Tribute to Harry Downing

By a Territorian

1 SHOULD like to pay tribute publicly to Harry Downing, who has been one of the best friends the Terri torians have known during the black years of war and the blacker year which followed. During his long years in District Services he learned all the details of administration, and NG conditions, and NG people, and it was good luck for us that so genial and kindly a man was selected by the Australian Department as liaison officer in Sydney.

For five years, he has been guide, philosopher and friend to Territorians.

They make for Harry’s office with their problems and they are met with a smile and friendly greeting, everything possible is done to assist them. It has become among them a maxim: “When in trouble, go and see Harry Downing.”

There are always people waiting to see him. His phone is always ringing; but Harry never seems ruffled, and out of the storehouse of his knowledge, and from his files, he supplies the required information. A plane passage to arrange, a wife and family to go by steamer to Rabaul, something about gold, a timber lease query, and very many other things— all the questions and requests are fired at Harry, and he deals with them all.

Service with a smile!

And his “clients” appreciate it. More and more often one hears it said that Harry has done a sterling job. Especially during 1942 and 1943 were his advice and assistance comforting and helpful to the displaced Territorians. He himself sums up the position by saying that he regards the Territorians as his people, his “one talks,” and that it has been his particular privilege and pleasure to help them when and where he could.