Hal Wootten interviewed by Jon Ritchie in the Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4390292
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Wootten, John Halden, 1922-2021, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Written permission is required for research, personal copies and public use for 10 years from the date of the interview.
- Description:
-
- 2008
- 2 sound files (ca. 203 min.)
- Series:
- Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Hal Wootten speaks about his first exposure to P.N.G. as a child; his work and studies during WWII; graduating in Law from Sydney University (1945); being offered job at Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA); John Kerr's vision of ASOPA to prepare P.N.G. for independence; his first job as tutor in a Short Course for Cadet Patrol Officers, subjects taught and method of teaching; the premises at Georges Heights, N.S.W.; the South Pacific Commission; his memories of living at ASOPA and students; Ian Hogbin; J.K. Murray; his recollections of a visit to P.N.G (1946), his first impressions of Port Moresby; his impressions of progressive members of the Administration; his impressions of pre-war district officers; Jim Taylor; his return to ASOPA to teach first long course; the Consolidating Laws of Papua and New Guinea project; his role as law lecturer, what was included in the law course; James McAuley; the legal situation in P.N.G.; the time he participated in field work in P.N.G., with Usiai people on Manus Island and Kawaliap village and the purpose of; cargo cult; race relations.
Wootten discusses colonial rule and colonialism; on his return to Australia his decision the return to Law, went to the Bar in Sydney; continuing his contact with ASOPA; Currie Commission on higher education in P.N.G. and its recommendations; the judiciary and legal profession in P.N.G. currently and the importance of the early experience; his continuing connections with P.N.G.; a visit to West New Guinea (1962); his views on the Indonesian takeover; the Public Service pay case (1965); Sir Michael Somare; Sir Ebia Olewale; his involvement with the Council on New Guinea Affairs; Sir Norman Cowper; his own career during this time, being appointed a QC; the invitation by University of N.S.W. to establish its Law Faculty (1969); becoming a Supreme Court Judge (1973); the 1980 Constitutional crisis in P.N.G.; being invited by Sir Michael Somare to be Chief Justice of P.N.G. Supreme Court and the decision to withdraw in favour of Sir Buri Kidu; concluding reflections on the colonial era in P.N.G; his most recent experience with P.N.G.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on May 25, 2008 in Sydney, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (7 p.)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Judges
- Other authors/contributors:
- Ritchie, Jonathan, 1961-, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) 1942-1975 oral history project.
This collection contains 42 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2078 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2008
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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