by George Daniel Oakes

Conclusion

In an obituary to Dan prepared in 1946 the following was written about his work in the New Guinea Islands:-

He was a very keen missionary and used his furlough for special study in anthropology to help him to do more efficient service. He gave himself to every branch of the work. He was a church builder and delighted to keep the mission building in repair. He carefully watched over his students and prepared his lectures very carefully. Some of his translations were of value for District Training Courses. He was careful of the medical side of the Mission and gave great relief to many sufferers. In his term at Pinikidu a Medical Sister was appointed to the Circuit. He was a friend to the men who were working on the plantations and regularly visited them when he was on his tours throughout his hard circuit. He was a true pastor to many and helped them to keep in touch with their God. He never neglected his reading and was always busy preparing himself for the time when he would have the opportunity of preaching to Australian Congregations. He was a good preacher and public speaker and gave great promise of a distinguished future.

Postscript

Marion Oakes married again in 1947 to Eric Hearnshaw who was a member of the State Parliament of New South Wales. She had four more children - Helen (born 1948), Elizabeth (born 1950), Philip (born 1952) and Marina (born 1956).

After I had completed schooling, in 1953, my mother noticed an advertisement in the Sydney paper for Patrol Officers required in Papua and New Guinea. I applied and was appointed a Cadet Patrol Officer in 1954, at Mendi in the PNG Highlands. Later, I spent 2 years at Lumi and established a new station at Nuku in the Sepik District. In 1958, I married Edna Brawn, whose father was Rev. A.E.Brawn who was a Methodist Missionary at Nakanai in New Britain from 1932 to 1935. Edna and her twin sister, Nancy, were born at Malalia in the Nakanai area on 17th September, 1934. Of course, at that time the Brawns and the Oakes' knew each other quite well. From 1959 to 1963, I was in charge of Pomio Patrol Post on the south coast of New Britain. The work of missionaries and Patrol Officers, in many ways is very similar. Edna and I stayed in Papua New Guinea till 1975 when Papua New Guinea became independent. During this time I made 2 visits in 1969 and 1972 back to what remained of the Pinikidu Mission Station. While we attended the plaque unveiling at Kavieng in July, 2002, we made another visit to Pinikidu. On this visit we found that the Pinikidu Upper Primary School had been established on the site of the Pre-war Mission Station. We also found that the water pump on the Mission House water tank was still operating! I am very sure that Dan Oakes would be very pleased to know that the site of his pre-war mission station at Pinikidu was now being used again to teach the New Ireland children.