Sydney Branch and SMEDG February special event: The New Guinea Goldfields in the 1930’s

Join the AusIMM Sydney Branch and the Sydney Mining and Exploration Discussion Group (SMEDG) for their February special event: The New Guinea Goldfields in the 1930’s - A feature-length film showing world aviation records and one of the world’s most unusual gold mining operations at Bulolo!

About this event

Michael Waterhouse is the author of the book Not a Poor Man’s Field - The New Guinea Goldfields to 1942, and has held senior executive positions as an economist with the Commonwealth Treasury and Westpac Bank. His grandfather (Les Waterhouse), was a mining engineer and a director of Placer Development, as well as a former President of the AusIMM. He played a major role in the planning and management of the largest and most successful gold mining operation in pre-war New Guinea from 1932 to 1942. This involved the construction and operation of nine dredges and three hydro-electric power plants in the Bulolo valley, inland from Lae. In the absence of roads, everything had to be flown in by Junkers aircraft to construct and support one of the largest mining operations in Australasia. In consequence, New Guinea led the world in volumes of freight flown throughout the 1930s. 

During his research, Michael discovered films taken by Les and an associate which had been thought lost. He has edited the footage to reveal the largely forgotten Bulolo story in startling detail. 

The event will be open to the public, so feel free invite any friends who may be interested in this amazing story.

As the film is silent, Michael will provide a commentary while it is being shown. He will have copies of his book available for sale at the meeting. The book price will be $60 for soft cover copies, and $120 for hard cover copies which will include a historic £1 Bulolo stamp. Please note that the hard cover books are limited and based on a first come, first served basis. Payment will be taken, as cash only, on the night.

Please ensure you register by 23 February to ensure all catering needs are met!

Program
5:30PM - 6:00PM: Guest arrival and networking
6:00PM - 8:30PM: Film and narration starts (including interval after 40 minutes). Note film runs for 80 minutes. 

See more information about Michael and the book at https://www.notapoormansfield.com.

 Please note that this will be an “in-person” only meeting, and for privacy reasons the meeting will not be livestreamed.

Speaker/s

Michael Waterhouse

Author and Narrator

Read more Hide

Michael Waterhouse is the author of the book Not a Poor Man’s Field - The New Guinea Goldfields to 1942 and has held senior executive positions as an economist with the Commonwealth Treasury and Westpac Bank.