MS 9067
Papers of Edwin G. Tscharke (1918-2000)



Scope and Content Note

  • Papers
  • 1930-1998
  • 5.56m (31 boxes) + 1 folio item
  • Available for reference

The papers were donated by Dr Edwin Tscharke in two installments, one in December 1997, and a small addition in December 1998.

The collection documents aspects of life in remote Papua New Guinea, and in particular the process of establishing a primary care health facility with local community involvement.

The bulk of the collection comprises 235 administrative files created and maintained by Tscharke, which are found in Series 2 and 3. They contain correspondence, reports, research proposals, teaching notes and manuals, minutes of meetings, hospital records, statistical records and miscellaneous papers, mainly relating to the Lutheran Gaubin District Hospital, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea and the associated training school. While there are some early papers, the majority relate to activities in the 1970s-80s. Much of the material consists of photocopies, with the originals being retained at the Gaubin District Hospital archives.

Also included in the collection are folders of personal correspondence, photographs and slides, computer disks containing data copied from hospital records, and copies of Tscharke's publications.

The original arrangement of the papers has been preserved by the library.


Biographical Note

Edwin Gerhard Tscharke was a Lutheran missionary, hospital administrator, health educator and physician. He was born into a Lutheran family at Neales Flat, South Australia on 25 December 1918. He aspired to become a doctor, but family circumstances did not allow for him to continue with his studies, and he was forced to leave school at the age of 14 to work at mixed farming. Tscharke left this at 19, and trained as a carpenter. Because of his close association with the Lutheran Church, Tscharke felt called to do missionary work, and in 1941 was sent by the church to Finschhafen, New Guinea as a lay missionary.

In 1942, during the invasion of New Guinea by the Japanese, Tscharke served with the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles. He survived an ordeal which saw his unit, all of them sick with dysentery, malaria and malnutrition, march overland to Port Moresby via the Bulldog Trail. The men were written off by the army as 'lost in action', and when they finally arrived at Port Moresby, were nicknamed 'the lost legion'.

While recuperating in Australia, Tscharke completed an army educational correspondence course in Anatomy & Physiology for X-ray Technology, through the University of Melbourne. He returned to New Guinea in 1943, and undertook a Tropical Medicine training course, from which he graduated as a medical assistant. He was posted to several different hospitals in New Guinea, before being discharged from the Army in 1946.

In 1947 Tscharke was sent by the Lutheran Church to the island of Karkar, off the coast of Madang in New Guinea to set up and run a hospital on behalf of the Lutheran Medical Services. When Tscharke arrived on the island, the population was approximately 8,000, and there were no medical facilities. Tropical diseases were rife amongst the indigenous people, and mortality rates were high. By the time he retired forty-one years later in 1988, the population was over 30,000, and he had established a 200 bed District Hospital at Gaubin. He had been instrumental in controlling the diseases which had so badly effected the population on his arrival. In 1966, in order to involve the local community in primary health care, Tscharke set up a training school for nurses and aid post orderlies who could staff outpost medical centres. He wrote a number of manuals, texts and teaching guides, aimed at providing relevant information to the indigenous people.

During his time on Karkar, Tscharke performed many medical and surgical procedures, although he had no formal qualifications. The skill and expertise he developed in this area were recognised in 1989, when he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine by the University of Papua New Guinea.

Tscharke's approach in involving the local community in primary health care was acclaimed in 1984 by a World Health Organisation representative as being 30 years ahead of the rest of the world, in relation to providing health care in third world countries. In addition to this, the medical records he meticulously maintained over the years have been recognised by academic bodies and individuals as a valuable primary resource for research purposes.

Tscharke married Tabitha Grace Rohde on 10 March 1945. During their years in Papua New Guinea, she not only provided Tscharke with tremendous moral support, but also made valuable contributions in her own right to the establishment of primary health care facilities on the island. They have two children, Margaret and Michael, and several grandchildren.

Following his retirement, Tscharke and his wife returned to Australia, settling in Ipswich, Queensland.

Edwin Tscharke died on 22 September 2000.


Awards

Edwin Tscharke's work has been recognised through a number of awards. These include:

1974 M.B.E.
1975 P.N.G. Independence Medal
1977 The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal
1982 Madang Rotary Club, P.N.G. Paul Harris Fellow Medal
1987 R.S.L. Anzac Peace Prize
1988 Unsung Heroes & Heroines of Australia Medallion (an Australian bicenntenary project to identify 200 people worthy of special recognition)
1989 Honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea
1989 Order of Australia
1992 Ipswich City Rotary Club, QLD, Paul Harris Fellow Bar

Publications

Tscharke has written the following works:

Medical handbook teaching manual, [NP], 1952, 320p (written in Pidgin English)

Guide to better health and hygiene for New Guinea, [NP], 1958

A quarter century of healing, Kristen Press, Madang, 1973, 48p

Yumi daunim sik, [NP], 1967 (revised edition of Guide to better health and hygiene for New Guinea)

Guide to better health and hygiene for New Guinea, revised edition, [NP], 1993 (written in English)

Biography

God's Maverick by Ian Frazer, Albatross Books, Sutherland, 1992, 237p


Series List

1. General correspondence, 1930-94

2. Numbered files, 1943-98

3. Gaubin District Hospital, 1948-96

4. Writings, 1952-95

5. Biographical material, 1989

6. Photographs, 1950-77

7. Computer disks

8. Newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, 1945-95

9. Miscellaneous, 1973-88


Series Description

SERIES 1 General correspondence and papers, 1930-98

Tscharke corresponded widely with family, friends and colleagues from both within the Lutheran Church and from the numerous organisations he was associated with over the years. This series comprises mainly personal correspondence and papers. Material has been kept in files as created by Tscharke, and includes family letters, financial papers, notes and drafts of addresses given by Tscharke, obituaries of family members, and miscellaneous items.

