Some Snippets from Mary Strachan’s life

As time allows, I’m hoping that Tony Strachan, Mary’s eldest son, will write Mary and Arthur’s story for the website.

In the meantime, I did manage to find quite a few items in newspapers and magazines, as well as amongst Mum’s documents. These are transcribed in date order in this story.

1917 to 1919 – Early Photos of Mary

As far as I’ve been able to discover, there are only two photos of any of Irene and Bill’s children as babies, both of which are shown below. The first is of Irene with Mary as a baby in 1917, and the second is of Jack and Mary together sometime in 1919.

I’m guessing that as the babies kept on coming, there was less time and money to be too concerned with baby photos. The focus was more on just remembering all their names! The earliest photos of the remaining ten siblings appear to be their school photos, although if anyone has any earlier shots, I’d love to hear from you.

Irene and Mary, 1917

Jack and Mary, 1919

1934 - Crazy Artist Contest

The following drawing was published in 1934 in the Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser. The idea was to come up with a suitable caption. Mary’s entry was sent in on Saturday 14 April 1934, and published the following Monday – it’s the last one in the column of text shown below.

Mary was 17 at the time, and her entry was:

Good “strides” in the interests of safety.

Entries were accepted over some weeks, with the three winning entries and the five highly commended entries being announced in the paper of Saturday 19 May 1934. Sadly, Mary’s entry wasn’t one of those mentioned.

1936 - Scholarship

Mary boarded at Mount Erin Convent School during her high school years, where she met Cecilia Flanagan who was later to become her brother Jack’s wife. Here are a couple of snippets about the award of Mary’s Teachers' College scholarship.

MT. ERIN STUDENT'S SUCCESS
As a result of a splendid pass in the leaving certificate examinations Miss Mary O'Brien, a student at Mt. Erin Convent, Wagga, has been awarded a Teachers' College scholarship.
Miss O'Brien is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. O'Brien, of Cooberang, Junee, and she will commence studies at the Teachers' College this week.

Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga) 24 February 1936

Mount Erin Convert, Wagga Wagga, 1936

Miss Mary O’Brien, of Junee Reefs, who has won a scholarship at the Teachers’ College, has gone to Sydney to commence her training.

The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express - 20 March 1936

1936 – Leaving Certificate

Having been boarding at the Mount Erin Convent School during her high school years, Mary was awarded her Leaving Certificate on Thursday 10 December 1936, aged 19. The annual prize-giving took place at St. Eugene’s High School in Mount Erin, and was reported in the Wagga Wagga Express on Saturday 12 December 1936.

I’m guessing these were the awards for the prior year, 1935, as Mary had already left for Teachers’ College in Sydney as noted in the previous article. I’m not sure whether Mary would have attended the prize-giving.

It’s interesting to note that Cecilia Flanagan’s name appears after Mary’s as having also been awarded the Leaving Certificate. As mentioned above, Cecilia went on to marry Mary’s brother Jack O’Brien.

1946 - Hundreds Bid At Sale For Parachutes

Although WWII had ended by 1946, many items were still hard to buy, and in Australia, rationing continued until 1950. People found all sorts of creative ways to make do with what was available - including using silk parachutes for making clothing. By 1946 Mary had started her own small business as a dressmaker, and was quick to snap up a parachute at an auction at Rozelle in Sydney.

It’s interesting to note that Mary purchased her parachute for £9. As you can see in the article below, the average weekly wage for men in Australia in 1946 was £6 9 shillings and 7 pence. At the time women were paid about half of a man’s salary even when doing the same work - hey don’t shoot the messenger, this makes me just as upset as it does you. So, the average weekly wage for a woman was likely less than £4, meaning that Mary paid more than two weeks wages for that parachute. That would be like paying over $3,000 today! 😵

A record crowd for a public auction in Sydney - 1,500 people crowded the Commonwealth Disposals Commission salerooms at Rozelle Bay today, when for the first time in NSW, pure silk parachutes were auctioned.
When the first parachute, complete with harness, was knocked down to Woolworths Ltd for £15 the crowd groaned and shouted, “Only give them one."
Forty minutes after the sale commenced, 14 parachutes had been sold, and one of the same type as the first one sold brought only £8.
One of the first women purchasers was Miss Mary O'Brien, a Cremorne dressmaker who paid £9 for a parachute with harness.
She said she would make tennis frocks, blouses and undies from the silk. Her family had booked up every inch of the parachute, she said, and she would not be able to sell any of it to her customers.

