Rex Brooks emailed from Townsville:

 

Hello Peter,

I was randomly browsing and came across your blog. I was amused by the photo of you in the article "The die was cast", as it could have been a photo of me from that era, similar age and build, identical glasses and same dress sense. It brought back memories of a time of my life I won't forget.

I was recruited in Cairns by Ken Phillips for a job with CRA Exploration. We arrived in Kieta in April 1964 and commenced geochemical sampling around Kupei mine. The team consisted of Ken, myself (field assistant), Ian Wilkie (field assistant), Edgar Mucenikas (geochemist) and Neville Robinson (Mines Dept. liaison).

We moved across to the western side of the range and set up a base camp in Panguna valley, see above photo. This spot is where the BCL Admin, warehouse and workshop later stood around 1970.

I did many and varied jobs and managed to see many areas in PNG, all the while being paid for the experience. I gradually drifted into Supply and worked with Ken Nelson for several years. After three years I thought I was missing out on "life" in Australia and left, but within 6 months I was back, with a new bride, and stayed until 1970.

Rex Brooks with second child in 1970

Anne and John Barnham were our next-door neighbours at Panguna. My first daughter was born in this period and I can remember my wife being swamped at the markets by the meris wanting to touch the baby's fine white hair.

I followed Ken Phillips to Ok Tedi with Kennecott Exploration but two years later, now with three daughters, I settled at Greenvale Nickel Mine for 20 years!

The day Greenvale mine closed I was on a flight back to PNG for 10 years of FIFO at Porgera.

My last job in PNG was with Morobe Mining at Hidden Valley in 2012. I am now retired on a small property outside Townsville and have become adept at doing absolutely nothing.

In the time I spent in PNG I often came into contact with many ex-Bougainvilleans. Without exception they all portrayed the "bug" that seems to get into your blood after a stint up there. Bougainville was home and you went to Australia on leave.

I am gradually reading through all the old posts but sadly age seems to be cutting down the ranks.

All the best to you, Peter, for keeping the memories alive.

Regards
Rex Brooks
Email: sandrex@activ8.net.au
Mobile : 0406398743

 

 

Papua New Guinea: Initiation and Independence

 

To continue reading, click here.

 

A Message from Rene Pogel, BCL's Employee Relations Manager:

AFTER years of reporting "there has been no production since 15th May 1989", things may appear to be improving for Bougainville Copper following the election of a new autonomous government last year and recent meetings with the PNG Government discussing the possible resurrection of the massive Panguna copper-gold mine. If you are interested in re-applying for your former position with BCL, please email me now. But hurry as there is STIFF competition for the jobs!!!

Takes you right back to Camp 6, doesn't it?

 

 

Rabaul's Killer Volcano

 

Breaking Bows and Arrows

 

In Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, thousands of people have been killed in a decade-long secessionist war. Exploring challenging emotional terrain with the victims and perpetrators, this film examines the extraordinary human capacity to forgive and marks the beginning of a path to true peace and healing for Bouganville.

 

Getting under the Skin

 

The Bougainville Copper Agreement and the Creation of the Panguna Mine

A readable and insightful account of the conflicts that beset the Panguna project from its inception. To read this book online, click here, then SIGN UP (it's free!), LOG IN, and BORROW.

Also read this commentary/review of the book on pngattitude.com.

 

Some long-forgotten books about New Guinea:

Read it online here

 

Read it online here

 

Read it online here

 

Read it online here

 

Read it online here

 

Read it online here

 

 

A rare find

 

I was searching on YouTube for a copy of Liz Thompson's video "Breaking Bows and Arrows" - click here - when I came across this equally fascinating 45-minute clip of an 84-day voyage in an open dinghy from Sydney to Port Moresby via Thursday Island in 1978.

What makes this video so special for me is that it shows both Thursday Island and Port Moresby's Royal Papuan Yacht Club the way they were when I used to live and work there in the 'seventies.

This is for you, Hubert in Cooktown, and all those who shared my time in Port Moresby in the days when we were still young and full of hope.

 

P.S. If you're interested in more of Malcolm Douglas's videos, click here.

 

 

"A special place where many had their golden years"

 

That's the byline Bob Jackson gave his excellent collection of over 450 images of Bougainville Island and what was once Bougainville Copper in the 70s and 80s, many his own and others culled from different sources (including my own website, I noticed).

It's a wonderful labour of love created, as Bob writes, "as an old man's project to give continuing access to these images and maybe a happy memory or two to those who also spent time on this remarkable island".

I enjoyed flicking trough those stunning photographs which brought back many happy memories, Bob! I hope by adding your website to this blog, many more viewers will be introduced to it by clicking here.

And here's more ...