Life on the border oral history project

7 digital photographs showing: one of the first aluminium dinghies used to travel between Sabai and what is now Papua New Guinea; Suzannah Akiba, her house and garden and the view from her house; and Suzannah and Adrian Akiba. 

Oral history interview with Suzannah Akiba, interviewed by Heidi Gibson and assisted by Adrian Akiba. Suzannah was born on the island of Sabai in 1939.  She migrated from Sabai to Bamaga post World War II in search of water and then returned in 1963 when married and has lived there since. Her ancestors came from New Guinea but her more recent family, such as her grandmother, came from Sabai.  In the 1960s and 1970s the people of Sabai and New Guinea traded together and were able to pass freely into each other’s territories. They travelled by canoes which were later replaced by aluminium dinghies. During this time trade accounted for most needs but some money was made working in the pearling industry or by travelling to northern Australia by plane and boat for work. Later in the mid 1970s an air strip was built on Sabai.  Sabai and other islands were represented during the border dispute with Sabai islanders wanting to remain part of Australia, rather than Papua New Guinea. After the border had been finalised in 1975 it gradually became more difficult to freely move into each other’s territories to the point where a pass must now be obtained from the council. Since then more people have been using money. Sabai islanders feel more supported by the Australian government than their counterparts are by the Papua New Guinean government. Papua New Guineans cross the border to Sabai for trade and for employment.

10 colour photographs showing Manan Samai, her house and examples of weaving.

Transcript and notes from an oral history interview with Manan Samai, interviewed by Heidi Gibson. Manan was born in 1961 and grew up in the village of Siga (Sigabadura) in what is now Papua New Guinea.  She went to primary school in Kodoro then returned home to work on the family farm growing fruit and vegetables. She was 13-14 in 1975 when Papua New Guinea achieved independence and feels that most people at the time accepted the change but were unsure about what changes would come. She married a village man named Koro in 1980 and briefly discusses courtship rules. Following complications with her third child she moved to Thursday Island, on the Torres Strait side. Koro initially worked diving for pearl luggers until 1987 before finding work fishing for crays and in a bakery shop.  Manan was a full-time mother then became a child care worker in 2009. Manan became an Australian citizen in 1992 and all her relations still reside in Sigabadura.  Since she left, there have been many changes to Siga. Most houses now have iron roofs and tank water and there is a larger health clinic, however traditional culture is decreasing and less children are attending school. Manan is currently helping build a Uniting Church in Siga.  

10 colour photographs showing Manan Samai, her house and examples of weaving.

Notes from an additional conversation with Ciccie Aragu that was not recorded as part of the oral history video.

Oral history interview with Ciccie Aragu, interviewed by Heidi Gibson. Ciccie ‘Sisi’ Lala Aragu was born on Sabai. The border became official in 1975 and around that time an airstrip was built in Sabai. It was a difficult time during the border dispute with some people wanting to be part of Australia as they believed this would bring better jobs and living conditions, while others preferred Papua New Guinea as there was more food and land there. Ciccie talks generally about access to medical aid on the island and how help has improved over the years. Since 1975 Sabai has gained new houses, tap water and increased law and order. Sisi talks about the importance of garden food, how conditions in Sabai are better than those across the border and how there is still interaction across the border, but passes are now required.

5 digital photographs showing Mebai Warusam, the view from his house and a monument outside his house dedicated to the remembrance to Garami and Jawai Mamoose. 

Oral history interview with Mebai Warusam, interviewed by Heidi Gibson. Mebai was born on the island of Sabai in 1924 and has spent most of his life there.  Before the border the people on Sabai and New Guinea traded together.  After the border was in place things changed - dinghies with outboard motors replaced canoes and people used money rather than trading goods and services. The border has formed a boundary separating the people with less intermarriage across the border and with the people in that country seen more as foreigners. Mebai has strong family connections across the border in Papua New Guinea. Mebai talks about early settlers and visitors on Saibai Island and the surrounding area and shares Torres Strait Islander traditional stories. He talks about the impact of World War II. He also talks about the loss of unity amongst the young and the more recent drug and alcohol problems the island faces.