John Guise (Papua New Guinean politician)

Sir John Douglas Guise GCMG KBE (29 August 1914 – 7 February 1991) was a Papua New Guinean politician who served as the first governor-general of Papua New Guinea after the country's independence from Australia in 1975. Prior to the independence itself, Guise was a vocal advocate for a peaceful secession from Australia.

The Honourable Sir
John Guise
GCMG KBE
1st Governor-General of Papua New Guinea
In office
6 September 1975 – 1 March 1977
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterMichael Somare
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byTore Lokoloko
Personal details
Born
John Douglas Guise

(1914-08-29)29 August 1914[lower-alpha 1]
Gedulalara, Milne Bay, Territory of Papua
Died7 February 1991(1991-02-07) (aged 76)
Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Citizenship
NationalityPapuan (Ravarata)
Children9
Alma materVunadidir Council College
Police career
Allegiance Papua and New Guinea[lower-alpha 2]
DepartmentRoyal Papuan Constabulary
BranchRegimental Sergeant Major
Service years1946–1955
Rank Sergeant Major

He was born in Gedulalara village, near Dogura, and was educated there at the mission school of a church in Milne Bay District. His grandfather was Reginald Guise, an English adventurer who reached Papua in the 1880s, settled as a trader and married locally.[2]

He served in the Department of Native Affairs during the 1950s, and became the president of the Port Moresby Mixed Race Association in 1958.[2] In the 1961 elections for the Legislative Council, he was elected in the Eastern Papua constituency. In 1964 he was elected to the new House of Assembly, and went on to serve as Speaker from 1968 to 1972.[3]

Guise served as Governor-General of Papua New Guinea for two years. He resigned as Governor-General to contest the 1977 election against Michael Somare, where he was defeated.[4] He remained politically active and considered as a potential leader during the civil unrest after his term in office. Guise died on 7 February 1991. After his death, a sports stadium was named in his honour.

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1972, made a Knight Commander of the order (KBE) on 6 June 1975,[5] and appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) on 16 September 1975.

References
  1. (K Kituai 1998:450)
  2. "Biography – Sir John Guise – Pacific Islander Biography". Pib.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. PNG speakers of Parliament
  4. "Sir John Guise in Days of Old". Colonial Days in Papua New Guinea. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. "No. 46594". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 June 1975. pp. 7403–7404.

Notes

  1. In a 1985 interview, Guise states that his birthday is on 14 August. In the same interview he later states he was born on 29 August.[1]
  2. Guise joined the Royal Papuan Constabulary in 1946, which was an Australian territory at the time. Papua New Guinea later expanded to include what is commonly known as present-day Papua New Guinea.

Citations

  • K Kituai, August Ibrum (1998). My Gun, My Brother: The World of the Papua New Guinea Colonial Police, 1920–1960.

Bibliography
  • Lentz, Harris M., III. Heads of States and Governments. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 1994. ISBN 0-89950-926-6.


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