Ukarumpa

History

The 99 year lease for the 500 acres (2 km²) at Ukarumpa was signed by Dick Pittman for the Summer Institute of Linguistics October 4th, 1956. Dr. Jim Dean, his wife Gladys and their children took up residence at Ukarumpa later in the month.

Some of the first residents included the Franklins, Oatridges and Vincents.

Irwins were there in the early sixtys.

The ground was originally a plot of land that was disputed for ownership by the Tairora and the Gadsup local villagers. It was to settle the dispute that the Government leased this land to SIL, but this didn't stop the dispute over the land...

Originally the land was very barren with no trees or development of any sort. The missionaries planted trees which brought back birdlife. All of the buildings and roads were built by mission volunteers with financial support from their home churches.

Significant buildings

The "Tom Barret"?? memorial meeting house. Tin and Cement sheet construction. Do you know the name?

The Linguistic Centre and Library.

Dorelo, Dean, Naz, Nipa and other children's homes.

The old clinic.

The new Octagonal clinic.

The "Store". Corrugated iron roof AND walls.

The Radio Shack and telephone building.

The engineering workshop and autoshop.

The middle school and high school.

The post office.

The Memorial Teen Centre - (A memorial to Jackie Ruth and Ross Entz, Ukarumpa Teens who each died in vehicle accidents in 1975).

The Printshop.

The Guesthouse

The Firestation next to Dodson's old house (knocked down in late 1970's).

Geographical Notes

Altitude. Approx 5200 ft. (or 1500 m )

Climate. Equatorial Highland - cool days and nights with daily afternoon rains.

Flora. "Evergreen" trees (Pine, Eucalyptus, Causarina), Coffee plantations nearby, Kunai grass covered hills.

Located on the Bae'e River. The Bae'e originates upstream from Ukarumpa and runs past the Gadsup village onto Kainantu. (Is this the right name?)

Famous dogs

Ed Horton's Labrador "Yankee" and shaggy dog "Captain".

The Nelson's boxer "Max"

The Davies/Smith's cocker spaniel "Honey"

The Wagner's mutt "Chipper"

The Graham's village dog "Pooch"

The Irwin's half labrador half boxer "Shan" who later became a "Dog of the Nazarene".

"Ajax" - Tim Larsen's dog (german sheperd)

"Halli" - The famous black dog of the Valta's. The one that liked to run ahead of the aviation bus

"Bouncer" - the Forbes' cocker spaniel.

"Dino" - the Earley's Lab/weimeraner cross that came from Aiyura High. Killed the neighbours' cats/kittens whenever it could, otherwise a lovely dog.

"Duke"-The black Great Dane that developed a horrible hunchback spinal problem, which affected it for years and which mysteriously disappeared. The problem, not the dog.

"Patch" - Jack & Chic Ruth's dog, castrated village-style by just lopping off the entire scrotum - we spent a delightful year watching him walk bow-legged as it very VERY slowly healed

"Rakker" - 3/4 Cocker Spaniel, 1/4 Labrador, faithful companion of Rih - both owned by Maarten Bakker in the late 70's. He completed a walkathon and loved to get Rih to run faster. Went on numerous journeys to Kainantu, never tired.

"Honda" - the Carlson's dog - late 60's to early 70's. Anyone remember this dog?

Famous horses

Geoff Kimber's chestnut gelding "Comedy"

Giblett's white mare "Sheba"

Toby Ruth's mad chestnut mare "Trixie"

Trixie's daughter "Cutie", bought by Suzanne Earley from the Davies - foal "Prince" in 1997 bought and re-named "Cinnamon" by Wendy Anderson

Daren Beaumont's mad black mare "Tiffany"

various owners - "Skyboy" the magnificent. What a horse.

Tim Ruth's grey gelding "Magic"

Nathan Ahren's grey gelding who sank in the bog at the bottom of the main paddock following heavy rains - died 3 days after being dragged out and was buried under the show corral in the main paddock

"Anzac", the chestnut gelding who was abandoned in the paddocks and turned nasty - used to rush anyone who came in for their own horse, demanding food and would bite, or wheel and kick, if none was given. People started going in to get their own horses armed with a piece of 2x4 to whack him in the head

Maarten Bakker's horse "Rih" - came from Aiyura. Went on numerous journeys to the far hills and to Kainantu. Often went galloping along the air strip with Skyboy (Ben Giblett) and sometimes Comedy (Geof Kimber)

Tristi, the bay mare that came from the Scorza's village in a 206

Famous cats

"Guinea" - an affectionate tabby neutered male that had his tail lopped off half way. Originally the Bowlings sisters, then the Smiths and finally the Parsons.

"Scamp" - the Crossleys fluffy tabby male.

Other pets

The Evans's Tree Kangaroo.

Michael Earley's 5' green tree python that lived in a cage in his room - famously escaped when Penny & ??? Bjorlin were living in while the Earley parents were away

See also