[?]'s a True Territorian
p. 53 · Read in the full issue
A Brett Milder Profile IS. ROMA BATES, of Madang, e widow of a former District nissioner. She was born in ourne, and went to Rabaul, Guinea, at the age of 18 to join other. 934, she married Charles Bates, aen a Patrol Officer, at a time len Patrol Officers were not »sed to marry. Charlie spent of his time in uncontrolled , and their first child, Patricia, Dorn at Salamaua in 1935. 1937, they were back in Rabaul, vere playing golf on Saturday icon, May 29, when Vulcan 1 blew up and became in a t of hours, a volcanic cone feet high. Matupi crater Bd in sympathy and the town vacuated. ■V went on leave in 1941, and in Australia when the Jap war started, and women were allowed to return to New :a. trlie returned to the Territory
and to Angau, but was later trans ferred to “M” Special unit, where he did valuable work against the enemy forces. Roma stayed in Vic toria for the rest of the war, and their second child, Hilary, was born there in 1942.
Back in Rabaul, in 1946, Roma founded the New Britain Women’s Club to help newcomers find their feet in a strange land and in the chaotic conditions of the devastated town then prevailing. Charlie was transferred to Madang as District Officer in 1949, his title later being changed to District Commissioner.
He did a lot for the rehabilitation of Madang, and founded the Golf Club there. Their son David was born in 1950.
Charlie Bates died in Australia
on New Year’s Day, 1954. Roma returned to Madang, with a job in the Public Service, brought up her children, and engaged in many good works. She was president of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society in 1960, with its large and successful annual Show. Despite her 34 years in the Territory, with all its difficulties and disappointments, she remains a lovely woman, seem ingly untouched by the years, and unspoiled by the Territory.
Her father, Leo Bryant, lives in retirement at Port Moresby; Patricia married a Patrol Officer, Ross Johnson, and they live at Kainantu with their daughter.
Hilary is at University in Sydney, while David attends school at Madang.