The O'Brien girls are eager for something silk

Daily Mirror Thursday 19 September 1946

Clothes from parachute silk

1946 – Arthur’s WWII Records

Arthur joined the Royal Australian Navy Reserves (RANR) in 1939 and was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserves (RANVR) during the war. You can click here to access his war record online, or you can read it in a PDF by clicking here.

1947 - Mary and Arthur’s Wedding

Like many of the O’Briens, Mary and Arthur were married at St Joseph’s Catholic Church near the family’s Cremorne home in Neutral Bay. The wedding took place on 28 June 1947, with the following announcement being included in the Cootamundra Herald the previous Wednesday.

At St Joseph’s Neutral Bay, on June 28, Dr Eris O’Brien will solemnise the marriage of Miss Mary O’Brien, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs T W O’Brien, to Mr Arthur Strachan, former lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy. Miss O’Brien has planned her future home at Dulwich Hill.

From left to right, the pictures below show the 11 siblings with their parents Irene and Bill at their family home (The Gables in Cremorne) on the day of Mary and Arthur’s wedding (Allan was missing as he’d been killed during the war), Irene and Bill with Mary at The Gables, Mary and Arthur, Mary (centre) with her sisters Joan (left) and Helen, who were her bridesmaids, and St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Neutral Bay. Click on the images below to enlarge then scroll using the right and left arrows.

1947 - Letter to Mary from Harold Worrall

I believe Harold Worrall was one of the British soldiers taken under the wing of the O’Brien family during their time in Sydney.

29 Cowper Lane
Billingham-on-Tees
Co. Durham
England

Mrs AF Strachan
No.3 Flat – The Cecil
2 Herbert Street
Dulwich Hill Australia
Sydney NSW

Wednesday 24th September 1947
Dear Mary
Having had your very pleasant letter of 4th August some 6 weeks ago, it is about time I got down to it and finally congratulated both you and Arthur on finally “doing the deed” or “taking the plunge” as some would say.
As your Ma would doubtless be fully occupied with the wedding organisation and straightening up after, I think she overlooked writing us with the good news and therefore, when your letter came it was of added interest.
Despite high prices, we can fully realise the mutual fun you will get in gathering all those thousand and one odds and ends that you need when you get into your own establishment.
Here in England, the summer - and what a summer – is over, and the drought. Don’t laugh now, but by our standards a period of no rain, even in summer, of 9 days is unusual. So when I tell you that for a great number of years, over 50 in some places, there was no rain for 5 to 6 weeks, you will realise we have had a real summer. More sunshine than a great many other folk have had in one summer. After all the snow last winter, we were entitled to it.
It is dark now by 7:30pm, and in another week, the one hour of summer time comes off the clocks and then we will be in time with the Sun until next April. Logs have been bought and our coal ration during the summer carefully stored up so that when the cold weather and the wet come along we’ll have enough fuel to have a fire on every day for the next 6 months.
As yet our rations have not been unduly cut, though we all feel there are more economy cuts to come.
Please thank Arthur very much for the cardigan which I’ll acknowledge on arrival. I’m not really hard up for clothes, but always on the hunt for something decent. Have been trying to get a pair of grey flannels now for over 4 months, but they’re scarcer than gold.
When you next see your Ma, will you please tell her that Parcel No. 4 arrived safe and sound on September 4th, for which many thanks. Whether any have been lost I cannot say, as I’m uncertain how many have been sent off, and there is no date of dispatch to guide one. This one was valued at 18/6 which may be some guide. If there is any money left in the fund, would you make us a parcel yourselves with that fruit and peel for Xmas cake?
Love to all the girls, Sincerely
Harold

