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The expatriate legacy; part of the history of PNG
"Sepik Blu Longpela Muruk" is a novel about characters formed
by the time and place they lived in. BAEAU TAI writes.
"Sepik Blu Longpela Muruk" is a novel
written by Australian writer David Wall about PNG in the 60s and
70s.
The novel was launched on Sunday 11 March 2007 at 152 Wilson St
Newtown in Sydney by John Bowers, retired British Army Officer and
ex PNG Patrol Officer, Police Officer and Judge's Associate.
David Wall, a modest thoughtful and perceptive narrator, draws
upon his Papua New Guinea experiences spanning some 18 years spent
largely as a Health Officer in rural areas, to weave a tale based
upon real and imaginary persons and situations and scattered with
quaint but apt philosophical views and quotations.
In David Wall's first novel we meet his enigmatic chief character,
James Ward.
James is an intelligent, questioning and perhaps fearful Roman
Catholic, uncertain as to whether he seeks Lassiter's Reef or the
Holy Grail.
His orthodox upbringing ill prepares him for his collision with
the "freewheeling", perhaps promiscuous life style of Angoram, the
factual Sepik River outpost which is the main setting for Sepik
Blu Longpela Muruk.
James Ward's would be lover, Laura Sheppard perceptively
understands his psyche. When discussing their relationship, she
says "It doesn't do anyone's self-esteem any good to be viewed as
an occasion of sin and I wouldn't want you discussing our sex life
with some creepy old priest."
At Angoram and along the Sepik River, we are introduced to the
residents: priests, patrol officers, traders and others whose
occupations are less clearly defined - a visiting sociologist from
the USA described the Angoram expats as being sustained by some
private dream of riches without labour.
This was perhaps apposite for some, but for others even the dream
had gone.
This cast of eclectic characters is skillfully portrayed and was
undoubtedly drawn from the author's wealth of experience and shows
his keen sense of observation and personality insight.
David's good friend, Peter Johnson, an Englishman, who has lived
in Papua New Guinea for over 47 years as a trader and agent, and
who still lives in Angoram reviews the novel in his own words.
"If it's Harrison Ford, blasting volcanoes or cannibals and
crocodiles red in tooth and claw you are seeking, then don't
bother to read this quite excellent novel of the real life in
out-station Papua New Guinea during the 1960s and 70s, as
"colonials" came face to face with Self-Government and then,
Independence."
Around 1972, I met Keith and Jean McCarthy in Brian Bell's Boroko
store and it seemed that they were buying half the white-goods on
offer. I asked Keith, "Surely you are not thinking of leaving?"
"Well," he said, "it's like this. We almost don't know anyone
anymore, so yes, we are going South shortly."
This was the dilemma faced by all long term residents of "The
Territory" and the dilemma faced by James Ward and his fellow
expatriates in Angoram.
"Sepik Blu Longpela Muruk" follows them through their difficulties
and agonized decision making - to leave, or to stay?
White Papua New Guinea residents will understand, appreciate and
greatly enjoy this book, Australians devoid of the "PNG
experience" will perhaps be less convinced of its veracity, but
will be amazed if convinced that truth is indeed stranger than
fiction. Anyway, they will also enjoy it. Papua Niugini nationals
may have even more difficulty, but for the older literate
citizens, it may help to provide some explanation for the odd
behavior of the expatriates they observed in their youth; some may
even nostalgically wish to turn back the clock," Peter said.
About the author
David Andrew Wall was born on 29
February 1936 and came to Papua as a plantation assistant. He
later worked in New Guinea as a Lands Officer and as a Malaria
Control Officer with the Department of Public Health in Maprik and
Angoram.
He left after Self Government, gained a degree in Sydney and
worked as librarian at a prominent Sydney school until his recent
retirement.
David still thinks of his wonderful time in PNG. "The most
memorable time for me were the years in the then East Sepik
District and particularly the time in Angoram on the Sepik River.
I made many friends among the expatriates and the New Guineans. I
think looking back, wara Sepik na blut bilong mi tanim wantaim".
In 1972 he married and Deborah, his wife, worked for a short
period in 1973 as Press Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition
(with Matthias ToLiman and then with Tei Abal).
They left PNG shortly before self-government in 1974. They both
became teachers in New South Wales.
They are now retired from teaching and Deborah is involved in many
projects with the Aboriginal and Filipino communities around
Sydney.
Their two children, Andrei and David Augustus are grown up. Andrei
works as a teacher in Kuwait and David Augustus as a graphic
designer in Sydney.
After leaving PNG, David thought for many years he had forgotten
about the place. He did make a brief visit back to the Sepik in
the late 1970s but in more recent years, memories have been
constantly flooding back. "The many characters among the
expatriates and many outstanding people of PNG from the past
increasingly jolted my memory and I returned to the East Sepik for
a visit last year.
"The returning consciousness I had of PNG and its people motivated
me to start writing a novel last year. This experience is perhaps
encapsulated in the next paragraph.
In some ways the writing of the novel was a journey down memory
lane. A nostalgia for the past and a wish to create a fictional
story based on recollections. In the twilight of one's life,
sometimes the past takes on new dimensions and appreciations and
the years I spent in PNG have left me with an emotional commitment
to the country and its people."
 
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