PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B-5B4W1 of 29th August 2021. Eminent TPNG Forester Alan White.

AUSTRALIAN FORESTERS in PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1922-1975

PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B -5B4W1 of 29th August 2021 FOREST MANAGEMENT. Eminent TPNG Forester Alan White 1957-1976.

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Editor R B McCarthy2 2021.

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Alan White Eminent TPNG Forester 1957-1976.

Dick McCarthy District Forester TPNG Forests 1963-1975.

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OVERVIEW AUSTRALIAN TPNG FORESTRY CADETSHIP SCHEME3 1948 to 1963 After the Second World War, a cadetship scheme was undertaken by the Australian Department of Territories to train Australian Forest Scientists to ensure sufficient professional staff for the purposes of creating a functional Forest Department for TPNG

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Surname

Positions

Edward Charles Gordon Gray (NG) Alexander John Hart (NG) Donald Henry McIntosh (NG5) Kevin Joseph White (Q) Robin Levingston (NSW) Jaroslav Joseph Havel (WA)6 Robin Bilbrough Morwood (NG) Frank Harry Coppock (NG) Elliot Carby Tuckwell (NG) John Godlee (NG)7 Ian Grundy (NG) Eric Hammermaster (Q/NG) Des Harries (NG) Gerry Vickers (NG) Alan Cameron (Q)8 John Smith (NG) Brian O’Hagen (NG) Neil Brightwell (C/NSW/NG) Alan White (NG) Leon Clifford (NSW)9 Evan Shield (NG)

TPNG Cadetship 1948 1946 1946 Qld 1953 1952 1953 1953 1954 1955 1955 1955 1955 1956 1956 1956 1960 1957 1958 1958

AFS 1950/51 1950/51 1950/51 1950/51 1952/53 1953/54 1955/56 1956/57 1956/57 1957/58 1958/59 1958/59 1958/59 1958/59 1959/60 1959/60 1959/60 1960/61 1960/61 1961/62 1961/62

Year grad 1952 1952 1952 1952 1954 1955 1957 1958 1958 1959 1960 1960 1960 1960 1961 1961 1961 1962 1962 1963 1963

The appointments of Australian TPNG Forestry Cadets were summarized in LT Carron’s book in 2000 titled “A brief history of the Australian Forestry School (AFS)”.

4 Cadet Forest Officer pamphlet courtesy Des Harries TPNG Forests 1955-1976.

5 Don McIntosh Third Director of Forests PNG. TPNG Forests 1946-1973.

6 Joe Havel First Principal Bulolo Forestry College. TPNG Forests 1953-1965.

7 John Godlee fourth Principal Bulolo Forestry College. TPNG Forests 1955-1980.

8 Alan Cameron Schlich Medal 1960. TPNG Forests 1956-1970.

9 Leon Clifford Second Principal Bulolo Forestry College. TPNG Forests 1958-1975.

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John Lake (NG) 1962/63 Ian Currie (NG) 1963/64 John Harrison (NG) Medi vac out Last field 1961 1964/65 Chris Borough (NG) Field year year for 1960 1964/65 Bob Bruce (NG) no field year Cadetships.

1961 1964/65 Rex Grattidge (NG) no field year 1961 1964/65 10 John Davidson (NG) 1962 1965/66 Paul Ryan (NG) 1962 1965/66 Rod Holesgrove (NG) 1963 1965/66 Jim Belford (C) 1966 1966/67 Dick McCarthy (NG) 1963 1966/67 Dave Num (C) 1965 1966/67 R G Lyons (NG) 1965 1966/67 Gary Archer (NG) 1966 1967/68 Chris Done (NG) 1966 1967/68 Ken Hart (NG) 1963 1967/68 Ian Whyte (C) 1966 1967/68 Footnotes TPNG - Territory of Papua New Guinea, NG - New Guinea, Q – Queensland, WA – Western Australia, NSW - New South Wales, C – Commonwealth, AFS - Australian Forestry School, BFC - Bulolo Forestry College.

1964 1965 1966 1966 1966 1966 1967 1967 1967 1968 1968 1968 1968 1969 1969 1969 1969

Procedures for Undertaking Forest Assessment Alan White was one of the lead authors of the PNG Department of Forests Forestry College Training Manual Vol 7 FOREST ASSESSMENT and WORKING PLANS June 1973, which described the departmental procedures for undertaking forest assessments.

