I have a back log of photo’s to upload. Here are some from a GA8 dedication service last year. Our first Turbo charged GA8, we now have three in our fleet with a fourth one on it’s way. It has been awesome to see God’s provision of renewing some of MAF PNG’s aging fleet with much needed new aircraft.
June 2009 we had a dedication service for our first GA8 Turbo charged Airvan for MAF PNG. The first one of it's type in the world.
11 Photos
Friday the 23 of July is a public holiday in PNG celebrating Remembrance Day, Many countries in the Commonwealth celebrate remembrance day at some point of the year to commemorate the sacrifices of the armed forces and civilians in times of war. PNG celebrates it on the 23rd of July, as on that day in 1942 marks the first engagement between the PNG and Australian forces against the invading Japanese in WW2.
1. Great Grandad Preece
There is some Preece family history in regards to defending PNG in war time. My Great Grandfather, William Edward Preece, came to PNG in 1914 as part of the Australian military expedition force to take PNG from the occupying German force. He then went on to France in 1916 with the 5th Field Ambulance to be at almost every major battle there as a stretcher bearer up to 1918 and returned to Australia in 1919.
2. Grandad before leaving Sydney at 19
My Grandfather, Alfred George Preece [preferred to be called George], joind the AIF 2/3 Infrantry Battalion during WW2 in 1941. He left Sydney when he was 19 for the Middle East, Palestine. Followed by Syria and Lebanon, then when the Japanese threat became evident. Returned to Australia in 1942 for the 2/3rd’s first PNG campaign as part of the advancement on the Kokoda Trial. Following the Kokokda campaign they returned to Northern Queensland for training [Atherton tablelands, close to Mareeba] before returning to PNG for their second PNG campaign, clearing the Japanese forces in the Aitape and Wewak region. Grandad returned to Australia in 1946.
3. Grandad’s map - 1945 Japanese positions in Wewak
My Grandfather when promoted to a Corporal became an Intelligence Officer for Battalion Intelligence. There is quite a few documentation of his service during WW2 from his war diary, photos, maps he drew and his military record. Back in April a lost Battlefield was rediscovered at Eora Creek on the Kokoda Trial where the 2/3rd had a major engagement with the Japanese. My Grandfather’s Company leader led the flanking attack which saw Australian forces advance along the Kokoda trial. The first time in WW2 that Japanese forces had been pushed back in battle (I will include more info on the battle in a future post). During recent research by my Dad on that battle, as there was little known about what involvement my Grandfather had in that engagement, he came across a military report which gives explanations of name places during the campaign. One of the items refers to a Spur named after my Grandfather in the Tortecelli Mountains behind Aitap - Wewak.
4. Preece Spur - you can view the full report here
My Dad’s uncle, Edward (Ted) John Preece, served in Milne Bay during WW2 with the 9th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Battery defending an airfield. He also returned to PNG post WW2 to be involved in building projects, including the building of Mt Hagen General Hospital.
5. Edward John Preece at Milne Bay [with the binoculars]
Despite yesterday being a public holiday, I elected to work due to the workload at the Hangar. I have had an interest in history for sometime now. Especially about war since I was older enough to understand it. It fascinates me, despite how horrible, pointless and endless it is. I have known a little about my family heritage in war and PNG but after yesterday and quickly looking through records, I am even more interested than before in learning more. But time has always limited me investing into it. I thank God that both my Great Grandfather and Grandfather survived both World Wars. That there could be four generations.
6. Great Grandad & Grandad 1946 Anzac Day
I am hoping to get down to Wom beach at Wewak on the 13th September, where my Grandfather was for the Japanese surrender in 1945, 65 years ago. Hopefully hike Kokoda next year as this year has not worked out with my extended stay in Australia. I am amazed the opportunities God has given my family to serve in PNG. Most of all I am grateful for the freedom PNG enjoys today.
Learn more about the 2/3rd Battalion here
The Lost Battlefield website here
Story on the Lost Battlefield here
Yesterday we received notice that the final report into the investigation of Hadleigh’s fatal accident is now available. I had wondered when this report would come about and what it would reveal. It’s hard to think that it will be two years since the accident come this October. I haven’t finished reading through the report yet, but reading parts of it has brought back good memories of Hadleigh and also that of the accident. Despite all the evidence and factors looked at, the investigation was unable to identify any that could of contributed to the accident. Which I expected considering the circumstances of the accident, but has given me some more details. Please pray for Hadleigh’s family during this time.
