TROBRIAND ISLANDERS COLLECTION - PEOPLES OF THE PACIFIC BOOK 1

This item is part of a collection of items from the Trobriand Islands which are part of the Milne Bay District of Papua New Guinea and are located of the some 320km north east of Papu New Guinee in the Soloman Sea.
The items may have been collected by either Mercy Rodgers in 1965 when she went to PNG for the wedding of her daughter Anne to Darryl Sears. Mercy spent time after the wedding travelling around the region and did bring home several souvenirs. The item may have also been collected by Darryl during his time living in PNG. Darry grew up in New South Wales and in the 1950s his parents moved to PNG to start a peanut and coffee roasting business as well as starting up several trade stores. Darryl moved there in 1956 to take over the management of some of the trade store and travelled around PNG selling peanuts, coffee, chips and other items as well as collecting traditional items from the places he visited.
Donation notes record that this collection may have been used in a 'Sing Sing' ceremony. A Sing Sing ceremony is where diverse tribes gather together and share traditional songs, dance while wearing traditional clothing from their region. The festivals were established in 1957 by Australian andministrators to provide a neutral opportunity for tribes and villages, some who may have been in conflict with each other to come together. Over time they evolved and today are important cultural events in Papua New Guinea. This collection may have been aquired at such a festival when members from the Trobrian Islands may have travelled to the mainland to participate in such an event and sell cultural items they brought with them.
Anne Rodgers grew up in Armadale and went on to train as a nurse in Perth, then as a midwife in Sydney. She and a friend signed up to work in PNG so they could quickly earn some money. Anne as soon working in the Eastern Highlands of PNG where in 1964 she met Darryl and the following year they married.
In 1968 Darry and Anne returned to Australia, moving to Western Australia. They would later divorce with some of Darryl’s collection remaining with the Rodgers family.
Annes father Rodger was a prominent poultry farmer in the district. Carl Rodgers was born in December 1902 in Giessen Germany and died in Armadale WA 23 April 1988. His original family name was Rosenberg, and he served in the German Army in WWI prior to emigration as a Lance Corporal Machine Gunner. On his arrival he spent some time working in the northwest of Western Australia. In 1932 he purchased 'Yarraville' on the corner of Forrest Road and Eleventh Avenue in Armadale where he established a poultry farm.
On 20 June 1939 Carl became engaged to Eleanor Mercy Sexty in Armadale. At the time he was President of the Armadale branch of the Poultry Farmers Association, which was agitating for improved egg marketing. He was also secretary of the German Club.
During World War II Carl enlisted in the Australian Army and was promoted to Corporal, then Lance Sergeant, then Sergeant with the Regimental Police. With Poultry Farming deemed to be an "Essential Service" he was released from the Army, having served a total of 46 days service and receiving commendations.
Carl and Mercy raised three daughters. He was also very active in the local community, he was inaugural secretary of Dale cottages for 30 years, a active Rotarian, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship for his work with the organisation as well as being involved in the establishment of the Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital in Albany Highway. He also was involved with the Armadale Police and Citizens Youth Club and founded the Interact Club at the Armadale Senior Highschool in 1965. For all his work in the poultry industry and the local community he was awarded an MBE. Carl passed away in 1988.