Airniugini Funny Business?
 

From the Post Courier, Friday 13th. April 2012.

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Air Niugini funny business
 

I interpret this as a CEO bashing exercise, sharpening the knives to ensure Wasantha's contract is not renewed at the end of April, but probably with no real substance.

The information has clearly been provided by someone who has access to documents, rumours and union vitriol, but little or no in depth knowledge of either procedures or reality. One must bear in mind that at the last estimate there were just under six million experts on Air Niugini in this country.................!

There are many aspects in the published allegations that make little sense other than as a vindictive first strike against the CEO. I have no deep personal affection for WK, but this is probably not the way to do it. I would suggest that the Post Courier needs to tread carefully before reporting unsupported allegations as assumed fact. There must be enough supported allegations in play already without having to resort to the rumour factory.

bob johns
 

Believe it or not ,I have some very happy memories of that little island of Daru , and it disturbs , but doesnt surprise me that the place has gone to rat-**** . Any one got any recent news of the island ? Wendy and I were married there in 1974 by the DC Ken Brown. Was last there in 1991 - had a mob of Jap carpetbaggers on board (doing what the little yellow bastards couldnt do in 1942-44) and while sorry to see the Club non -exhistant the guest haus was all that was left. The Daru Hilton didnt warrant a thought . Menu at kai ? I opted for a cray fish feast and got it . Hot cray fish served with boiled spinnach and hot mashed potatoe. Any way the greenie became a brownie about 2% hick and little doubt that it is not where I contracted Acute hep A and malaria . Any how I have some fond memories of that ****ty little swamp as it was a happy and safe ****ty little swamp in those days.

Daru main street about to be visited by a Douglas Airways Islander. The photographer was a Douglas Airways pilot flying as a passenger on his day off. What else was there to do whilst based in Daru? The flying pilot later joined Qantas. (⌐■_■)


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bob johns
 

well SBS in those days we got a lot of fun out of our flying (baron vs islander slow flying contest /how fast can Your balus go with one feathered? look at me i can go faster than you with gear down and one feathered Yair but I can go slower than you etc etc then fishing in bloody ricketty bloody canoes Arr all sorts of stuff that would get you the sack in to days nanny state . Ill bet the BISCUIT EARS driver had a lot more fun in his broom broom t han he ever did with QF but ,then the take home pay and perks would be a cut above what B-E was paying (1973-4 was 240 bucks per month 6 day week 10 dollars a day f--cking mad but I wouldnt have missed it for quids

Becoming 'over-refreshed' in Daru.
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Vince Sanders
 

Those who knew Vince Sanders will recall that, among other things, he was a PNG amateur historian. The following is one of his original historical articles. It's now nearly forty years old so excuse the faded print.

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Emirau
 

The US Seabees did indeed do a good job when they built this airstrip, and it was still in excellent condition when I was operating there 40 years later. Not bad considering these strips were typically transformed from bushland to an operating airstrip capable of handling heavy bombers in as little as a week.

Maybe we should get them in to sort out the second airport in Sydney!

Well I remember Vince Sanders and Sanders Transport. I have a vague recollection Vince's daughter (?) may have posted in this thread long ago??? I may be wrong.

Vince was mates with Ray Thurecht of PNG Printing - and two Aerostars fame. Does Ray still live in Port Moresby?

Originally Vince recovered scrap metal post war. One of his "recycles" was PNG's only railway line and steam engine, from Ela Beach to the mines at Bootless Bay and 17 mile. The original Ela Beach RSL building was the railway terminus.

I remember Vince - he was a quietly spoken gentleman and a real 'territorean'. Loved his flying too. He was one of the SPAC leading lights when I was there in the late 60's.

He owned several aircraft over the years, but his last was a nice Twin Comanche C rego VH-EVS. I flew it on charters to Rabaul, Kieta and a few other places in late 1969.

Remember ferrying the SPAC Victa 115, VH-MRE, from Moresby to Brisbane in early 1966 with Vince. It was a long, long flight, but we had some great times enroute with overnights at Horn Is and Townsville.

happy days,

Ray Thurecht
 

Torres,
Re your query about Ray Thurecht. As of November last year Ray was still in Moresby and still involved with the Port Moresby Yacht Club.

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Photo in the Rogues Gallery of the PMYC.

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Ray's Aerostar P2-ASI many years ago at Daugo Island.

SIR Ramon Thurecht????????????

Ray got one too?????????

They got specials on Knighhoods again? :rolleyes:

Thanks for his email address.I'll contact him again after almost 30 years.

Vale Captain Billy Johns
 

Billy passed away this morning at 1000.

He was a great guy and an Excellent Check and Training Captain with Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea for many many years.


Requiescat in Pace




Check Brisbane Courier Mail for Funeral Notice




angry ant

( but today a sad ant )

I'm very sorry to hear Billy has gone. He's had a medical problem for the past few years.

The Timpanist from Tasmania has played his last tune.

Bill was a great friend of well over forty years, in PNG and later in Australia. Joined Jasper and Bill at the Irish Club on one of their weekly outings some years ago.

RIP wantok.

Bill Johns
 

Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Spent many a happy hour with Bill in the SPAC bar. He gave me my first hour of dual instruction in P2-CTM, John Close's Tiger Moth.

I recall attending his 30,000 hour party at Redcliffe about 15 years ago, where he regaled attendees with account of his early days flying the Tiger Moth and Dragon for TAL.

Wonderful gentleman, and he will sadly missed.

Funeral details for Capt. Billy Johns
 

Have not yet been published, I think probably next Tuesday.

As requested by Tailwheel, will let you know the details when I find out.

angry ant

Service for Captain Billy Johns
 

The service for Billy will be held in the Chapel at Mount Thompson Crematorium, Mt. Gravatt, on Wed. 9 May at 1000.


Vale Captain Billy Johns

The Astrolobes-Bootless Bay Railway
 

Torres, I made the mistake of jocularly discussing the above railway with Ron Pryor of Bootless fame back in da 60's, he bitterly stated the late Keith Tetley misappropriated the same said railway as scrap (maybe he sold it to Vince) Believe me Ron was irate!!

I remember Ron. Indeed, I think he owned the marina where I kept my yacht.

I'm sure it was Vince that told me he cut up the railway and one steam engine, although it may have been Keith. The conversation would have occurred around 45 years ago.

I don't know full details of the railway but I believe it ran from Ela Beach to Bootless Bay, then to the old mine off the Sogeri Road at 16 mile? Someone told me the Ela Beach RSL was the original railway station?

I understand it was the only railway ever to operate in PNG and ceased operation due to the war. The old rusty shed at the mine site - probably collapsed now - was reputedly used by the Salvation Army as a Field Hospital during the war. Opposite the mine, beneath Hombrom Bluff was Blamey's Retreat, a complete overgrown Army camp complete with rusted stills.