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John Davidson Schlich Medal 1966; First Forestry Professor UNITECH. TPNG Forests 1962-1980.

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Alan White’s Story and PNG 11 Alan Edward White graduated from the Australian Forestry School at the end of 1961 having also completed two years at Sydney University and a year as a Field Cadet with Papua New Guinea Forests Department. He and childhood sweetheart Sandra married in December 1961 before heading north to take up a position with the PNG Department of Forests at Kerevat (on the island of New Britain – Papua New Guinea).

1963 was spent assisting family “down south” and he was posted to Brown River Forest Station, about 41 km from Port Moresby, on his return in 1964. During this period, he took on a lot of Papuan Regional duties as well as being OIC of the station. Later (in 1968) he was posted to Rabaul for New Britain Regional duties particularly silvicultural with the establishment of plantations of teak, kamarere and balsa following logging.

The PNG DoF undertook a programme of very large-scale forest inventory surveys and Alan was involved in a number of these. It was during this period that Chris Done first met Alan.

They were both involved in the major Tonolei Harbour (Bougainville) survey. Following this, they were involved in many forestry projects together after that in various PNG districts.

Not only did Chris and Alan work together on several occasions, e.g., Tonolei Harbour, and socialise as families, but they shared a passion for motor rallies.

Chris and Alan competed together for several years when work commitments and geographic constraints were not against them, and they always felt like they did OK. Family cars were co-opted and transformed into high performance, state of the art rally machines (in their dreams) and off they went, from the Port Moresby Motor Sport Club, into the “wilds” of Papua.

Alan initially being the driver and Chris the navigator. During their celebrated careers, Alan and Chris swapped roles. Alan became the ultimate navigator, and Chris tried to point the car in the right direction as much as possible.

Alan and Chris enjoying a quiet coldie, after the presentation for the Papuan Rally 1973.

Photo credit Chris Done.

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Source Obituary IFA publication The Forester February 2014 forestry.org.au Prepared by Chris Done

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If we take this shortcut here, we should be able to get ahead of the field.

Papuan Safari 1973.

Photo Credit Chris Done.

Perhaps that short cut was not a good idea after all.

Papuan Safari 1973.

Photo credit Chris Done.

Alan was recognised for his services to the country of Papua New Guinea with a PNG Independence Medal in 1977.

Ian Whyte recalls that Alan gave him great support as a boss and mentor and that he was great to work for. Alan was always friendly, always willing to talk about the job at hand without losing sight of the fact that a steering hand was needed from time to time. Ian commented on Alan’s dedication to forestry, his loyalty to the Department and the people with whom he worked. Alan attracted loyalty in return, and that he was a great team player.

Alan’s sense of humour and common sense were recalled too as was his convivial company, particularly over a cold beer after work. He was the sort of happy-go-lucky but dedicated forester who is the backbone of forestry organisations, both agencies and companies. Chris Done commented that you do not get good forestry organisations without the Alans of the world. These thoughts reflect the memories of the very many other friends who recalled Alan.

There was never a dull moment in Alan’s life.

Dick McCarthy recalled memories of Alan the “car buff” including a never to be forgotten time-filler whilst Dick waited to catch a plane to Bulolo. Alan decided that he could take him on a hair-raising ride down the back “track” from the top of Burn’s Peak, Moresby’s highest

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hill. This was one of the area’s toughest rally tracks and not for the faint hearted. Dick too says that Alan was a great mentor and friend and is sorely missed in the world of foresters.

Paul Ryan reflected as did many others, on working together on major inventory surveys, particularly the Watut/Markham one in 1967 and Tonolei in 1969. He was always great company as well as a good organiser recalled Paul.

Bob Thistlethwaite recalled a Weekend Forestry Excursion with Kevin White, Alan White, Chris Done and Bob Thistlethwaite to Efogi.

Source: Adventure Kokoda Treks – a useful borrowed depiction.

Note that Lamnunumu since the 1970’s is now spelt Launumu.

Kev White phoned to say he had arranged a flight to Efogi for the coming Saturday and did they want to come. Early on Saturday (no date but around the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Brigade Hill), they flew from Jacksons, Kev in the jump seat while Alan White, Chris Done and Bob piled into the rear. An uneventful short flight and landed at Efogi airstrip after an interesting approach among the hills. They taxied up to the eastern end where the Kokoda Track leads to Efogi, cargo, botanical presses, etc., and looked for the usual porters and bevy of children who greet visitors on arrival at more remote PNG airstrips. A radio message had been sent to Efogi advising their short visit and the need to use the Haus Kiap for the night, but no-one was in sight.