1950 – Letters to Mary’s sister Gwen and her fiancé Alf Landsberry on their engagement

My parents, Gwen (nee O’Brien) and Alf Landsberry became engaged in the middle of 1950 and were originally due to be married in October of that year. The invitations had gone out and the arrangements had all been made, when Gwen decided to postpone things – perhaps indefinitely – due to religious differences. You’ll be able to read about that shortly, as soon as Gwen’s story is completed.

In the meantime in July 1950, Mary and Arthur each wrote a letter to Gwen and Alf congratulating them on their engagement.

As you’ll see below, rather cryptically, Mary says: “I’m sure that with your experience and common sense Alf, in conjunction with Gwen’s youth and pleasant disposition you will go ahead swimmingly.” I’m not 100% sure just what ‘experience’ Dad brought to the marriage, although he was over 11 years older than Mum, and I’m sure he’d had the odd dalliance with the female of the species before he met Mum.

Mary also mentions that she’ll “be glad when Timothy or Jane arrives”, as she was pregnant at the time and they’d obviously chosen their names for wither sex.

And Arthur offered these wishes to the newly engaged couple: “Please accept, Gwen, my best wishes for an extremely short engagement and a long and delightful married life; and Alf, my heartfelt congratulations on having chosen so wisely and so well.” In doing so, Arthur drew from a poem by Edna St Vincent Millay, although I’m not sure whether it would have been so well received had the whole stanza been provided:

Yet women’s ways are witless ways,
As any sage will tell,
And what am I, that I should love,
So wisely and so well?

Letter From Mary Strachan to Gwen and Alf

C/o B.G.D. Lae
10 July 1950
Dear Gwen and Alf
I am writing to you jointly in order that each one may see what I have to say of the other, and swell with pride thereby.
Ma tells me the bald fact that you have decided to get married – no details whatsoever. Isn’t that typical of her? However I assume that as you have so decided that there is nothing to hold you back, and we may look forward to the event in the near future. So I wish you both every happiness in the venture, as it would be out of place Alf, for me to congratulate you upon obtaining one of the O’Briens, I will leave it at that!!! I’m sure that with your experience and common sense Alf, in conjunction with Gwen’s youth and pleasant disposition you will go ahead swimmingly.
You will need to smarten Gwen up on the trousseau however. You know how slow she is at making anything. You may still be a trousseau down in 5 years unless you take a firm stand!! I recommend a quick trip to Coles or Woolworths, six of everything and the job is done.
I am writing on the back to save space. Arthur wishes to enclose a note and I want to put in a couple of hand-made hankies for you Gwen. You will need to boil them a few times as much handling has made them awfully grubby. But they are all hand done and the best linen so should look nice after a few boils.
I wish you could flip up here for a few days. You would find wonderful trousseau things in Chinatown. Unfortunately sending them south is not practicable. The duty is prohibitive. The best way is to wash them and then bring them in as personal clothing.
We are all in very good health and very happy. I am feeling A1 and work all day. Will be glad when Timothy or Jane arrives however. It is very warm for me and I perspire quite horribly.
Our house looks very pretty now and we are very proud of our efforts in that direction. I am rushing to finish before going to hospital so that all will be shipshape when I return and no job lagging to worry me.
Love and best wishes to you both.
Mary

Letter From Arthur Strachan to Gwen and Alf

Lae
10 July 1950
It was with great joy that I heard the long‑awaited news that you two lovers had decided to take the fatal and inevitable step. Please accept, Gwen, my best wishes for an extremely short engagement and a long and delightful married life; and Alf, my heartfelt congratulations on having chosen so wisely and so well.
Ever yours
Arthur
PS Did Alf receive my letter written about twelve months ago?

