PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE #9B-5B4H4 of 6th June 2022. Eminent TPNG Forester Ken Hart.

AUSTRALIAN FORESTERS in PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1922-1975

PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B-5B4H4 of 6th June 2022 FOREST MANAGEMENT. Eminent TPNG Forester Ken Hart TPNG Forests 1963-1998

Bulolo Forestry College Staff 1979.

Back Row L to R. Eric Asari, Auberta Karo, Armstrong Bellamy, Osia Gideon, Alistar Hay, Bob Johns, Phil Franklin.

Front Row L to R, Wayne Woofe, Klaus Romijn, John Godlee Principal, Siagi Kologo (incoming Principal), Ken Hart, Noel Peters.

Absent Barry Conn.

Picture Source Bob John’s collection courtesy George Walker Bob’s Brother-in-law.

Editor R B McCarthy1 2022.

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Dick McCarthy District Forester TPNG Forests 1963-1975.

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AUSTRALIAN TPNG FORESTRY CADETSHIP SCHEME2 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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The cadetship scheme comprised two years at an Australian university undertaking an approved forestry science course, followed by a field year in TPNG to gain practical experience in all facets of forestry, followed by two years at the Australian Forestry School in Canberra. In later years, the field work requirements were changed to include all university vacations must be spent in PNG, thus reducing the training program by one year before graduation but still meeting the condition of 12 months field work.

Surname

Positions

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

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

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

Year graduation 1952 1952 1952 1952 1954 1955 1957 1958 1958 1959 1960 1960 1960 1960 1961 1961 1961 1962 1962

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) 3 Cadet Forest Officer pamphlet courtesy Des Harries 2019 2

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Leon Clifford (NSW) 1958 1961/62 1963 Evan Shield (NG) 1958 1961/62 1963 John Lake (NG) 1962/63 1964 Ian Currie (NG) 1963/64 1965 John Harrison (NG) Medi vac out Last field 1961 1964/65 1966 Chris Borough (NG) field year year for 1960 1964/65 1966 Bob Bruce (NG) no field year cadets 1961 1964/65 1966 Rex Grattidge (NG) no field year 1961 1964/65 1966 John Davidson (NG) no field year 1962 1965/66 1967 Paul Ryan (NG) no field year 1962 1965/66 1967 Rod Holesgrove (NG) no field year 1963 1965/66 1967 Jim Belford (C) 1966 1966/67 1968 Dick McCarthy (NG) no field year 1963 1966/67 1968 Dave Num (C) 1965 1966/67 1968 R G Lyons (NG) no field year 1965 1966/67 1968 Gary Archer (NG) no field year 1966 1967/68 1969 Chris Done (NG) no field year 1966 1967/68 1969 Ken Hart (NG) no field year 1963 1967/68 1969 Ian Whyte (C) 1966 1967/68 1969 Abbreviations.

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.

1967 Australian Forestry School Stories. A story from Merv Harris.4 A few memories of a trip from Canberra through western NSW and Qld to Darwin, then down the middle to Adelaide and back across to Canberra, with Ken "Horrie" Hart in his dark green VW sedan, circa Nov 1967.

I thought $300 was more than enough for this trip. VW's were regarded as reliable, were air cooled, and Ken was a fair mechanic. That was proved when he replaced a piston in the motor of a Renault 4, we had owned jointly, and sold on to a Malaysian student, who rightly was not impressed when the motor made horrible noises. We bought a second-hand motor for $10, and Ken took the best piston from it and fixed the car.

The roads on our journey were mostly gravel in those days, and, unfortunately, we had broken 3 windscreens before reaching Mt Isa. So much for my $300! I recall camping beside the road near Winton one night, when we were awoken by footsteps. Ken had brought a .22 rifle with him, and he bounced out of the tent threatening whoever it was out there. The intruder ran off and we packed up and left.

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Chris Done personal communication with Merv Harris April 2019

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We also camped beside the dam, which is Mt Isa's water supply, staying a couple of days.

Camping is not permitted there now-- I was there a couple of years ago.

Also remember the Camooweal Roadhouse near the Qld /NT border, because they were playing Slim Dusty's version of the song of the same name constantly. As a result, I still know most of the words.

Stayed at Howard Springs south of Darwin as our base in that part of the world. In Darwin we met two brothers, names forgotten, but also from Canberra, and in a VW (white), who were doing a similar trip. Little did I know then they would be my saviour later.

Uneventful heading South, stopping at all the roadhouses, climbing Ayres Rock as it was known then, checked out Alice Springs etc. we arrived at a roadhouse near the NT/ SA border which I recall as Turkey Creek or similar. There was also a small police station there. By this time Ken's VW was having engine problems. The policeman let me stay in his lockup (unlocked) while Ken went with someone back to Alice for parts. No luck in that regard, and I was truly short of funds by then anyway.

Ken decided to leave the car at an abandoned homestead not too far away. We just took the essentials with us.