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Efogi airstrip. The white spot in the centre background is our plane making its approach.

Photo credit Bob Thistlethwaite.

They waited, but still no one appeared, so they carried the cargo to the village themselves. All was silent. Had they offended the people in some way and were receiving the treatment or perhaps our radio message had not reached the right ears? The village was immaculate, clean, and swept, wellmaintained houses, etc., but no people, old or young, to be seen anywhere. There was no point in speculating on causes, so they made our way to the Haus Kiap and dumped the gear.

While no human being was to be seen, they soon realised from faint murmurs of human voices that there were people inside the closed-up houses. But incredibly quiet for a village; no dogs barking, no pigs grunting, hens clucking, or cocks crowing. Extraordinary!

They had hoped to arrange some cooked food for dinner that evening but it looked like they were in for a lean time. They ate some crackers, collected the gear they needed, stowed some refreshments in a haversack, and headed north from the village.

In Efogi village: An SDA village, clean and attractive, with many fruit trees.

Chris Done on left and Kevin White on the right.

Photo credit Bob Thistlethwaite.

Belatedly in their stupidity, it dawned on them that they were in a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) village, where Saturday is their Sabbath and strictly observed. Had they done their homework better, they would have been reminded that the SDA church had may adherents in that area and flown in another day. Well, they were there, and not tourists, so they headed for the forest and trees they wanted to see, particularly E. tereticornis in that part of the Owen Stanleys.

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The Efogi Village they visited was not the wartime village. That village had been on the wartime Track which veered left at Brigade Hill along Mission Ridge. This was the scene of bitter fighting in September 1942 when six battalions of Japanese troops of the 144th South Seas Island Regiment attacked Brigadier Potts ragged remnants of his 21st Brigade numbering nominally about 1,000 retreating Australian troops with greatest losses during the Kokoda campaign of 87 killed and 77 wounded. The wartime track on Mission ridge passed through the former Efogi Village and then onto Kagi, the then largest village in the area. In the accounts of the Kokoda campaign, you will read that the track crossed Efogi Creek. It did in 1942 but in 1972 the track out of the new Efogi crossed Elome Creek and then climbed steeply up to Launumu. Today’s Efogi is the largest village along the track with a population said to be about 350 persons.

A couple of miles north of Efogi they decided to take a break from their tree exercise at Elome Creek, which at that time was much less than the 10m width stated on the map although with heavy rain, the stream would rise very fast. It was hot and the water in the creek was inviting. Alan and Chris could not resist a dip, but the water was too cold for Bob and Kevin.

Elome Creek: From left: Allan White, Kev White, Chris Done.

Photo credit Bob Thistlethwaite.

Efogi colour. A hard Saturday afternoon at Elome Creek a short walk north of Efogi.

From left: Alan White, Kev White, Bob Thistlethwaite, Chris Done.

Photo credit Bob Thistlethwaite.

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As they happened upon an excellent spot at a bend in the track from which to enjoy the vista and while having a breather, two young boys ran past us uphill to Launumu with a cheery apinun masta. Reinvigorated by their youthfulness and mountain legs, they carried on., reaching Launumu, with thoughtful admiration for those Aussie soldiers who had fought through this country carrying very heavy loads rather than the skimpy weight they carried. The walk up to Launumu was stiff for everyone, but more so for Kevin. Of course, Kevin would not admit that. Launumu had a few people out and about.

They were impressed by the form, diameter, and bole length of some E. tereticornis along the ridge. They were taken to the site of a church being rebuilt to examine the stumps of the prior church which had stood for many years. The photo of the kapset posts tells the story of only a thin skin of external rot, and posts which would support the new church for many years to come. No wonder this species is prized by the Koiari.

Phot taken at Launumu near which the track forks.

The large posts are Eucalyptus tereticornis stumps from the old lotu. The posts had been kapset with a thin skin of punky wood shaved off at the post top (originally in the ground). Tereticornis is highly prized for posts.

Photo credit Bob Thistlethwaite.

