Tom Leahy interviewed by Jon Ritchie in the Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4352519
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Leahy, Tom, 1930-2012, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digital collection item.
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2008
- 4 sound files (ca. 327 min.)
- Series:
- Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Tom Leahy speaks about his early life and his schooling; travelling to New Guinea to work with his uncle, Mick Leahy at Zenag; his early experiences; learning Tok Pisin; taking a gold mining job and mining techniques; Highlander workers and their work ethic; problems faced by Highlanders with malaria and influenza; dealings with Highlanders at gold mine; his plans to start own mine; relations with local tribes people; observations of cultural differences; looking after the family farm at Zenag and its organisation; making an application for land in Markham Valley, how it was granted, being the first European settler in valley; problems with irrigating land and successful outcomes; the early years on the property, building a house; illnesses experienced; developments in education and health at that time; Arthur Calwell; his role 'hearing court' and the administration of justice; the importance of education and views of local people; observations of developing political and economic understanding and the impact of change; leasing land from local people, sharing the proceeds of harvests; the evolution of local people in understanding business and their understanding of land and its value.
Leahy discusses local government councils; becoming a member of council of Lae University of Technology and work practices; the introduction of and importance of A.B.C. radio in political education; his thoughts on first P.N.G. politicians and their understanding of politics; his approach to campaigning, campaign promises and electioneering; his commencement as member of the House of Assembly; joining the Legislative Council (ie. Administrator's Executive Council); issues facing the country at the time; Bougainville mine and land owners; David Hay; Barry Middlemiss; Leo Morgan; methods used to train and educate Papua New Guinean members; Sinake Giregire; his involvement in the Constitutional Development Committee; Parliamentary and public service integrity bills; Sir Michael Somare; John Guise; Pangu Pati; Gough Whitlam; the timing of P.N.G. Independence; how Australia handled its relationship with P.N.G.; his concerns about exploitation, public servants and entrepreneurs; the failure of contemporary administration and the achievements of Australian administration.
- Notes:
- Recorded on April 4, and July 22, 2008 in Qld.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (6 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Ritchie, Jonathan, 1961-, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project.
This collection contains 42 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2078 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2008
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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