 hrs a day 6 days a week, Sundays down to loloho beach for R&R.
I worked in Bougainville in 1970/71. I was employed by H.H. Green electrical contractors to work on the Panguna mine site. We were one of the first contractors to be on the mine site installing a diesel-powered generator station for the electric shovels. Our dongas were on site 10 hrs a day 6 days a week, Sundays down to loloho beach for R&R.
Spent 6 months at Panguna and went back to Melbourne. 3 months later, with no work in Melbourne, I returned for another 6 month contract.
H.H.Green became Kilpatrick/Green. Our primary job was the power generator station at loloho. Many happy memories of Bougainville. The money was good also. Loved the sunsets especially at Panguna. It was the first time I saw hardened workers having a beer whilst watching the setting sun.
Geoff Finnigan
ballingarry[AT]icloud.com
2 December 2014
Mekamui News
This recent photo of the Panguna mine pit was taken from the Mekamui News website. For more photos, click here
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