The Department of Forests later collected seed from E. tereticornis at Dobodura (for firewood production) which was sent to Dehra Dun in India. Parcels of that seed had been distributed to drier areas of India, and seed of Australian provenances had been imported to Tamil Nadu in the 1800s and used in some tea growing areas for high shade. During a visit in Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalayas, Bob Thistlethwaite was impressed by plantings on dry southerly aspects to help stabilise land slip and for firewood. Bob tried to find out more about those plantings in the Forestry Office in Simla, the capital, and was confronted by a copy of a DoF Phytosanitary Certificate signed by himself. It was the seed from Dobodura. But the Efogi provenance was more impressive.

The light was waning. The group then hurried back to Efogi arriving about 5.30pm. Still all quiet. Then at 6pm a bell rang and suddenly the Efogi area was awash with people, cheerful, friendly, and courteous. The Sabbath had ended. They had many offers of food and purchased a couple of chickens for supper.

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Life after PNG After PNG days, the Whites ended up in Darwin in 1976 and the Dones were at Kununurra, a mere 830 kilometres away in Western Australia. It was possible to resume a limited social relationship, but rallying was not on their agenda by then.

Alan worked for the Conservation Commission of the NT along with several other foresters. They made Chris welcome in their group. Geographically they were by far Chris’s closest professional neighbours. Both Alan and Chris felt like they had contributed greatly to cross border professional relationships.

Alan was passionate about forestry and loved the outdoor life and work.

A stint with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation saw Alan spend 2 years mainly in Dominica. In addition, with assignments in Mexico, many Central and South American countries and Spain, he broadened his experience enormously. In the process Alan learnt Spanish and became an enthusiast of Spanish and Central American music, food, and culture.

Alan had a passion for ornamental native plants and had a broad knowledge of them in both PNG and Australia.

A beautiful legacy to Alan is the presence of a great many PNG weeping rosewoods (Pterocarpus indicus) which he introduced to Darwin as a street tree. It came from PNG’s Milne Bay District – an area he loved and knew well. He had successfully used the same beautiful variety (which had been discovered on Samarai Island by Kevin White some years previously) in extensive landscaping in the new town of Alotau too.

Weeping Rosewood Pterocarpus indicus 'Pendula' Trees and Shrubs NT - Darwin Region

Photo: Tim West

A weeping or pendulous form of the Indian Rosewood, this deciduous tree has a spreading habit especially if pruned occasionally. Its wood is highly fragrant and, when used in an infusion, is said to fluoresce. The bark yields a red dye and a sticky, oily gum. A very hardy tree well adapted to dry conditions.

Alan became the Head of the Northern Territory Botanic Gardens and Herbaria in 1992 reflecting his huge interest in and knowledge of these disciplines.

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The Gardens were established on their present site in 1886. This was the third attempt by European settlers of Darwin to establish a site where plants of economic importance could be tested for their suitability in the tropics. Initially the collection of the gardens was focused on economic gardening and the ornamental plantings. The gardens were severely damaged during Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Some 89% of all plants were lost. Restoration after the cyclone was led by George Brown who had worked at the gardens since 1969.

George served as Curator from 1971 to 1990. George was Lord Mayor of Darwin from 1992 to 2002. The gardens were renamed in 2002 to recognize George Brown’s contribution and 32-year service to the development of the gardens.

The gardens contain a major collection of Northern Australian monsoon flora: these include communities like mangroves, monsoon vine thicket, Tiwi Islands wet forest and those found on the ARNHEM Land escarpment. The gardens also contain a large collection of native and introduced tropical plants including cycads, palms, gingers, Adansonia, and heliconia.

The George Brown Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located 2 kilometres north of the Central Business District of Darwin.

George Brown Botanic Gardens Entrance. Frangipani Hill. Source Wikipedia.

He followed his beloved Parramatta Eels Rugby League team with a zeal that had to be seen to be believed. Alan played competitive hockey through to the veterans’ ranks, including representing Australia against a visiting English team.

Alan’s life was lived to the full and was celebrated by family and many friends at a dynamic ceremony in Darwin in 2013. Another of his passions that was recognised there was the choice of jazz music from Louis Armstrong and other greats as well as a Papua New Guinea version of “I’ve Been Everywhere, Man” as part of the proceedings.

Alan is survived by Sandra and their three sons as well as their seven grandchildren. He is missed by them all as well as all his forestry mates.

Source12: Compiled by Chris Done from the memories of several of Alan’s many mates. Lots of lifelong friendships were forged within their forestry cadre during those years.

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Source Obituary IFA publication The Forester February 2014 forestry.org.au. Prepared by Chris Done.