To look at the report on the ATSB website click here
To download the preliminary report click here
To download the final report click here
Abstract from ATSB website
“On the morning of 16 October 2008, a Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan, registered VH-WRT, was being operated on a freight charter flight from Elcho Island and return, Northern Territory. At about 1230, it was realised that the aircraft was missing. A witness reported seeing the aircraft during the early stages of the flight and, shortly afterwards, a column of dark black smoke rising from the eastern side of the Napier Peninsula. On 17 October 2008, items of wreckage from the aircraft were found in the south-western part of Buckingham Bay. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, and the main wreckage of the aircraft have not been found. After consideration of the available evidence, the investigation was unable to identify any factor that contributed to the accident.”
Following the PT6 course in Sydney I was expecting to return to PNG. During the course I was still awaiting my work permit to come through. Come the end of the first week of the course, I received news that my work permit had been issued after a three month wait. Which was a big praise point. It looked like I would be able to return to PNG on my second attempt following the course.
1. View from one of my rooms at Treetops in Cairns
My entry visa had expired, but was normal practice for it to be extended to be able to enter the country again to renew it. But come Monday afternoon in the second week of the course, I learned that I needed to apply for a new entry visa due to a new rule change. Straight away i went to the local police station to get my police check sorted out as that takes two weeks to be processed. During the week I did the required medical tests and examinations after the course. Following the course and being in Sydney for fifteen weeks, it seemed the best option was to fly up to Cairns and work out at Mareeba until the new visa came through. Mareeba is MAF’s maintenance facility supporting the Asia Pacific region, focusing more on heavy maintenance. It is over 60 km’s from Cairns, about a 45 -60 minute drive depending who is driving.
2. Hangar section of MAF Mareeba
I arrived in Cairns on the Tuesday after the long weekend, not being too emotional on leaving Sydney. Not sure if it was due to being emotionally drained, or it gets easier to say goodbye each time or I had been in Sydney for an extra five weeks. I started working out at Mareeba hoping to get my visa in time to return for MAF PNG’s annual conference. The visa should only take four days to be issued, but the main thing was waiting for the police check to come through. The police check came through on time the second week in Cairns. But the following week cutting it close to conference it seemed it would not come due to another delay. So my third attempt to return to PNG seemed not possible. I was quite gutted on hearing of another delay, one due to paperwork, that I would not make it to conference. It was then that I started to get a little frustrated.
3. P-40 Kitty Hawk at Mareeba Warbird Adventures (sounds amazing flying over, couldn’t imagine an entire squadron)
The week following conference, arriving to Mareeba one morning I recieved news that my passport and visa had arrived in Cairns. It was a bit of a shock as it was a little sooner than expected, but a relief. It seemed like every possible delay took place along the way with my work permit and entry visa in delaying my return to PNG (but I’m sure there could of been others). What was a ten week planned time in Australia turned out to be nineteen weeks. But in that I was able to do so much, I was able to do the PT6 course plus attend JJ and Soona’s wedding, was able to take care of everything that needed to be done while in Sydney and I was able to spend almost four weeks in Cairns working at Mareeba. In the end I just had to accept each delay as it came.
4. Flag Staff Hill lookout at Port Douglas (didn’t do too much sight seeing, but did drive up to Port Douglas one Saturday afternoon)
My time in Mareeba was quite good, as most jobs I did were a first for me and was able to get back into Engineering. But it was good to get to know the guys better there or get to know those I didn’t know. So my highlight in Cairns was working with the guys in Mareeba. Winter in Cairns is very nice and I quickly adjusted to life there. I flew back up to Mt Hagen via Port Moresby last Monday. In Sydney I didn’t really feel like I fitted in there or had my place there. But arriving in Mt Hagen was like arriving home. So despite the changes and long delays, I am grateful for the way God worked it all out, for His provision in all that I was able to do and to be home.
They say that 98% of all statistics are made up. Well these statistics were put together with last years records. I used some of these stats while visiting different churches in Sydney. They are encouraging to see the amount of work achieved for God’s Kingdom with the resources MAF PNG has.
1. P2-MFT at work - DHC-6 Twin Otter (workhorses of the fleet)
But after dwelling on them, in the end they are numbers. They don’t completely show the number of individuals and communities spiritually and physically impacted last year. What came to mind was 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
Despite the great amount of work achieved last year and lives impacted, if we do it without love, than we don’t accomplish much before God, quite a challenging reminder.
Two men from Bendigo Victoria, Tim Pryse and Ken Evers recently circumnavigated around the world in an aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia. Setting off from Bendigo on the 8th of May and arriving back today. A world first! All in order to promote awareness of many countries still affected severely by Malaria, especially those that they would be flying through. Plus to raise money for two charities, their goal being set for $1,000,000. And also to celebrate 100 years of aviation in Australia.
