The District Commissioner
Summary
This website contains additional historical information which may be of interest to readers of the book The District Commissioner (written by Beverley Rybarz and Jane Rybarz and published by Wakefield Press in 2026), or anyone interested in World War II in the Pacific, and Papua New Guinea nation building during the 20th century. The book, recounted in person to co-author Beverley Rybarz, is an account of the life and work of one of the nation's last District Commissioners, Australian David Milbourne Marsh OBE, who lived in PNG during the years 1940 to 1975.
Book Highlights
​The memoirs are a powerful first hand description of an important part of Australia’s history. This book highlights the development of the nation of PNG, and the role Australia and Australians played in it.
More than eighty years after the end of World War II, memories of this time are fading. The young men and women from the time are now aged in their late 90s, or sadly, many have passed away.
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David travelled to Port Moresby at the age of eighteen in 1940 to take up work as an assistant gold miner working for his uncle Bert Kienzle in the Kokoda area.
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Within two years World War II had started. At the age of twenty, as a member of the Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) and a Lieutenant in the Australian Army, David was in combat against the Japanese, rescued crashed US airmen, and scouted for Australian and enemy troops.
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With the local population he built airstrips in remote jungle locations which saved thousands of lives and contributed to the allies winning the War. Missionaries and wounded soldiers were evacuated, military
personnel and vital supplies were transported, and the Japanese were driven out
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After the war David worked as a pioneering Patrol Officer and District Commissioner, building infrastructure including roads, bridges, hydroelectric plants, hospitals and schools. He also discovered gold and oil, and protected villagers from an erupting volcano. David was a mentor to many including the future Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir John Guise GCMG KBE.
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At the request of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare GCL GCMG CH CF SSI KStJ KSG PC, the nation's first Prime Minister, David organised the celebrations and peaceful handover of power in September 1975, marking the country’s Independence from Australia.
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For his service David Marsh was awarded an Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles (now King
Charles III).
About the Authors
Beverley Rybarz was educated at St Peter’s Girls College in Adelaide, In the 1950's she worked as Confidential Secretary to the District Commissioner of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Mr David Marsh OBE. Beverley had previously worked in Lae for the Qantas Chief Engineer, Mr Kit Brown.
In Australia Beverley worked as an Executive Secretary for a number of organisations in Adelaide South Australia before writing her first book The Bridge Builder which was published in 2005 by Wakefield Press.
Beverley, a born storyteller, is now nearly 96 and enjoying her retirement on the New South Wales Central Coast. In this photo, Beverley, aged 91, is working on The District Commissioner.
Being involved with bringing this story to print has given her much joy and pride over many years.
Jane Rybarz was born in Port Moresby, and is the daughter of renowned PNG road and bridge builder Stan Rybarz, and author Beverley Rybarz.
She was educated at Belair Primary School, Seymour College, Scotch College, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia.
Jane now refers to herself as an “accidental PNG historian” but is a Chartered Accountant and CPA by training. She commenced her career with the “big 4” firm KPMG where Jane worked for 7 years in their Adelaide and Cairns offices.
Jane then established the boutique practice Jane Rybarz Chartered Accountants in Cairns operating it for almost 7 years, the latter years in partnership with Rita Zappulla a Chartered Accountant, Financial Planner, and author.
Jane won the inaugural Cairns Business Woman of the Year Encouragement Award in 1994 and a North Queensland Radio Marketing award in 1995.
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After moving to Sydney in 1999 after tyhe sale of her accountinmg firm, Jane worked in a number of interesting and challenging roles including that of :
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Management Accountant with Southern Star Endemol (preparing sales budgets and reporting distribution sales for TV shows like Water Rats, Blue Heelers, and Home and Away) ;
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Film & TV Production Accountant with Moneypenny (where she worked on films like Garage Days and the TV series Crash Burn) ;
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Financial Controller of Bazmark Inq the operating entity of film icons Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin (including during production of their film Australia and documentary Romeo + Juliet The Music Edition) ;
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Director of Finance and Audit for NITV the National Indigenous Television Channel, from start up to consolidation with TV broadcaster SBS ;
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Chief Financial Officer of Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation an organisation which reunites members of the Stolen Generation ;
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Chief Financial Officer of Vanessa Stoykov’s financial education company Evolution Media Group during which time their TV shows like The Bottom Line and The Investment Series were broadcast on Channel 9 ;
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Financial Controller of the prestigious private members’ organisation, The Women’s Club ; and
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Financial Controller of the prestigious private members’ organisation, the Australian Club.
Her current role is Head of the Finance team at Ettalong Diggers, a licensed club on the NSW Central Coast where she is enjoying being involved in the local community and being part of an entertainment and hospitality organisation which supports local charities and returned war veterans.
Jane is also currently a Board Member of Australian Women in Music, a not for profit charity which is driving a major cultural shift across the entire music sector, recognising the value, contribution, and achievements of female and gender diverse music industry creatives and practitioners. Annually in Brisbane they produce a Music Industry Conference as well as a televised Music Awards and Concert event, the AWMA’s. She is a passionate supporter of the Australian live music industry.
Jane is a Board Member and Public Officer of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia, and is a member of the Gold Coast Papua New Guinea Club Inc.
She has served on the Boards of Aurora Community Television Ltd (including positions of Deputy Board Chairperson and Chairperson of the Audit and Finance Committee), WIFT - Women in Film and Television Association of NSW, Cairns Regional Gallery VIPs Association, FTA - Film & Television Association (FNQ), the Zonta Club of Cairns, and the Australian American Association Inc Cairns. Jane was an honorary auditor of the Far North Cultural Industry Association, and an honorary consultant with Arts Law in Cairns.
She is the proud godmother of Alana Livesey and Miles Ghiggioli.
Jane believes The District Commissioner is one of the most interesting and enjoyable projects she has ever worked on. She has learned much about leadership and nation building in the process. Jane, like her mother Beverley, believes the work described in the memoirs book and this website is something both Australians and Papua New Guineans can be very proud of. ​For more information about Jane go to LinkedIn
Questions & Feedback
​Jane Rybarz
Chartered Accountant, CPA
Email jrybarz@hotmail.com
PO Box 86 Ettalong Beach NSW 2257
Australia
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