May

At the end of 1971 Hartmut had an offer to work for 2 years as economics lecturer at Goroka Teachers College in Papua New Guinea. What an opportunity. A chance not to be missed.

This new experiences was so exciting and had it’s challenges too. Hart loved his job and extended his contract by a year. The students came from every part of Papua New Guinea. Although this was a 3 year teachers training course some of the graduates took positions in the new government. With so many expatriates leaving in a hurry before independence, I was asked within 6 months after arriving in Goroka to work in the college administration. With only the Australian Principal and one typist left the College was not functioning well. I too enjoyed working in the college, although to pay was not much: I agreed to accept local wages. The Hippy time was in full swing and it made it all more exciting. Schooling for our 2 eldest children was problematic. Ulrike and Tom attend the local high school as the only European kids and had to do correspondence lessons with the Australian curriculum as well. After 2 years Ulrike had to leave and stay with friends in Australia to do year 11, because high school finished with year 10 in PNG.       

We lived in one of the many small new 2 bedroom cottages on the college ground the Australian government has quickly put up to accommodate the new staff needed to finally train some local people for self-government. The place was very small for a family of 6 but comfortable. We put up a room divider in the large open space living area and had a third bedroom. 

                                                                                   

 It was expected to employ a local person. We did not want a ‘houseboy’, but a gardener would be very useful. Jacob from a village near by became our gardener and transformed the land around our little house into a beautiful garden and build a little roundhouse too. We are still in contact with Jacob and his family.

Saturdays we went to the local market. 

Sing-sings and the annual show were spectacular.

 On the highway to Lae.

Visiting  Jacob’s village   

                             

    Hart’s father visited us and we went to a students village    

Hart’s favourite group of students  

Michael Somare addressing the students   

                                        

The Queen and Prince Phillip visiting the College on their 1974 tour of PNG.  

      

             

  This photos Hart took  must be one of the nicest ever of the Queen.