The bulk of the material contained in Folder 1 was produced during the period 1946-47, and contains a number of letters from the Tscharkes to their family in Australia, which provide a very good insight into their early days in New Guinea. A small amount of personal correspondence may also be found in Series 2 and Series 3.

Folders

1 Correspondence, 1930, 1945-73
2 Correspondence, 1952, 1960-71
3 Christmas Correspondence 1990-94
4. Correspondence, some in German, 1961-78
5. Correspondence, 1984-98
6. Correspondence, 1991-98
7. Correspondence from Ron Gerhardy, Director, Board for Overseas Missions and Church Co-operation, 1975-88
8. Correspondence, 1983-97
9. Correspondence, 1980-97

SERIES 2 Numbered files, 1943-98 (Bulk 1970-80s)

Tscharke created and maintained a numerical filing system for his extensive administrative files and records. This series consists of the files created under this system. The records relate mainly to the administrative processes involved in the running of the Gaubin district hospital and the training school. Material includes correspondence, reports, research proposals, teaching notes and manuals, minutes of meetings, hospital records, statistical records and miscellaneous papers.

Each item entry includes Tscharke's file title, and a description of the contents, with the system file number located at the end of the entry. A copy of the index to this system is located at the end of this series. Some files are missing, and these have been noted at the end of the item list.

The file titles and papers within the files contain a number of acronyms. These are detailed below:

