This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. Imagine if you will a country with spectacular, awe-inspiring scenery from fierce mountain ranges clothed in almost impenetrable jungle to … More Imagine Independence
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. Massed warriors gather in the Goroka showground Highland tribes with spears, arrows and axes Feathers, beads, and arse gras[i] Pig … More Highlands Warriors
“Be in Goroka next week” they said “Sure, no problem!” Hah! A baby, a mother cat, five kittens Public Works packing crates Crazy packing and cleaning Cat and kittens to the high school Only a small grey kitten to join us Guilty consciences for decades. Turns out the choice for the District Inspector of Education … More Going to Goroka
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. Four years in (Port) Moresby Ela Beach excursions as a family A weekend drive to check the mail A few … More Ela Beach Excursions
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. Low flying aircraft scares the cockatoos, Clouds drape the mountain ridges. Villages, jungle, new faces, new names. A far cry … More Alotau and Acronyms
Back in 2012 when I was blogging prolifically I created this geneameme. I was delighted that Randy Seaver from Geneamusings used it for this week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun. Thanks for reviving it, Randy. In the intervening years we’ve relocated to my home state, far from some of our family, the grandchildren have grown up … More Deck the Halls: 2017 Christmas geneameme
Yes, it’s Tuesday, but unfortunately my internet was on strike yesterday. This (Monday) morning, I was reflecting on the changes over the decades to flying and travelling internationally (and domestic). My mother-in-law had a mantra which we maintain: “tickets, passport, wallets, kids”. Now that the latter are adults and we’re empty nesters, we can automatically … More Monday Memories: Flying and travel
Over the years I’ve often written about battles and family members who have fought in them. Today is a little more personal. As a young bride, I went to the then-Territory of Papua New Guinea with my newly-minted husband. Nothing all that strange in that perhaps, as many young women made the same migration for … More Monday Memories, NFHM and Milne Bay
It has long been thought in the Cass family that James McKenna, aged 17.5 yrs, arrived Marion 1848 was part of this family even though it was a leap from Melbourn, Cambridge to Newcastle where he was tried in January 1845 for stealing a hank of worsted. Then sent to Millbank & Parkhurst, thence to … More Unravelling the McKenna family
One hundred years ago, Australian soldiers were fighting the desperate battle for their lives near the tiny French hamlet of Fromelles. That 24 hours from the evening of the 19th July 1916 was to be the bloodiest and most disastrous day in Australia’s military history to date (and may it so remain). And yet, when … More Honouring the Fallen of Fromelles
Family history across the seas 