Mr Ian Druce BURNET (26 February 2003, aged 71
years)
Ian's first posting as a cadet patrol officer was to Lorengau on Manus Island in
1955. He completed his year at ASOPA in 1958. His happiest memories were of
Gumine patrol post. He patrolled the Bomai, and was posted to Lufa and various
other posts in the Highlands. Ian transferred from the then Dept of Native
Affairs to the Dept of Trade and Industry where he was an instigator for the
setting up of the wool project in the Highlands. Subsequently he joined the
Directorate of Transport which later became the Dept of Transport. He was
instrumental in gaining funding from the World Bank and the United Nations
Development Project for the Highlands Highway. He was appointed Secretary of
that Department prior to leaving Port Moresby in 1974.
Ian was a pidgin interpreter for the first House of Assembly. He was also vice
president of the Public Service Association. He represented permanent officers
with actuarial negotiations in the early '70s. He was a member of the PNG Tariff
Board and Passenger Motor Vehicle Board.
He is survived by his wife Gwen, and sons Michael and Campbell. (His sons will
enjoy reading his well crafted patrol reports.)
Gwen Burnet (Una Voce - June 2003)