APO Aid Post Orderly
BOMCC Board for Overseas Missions and Church Co-operation
CMC Churches Medical Council
ELCONG Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea
ELC PNG Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea
EZ Evangelische Zentralstelle
FAIM Fourth Avenue in Motion (Rotary International world community service)
LES Lutheran Economic Services
LMS Lutheran Medical Service
LWF Lutheran World Federation
MCH Maternal Child Health
NA Nursing Aide
NBC National Broadcasting Commission
NGVR New Guinea Volunteer Rifles
PNG Papua New Guinea
PHC Primary Health Care
SHC Sub Health Centre
UPNG University of Papua New Guinea
WHO World Health Organisation
Folder/Item Description
1 'Matters: land titles ELcong'. Photocopied correspondence relating to the survey of Gaubin hospital land, and a tender for land on Bagabag Island for the construction of a health centre, 1978-88 [1-1-1]
2 'Law and order action demanded - police alcohol'. Includes photocopy of questionnaire for enquiry on alcoholic drink in PNG, [nd] [1-1-2]
3 'Permit and visa correspondence'. Includes letter from Tscharke regarding renewal of work permit, and correspondence regarding the payment of nurse registration fees, 1985-86 [1-1-3]
4 'Registration medical personal [sic] and services'. Correspondence and papers relating to the registration of personnel as health workers, 1968-86 (2 copies) [1-1-3a]
5 'Church/govt health documents - policies - Cuso volunteer'. Correspondence and papers relating to the provision of health care in PNG. Includes Department of Health correspondence, and papers relating to the Lutheran Church's role in health care, 1975-87 [1-1-4]
6 'Nursing council involvement - training program'. Correspondence, mainly relating to Aid Posts and Aid Post orderlies, 1976-88 [1-1-5]
7 'Anti-Yaws campaigns 1947-1978'. Books and register pages containing records of injections, and statistical information [1-1-5a]
8 'Dr Sophie Reid Yaws study 1983-1988'. Correspondence, reports and papers relating to the study [1-1-5b]
9 'Complaints Miak-Gaubin'. Photocopied correspondence relating to Miak and Gaubin Health Centres, 1976-87 [1-1-6]
10 'Gaubin District Hospital revised policy manual, Lutheran Medical Services, 1983'. Photocopied papers and correspondence, mainly from the LMS, relating to the provision of medical services, 1978-83 [1-1-7]
11 'Policy of Gaubin District Hospital - ELC PNG - expendable and non-expendable'. Photocopied papers and correspondence, mainly from the ELC and the Department of Health, on policy issues relating to the provision of medical services, 1983-87 [1-1-8]
12 'Health planning and budgeting, LMS'. Includes reports on primary health care and health education, and papers relating to LMS planning seminar, 1986-87 [1-1-9]
13 'ELCONG constitution and by-laws'. Photocopied minutes of meetings, correspondence and President's report, 1970-83 [1-2-1]
14 'Provincial health planning, Dr Symes 1971'. Photocopied report [1-2-2a]
15 'National/provincial Health Department relationship'. Photocopied memorandum (1982) and report (1986), (2 copies) [1-2-2b]
16 'APO PHC rural handbook development'. Photocopied correspondence and papers relating to development of a manual for APOs, and conducting of an APO workshop (2 copies), 1972-85 [1-2-3]
17 'Dr Moynihan's workload survey statistics'. Photocopied correspondence and statistical information, 1984-86 [1-2-4]
18 'Post Office relating correspondence'. Photocopied correspondence and paperwork, 1986-87 [1-3-1]
19 'Papua New Guinea Banking Cooperation'. Photocopied form appointing an agent for the bank, 1988 [1-3-2]
20 'CMC file'. Photocopied occasional papers from the CMC Health Planning Unit, 1973-74, 1987 [1-4-1]
21 'Survey, Dr Moynihan and Gaubin, Don Kudan: correspondence'. Photocopied correspondence relating to the provision of a doctor's residence, and report on Gaubin Health Centre, 1984-87 [1-4-2]
22 'Gaubin Hospital district constitution', 1979-86 [1-4-3]
23 'Correspondence for doctor at Gaubin'. Photocopied correspondence 1982-87 [1-4-4]
24 'Dr Des Scholz, short-term doctor at Yagaum Hospital LMS'. Photocopied personal correspondence, and 'confidential' business correspondence relating to a disagreement between Tscharke and the director of the LMS, 1972-3 [1-4-4a]
25 'CMC correspondence'. Minutes of executive meeting, 1987 [1-4-5a]
26 'Historical geography:- New Guinea globe surroundings'. Photocopy of a report entitled 'A geography of New Guinea', by E. Hannemann, [nd], 160p [1-4-5b]
27 'Postmortem forensic medicine'. Correspondence relating to supply of equipment, and notes on performing postmortem operations, 1986-88 [1-4-6]
28 'CMC executive minutes', 1976-88 [1-4-7]
29 'Gaubin District Hospital board minutes', 1974-88 [1-4-8]
30 'Gaubin District Hospital family health scheme'. Correspondence and papers relating to the introduction of a family health scheme for residents of Karkar and Bagabag Islands, 1977-86 [1-4-9]
31 'Mental and psychosomatic reports, problems'. Photocopied correspondence and patient record cards relating to treatment of psychiatric patients, 1980-82 [1-5-1]
32 'Drugs donations: Red Cross, Rotary, private'. Lists of drugs and equipment donated, 1989-90 [1-5-2]
33 'BOMCC correspondence', 1972-87. Also included, BOMCC Manual, 1979 [1-6-1]
34 'Proff [sic] C Gibbs, Sydney, Proff [sic] Jilek, Canada: correspondence', 1984-87 [1-6-2]
35 'Code of archival agreement with ELC PNG, Gaubin and University', [nd] [1-6-3]
36 'Pertaining to research records primary health care'. Photocopied correspondence and papers relating to making archival records available for research projects, 1984-87 (2 copies) [1-6-5]
37 Photocopied correspondence and papers relating to the setting up of an archive for storage of the hospital's collection of health records. Contained in three files: a. 'Research finance and inventory files', 1988 b. 'Correspondence EZE? Research funding', 1984-86 c. 'Submission report for overseas funding for research archival setting up', 1984 [1-1-6]
38 'Genetic IMR findings Waskia/Takia'. Photocopied medical journal articles which used data collected on Karkar Island for their research, 1976-78 [1-6-7]
