Maryborough to Louisiades, PNG (Building of Tolyot and village life) 2008

“Erica” was trollied out of the water for painting and general maintenance at the slipway in Maryborough.

Cathy set off to Brewarrina for a 12 wk nursing contract while Eric worked under hot and wet conditions to get the painting done.

During that time he did fund raising for the proposed Louisiades boatbuilding project along with friends and fellow sailors Christian and Gina who also had their yacht out of the water for maintenance and painting.

A holiday in NZ was a good break for us both. Cathy then set off to Esperance for a 10wk midwifery contract leaving Eric to finish painting

He also built us a new dinghy to replace the one that burn’t

Cathy came back in late April and helped load up with supplies donated by many people. They has given  clothes, books, medical and pharmaceutical supplies, money and materials for the boatbuilding project .

It was a fun time getting it all loaded between the 2 boats. We loaded 24 sheets of plywood aboard. Eric made a special rack braced to the centreboard housing so it didn’t move at sea. Our guest cabin became a garage loaded with supplies for the people.

Christian and Gina took rolls of fibreglass and pails of paint, resin and glue and sails

After being re launched we anchored in the river to this glorious sunset backdrop

We set off with Gina and Christian on the  9^th July for Bundaberg where we met up with other yachts heading for the Louisiades as well. Christian celebrated his 6oth birthday

A couple of days out SV  “ Caesura” had problems with the  engine overheating and thought they may have to go back, but between us we came up with a solution and Cathy did a mid ocean delivery in her kayak to “Caesura”. Christian got everything fixed and we were off again.

Having been to the Louisiades before we were happy to enter  the reef passage in darkness and we anchored off one of the islands inside.  We made our way to Gigila island and offloaded some of the building materials the next day. The men and women were away at one of the other islands when we arrived having cooking lessons!  The younger lads helped us offload into their supply boat and took the goods ashore.

We had caught a mackerel on our way and gave it to 2 boys who were spear fishing. We told them to put it on the end of their spear and take it home

We then had to sail across to Misima Island where arrangements had been made for customs and Immigration officials to clear us in. We celebrated our arrival with the other yachties when the formalities were over. A trip to the Misima hospital to give them supplies was appreciated

After stocking up with some fresh fruit and veges we sailed back to Gigila Island stopping at our favourite Kamatal lagoon to see Jimmy, Jess and family. Here we shared Kaikai ashore with them

Tony, the newly elected chief organised his workers to put a roof on the building shed while the 2 fibreglass hulls were split and the ends cut off.

Rick and Alex from SV “Roxanne”, then Paul and Chris from SV “Insatiable” arrived after wet and uncomfortable trips across the Coral sea from Cairns. Rick and Alex had hit a whale and bent their shaft which delayed them and Paul and Chris had engine troubles

They both joined us in helping with the project. …Other yachties came and went during the weeks to help and see what was being done.

Eric and Christian and Rick got the men organised and taught them the basics of boatbuilding in fibreglass. Most had not used a pair of scissors, held a paintbrush or used tools apart from a bush knife. Once the project was underway they used a generator to operate some electrical grinders and sanders and taught the men how to use them. This of course was a great novelty

While the men were doing this Gina, Alex and I went to the school. We gave donated goods to the teachers and pupils, did some teaching and health related instruction. It was great fun.

Gina and Alex worked on fund raising issues for other projects

 Cathy attended to the sick and injured on a daily basis.

Bruce and Mandy aboard SV “Swaggie” arrived with a boom and mast and other goods. They had had an eventful trip with numerous problems with their yacht on the way up the coast from Sydney. Due to a hard slog and perserverance they made it to the cheers of the village people and ourselves. A ceremony was put on for their arrival. They had encouraged us the year before to consider this village and the lovely extended family for the building of the boat. It was a yearly event for them to sail out to this Archipelago of islands.

Bruce had a chainsaw with him and he helped the men cut down trees for timber for the boat.

Mandy made some great recipes and taught the women cooking western style with the ingredients they had. She also made sports uniforms for the women

John from “Cyclades” brought soccer uniforms and boots for the Gigila soccer team and basketball uniforms for the women….. “Jenny “  his crew helped us at the school

We spent 50 days in the village with the building project and enjoyed sharing  village life.  Sundays were our only days off.

The building team

At the completion of the project presents were given out from both sides.

 Eric had made up a journal for the workers on fibreglassing and Cathy and Gina had gone with Bernard to photograph and document plants used medicinally. With Bernard and John's help, a journal was made

 The journal was laminated by Cathy Gina and Alex  (yotop publishing) and presented to the village….

We received many gifts made by the people…Baskets, mats, baggi necklaces and earrings. It was a very emotional time for us all.

2 priests blessed the boat prior to the official launching.

Speeches were given and songs were sung

Launching of Toloyot

 Feasting and dancing continued over 2 days

The boat was taken for a trial run

then we had to leave.  There weren’t many dry eyes to be seen..

We had a rapid trip back to Maryborough where "Erica" would rest while we flew to Canada, collecting Eric's Mum in Auckland enroute, to visit our son and daughter in law

Movie of Boat building project