A drunken gentleman in the Turkey roadhouse got us to drive his Falcon utility south while he slept it off. At daybreak he brought out the cold mutton, tea, and damper, which I devoured with gusto. A dingo came a bit close, so he fired a few shots at it, missing every time.

We arrived in Adelaide in the early hours of the morning, where the utility owner left me at an all-night BP service station where they let me have a shower and a sleep.

I cannot recall what Ken did, but I know I was on my own. I think he may have got out at Port Augusta and caught the train. He had money, I did not. I had never been to Adelaide before so it was a bit scary not knowing how I would get back to Canberra. I had enough money for either a meat pie or a pony of beer. I hitched into the city and opted for the beer.

As luck would have it, the two brothers mentioned earlier were in the bar, and the rest, as they say, is history. I rode back to Canberra with them.

I did not see Ken again until start of term in 1968. He gave me $25 for possessions left in his VW. 1972 Mike Jones 5 Memories of Ken Hart I recall meeting Ken at the plantation at Keravat on the Gazelle Peninsular on the return trip from working with Dick McCarthy on the Open Bay Survey around 1972. From memory I had to assist him in the planning of future plantation using air photos for possible road access, design etc.

I had dinner at the forest station with Ken and his wife who by coincidence went to school with my younger sister in Hobart. Her dad was Town Clerk of Hobart.

I later had to assist him in a timber survey at Kainantu (lik lik highlands). Preparation was made for the survey in the form of consultation with the landowners at local council level.

Emphasis was made re the possible purchase of timber; this would not affect their ownership 5

Mike Jones personal communication 7 May 2020

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of their land in any way. Following all this negotiation we arrived at Kainantu with the forestry teams, supplies etc and were faced with large locals with bush knives who would not allow us in any way on their land. Ken decided that it would be prudent to abandon any attempt to carry out the survey. We returned to Port Moresby.

I found Ken a man with a sense of humour and easy to work with. I am sorry to hear of his passing.

1990 Koppers Wood Preservation. Ken Hart Memories from John (Ripper) White 6 I first knew Ken back around 1990 when he took over management of our preservative factory at Voco point in Lae for Koppers Hickson. We had a house there in Seagull street.

He had been out one night and on returning to the house with girlfriend Annas was attacked at the doorway by several raskols. He fought them off and was assisted by neighbours from Air Niugini. Ken's nerves were affected, and my boss asked me to go up and stay with him for a while. They left an axe mark on the door which he left unfixed as a reminder not to be complacent.

Ken ran the factory very well manufacturing CCA and Dip salts. His attention to detail on costs and handling his staff was first class.

A simple market stall using treated teak and bamboo in Port Moresby.

Source Col Levy 1975 Paper Wood preservation in PNG.

We toured a lot of PNG over the next few years meeting many people associated with his Forestry background and I have to say his rapport and friendship with each one was outstanding. Ken revelled in his role as Forester, Preservative Technical Rep and all-round knowledge of the PNG species and their treatability. He was a great mentor to me including the vagaries and excitement of PNG.

A low cost house using CCA treated teak and bamboo. Source Col Levy

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John (Ripper White) personal communication April 2019

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1975 paper Wood preservation in PNG.

A large market stall using CCA treated teak. Source Col Levy 1975 paper Wood preservation in PNG.

I have no doubt he would still be in that role had he lived on.

Unfortunately, Ken was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and had to leave PNG for treatment in Australia in 1997. Ken died of a heart attack in 1998 and it was a sad farewell to a good mate and PNG lost a good servant to its timber industry.

He loved his Coruba rum and talking about anything to do with timber. I still miss him today. Ripper White.

NAME

Ken Hart Died 1998 1963

DATE JOINED DEPT OF FORESTRY PNG WHAT WAS YOUR OCCUPATION WHAT LOCALITIES DID YOU WORK IN LIFE AFTER TPNG FORESTS A PNG FORESTRY CADETSHIP DATE OF GRADUATION

Forest Officer Throughout PNG Koppers Timber Treaters PNG 1963 1969

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ACRONYMS 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 FPRC

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 Products Research Centre Hohola 7

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

NG NGF NGIB NGO NGVR NZ NSW NTSC OISCA P or p PIB PIR PNG PNGAA PNGAF PNGFA PNGFIA PNGRIS PNGUT POM Q QF RAE RPC RRA SFM

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 Organization Japanese International Cooperation Agency League of Nations Land Resource Soils Survey (branch of CSIRO) cubic metre Military Medal National Archives Australia National Agriculture Research Institute New Britain PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan Number New Guinea New Guinea Forces (relates to plant collection of Lae Herbarium) New Guinea Infantry Battalion Non-Government Organisation New Guinea Volunteer Rifles New Zealand New South Wales National Tree Seed Centre PNG Bulolo 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 Port Moresby Queensland Queensland Forestry Royal Australian Engineers/Australian Army Royal Papuan Constabulary Rapid Resource Appraisal Sustainable Forest Management

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SP UK UN Unasylva UNE UNEP UNI UNITECH UNRE UPNG UQ US USA TPNG TUBL TA TA TRP Vol VSF WA WB

South Pacific 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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