Mr Donald Harrison BRIGGS (13 December 2002, aged 75 years)

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Don's early years were spent on his parents' plantation at Londip, New Britain, apart from some time at boarding school. He was evacuated in late 1941 with his mother. In 1945, aged 18, Don joined the AIF and served in Australia and the South West Pacific Area (Rabaul) until his discharge in 1947.

In 1949 he and his childhood sweetheart, Margot, were married and returned to Rabaul. Don started work with the Commonwealth Dept. of Works and in 1959 joined Rabaul Metal Industries (RMI) as manager where over time he learned all aspects of the business. In 1976 when BHP formed a partnership with Don, Don was given free reign with running the company. He set about stamping his mark on the business and during the '70s and '80s RMI became a benchmark for other businesses in Rabaul. He could be seen quite often in the workshop working shoulder to shoulder with the Papua New Guinean factory workers, helping to meet urgent orders. This approach won him great respect from his national workers some of whom gave 30-35 years of service to the company. Don also found time to excel at golf and become President of Rabaul Golf Club, to participate in community activities and become President of Rotary and to participate in many Rabaul to Kavieng yacht races. He was awarded an MBE in 1986.

Don retired in 1989 but kept returning to Rabaul (RMI) until 1994 on business matters. Don and Margot spent about six years at Tallai in the hinterland of the Gold Coast and a further six years in Brisbane. Don is survived by his wife Margot and their four children.

Editor (Una Voce - March 2003)