Mr William John Charles (Bill) KELLY (8 March 2003, aged 79 years)

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After schooling at Waverley Christian Brothers College, Bill joined the RAAF as a pilot, ending his war career as a Flying Officer with a Mention In Despatches. After a year studying dentistry, he went to New Guinea as a cadet patrol officer. However, he first married Margaret Eldershaw which he later said was the best thing he ever did.

His postings were first to Bougainville - Wakanai and Buin; then Kainantu and later across to Kundiawa as ADO, where he did a long patrol from Chimbu to the Purari and Papuan border. Like most Highland stations there were numerous but decidedly unruly clans nearby and it was to Bill's credit that Ian Downs, DO at Goroka (who was not usually lavish with his praise), said, 'Well I'm glad I've got Kelly at Chimbu.'

After two terms in the cool air, the Kellys found themselves at Esa'ala where, with the help of the local people (and possibly a little manipulation of funds?), Bill built wharves and other much needed infrastructure. When warned that Treasury might look askance at this, his reply was, 'They've got to find out first and in any case, the improvements have already been made.' Things went well until Bill was ordered into Samarai, where he found a Treasury officer waiting on the wharf for him - but in his usual resourceful fashion Bill fielded all the officer's questions and managed to talk his way out of the situation.

The next postings were to New Britain (1958-69) - Talasea, Kokopo and then Rabaul as DO, a very interesting period as those who remember their history will know. As if there weren't enough rumbles in the earth in Rabaul, Bill crossed to Madang as DO for a term but even there, in November 1970, an earthquake caught up with him (see Margaret's story in Una Voce December 2002 issue). Then came Moresby where Bill was Senior Land Titles Commissioner, a subject in which he had first become interested in the Highlands due to the endless fights over land there.

Finally Bill and Margaret retired in 1978 to live in Mosman and in 1995, moved to Brisbane where most of their family were living. Bill was a genial, generous, happy man with a twinkle in his eyes, and a master of understatement. Efficient but open minded, he was liked and respected by his fellow officers. He leaves Margaret, four sons, five daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren.
 

Freddie Kaad (Una Voce - June 2003)