39 'Dr Antonia Bagshawe, Sydney and Dr K. Ampofo, UPNG'. Photocopied and original correspondence and papers, mainly relating to research proposals and visits to Gaubin health centre, 1984-87 [1-6-8]
40 'Computer room file'. Photocopied correspondence and papers relating to purchase of a computer for the archive centre, 1985-87 [1-6-9]
41 'Institute of medical research, Goroka, cancer Lae'. Includes photocopy of a medical research paper which used data collected on Karkar Island, and transcript of a talk given by Dr Duncan Shine on treatment of cancer, 1973-85 [1-6-10]
42 'Medical research file'. Includes photocopied research proposals/reports from: Dr C. Gibbs, Dr A. Bagshawe, Dr L. Moynihan, and Dr Kofi Ampofo, 1984-86 [1-6-11]
43 'Institute of medical research, Goroko'. Copy of report on haemoglobinometry by Professor H. Woodliff, 1979, and duplicate of a report included on 1-6-10 [1-6-12]
44 'Archive planning centre - Gaubin Hospital'. Correspondence and reports relating to the development of the archive centre, 1983-87 [1-6-13]
45 'Dr H. Hellberg, WHO, Geneva, correspondence', 1969, 1983-90 [1-6-14]
46 'UPNG correspondence re: research'. Copies of two letters relating to a visit to the university by the Tscharkes in February, 1989 [1-6-15]
47 'Spare copies of documents'. Copies and originals of correspondence, reports and papers on a wide variety of personal and business relating topics. Much of the material relates to the period after their retirement, 1958, 1969, 1976-91 [1-1-16]
48 'UPNG correspondence and phone numbers'. Includes copy of ceremony conferring Tsharke with honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine, February 1989 [1-6-17]
49 'Emergency kit:- DCA helibox'. Photocopied correspondence and papers relating to the provision of an emergency crash medical kit, 1974-81 [1-7-1]
50 'Lutheran shipping aviation'. Photocopy of a transport survey undertaken by the Lutheran Mission New Guinea, 1971, 64p [1-7-2]
51 'Licences [sic] and registration'. Correspondence and papers relating to licensing and registration requirements, including those for motor vehicles, buildings, equipment and hospital activities, 1964-88 [1-8-1]
52 'Ampo risk insurance - ELcong office Lae Kambang holdings'. Photocopied correspondence and papers relating mainly to the insurance of buildings and motor vehicles, 1973-83 [1-8-2]
53 'Finance board minutes ELC PNG'. Contents of this file are in Pidgin English, 1976-1983 [1-8-3]
54 'LWF and WHO Geneva international addresses'. Correspondence and papers, relating mainly to the printing and distribution of Tsharke's book 'Guide to better health and hygiene for third world countries', 1992-93 [1-8-4]
55 'World Health Organization correspondence', 1978-86 [1-8-5]
56 'Family planning correspondence, courses etc', 1973-84 [1-8-6]
57 'Medical reports, veteran affair'. Correspondence, reports, records and accounts relating to Tscharke's medical treatments, 1973-91 [2-1-2]
58 'NGVR history 1940-1941-1942 and onwards, Finschhafen and Lae'. Correspondence, papers and newsletters, mainly relating to the New Guinea and Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles ex members association. Also includes correspondence regarding Tscharke's book 'Guide to better health and hygiene for third world countries', and material from 'The Monarchist League in Australia', 1992-94 [2-1-3]
59 'Veterans Affairs, Fabians, NGVR and Order of Australia'. Correspondence, papers and newsletters relating to these four organisations. Also includes RSL QLD newsletters, 1984-92 [2-1-5]
60 'Commonwealth Order of Australia correspondence, honorary Doctor degree, UPNG, unsung hero and heroines award'. Correspondence, congratulatory letters, papers and newsletters relating to honours awarded to Tscharke, (2 files) 1974-94 [2-1-6]
61 'RSL records of all Karkar ex soldiers and relating correspondence'. Photocopied correspondence and papers, 1961-80 [2-2-1]
62 'Gaubin school graduation reports'. Copies of the 17th and 19th graduation ceremonies, in Pidgin English, 1987-89 [2-3-1]
63 a 'Gaubin district hospital staff mail'. Consists mainly of personal correspondence, 1978-90
64 b 'Abongs special letter Wolok Namaria'. Correspondence, mainly relating to problems which arose at the Gaubin hospital after the Tscharke's retirement, 1976, 1989-90 [2-4-1]
65 'Dr Agnes Hoeger'. Personal correspondence, 1982-92 [2-4-2]
66 'Delores Hall, Gaubin community training school'. Consists mainly of personal correspondence between the Tscharke's, and friends and colleagues in PNG, 1988-90 [2-4-3]
67 'Sussie Yangta: Gaubin hospital research'. Correspondence and financial records, mainly relating to preparing and computerising Gaubin hospital records for archival storage, 1988-89 [2-4-4]
68 'Ian Frazer: Goulbourn: correspondence'. Correspondence with Ian Frazer, Tscharke's biographer, 1988-89 [2-4-5]
69 'Letters: relatives, Australia', 1989 [2-4-6]
70 'Venereal disease - method of treatment'. Correspondence relating to the treatment of venereal disease. Includes booklet in Pidgin English on the subject, 1970-84 [2-5-1]
71 'Gonorrhoea [sic] STD 1973-1988'. Correspondence and statistical records relating to the reporting and treatment of patients with STDs [2-5-2]
72 a 'Karkar provincial high school correspondence', 1971-86
73 b 'Sex lectures to Karkar high school', c1975 [2-5-3]
74 a 'Ron Gerhardy and relating correspondence 1988-'. Correspondence with Dr Gerhardy, Director of BOMCC, and others, 1984-93
75 b "Lutheran Medical Services director ELC PNG, Lae'. Copy of the 1996 Christmas message from the Chairman of the LMS Board [2-6-1]
76 'LMS quarterly reports (statistics)', 1985-87 [2-6-2]
77 'LMS treasurers Gaubin budget report'. Consists mainly of deposit details for monies being paid into the Gaubin health centre account, 1973-81 [2-6-3]
78 'Lutheran school of nursing board minutes', (2 copies), 1968-80 [2-6-4a]
79 'LMS board minutes'. Minutes for meeting held 7 March 1998, in Pidgin English [2-7-1]
80 'LMS staff development (localisation)'. Copy of document in Pidgin English, [nd] [2-7-2]
