Frank Holland MBE Bridge Naming Ceremony
Saturday 19th February 2022.
Some 2 years ago your Committee received a letter from the Local Council asking if we had any suggestions for the bridge recently built over Bullock Head Creek near the Museum Precinct connecting the two sections of Boundary Road. The Association wrote back suggesting the bridge be named the Frank Holland MBE Bridge and on Saturday 19th February a bridge naming ceremony was held at the bridge followed by a morning tea at the Everyman’s Hut at the Museum Precinct.
Lt. Frank Holland MBE enlisted in PNGVR when it was formed in Rabaul in 1951 and for a period was OC B Coy. He received his MBE for his actions after the Japanese landings in New Britain in 1942 when he crossed the Island from North to South , bringing back with him 23 survivors who had made their way down the South Coast of New Britain after the debacle at Rabaul. They then moved in stages down the North Coast and left the Witu Islands on the Lakatoi eventually arriving in Cairns in March 1942. Frank then joined the Army, was posted to Z Special Unit and served overseas in Timor behind Japanese lines and then in Borneo. A summary of his actions is told in HTT Vol 130.
Jamboree Council were the hosts of the function and those attending included several members from the Council and the neighbouring Council (commences just across the road), members of the Holland family and a number of Association members.
A story board has been erected on one side of the bridge and the ceremony was held there. Councillor Sarah Hutton welcomed all those present, particularly the Holland family and went on to speak on the importance of the bridge connecting Boundary Road and the importance to the community of the Association Museum.
Association Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. responded giving a brief praise of Lt Frank Holland and then Councillor Hutton requested Maj Gen Pearn and Assn Vice President, Bob Collins, to unveil the bridge name and story board.
Following that everyone moved back to the Everyman’s Hut to enjoy morning tea. While that was in progress Councillor Hutton spoke further regarding the importance of the Museum and precinct, Maj Gen Pearn spoke further re the Association and Bob Collins gave an address on the life of Frank Holland MBE, Coastwatcher, Commando and PNGVR member ( a copy of that address is on the Association web site). Councillor Charles Strunk from the Forest Lake Ward (the Museum Precinct has bounced between the two Wards in the past) also spoke.
Grandchildren of Frank Holland then spoke on their recollections of Frank and how much the act of naming the bridge after him meant to the family. It was clear from their recollections that the day was extremely significant for the family.
Overall it was a wonderful day to see one of our Association members remembered in that way and the Association gives sincere thanks to Councillor Hutton and her assistants for their very professional approach to the ceremony and those from the Association involved in the preparation of the ceremony. Treasurer Kieran Nelson was the Association contact point with Council for the ceremony.
The Story Board reads “Erected in memory of Lt. Frank Holland for his distinguished service to Australia and Papua New Guinea in World War 11 including his rescuing of survivors of Lark Force and civilians after the occupation of Rabaul on 23rd January 1942 (for which he was awarded the MBE) and serving in Z Special Force behind enemy lines in Timor and Borneo. After World War 11 he assisted in the reconstruction of the Gazelle Peninsular, provided witness testimony at the Toll Massacre War Crimes Trial and was a founding member of the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles in Rabaul.
The National Servicemen's’ Heritage Precinct was opened at 907 Boundary Road, Richlands, on part of the former Army Camp in February 2006. This precinct also houses the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles ex-members Association and its Museum to which Frank was a valued member and major contributor of documents and memorabilia.”
Read the address on Frank Holland MBE given by Bob Collins at the Morning Tea after the Ceremony at the Bridge.
| frank_holland_mbe.__address_at_bridge_naming_ceremony..pdf |
Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. giving an address following the unveiling of the Story Board by himself and Bob Collins.
Bob Collins is folding the cover of the Story Board.
Bob Collins is folding the cover of the Story Board.
The gathering at the Bridge Naming ceremony after the Story Board had been unveiled
Members of the Holland family with the Story Board at the Bridge
GerryMcGrade, Bob Collins, Councillor Charles Strunk, Kerry Glover, Maj Gen John Pearn AO.RFD., John, Councillor Sarah Hutton, John Batze, Alex Garlin (NSAAQ), Kieran Nelson, Ian Thompson, Mal Zimmerman.
Councillor Hutton giving an address during morning tea in the Everyman's hut.
The Holland family giving their recollections of their Grandfather, Frank Holland MBE., at the morning tea.
Louise, Sophie and Jodie Clayton, Joyce, Gerry and Susie McGrade a tthe morning tea
Susie McGrade, Sylvia McNeilly, Jessica Harrington.
Ian Thompson and Kerry Glover
John Batze, Marie and Mal Zimmerman.