1957 – Caroline’s 5th Annual Fashion Show and Monster Quiz

During their time living in Papua New Guinea, Mary and Arthur were heavily involved in activities across all aspects of life in Lae - business, social and artistic. One of Mary’s business ventures was ‘Caroline’s Boutique’, which was her Lae based fashion business and boutique. It derived its name from Mary’s middle name, which had come down through the generations on her mother’s side. Mary’s great grandmother was Caroline Purcell, her grandmother was Caroline King, and she had an Aunty Caroline (‘Lina’) who was Irene’s sister.

In the following article from Pacific Islands Monthly of October 1957, it’s interesting to note that even though ‘Carolines’ was Mary’s business, she only gets a mention as Arthur Strachan’s wife – those crazy misogynistic chaps of the 1950’s!

By Knowing The Answers
Pretty girls In beautiful frocks; a wee Scots lassie in swirling kilts; talented artists; and youngsters and adults who knew all the answers, contributed towards the success Of Caroline's 5th Annual Fashion Parade and Monster Quiz Show, which was held at the RSL Club, Lae, NG on September 13 to aid the Scouts’ Building Fund.
Mr. Arthur Strachan and his wife, aided by a handful of Scouts, organised and conducted the Quiz Show and parade which netted nearly £170.
Over 36 frocks from leading southern manufacturers were displayed in professional manner by local girls, Priscilla Howes, Ann Stockden, Judy Sara, Joan Pittnay and Sheila Albrecht.
The Quiz Show, with £100 in prizes for general knowledge and spelling, revealed some knowledgeable Territorians.
The spelling questions were tough, but schoolteacher, Mr. Maurie ??, who obtained lusty support from the junior cheer-leaders, walked in an easy winner for the prize. Dr. Tony Tonaki won the second prize of £10.
Such questions as "What is a Bunting?” and "Who beat Lewis Hoad in the Davis Cup Challenge Round of 1954?" stumped the general knowledge teams, but they came up with the answers to such questions as "Which of Shakespeare’s plays was the character Malvolio in?".
The quiz was won by Mr. Frank Gibson and Mr. John Adler.
The junior part of the general knowledge quiz put the youngsters on their mettle, and a few questions got past them. One boy, John Colwell, answering with machine‑like precision the three part question "What is P-NG Day commemorated for?”.
"What is an Isthmus?" and "Who is the Prime Minister of India?” were answered without hesitation by winner of the quiz, master Graham Vinning.
More than 400 people attended the parade, and were entertained in the interval between the parade and the quiz show with clever Scottish dancing by little Suzanne Clark, and vocal items by Father Gregory, Win Cowen, Dennis Kearney, Norm Collis and Jean Graham.
Messrs. Martin Munro and Paul Hyman, who tied for second place in the quiz contest, and Dr. Tonaki who received second prize in the spelling, re‑donated their prizes.

Pacific Islands Monthly Vol. XXVIII, No. 3 - 1 October 1957

1959 – Anzac Day in Lae

Mr Arthur Strachan of Lae, New Guinea, is the organising genius behind the choir (adults and children) which will sing at Lae’s Anzac Day service which is always held in the local War Cemetery.

Pacific Islands Monthly Vol. XXIX, No. 9 – 1 April 1959

War Cemetery, Lae

1959 – Arthur Playing Poker

I never saw Arthur play cards, but I believe he did like poker and blackjack, and I can say that with some degree of confidence because, for some unknown reason I’ve ended up with his book ‘Playing Blackjack as a Business’ by Lawrence Revere (1971), something I’ll definitely be returning to Arthur’s son, Tony.

The article below is from the Pacific Islands Monthly of April 1959, and it shows Arthur deep in thought as he takes on some fellow locals in a charity poker game.

Yes, but is it sport?
It's a point that's been argued for years, but so long as the cards aren't marked there seems to be no reason why a good game of poker shouldn't get the sporting blood up. And the blood was up in Lae, NG, in March when sporting gentlemen adjourned to the RSL club for a poker game that raised funds for the P-NG Red Cross March Appeal.
Here, Arthur Strachan, facing camera, studies his move for the next hand while John Smith takes time off to move some of that cash out of the way.
In a smoke-filled ante-room, another band of adherents headed by Dr. Tony Tonaki, continued to play in grim silence. But it was all for a good cause.