81 'Bernie Luscombe video film visit Gaubin 1986'. Correspondence regarding the making of a video tape about the island of Karkar, 1986 [2-7-3]
82 'Bernie Luscombe correspondence (video Karkar)', 1985-87 [2-7-3a]
83 'FAIM bulletin: articles on Gaubin district hospital'. Copies of Rotary bulletins from a number of different clubs, 1977-89 [2-7-4]
84 a 'Sandy MacGreggor/donations in kind drugs and clothing'. Correspondence relating to the Rotary 'Donations in Kind' project, and to the Rotary sponsored visit of two students from Gaubin to Gladstone district hospital, 1989. MacGreggor was chairman of the Rotary Australia world community service
85 b 'FAIM correspondence'. Correspondence, lists of donated supplies, and reports, mainly relating to Rotary activities, 1981-89 [2-7-5]
86 Retained by donor [2-7-6]
87 'NBC radio - requests'. Lists of radio broadcast requests, from staff and patients at the Gaubin hospital, 1973-81 [2-8-1]
88 'Christian broadcasting service (list of books)'. Includes minutes of meetings of the Madang brethren, a list of books held in the mission library, and information about the Christian broadcasting service, 1961-87 [2-8-2]
89 'Kristen press correspondence books printed'. Papers, in Pidgin English, 1986-87 [2-8-4]
90 Booklet entitled The dangerous snakes of the south-west pacific area, [NP], 1943 [3-1-2]
91 'Goitre treatment'. Correspondence, reports and statistics relating to the incidence and treatment of goitre on Karkar Island, 1962-90 [3-1-3]
92 'Malaria spleen prophylaxis program: 1950-53, 1988'. Photocopied correspondence, reports, patient record sheets and suggested treatments relating to malaria, 1950-53, 1986 [3-1-4]
93 a 'Yaws cases survey - 1988 Dr Bernie Hudson'
94 b 'Yaws lesions'. Copy of book entitled An international nomenclature of yaws lesions, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1957, 99p [3-1-5]
95 'Paraplegic Ward 8 correspondence', 1985 [3-1-6]
96 'Gaubin district hospital diabetic check'. Two pages of notes, [nd] [3-1-7]
97 'Bagabag Island map'. Includes maps for Bagabag and Karkar Islands, 1944 [3-2-3]
98 a 'Leprosy monthly report Gaubin district hospital 1975-1988'. Photocopied reports
99 b 'Leprosy/tuberculosis records'. Photocopied correspondence, teaching notes, statistics and records relating to the treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis, 1973-85 [4-1-1]
100-101 'Epidemiological reports 1961-1988'. Photocopied reports [4-1-2]
102 'Prenatal records Gaubin district hospital'. Includes photocopied policy document on immunisation, and Department of Health guidelines for dealing with communicable diseases , 1978-83 [4-1-3a]
103 'MCH immunization records Gaubin district hospital 1965-1988'. Photocopied monthly reports [1-4-4]
104 'X-ray monthly report Gaubin district hospital 1982-1988'. Photocopied reports [4-1-5]
105 'Communicable disease - AIDS STD'. Photocopied circular, and text of lecture in Pidgin English, 1979 [4-1-6]
106 'Sexually transmitted disease report 1980-1988'. Photocopied reports [4-1-6a]
107 a 'TB monthly reports 1958-1988'. Photocopied reports
108 b 'TB reports Manteaux results 1964-1966'. Photocopied results (2 copies) [4-1-7]
109 a 'Gaubin district hospital board minutes'. Photocopied minutes, 1974-1988
110 b 'Gaubin district hospital report'. Includes annual report, correspondence and personal profile of Tscharke, 1985-89 [4-1-8]
111 'Gaubin district hospital complaints file'. Photocopied correspondence and reports, 1981-87 [4-1-8a]
112-113 a 'Death reports 1961-1979'. Original copies of reports and correspondence, together with folder of photocopied duplicates
114-115 b 'Death reports 1980-1988'. Original copies of reports, together with folder of photocopied duplicates [4-2-1]
116 'Grant in aid correspondence: budget: school'. Photocopied correspondence and report relating to church health services and subsidies, 1984-85 [4-2-2]
117-119 a 'Maternal child health monthly reports 1954-1988' Original copies of reports together with two folders of photocopied duplicates
120 b 'Maternal child health monthly report attendance records 1978-1988'. Photocopied records [4-2-4]
121-122 'Death reports prenatal 1974-1987'. Original copies of reports, together with folder of photocopied duplicates [4-2-5]
123-124 'Area report Gaubin district hospital 1961-1988'. Original copies of reports, together with folder of photocopied duplicates [4-2-6.1]
125 'Monthly reports Gaubin district hospital (Kurum)1955-1963' [4-2-6.1b]
126 'Monthly reports Gaubin district hospital 1955-1963' [4-2-6.1c]
127 'Monthly tuberculosis reports Gaubin district hospital 1958-1988' [4-2-6.2]
128 a 'Epidemiology reports Gaubin district hospital', 1961-62
129 b 'Epidemiology reports Gaubin district hospital 1961-1988' [4-2-6.3]
130 'Monthly report X-ray 1982-1988' [4-2-6.4]
131 'Monthly report outpatients, 1950-1988' (see also item 141) [4-2-6.5]
132 'Monthly report STD 1980-1988' [4-2-6.6]
133 'Monthly report laboratory', 1954-88 (see also item 145) [4-2-6.7]
134 'Monthly report family planning 1975-1988' (see also item 151) [4-2-6.8]
135-136 'Monthly patrol report 1973-1988'. Original copies of reports, together with folder of photocopied duplicates [4-2-6.9]
137 'Monthly report immunization 1973-1988' [4-2-6.10.1]
138 'Monthly report MCH attendance 1978-1987' [4-2-6.10.2]
139 'Monthly report MCH immunization 1965-1988' [4-2-6.10.3]
140 'Monthly report leprosy', 1973-87 [4-2-6.11]
141 'Outpatient Gaubin district hospital monthly reports 1950-1988'. Photocopied reports (see item 131 for original copies) [4-2-7]
142 a 'Mapor: major aid post'. Includes photocopied correspondence, building plans for sub-health centre building, and aid post reports, 1982-87
143 b 'Kulili estates aid post'. Photocopied statistics, 1987
144 c 'Mapor SHC'. Correspondence, notes and plans relating to the building of the sub health centre, 1982-87 [4-2-8a]
145 a 'Laboratory histology survey reports 1973-1988'. Photocopied reports (see item 133 for original copies)
146 b 'Histology lab. Survey 1985-1988'. Photocopied correspondence, statistics and procedures [4-2-8b]
