John Waiko recalls visits to PNG by Gough Whitlam and Australian Governor-General Lord De L'isle (William Sidney). He refects on the small number of students during Preliminary Year (PY) at UPNG and the use of technology to record lectures.
Stephen Pokawin discusses the role of visiting Australians and administrators in encouraging independence. He emphasises the importance of collaboration between the international community, Australian administrators, the political leadership in PNG's independence.
Charles Lepani relates how he was invited to be a participant in a television debate run by the ABC between Charlie Barnes (Minister for External Territories) and Gough Whitlam on PNG Independence at New England University in Armidale. He relates how on returning to PNG he was involved as a trade union activist in the Port Moresby urban minimum wage case and succeeded in increasing the minimum wage from $8 to $13.50 heard by Arbitration Commissioner Len Matthews.
Michael Somare describes the excitement of 16 September 1975 and the ceremony and speeches by John Guise, Prince Charles and Gough Whitlam. He discusses the advice he got to keep the armed forces numbers low so as not to create a situation as occurred in Fiji with General Rambuka.
Michael Somare states that he discussed with Gough Whitlam the importance of at least 4 or 5 years of continuing Australian presence in PNG for training, and his discussions regarding ongoing financial assistance to PNG from Australia with both Gough Whitlam and Andrew Peacock.
Michael Somare talks about issues leading up to the 1972 election and the movement for constitutional change and the visit and role of Australian Prime Minister John Gorton and Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam and his shadow ministers Kim Beazley and Simon Crean. He discusses the uncertainty around Independence caused by the Compass Party and the role of Pita Lus and the Pangu Party.