Pacific Islands Monthly Vol. XXIX, No. 9 – 1 April 1959

1960 – Arthur Strachan Ltd Real Estate

Arthur Strachan established and ran his real estate business from Lae in Papua New Guinea from 1960 to 1976. The business is still running to this day under his name. The extract below is taken from the “About Us” page on the website for the business.

STEEPED IN HISTORY
Arthur Strachan Real Estate Agency was established in approximately 1960 by Arthur Strachan, a well known identity of Lae running a customs clearance agency who saw the need for a real estate agency. It is believed this was the first real estate agency to be established in Lae, and it was successfully run by Arthur until 1976 from a small rented office in James Arcade on 4th Street in Lae.

1962 – Letter from Mary to her sister Gwen and Alf congratulating them on the birth of David

My brother David Landsberry was born on 26 April 1962. Early the following month Mary wrote from Papua New Guinea to congratulate Gwen and Alf on the birth.

Mary mentions keeping in touch with her older two sons, Tony and Tim. I believe they were both in high school and boarding in Sydney at the time. Garth was still in primary school and living with his parents in Lae, Papua New Guinea.

Box 118 PO Lae
7 May 1962

My dear Gwen and Alf,
Congratulations!
You can’t have too many boys around. Lovely things! I am glad Gwen that you are successfully delivered. And no complications. There seems to be quite a batch (?) of new babies. When does the next round start!!!
I hope you manage to see the boys soon. They do like to have some relations to call. Makes them feel as though they are normal. They both appear to be well and happy. Tim is doing wonderfully and should give an even better performance when he is more established, and Tony is settling down better this year.
Tony has gone to Melbourne for May and Tim to Katoomba. I expect they will both freeze to death. I believe Katoomba is having snow.
Contrary to expectations, Garth adores being the only child. He has grown a lot since the fellers left and developed in the shoulders and limbs. Eating like a horse and doing much better at school. Isn’t it strange? I am convinced now if he continues he will do as well as Tim next year.
Arthur and myself will keep (?) busy as badgers (?). Just got rid of Arthur’s play, “Bell, Book and Candle” and now am organising a junior mannequin parade. Toddlers and teens for the Red X May appeal. On an average I get one night a fortnight in bed early, but I seem to thrive on it.
Must away. So many letters these days, and now the boys’ respective hostesses as well.
Love from Mary

1962 – Article about Mary in the Pacific Islands Monthly

It’s interesting to note that in her letter to Gwen above, Mary mentions that she’s always busy, but seems to thrive on it, because the following article from the Pacific Island News from just a few months earlier refers to her as ‘Lae’s Human Dynamo’.

Apologies that the article is a little cut off on the right‑hand side but that’s how it appeared on the website where I found it, and oddly enough my own copies of the 1962 Pacific Island News appear to have gone astray. 😊

Lae’s Human Dynamo – A Brett Hilder Profile

Mrs. Mary Strachan of Lae New Guinea is one of those human dynamos of high metabolism who thrive on work.

Some women thrive and bloom in the hot-house climate of the Territory, despite the loss of perspiration, while others are enervated.

But I suspect that Mary would thrive even among the Esquima (?). She was born in March 1917, as Mary Caroline O’Brien in Temora NSW, one of a large family.

She Won a teachers’ scholarship at the end of her high school course, did one year at Sydney University and then switched to nursing at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Sydney.

She then nursed in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory. After the war she gave up nursing and started a dressmaking business in Sydney. In June 1947 she married Arthur Strachan, after he was demobilised from the RANR, son Anthony was born in Sydney.

In March 1949, the family transferred to Lae, where Arthur was employed by Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd. He later transferred to Burns Philp at Lae, where he is the shipping manager. Two sons, Timothy and Garth, were born in Lae. In 195? Mary opened a women’s dress shop.