147 'Laboratory reports "monthly" Gaubin district hospital'. Photocopied reports, 1985-87 (see also item 145) [4-2-9]
148 'Auditors report APO/NA Port Moresby', January 1983 [4-2-9a]
149 a 'Population information program'. Copy of the journal Population Reports, May 1992
150 b 'Family planning international perspectives'. Copy of the journal International Family Planning Perspectives, September 1988 [4-2-11a]
151 'Family planning monthly reports 1975-1988'. Photocopied reports. (see item 134 for original copies) [4-2-11b]
152 'Annual field conference reports of Gaubin since 1947-1988'. Photocopied reports [4-2-12]
153 'Gaubin district hospital cancer biopsy/histology reports Port Moresby'. Photocopied reports, 1974-78 [4-2-14]
154-156 'Anthropology - PNG culture'. One file and two folders of photocopied correspondence, articles, papers and reports, 1944-83 [5-1-1]
157 'Overseas students electives'. Correspondence, mostly photocopied, mainly relating to the temporary placement of medical students at Gaubin, 1973-87 [6-1-2a]
158 'Aboriginal overseas study award'. Photocopied correspondence, journal article and report relating to the temporary placement of two aboriginal nursing sisters at Gaubin, 1981 [6-1-2b]
159 'Miak/Gaubin politics attempts to divide'. Correspondence, reports and papers, mostly relating to the management and operation of the Gaubin district hospital, 1971-88 [6-1-3a]
160 'Community outline of health workers curriculum'. Photocopied correspondence relating to the development of a health orderly curriculum, 1985 [6-1-3b]
161 'Gaubin district hospital staff references', 1988 [6-1-4]
162 'APO/NA school correspondence'. Photocopied correspondence and reports, 1985 [6-2-1]
163 'Correspondence, hospital staff personal [sic] and staff movements'. Photocopied correspondence, staff lists, and reports relating to personnel matters, 1985-87 [6-2-3a]
164 'Public service employment APO Madang Province'. Photocopied correspondence, report and circular relating to conditions of employment, 1986-87 [6-2-3b]
165 'Gaubin staff records'. Photocopied personal staff records and correspondence, 1976-87 [6-2-5]
166 'Gaubin agreement policy LMS'. Photocopied staff agreement forms and correspondence, 1981-83 [6-2-6]
167 'Lutheran economical service funding'. Correspondence, reports and minutes of meetings for LES, ELCONG, and BOMCC, mostly relating to financial matters 1959-73 [7-1-1]
168 'Gaubin district hospital health scheme planning'. Photocopied correspondence, minutes of meetings, financial reports, and a copy of the Gaubin district hospital constitution, 1981-88 [7-1-2]
169 'Gaubin district hospital health scheme finances'. Photocopied financial reports, 1980-85 [7-1-2a]
170 'Control of black pod of cocoa'. Correspondence and research proposals for study into the disease of black pod of cocoa, 1987 [7-1-3]
171 'APO staff salaries correspondence'. Correspondence and circulars relating to financial and personnel matters, 1977-87 [7-1-4]
172 'Gaubin district hospital staff establishment correspondence'. Correspondence relating to financial matters, 1975-81 [7-1-4a]
173 'Tuberculosis inpatient funding'. Expenditure statements relating to the provision of food, 1958-61, 1985 [7-1-5]
174 'Students food allowance schedule'. Financial records relating to payments made to APO students, 1984 [7-1-6]
175 'LMS Gaubin district hospital finance budget'. Photocopied correspondence, financial reports, budget estimates and funding submissions, 1974-88 [7-2-5]
176 a 'Bread for the world'. File containing single letter advising of grant approval for running costs of Gaubin district hospital, 29 November 1988
177-179 b 'Rebuilding Gaubin, Bread for the world funding'. Correspondence and financial records relating to the reconstruction of Gaubin district hospital, a Bread for the world project, funded through the Evangelische Kirchen in Deutschland, 1963-1974 [8-1-2]
180 'Plans for OIC house and new doctor's house 1986' [8-2-2]
181 'Plans for digester - compound plan'. Correspondence, notes, report, proposal and purchase orders relating to the installation of a methane digester plant for the Gaubin district hospital, 1973-76 [8-2-3a]
182 'Nurses dorm plan - FAIM correspondence'. Correspondence, plans and papers, mainly relating to the provision of equipment and maintenance of buildings by Rotary, 1984-86 [8-2-3b]
183 'Karkar historical file'. Miscellaneous material covering a wide range of topics. Includes business and some personal correspondence, newspaper cuttings, annual reports, census records, and copies of the following: training seminar booklet for community development and social services officers, produced by the South Pacific Commission; Tscharke's book A quarter century of healing; H.R. Nelson's paper Loyalties at swordpoint; a report by Romala McSwain entitled Strategic influences on economic change in a New Guinea society; and extracts from a report on Karkar Island by G.A.M. Taylor, 1946-88 (see also item 189) [8-2-7]
184 'Buffalo correspondence'. Letter regarding a proposal to lease land for a buffalo breeding project, 24 May 1983 [9-1-1]
185 'Gaubin boundary buildings and gardening'. Letter from Tscharke regarding sewerage problems at the Gaubin district hospital, together with a photocopy of a plan of the hospital grounds, [nd] [9-1-3]
186 'Dr Moynihan's Gaubin workload statistics'. Photocopied correspondence and statistical records, 1984-85 [9-1-4]
187 '100 years anniversary guests'. Photocopied correspondence, itineraries and church service relating to the 100th anniversary of Lutheran mission work in PNG, 1986 [9-1-5]
188 'Rainfall map of Papua New Guinea'. Photocopied map and notes on rainfall, 1965 [9-1-6]
189 'Historical file'. Duplicates of material found at item 183 [9-1-10]
190 'Tests on Gaubin well water, report'. Photocopied correspondence and reports relating to the testing of the Gaubin hospital water supply, 1976-82 [9-1-15]
191 'Daup airstrip correspondence'. Correspondence, some in Pidgin English, relating to a proposed airstrip at Daup village, 1986 [9-1-16]
192 Copy of index to Tscharke's filing system

