The Fryer Library at the University of Queensland collects archival material on PNG (photographs, documents, maps and patrol reports). Dr Peter Cahill coordinates this – phone 07-3371 4794 and email. You can take a look at the catalogue record of many items already donated. Catalogue details are available here: http://www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer/ms/uqfl387.pdf. The Collection may be consulted any time during Library opening hours. It is best to check the listing (on the internet) to identify which box/es you want to look at, then ask for these at the desk in the Fryer Library, or ring beforehand on (07) 3365 6276.

Alternatively, you can access the catalogue record of items already donated at: http://www.library.uq.edu.au. Type 'Papua New Guinea Association' into the keyword search on the catalogue. The first item that you get says 'Papers', click on there and click on 'A full description of the contents of this collection' for more detail.

The PNGAA collection can now also be accessed through the Fryer Library home page, www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer. It appears as the "Featured Collection", with a bright red heading, just a little further down the page from the "Special Collections" information.

DIGITISING THE PNGAA COLLECTION
Mark Cryle - Manager, Fryer Library

Doug Parrish (former President of the then ROAPNG) could not have imagined the way his idea for preserving written and photographic material of European former residents of Papua New Guinea would develop.

From a modest collection of photographs and a handful of letters and diaries the PNGAA (formerly ROAPNG) Collection held in the Fryer Library of The University of Queensland is now the fastest growing collection in that library and continues to attract local, national and international interest. Mr Parrish’s passion for preserving records of European involvement in Papua New Guinea is matched by the generosity of donors to the collection.

Items donated include family photographs of beach picnics; motor-cycling through the only-newly-opened Highlands; exploring wrecked Japanese vessels in Kavieng harbour and Lae’s foreshore; admiring the decorations of multitudinous singsings; attendance at functions for visiting royalty; proceedings of the House of Assembly in Port Moresby; Chinese trade stores and their never-absent customers; Catholic nuns teaching classes of Chinese and mixed-race children while others travelled the Sepik River by canoe to bring medical aid and comfort to native women and children; plantation scenes and the normal life and functions of ordinary people. There are pre- and post-war patrol reports, some with maps and photographs; reports of Japanese brutality, and their wartime influence on the native people of Buka, the Sepik and Rabaul/Kokopo areas; diaries of Mission doctors and pre-war gold prospectors in the Wau and Bulolo valleys; post-war road construction in Port Moresby; the building of a bush materials native hospital at Kandrian; pre-war logging at Mandres plantation; reports and submissions concerning compensation to be paid to European public servants as a result of Independence; the patrol which brought in the bodies of two kiaps murdered at Telefomin; and a definitive collection of material relating to ANGAU and its functions.

Various comprehensive sections of the collection are ripe for use by postgraduates and other researchers. PNG history is closely bound up with that of Australia as whole. Photographs and writings about the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45, which had such a profound and devastating effect on Papua New Guinea, provide a background which show how, in common with other former colonies, it underwent significant change in the progress towards independence.

Fryer Library attracts many visitors to look at photographs and other material and reminisce on the ‘gutpela taim bipo’, or as one B4 put it – the ‘namubleedin’herea’ years. A chance comment over a cup of coffee (or, more probably, a cold beer!) often led to a donation of items that would probably otherwise be thrown out. The material is then preserved for future generations of readers and researchers for whom its value is extremely high as is its sentimental value to those who come, look and remember.

Thanks to the generosity of the Executive of the PNGAA, funds are being made available to digitise the collection and place it on The University of Queensland’s Espace repository, a website which allows access to researchers world wide. This will undoubtedly increase interest and may lead to more donations.

After analysing the collection four subject areas were selected for trial digitisation. In no particular order these are: Patrol Reports, ANGAU, Oil & Gold Mining and European lifestyles. Each broad heading includes others. For example, European lifestyles looks at life in major and minor centres, preparation for functions and ceremonies, close contact with native peoples as workers or neighbours, medical and education facilities and those who work in them, the amiable relations between the various Christian Missions, the sense of justice and safety offered by the Australian government as shown by the excitement of a patrol visiting a village for a census count, or simply to let villagers keep in touch with kiaps.

As funds become available more of the PNGAA Collection will be gradually transferred onto The University of Queensland’s website and be more readily available worldwide to researchers, or those simply interested in the rich history of Australia’s relations with Papua New Guinea.

The process of listing this expanding collection in detail is ongoing and if you would like to make a donation to the Fryer Library please contact Dr Peter Cahill by phone (07) 3371 4794 or email .