Apart from her family and business activities, her main interests are in the Red Cross, the Drama Society and floral art.

1967 -Tony captures his family and life in Papua New Guinea

In 1967 Tony Strachan was 19 years old. Those who know Tony will know that he has a wide range of artistic and performance skills – he sings, he acts, he writes, he directs, I’ve even seen him fire breathing on the odd occasion, and he draws.

An example of the latter is this fabulous drawing of his life and his family in Lae in the late 1960’s. There are two versions below. The first one is the original, and in the second one I’ve replaced Tony’s text with typed text just to make it a little easier for those of us who may have some ocular challenges. Click on the images below to enlarge then scroll using the right and left arrows.

1969 – The Mikado

During their time in Papua New Guinea Mary, Arthur and the three boys were involved in a number of stage productions, as director, costume designer and maker, actors and producers. The article below is a review of what appears to be their first one - The Mikado - where Arthur took on the role of Assistant Musical Director. There are more reviews further on in this article.

LAE REVIEW: THE MIKADO - A creditable first-up performance
The Lae Musical and Dramatic Society did not work for many weeks and spend hundreds of dollars in vain.
Their presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera “The Mikado”, is an achievement and a credit to Musical Director and producer Paul Ryall assisted by Arthur Strachan.
Although not without flaws, “The Mikado”, a kaleidoscope of colour, good choral performance, with eye-catching costuming (designed by Mary Strachan), unique accents and local idioms, was fully appreciated by the audience.
The satirical Mikado smacks at human frailties found in social spheres of every race, and the principal players portrayed their characters well.
The Gentlemen of Japan (male chorus), although uneven at times, with few ragged gestures, and Ladies of Japan (women’s chorus), who gave a more polished performance, conveyed their story vividly.
Principal player, Haydyn Strong as Ko Ko, a natural comedian, was master of his role as Lord High Executioner, not always according to his script, to the enjoyment of the audience.
His facial expression was excellent.
Mary Ryall, leading soprano. as the lovely Yum Yum, added sparkle and frivolity, with Jeanine Jordahl as Pitti Sing and Edna Down as Beep Po. A delightful harmonious trio. — M. Morris.

1970 - Many Old Friends Return for Easter

Many old friends return for Easter
The Easter holidays brought many old friends back to Lae.
The airport and the Highlands Highway were crowded with people hurrying to and from the town.
Brian and Helene Pearce, with small son Andrew and daughter Melanie, came down from Goroka to stay with Ken and Diana.
Brian is a delegate to the Papua and New Guinea Golfing Federation meeting.
The Nizettes also welcomed daughter Deborah, now of Goroka down for the Easter break.
Old time residents of Lae, Bob and Cindy Parrish, came from Moresby to stay with Arthur and Mary Strachan.
Dr Margaret Smith of Goroka, was the guest of the Ken Bulls. Margaret came down for the golf.
Dr and Mrs Rapson arrived in Lae before Easter to spend the holidays in the Lae-Wau area.
After a day visiting old friends and the beauty spots of Lae, they drove to Wau and Bulolo for the weekend.
The District Commissioner and Mrs Scale brought Bill and Sharon Johns from Port Moresby: Meg Ashton had old Lae residents, now of Wau, Alec and Gwen Malcolm.

Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 1 April 1970

1971 – Mary and Arthur back from their world trip

Note that the “Shakespearean play” referred to below was no doubt the Taming of the Shrew, which is the subject of the review in the article that follows this one.