System files not included in material received:

1-1-10 1-4-7a 1-6-4 2-1-1
2-6-4 2-8-3 3-1-1 3-2-1
3-2-2 4-1-3b 4-1-9 4-2-3
4-2-8 4-2-10 4-2-13 6-1-1
6-2-2 6-2-4 7-1-4 7-2-1
7-2-2 to 7-2-4 7-3-1 to 7-3-6 8-1-1 8-1-3
8-2-1 8-2-4 to 8-2-6 9-1-2 9-1-11 to 9-1-14

Note: No files were received for category 10.

SERIES 3 Gaubin District Hospital, 1948-96

This series consists of files, created by Tscharke, which relate mainly to the administration of the Gaubin District Hospital and the training school, but which do not form part of the numerical filing system detailed in Series 2. Material includes correspondence, some of it personal, reports, research proposals, teaching notes, hospital records, and miscellaneous papers. A small amount of hospital related material may also be found in Series 1.

Folder/Item Description
1 Correspondence with Dr Hilary King, and copy of her report entitled Thyroid function in a formerly goitrous community on Karkar Island, Papua New Guinea, 1986
2 Correspondence and statistical figures relating to a work load of study of Gaubin carried out by Dr Moynihan, 1984
3 Correspondence relating to computerising the hospital's records, 1993-94
4 Submission by Dr C.J. Gibbs to use the hospital records for a research project to evaluate the services provided by Gaubin from 1948-1984, 1984
5 Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1991-92
6 Paper entitled Blood transfusion procedures, with translations into Pidgin, prepared for Prof Sandy MacGreggor, chairman, Rotary Australia world community service (2 copies), [nd]
7 Consultation report entitled Adapting a competency-based training curriculum for health orderlies - a practical workshop for trainers, 1986
8 Correspondence and papers, mainly relating to A.P.O. training, 1981
9 Notes for use by community health workers at medical aid posts, [nd]
10 Manual on general nursing care for students undertaking the nurse aid course, [nd]
11 Nurse aid curriculum, [nd]
12 Series of training papers on health and hygiene, environmental sanitation, microbiology and gardening, [nd]
13-15 Record sheets, divided into villages, entitled Tuberculosis control micro x-ray register, 1972
16 TB admission book, 1973, patient record cards (6), 1963-87, child's health care record book detailing visits, 1984-87, and a card listing patients' charts, 1954-55
17 Report, dedicated to the Tscharkes, entitled The investigation and management of an outbreak of Yaws in Papua New Guinea, by G.P.A. Winyard, 1980. Research for this report was carried out on Karkar
18 Correspondence and report on Rotary FAIM projects, 1995
19 Correspondence (some personal), reports and papers, 1967-91
20 Correspondence, 1984-95
21 Correspondence (some personal), and a 1979 study of the aid post orderly training schools by W.P. Chang, 1976-88
22 Correspondence, statistical records, and papers, 1976-89
23 Correspondence (some personal), and papers, 1958, 1974-88
24 Correspondence and papers, 1982-89
25 Correspondence, mostly relating to problems experienced at Gaubin as a result of the change of administration after Tscharke's retirement, 1992-93
26 Photocopied material entitled Primary health care research guidelines. Includes contents list. Consists mainly of correspondence and reports relating to research projects undertaken on Karkar, and a copy of Tscharke's book A quarter century of healing, 1973-96
27 Photocopied correspondence, papers reports and colour photographs, mainly relating to primary health care, 1973-93
28 Photocopied miscellaneous material. Includes a paper entitled Statement on rationalization of nursing schools in Papua New Guinea, presented by Peter Barter, regional member for Madang, together with a letter from him regarding Department of Health funding for Gaubin, a copy of a Bill to be presented in Parliament entitled Catholic dioceses joint ventures agency bill 1993, and a copy of a report entitled Earthquake tolerant construction for third world at affordable prices, by David C. Jones, 1973-96
29 Photocopied miscellaneous material. Includes copies of reports of research proposals and reports of research carried out on Karkar, and correspondence relating to the computerisation of the Gaubin hospital records, 1984-94
30 Note by Tscharke on the visit from South Korea of Dr Mary Simmons to the Gaubin hospital on 16 November 1971
31 Photocopied correspondence and reports relating to the computerised archival copies of hospital records, 1987-93
32 Photocopied miscellaneous material, with list of contents. Includes correspondence, research proposals and reports, newspaper clippings, photographs and maps, 1984-92
33 Photocopied material. Includes some personal correspondence, correspondence relating to Tscharke's book A guide to better health and hygiene for third world countries, and copies of reports relating to the functions and records of the Gaubin district hospital, 1985-94
34-38 Group of files containing photocopied material. Includes correspondence, reports, maps and photographs, mostly relating to the preservation, storage and computerisation of the Gaubin district hospital records, and to issues concerning the hospital training school, 1983-89
39 Miscellaneous material. Includes some personal material such as correspondence, and notes by Tscharke on his life history. Other material includes copies of correspondence and reports relating to the Gaubin district hospital records, and to the training school, and copies of four journal articles on lung disease, Includes one letter from 1958, relating to hospital equipment, 1958, 1974-90
40 Miscellaneous material. Includes some personal correspondence, correspondence, reports and research proposals relating to the computerisation and use of Gaubin district hospital records, correspondence relating to printing and distribution of Tscharke's book A guide to better health and hygiene for third world countries, and a newspaper article about Tscharke's biography God's maverick, 1983-94
41 Miscellaneous loose material. Includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, papers, hospital building valuation, and a copy of the ELC PNG policy manual (1983), 1973-96
42 Original hospital records. Includes obstetrics registers (1954-61 and 1973-79), surgery registers (1948-63 and 1969-78), and discharge register (1973)
43 Correspondence, project outline and plans relating to the establishment of the hospital archive, 1984-92
44 Draft manuscript of a work on the history of Gaubin by Angela Burger, [nd], 173p
45 Correspondence, mostly relating to the donation of clothing and medicine to the hospital, 1992-97
46 Group of files containing miscellaneous material. Includes correspondence, some personal, copies of reports, a copy of a message from the Tscharkes to be read out at celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the hospital in October 1998, and photocopied newspaper articles relating to Tscharke's achievements, 1952-53, 1981-98

SERIES 4 Writings, 1952-97

Tscharke's approach to providing primary healthcare was to involve the local community. To address the problem of a lack of written reference material suitable for use by the indigenous people, Tscharke wrote his own material. This series contains copies of these writings.

