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Margaret's Pages -
the PNG series |
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA...work by Curtain Bros |
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In 1966 3 brothers (Daniel, Michael, & David Curtain) ventured to Port Moresby, to work on a Government project doing construction on Army Barracks. Within 6 months one brother (David) had gone out on his own as a sub-contractor,(with a battered Holden Utility, a wheelbarrow, and pick and shovel), with the other brothers getting involved soon after, and this was the beginning of what was to become (eventually) Curtain Bros (PNG) Pty Ltd. This Company still works in the country today, although belongs to only 1 brother (Michael) now.
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This was an advertisement that appeared in local PNG papers during mid 1970's.
Curtain Bros sponsored over 12 Papua New Guinean Owner/Drivers as Sub-Contractors with their trucks.
They were one of the largest Earth-moving Contractors in PNG at the time.
The Company specialised in roads, airfields, oil search sites in remote locations and bulk excavations.
Were suppliers of sand and concrete aggregates to the |
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Building Industry. The Company was also involved in Marine Haulage and Storage. |
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the barge "Sir Alan" used for transportation to various job sites and also to bring buffalo from the Northern Territory in Australia to start a small buffalo industry in PNG. |
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Jacksons Airstrip - Port Moresby International Airport, done by Curtain Bros 1974/75. Upgraded from old war time field . |
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Accidents happen! This one at Ilimo outside
Port Moresby, when a bridge couldnt take
the weight of the machine. |
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Off to Kikori and the hoped for gasfields. Workmen loading the last batch of materials and supplies aboard the "Sir Alan" barge in Moresby.
The barge is heading fro PNG Petroleums base camp at Turama River, near Kikori. Workmen at the site are assembling therig and 130 ft derrick from sections already lifted in the rugged moutainous drill region. All sites works done by Curtain Bros. |
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The pimple in the rugged Gulf District country, engineers flattened the tops of jagged limestone peaks in their search for natural gas. All Curtain Bros machinery was pulled apart and helicoptered, in piece by piece to the site and re-assembled there to do the work needed to flatten the peaks. |
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155 Water Buffalo were transported in our barge from Australia to Port Moresby, to get a farming venture started. May 1976 |
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Our accommodation hut being extended,from a basic 1 bedroom, for our stay in the camp for Hiritano Highway construction. We put some gardens in for duration of our stay there, and here we entertained Government Ministers & staff when they came out for site inspections. |
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We (David & Margart & children) lived here for 12 months or so, until it was time for the oldest to start school, then Margaret moved back to town, and visited the "camp" on weekends only. |
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Only 1 brother, Mick Curtain, runs the company Curtain Bros Ltd now.
In the Queens Birthday Honours announced on 14th June 2004, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Mick was award a British knighthood for services to commerce and industry in PNG. Michael was named a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE). |
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BACK to PNG pages index |
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Index to Margaret's Pages |
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SIGN GUESTBOOK |
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VIEW GUESTBOOK |
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Page updated 10th May 2009 |
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