Home from world trip
Arthur and Mary Strachan, recently returned from their around the world trip, gave a party at their home in Cassia Crescent, Lae.
Savouries, made from recipes gleaned by Mary on her travels, were served with pre-dinner drinks.
Dinner was served around the swimming pool.
Guests eventually went home, very reluctantly.
Among the guests were Captain and Mrs Johns; Mr and Mrs Greg Serrafin; Mr and Mrs King Nusum; Mr and Mrs Bill Stewart; Mr and Mrs Kevin Bradshaw; Mr and Mrs Rick Morris; Mr and Mrs Keith Noblet and Mr and Mrs Phil Stedman.
Guest of the young Strachans, Tony and Garth, Included Erica and Ruth Womersley (Ruth just back from her year in America and Erica glamorous in a midi frock, with a cameo broach on black velvet at her throat).
The young went off to practice their Shakespearean play early in the evening.

Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 13 January 1971

1971 - The Taming of The Shrew

Lae’s Shrew was alive
Shakespeare's characters were young, lusty, hard living in their pursuit of danger, appreciative of a sly joke or bawdy word — alive with love arid laughter.
The cast of The Taming of the Shrew, performed at the Niall Community Centre in Lae, made these people come alive.

The cast, mainly young people home for the holidays, loved every moment of their time on stage.
The producer, Christopher Dent, produced a rollicking and polished evening's entertainment.
Perhaps for the first time since the community centre opened the hard-working committee, who made it possible, saw their hopes realised.
There was not one performance which was not outstanding. Tony Strachan, as Petruchio, sustained his role with verve and vivacity and proved himself a worthy successor to his father.
In a cast of well‑spoken players, Erica Womersley, as Tranio, gave a polished and perfect performance with every word clear.
Costumes added to atmosphere
The wardrobe mistress, Mary Strachan, deserves credit for the colourful costumes, which added to the Shakespearean atmosphere.
The audience could not help but be impressed with the word-perfect cast.
Their stage arrangement with steps leading down to the audience brought the players and the story right to the theatre.
It was a wonderful innovation.
Pam McNeil, Kathy Zimmerman, Garth Strachan, Christopher Byrne ana Bruno Hoffman were others whose performances rang true.
Terry Twohig, as usual, gave a well-timed and delightful performance. A.M.

1971 – International Dinner

Lae goes international
Four houses in Lae were converted into corners of Australia, Italy, France and Holland for an unusual dinner party.
The dinner, which was held to raise funds for the Niall Community Centre, had each course served at a different house in a different national setting.
A painting representative of the nation was used as a background and a theme for each course.
At the home Of Mr and Mrs H. L. R. Niall, Australian appetizers were served by the hostess, who wore a frock in sun colours.
In a bush background which included saddles, bridles and a boiling billy, a spirited rendition of "The Man from Snowy River" was given by Mr Niall.
Leaving the weary horses on their homeward journey, the party crossed a bridge over a Venetian Canal to find an authentic Italian setting which had appeared in the Residency gardens.
Although there was no gondola, the Italian food was served by three convincing signoritas dressed in colourful peasant costumes, led by Ronnle Galloway, wife of the District Commissioner.
She insisted on Old Italian customs being observed. The food and wine matched the glamorous reds used in cafe setting of which Venetians might well have been proud.
After crossing the border into France, the “Maitre d'hotel" was Arthur Strachan. Blue had been chosen as the appropriate colour and Mary Strachan's dinner gown harmonised superbly with the reproduction of Renoir's "First Outing".
After enjoying the main course in France, Holland was just across the street and tiptoed among a windmill and tulips in the company of two little Dutch girls.
A lovely muted shade of green seen in the painting of a Dutch interior spotlighted at the entrance Of Dell and Bill Stuart's home, was also noted in the hostess's formal gown.
The service of continental cakes and ices, Dutch cheese and coffee near the swimming pool ensured that the gourmet's excursion into colour was successfully concluded.

Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 2 August 1971

Renoir's "The First Outing"

1976 – Arthur’s Death

Strachan dies
Arthur Strachan, well known in the world of theatre and first director of the Niall Community Centre in Lae, died at, his home in Killara, Sydney, yesterday after a long illness.
Mr Strachan. who came to Lae in 1949, leaves a widow and three sons.

Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 25 May 1976

Written by a host of people, collated by Rob Landsberry, with added material written by Rob Landsberry, last updated 8 December 2023