Also included are copies of Tscharke's book A quarter century of healing, written to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Gaubin district hospital.

Folder/Item Description
1 Medical handbook teaching manual, [NP], 1952, 301p. Written in Pidgin English, for use by aid post orderlies and community health workers
2 A quarter century of healing, Kristin Press Madang, 1973, 48p. Written for the 25th anniversary of the Gaubin hospital (2 copies)
3 Guide to better health and hygiene for New Guinea people, [NP]. Original version written in 1958 in Melanesian Pidgin English. A revised edition, written in English, was produced in 1993 for distribution to over 30 third world countries. Contained here is the original typescript for the revised edition, 107p
4-5 Correspondence relating to the printing and distribution of the revised edition of Guide to better health and hygiene for New Guinea people, 1992-97

SERIES 5 Biographical material, 1989

This series contains a small amount of material of a biographical nature.

Folder/Item Description
1 Personal notes by Tscharke, including Short personal history and some memories of the past - 1942 to 1943 N.G.V.R. experiences, [nd]. Also includes text of presentation speech by the Vice-chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea, when Tscharke was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine, 10 February 1989
2 Correspondence, family history records, historical notes and Tscharke's medical records (1990s), 1963-97

SERIES 6 Photographs 1950-77

A collection of photographs and slides, mainly depicting aspects of the Tscharkes' life in PNG, and in particular their activities at Gaubin.

Folder/Item Description
1 One photo album. Contains mainly colour photos, with some older black and white included. Album pages have notations. [nd]
2 Approximately 750 colour slides. Stored in labeled sheets, with notations on individual slides, 1950-77

SERIES 7 Computer disks

Tscharke maintained comprehensive medical records during his time at Gaubin. In 1984 a proposal was made by the University of Sydney to enter data from the hospital records onto a computerised database, with a view to using the records for medical research projects. A joint funding venture enabled the project to be undertaken, and selected hospital records from 1947-1985 were transferred to disk.

This series consists of 130 disks, produced as a result of this project.

Note: for system and program details relevant to preservation requirements, see notes on the Tscharke Papers acquisition file (NLA 203/20/00134)

Folder/Item Description
1 One box of disks entitled Gaubin hospital 40 years of inpatient records. Contains forty-two disks
2-3 Two boxes of disks entitled Gaubin hospital 40 years of maternal records. Contains eighty-eight disks
4 Copy of a letter which accompanied the disks, containing system and program information, 9 August 1993

SERIES 8 Newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, 1945-95

A small collection of miscellaneous newspaper clippings and scrapbooks.

Folder/Item Description
1 Scrapbook containing miscellaneous collection of newspaper clippings and papers. Includes items about Tscharke's work in PNG, World War II events, and official papers relating to Tscharke's appointment to undertake missionary work in PNG, 1945-1993
2 Scrapbook of newspaper clippings, mostly relating to the opening of a new wing at the Madang hospital, PNG on 26 January 1995
3 Photocopied miscellaneous newspaper clippings. Includes articles about the Tscharkes and their work on Karkar, a supplement from the Post-Courier newspaper entitled PNG martyrs, and a review of Tscharke's biography God's maverick, 1946, 1972-93

SERIES 9 Miscellaneous, 1973-88

This series contains the following items:

Folder/Item Description
1 Paper entitled The Christian thrust in church related high schools and colleges in America, Germany and the United Kingdom, by Len A. Tscharke, 1980
2 Correspondence (business and personal), and a series of notes, written by Tscharke after retiring in 1988, covering a range of topics relating to Karkar Island. Also includes the Tscharke's family tree, 1988
3-4 Photocopied material. Includes copies of H.R. Nelson's paper Loyalties at swordpoint and relating correspondence, a report by Romala McSwain entitled Strategic influences on economic change in a New Guinea society, a copy of Tscharke's book A quarter century of healing, notes on Karkar youth development programs, and extracts from a report on Karkar Island by G.A.M. Taylor, 1973-77
5 Correspondence with Ian Frazer, and address list for launch of Tscharke's biography God's Maverick, 1988
6 Correspondence and papers relating to Tscharke's donation of Papua New Guinea artifacts to the Ipswich Arts Foundation, 1997-98
7 Correspondence, papers and newsletter relating to Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 1990-93
8 Correspondence relating to upgrading of Tscharke's collection of videos of his work in New Guinea, together with a catalogue of the contents of the videos, 1997-98
9 Draft manuscript of a work entitled Kulbob and Manub, past and future creator deities of Kar Kar Island by Romala McSwain, [nd]
10 Miscellaneous journals, including copies of The Lutheran Missionary, New Guinea Mission, The Plain Truth and The Lutheran, 1952-88
11 Copy of a notice in Pidgin English (1948), and a translation from Pidgin to English of an anonymous notice delivered to Pastor Mileng on Kar Kar Island, on the subject of 'native people' working for 'white masters' (1949

Box List

Box Series Item/Folder
1 1 1-3
2 1 4-9
3 2 1-8
4 2 9-18
5 2 19-33
6 2 34-46
7 2 47-55
8 2 56-66
9 2 67-82
10 2 83-99
11 2 100-108
12 2 109-115
13 2 116-123
14 2 124-130
15 2 131-137
16 2 138-153
17 2 154-166
18 2 167-179
19 2 180-192
19 3 1-10
20 3 11-16
21 3 17-24
22 3 25-29
23 3 30-41
24 3 42-46
25 4 1-5
25 5 1
26 6 1
27 7 1-2
28 7 3-4
29 9 1-4
30 9 5-11
Folio box 1 6 2
Folio box 1 8 1-3
Guide prepared December 1998; revised March 2001.