Historical buildings decay in Garaina

By SAMPSON BONAI in Garaina

The old Returned Services League (RSL) Club House in the heart of  Garaina Station has deteriorated over the years.

The old RSL Club House in its deteriorating state in Garaina Station today.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

No maintenance work has been carried out on it for many years.

The old fibro walls, roofing iron and interior of the historical building are slowly falling apart due to years of continuous neglect.

The nearby old Waria Council Chamber that was burnt down in July 2001 by arsonists still has its iron structure standing.

Material for the two historical buildings was carried through the bush track from Morobe coast by people of Garaina to the station in the 1950s.

Due to lack of funding support from the Government to carry out maintenance work on the buildings over the years, the old RSL building has deteriorated over the years.

A memorial plague for late retired Sergeant Major Seka Biritoh stands outside the old RSL building.

The memorial of Sergeant Major Seka Biritoh, a policeman whose efforts during Pacific WWII resulted in him being awarded the American Bronze Admiral Star for Gallantry while serving in the US Army in Bougainville.