The two charities that they chose to support by their mission were AFAP (Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific) and MAF. Interesting enough the GA8 Turbo Airvan is the same aircraft that MAF PNG currently have three of in it’s fleet and also used in other MAF programs with the normal aspirated Airvan.
1. GA8 TC Airvan (MAF PNG airvan at Gippsland)
Part of their trip included flying through PNG, you can check out their blog entry on it here. What amazed me was the statistic given to them by the PNG health department of how many people die of Malaria in PNG each year, a figure that I was ignorantly unaware of. How high it is I am not sure (but seems a bit too high, whether this is accurate or not I don’t know).As HIV AIDS is one of or the main focus of prevention and awareness in PNG and living in the Highlands, malaria sort of takes a back seat at times.
2. The Flight Route (8th May to 8th July)
From what I know the guys arrived in Cairns yesterday and returned to Bendigo today. Please check out their website and their story. You can also donate online.
3. Tim Pryse & Ken Evers
Congratulations Tim and Ken!
Maipson only had thirteen full days in Sydney, ten of them for the PT6 course. So it was a busy time trying to fit in as much sight seeing & activities as possible. Maips camera was broken just before coming to AUS, so I tried to take as many photos for him as possible.
69 Photos
MAF International Annual Review from last year is here. It gives a good overview of the work done by MAF in different programs all around the world, it is a worth while read. Without people’s support both prayer and financially, the work achieved would not be possible and ultimately not possible without the Lord. Check it out here.
Originally my furlough in Australia was planned for ten weeks. There was two factors in deciding when to return to Australia. Being back in Sydney for a wedding or be in Sydney for a PT6 gas turbine course. I was only able to attend one of them with the time I had, so I chose the wedding. I was due back to PNG on the 12th of May.
1. Maips encountering a shark
Come the week before leaving, my work permit had still not been issued. My Engineering Manager considered the possibility for me staying on for the course, despite what would happen with my work permit. I was disappointed, as I was really wanting to get back to PNG, especially after seven weeks in Australia. But come a few days before due to leaving I was given permission to attend the PT6 course in Sydney for two weeks, starting 31st of May. A type course which covers all models of the PT6 and is required to be passed as part of the requirements of attaining a PT6 engine license. The engine that is used on MAF PNG’s Twin Otter’s and Cessna Caravan.
2. Supporting the Eels at the Grand Final rematch
Attending the course would also allow Maipson to come to Sydney for the first time to attend the course. The extra three weeks before the course started, allowed me to finish everything I needed to get done before leaving for PNG again. The first time I have ever been able to get everything done before leaving. With Maipson arriving on a Saturday and departing in two weeks time, meant outside of the course we wouldn’t have too much free time. From the afternoon he arrived we were off into the city.
3. Ferry to Circular Quay, first via Darling Harbour
The course itself was very saturation in information and things we needed to know. It had been almost six to seven years since I had done my gas turbine theory, so I was a bit rusty. But most of the PT6 stuff was new for me. After the first week I felt like my brain could not absorb any more information. After the course each day Maips and I would spend time studying at a library. It was a busy time, but was good to get back into a routine. It was great for both of us to get through the course and pass both exams. It was a lot of work.
4. Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon lookout
Some of the things we were able to do during Maips two weeks in Sydney were two trips into the city, one via train and the other via ferry. Which included Sydney Aquarium, walking from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay, the Opera House, visit my home sending Church, Thursday night shopping at Parra Westfield, seeing the Parramatta vs Storm game, going up Centre point tower, Sydney wildlife world, Sydney Harbour Pylon lookout, Manly ferry, dinner at Manly, visit a church to raise support, lunch at Dee Why and catch up with the Paix’s (former long term MAF pilot/Engineer couple).
5. Graduates
It was a really busy two weeks and very tiring, especially following on from the previous weeks. But really gratefully for the opportunity God gave me to do the PT6 course, something that I thought would not be possible when attending JJ & Soona’s wedding as well. Making the possibility of attaining that license before the end of my second term. I really take away a lot from the course. But also to be able to do it with Maips and for him to come to Sydney and stay with my parents, to see where I am from. Something that I never expected to happen, especially after spending time with his family in his village. The first of my PNG family to come to Sydney was my highlight for the two weeks.
This is probably my favourite video of MAF in PNG. As it does really well showing the people and land that MAF serve in Papua New Guinea. Hence it gives a glimpse of PNG. It is close to five years old and was put together by one of our Pilot/Engineer’s Brad Ballin.
