Matthias Tutanava Toliman (25 August 1925 – 6 September 1973) was a Papua New Guinean politician. He served as a member of the House of Assembly between 1964 and 1973, also holding ministerial roles from 1964 until 1972.

Biography

Born in Bitakapuk, a hamlet near Paparatava in 1925 to To Liman and Ia Kabu.Toliman, Matthias Tutanava (1925–1973)
Australian Dictionary of Biography His father and grandfather were both traditional leaders of the Tolai people, and he became the third generation of his family to hold the role. After starting his education in a village school, he became a boarder at St John's De La Salle School in Kinagunan. After finishing school, he joined St Mary's Seminary at Vunapope in order to become a priest. During World War II Toliman was detailed by Japanese forces. Following the war, he decided against returning to the seminary and decided to become a teacher instead. He resumed his education and qualified as a teacher in 1957. He taught at a Catholic mission for seven years, becoming headteacher in 1959 and also served as president of the Catholic Teachers' Association of New Britain and New Ireland.''The Members of the House of Assembly 1964'', p18 His four brothers and wife were also teachers. He was also a father of seven. In 1964 he contested the first general elections under universal suffrage, and was elected to the House of Assembly from the Rabaul constituency. Following the elections, he was appointed to the Administrator's Council and made Undersecretary for the Administrator's Department.First Under-Secretaries Are Best Of The Bunch
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', July 1964, pp47–48 He also became Deputy Leader of Elected Members. In 1966 he changed undersecretary roles, becoming Undersecretary for Education and Local Government. Toliman was re-elected in the 1968 elections in the Gazelle Open constituency. He continued as a member of the Administrator's Council, and was made ministerial member for Education. In this role he established the National Teaching Service. In the

1971 Birthday Honours The 1971 Queen's Birthday Honours were appointments to orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms to reward and highlight citizens' good works, on the occasion of the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. They were announced in supplemen ...

he was awarded a CBE. A founder of the conservative United Party, Toliman was re-elected again in the 1972 elections. Although the United Party was the largest faction in the House, the Pangu Party was able to form a coalition government. Toliman was the United Party's candidate for the Speakership, but was defeated 49–48 by

Perry Kwan Perry, also known as pear cider, is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented pears, traditionally the perry pear. It has been common for centuries in England, particularly in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. It is als ...

.It's the moment of truth for PNG and testing time for a new leader
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', May 1972, pp19–21 He subsequently became

Leader of the Opposition The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...

, with the Pangu Party's Michael Somare as Chief Minister. On 6 September 1973 Toliman was taken ill while in the House of Assembly, and was taken to hospital, where he died of a heart attack.Mr Toliman's death
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', October 1973, p8 Hie funeral in

Rabaul Rabaul () is a township in the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea, on the island of New Britain. It lies about 600 kilometres to the east of the island of New Guinea. Rabaul was the provincial capital and most important settlement in ...

was attended by over 10,000 people.Mr Matthias Toliman CBE
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', October 1973, p109 He was buried in Bitakapuk.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toliman, Matthias 1925 births Papua New Guinean educators Members of the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea Government ministers of Papua New Guinea Commanders of the Order of the British Empire 1973 deaths Leaders of the Opposition (Papua New Guinea)

Biography

See also

References