Melanesian Stories: Recent Episodes

Lawrence McCane

The story of Marist Brothers work in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea 1845-2003. This podcast brings to life the stories of Marist Brothers' educational work in Melanesia. From uncertain nineteenth century beginnings, through the turmoil of the Second World War, the Bougainville Crisis and the Solomon Island Ethnic Tensions, the story of the coming of age of an authentic Melanesian Marist Brotherhood unfolds.

For more information, visit the Melanesian Stories website: https://sway.office.com/LAZwVkl5N8wFJFa3?ref=Link

Brother Lawrie McCane describes his experiences during the Sandline Affair

Sister Theresa SMSM gave a talk to US veterans about her escape from the Japanese invaders in Guadalcanal.

A reading from Bishop Aubin's war diary in which he describes his escape from the occupying Japanese troops

Margaret spent ten years at Bishop Epalle, including during the Solomon Island Tensions

Margaret spent many years as a teacher and principal at Asitavi

This is a talk given by Brother James Thrift in the late 1960s

The District of Melanesia 2003

Later Years in Solomon Islands and Bougainville 1981-2003

The end of Rigu High School, 1976-1993

Enga Province and Western Province 1980-2001

Goroka, Sixteen Mile and Madang 1979-2003

East Sepik, Papua New Guinea, 1973-2003

Openings in Central and Southern Bougainville

Tenaru 1975-1990

Vanga Point 1971-2003

Marist Schools on Small Malaita

St Joseph's Rigu in the 1960s and 1970s. The approaching crisis.

Interesting events at St Joseph's Tenaru

Final years of the Brothers' community on Kairiru

Early years of St Xavier's High School

The mission on Kairiru Island begins

Marist Brothers School in Rabaul, East New Britain

Cautionary tales of nationalist movements

Rigu and Tarlena 1949-1965

Brother John Paul's story in his own words

First vocations ... achievements and difficulties

Godfrey oversees the development of Tenaru

The Brothers arrive on Bougainville

Marists return to Solomon Islands after the war ends

Tragedy strikes as the three Brothers die a the hands of Japanese forces.

Japanese forces invade Solomon Islands ... Brothers imprisoned

World War 2 approaches, causing concern for the new arrivals.

John, James and Ephrem sail to Solomon Islands to establish the first Marist school in Melanesia

This chapter describes the uncertain nineteenth century beginnings of marist education in Melanesia, the reasons for the early failures and an invitation to Australian Marists.

Our story begins with the arrival of four youthful Bougainvilleans in Sydney in 1952. They are beginning an adventure which will not only change their lives, but also contribute to the development of a sound educational future for their homeland.

This episode introduces Melanesian Stories.