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Short Bibliography NAME DATE JOINED FORESTRY PNG OCCUPATION LOCALITIES of WORK DEPARTURE PNG LIFE AFTER PNG

PNG FORESTRY CADETSHIP IF SO WHEN DATE OF GRADUATION

Alan White 1938 to 2013 1957 Forest Officer Throughout PNG 1976 Northern Territory Conservation Commission 1992 Head NT Botanic Gardens and Herbaria FAO yes 1957 1962

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ACRONYMS AAD ACT ACIAR ACLMP AEC AFS AFPNG AIF AMF ANBG ANGAU ANU APMF APPM ASIO ASOPA AusAID BA BCOF “Beer Time” BFC BGD BUC C cm CALM CFA CNGT CRE CRE

CSIRO CHAH DASF DBH/ dbh DEPT DPI DOF e.g.

Etc FAO F &TB FIM FMA FPRC

Australian Antartic Division Australian Capital Territory Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research AusAid funded World Bank Land Mobilisation program.

Administrators Executive Committee Australian Forestry School Association of Foresters of PNG Australian Infantry Forces Australian Military Forces Australian National Botanical Gardens Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit Australian National University Australian Paper Manufacturers Forestry Pty Ltd Australia Paper and Pulp Manufacturers Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Australian School of Pacific Administration Australian Aid Agency basal area British Commonwealth Occupational Force 1945-52 Any time.

Bulolo Forestry College Bulolo Gold Dredging Company Bulolo University College Commonwealth Centimetre Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management Commonwealth Forestry Association Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Bulolo Commander Royal Engineers CRE is a term inherited by RAE from RE and is the term for the Commanding Officer of a RAE unit which is headed by a Lt Col. Although the officer is called the CRE the name is also used for the name of his unit.

E.g., CRE Aust Forestry Group or 1(NG Forests).

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria Dept of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries Diameter at breast height Department Department of Primary Industry Department of Forests For example et cetera (more of the same) Food and Agriculture Organisation Forest and Timber Bureau Canberra Forest Information System Forest Management Agreement Forest Products Research Centre Hohola 13

FRG FRI Forkol GAB Gbhob Gubab GIS ha IBRD IFA IFY ITTC ITTO JICA L of N LRRS m3 MCCAF MHA MM NAA NARI NB NDS NFCAP NGM no.

NG NGF NGIB NGI NGO NGVR NT NZ NSW NTSC OIC OISCA P or p PIB PIR PNG PNGAA PNGAF PNGFA PNGFIA PNGRIS PNGUT

Forest Red Gum Forest Research Institute Lae Bulolo Forestry College Girth above buttress Girth breast height over bark Girth under bark above buttress Geographic Information Systems Hectare International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Institute of Foresters of Australia International Year of the Forest International Tropical Timber Council International Tropical Timber Organization Japanese International Cooperation Agency League of Nations Land Resource Soils Survey (branch of CSIRO) cubic metre McCarthy & Associates (Forestry) Pty. Ltd. Member of House of Assembly PNG Military Medal National Archives Australia National Agriculture Research Institute New Britain Northern District Sawmills PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan New Guinea Mainland Number New Guinea New Guinea Forces (relates to plant collection of Lae Herbarium) New Guinea Infantry Battalion New Guinea Islands Non-Government Organisation New Guinea Volunteer Rifles Northern Territory New Zealand New South Wales National Tree Seed Centre PNG Bulolo Officer in Charge Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International Japan. page Papuan Infantry Battalion Pacific Islands Regiment Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Australia Association Papua New Guinea Australian Foresters Magazine Series Papua New Guinea Forest Authority PNG Forest Industries Association Papua New Guinea Resource Information System PNG University of Technology 14

POM Q QF RAE RPC RRA SDA SFM SP TAG UK UN Unasylva UNE UNEP UNI UNITECH UNRE UPNG UQ US USA TPNG TUBL TA TA TRP Vol VSF WA WB

Port Moresby Queensland Queensland Forestry Royal Australian Engineers/Australian Army Royal Papuan Constabulary Rapid Resource Appraisal Seven Day Adventist Sustainable Forest Management South Pacific Trade Advisory Group of ITTO United Kingdom United Nations Journal of FAO of UN University of New England Armidale NSW United Nations Environment Program University University of Technology Lae PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment University of Papua New Guinea University of Queensland United States United States of America Territory of Papua and New Guinea Territory United Brewery Ltd Timber Area Timber Authority Timber Rights Purchase volume Victorian School of Forestry Western Australia World Bank

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