7. FIJIAN STAFF
"Ever since the Mission was started at Milingimbi we have had Fijians on the staff. Later we also had Tongans and Samoans". Ella p52
Paula and Nancy Seru
p52 - "Paula Seru and his wife Nancy were our first Fijian staff...they came to Milingimbi in 1931 and were there for a number of years."
SLSA PRG-933-23-31 - Paula Seru & Young Men's Sunday School - Milingimbi c1935 - Shepherdson Collection.
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PRG-933-13-219 Paula Seru 1935 - if this was down from the barge ramp it is the right way round - or maybe not.
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Paula Seru with his young men's Sunday School class. "Back: ?Djarrapili?, Natjal, Dewala. 2nd row: Yoram, Ben Ganbaya, Andrew Birrimjdjuwey, Charlie Wathiya, John Rivyanydjum (Gup. Baya's father), Wili, Widitjpu (Garranurria), Dutarrk, Manyamunya, Alec, Genygadam (Yambal's father). Front row: Mukuwatpuy (Baralyn), Dhupuraway (Wili's bro), Gila on Rirripaya (Djunmal's older bro), Djinguiul, Murruhaling Lurluk (Guyanmilil-Gupawuin's father), Passlo".
SLSA PRG-933-13-252 L>R Paula & Nancy Seru - Kolinio & wife Finau Milingimbi c 1935 Shepherdson Collection.
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Group standing by the grave of the baby of Fijian Missionary Paula and his wife Nancy. c 1935" Inscription reads:-
ASENAGA - BORN 7.12.29 DIED 15. 9. 30 and JONI WESELE DIED 17.4.31 BELOVED CHILDREN OF PAULA AND NANCY
ASENAGA - BORN 7.12.29 DIED 15. 9. 30 and JONI WESELE DIED 17.4.31 BELOVED CHILDREN OF PAULA AND NANCY
"The Fijian Missionaries lost two of their babies at Milingimbi, 1930s." [Grave of baby of Fijian Missionary Paula and wife Nancy] PRG-933-23-101
Kolinio Saukaru and Finau came to Goulburn Island first and then moved to Milingimbi - Finau and family were evacuated during the war.
Aminiasi Laveta & Rev. Ellemor Elcho Is. 1950
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Ella Shepherdson writes - "Ameniasi, Ratu Laveta and his wife, Sailini, and family came to Milingimbi just before the war. Sailini and family were evacuated in 1942 with all the other wives and children. Ameniasi was the Boat Captain who came to us to establish the Elcho Island Mission in 1942. When not on the boat obtaining cypress logs, he was getting a garden going on the flat below the station. Because of the war he was unable to sail the boat to Darwin for supplies. He and some of the men built his house, Fijian style, and then erected one for us with open sides which was a boon in the hot weather. A small church followed. Bush timber and coconut leaves were used in all the buildings. At one time we were very short of dress material because our basic supply of only 100 yards per month for the whole district had not been received for a year. Aminiasi therefore made some skirts from coconut leaves for the women, but they were not very popular." Half a Century in Arnhem Land p 53.
SLSA PRG-933-13-495 Harold Shepherdson Collection:-
"Rev Ellemor and friend at Elcho, 1950. The friend may be Burrumarra. Arthur Ellemor's son Michael became a teacher and went to Elcho Island in July 1958. He became Principal of the School in October 1966 and stayed until 1968." It is Aminiasi Laveta - the left side of the image is quite degraded. |
‘Fijian Missionaries in North Australia’ written by John Kadiba