Harry Topham

Ancestors

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Harry Topham [send private message]

Biography

Robert Henry (Harry) Topham was the third child of Harry and Isabel Topham and was born on the 27th June 1945.

Harry received his secondary school education at Fort Street Boys High School before commencing work with the Bank of NSW and later with the Cwth Public Service before taking up an appointment with the Territory of PNG as a Patrol Officer in early 1968.

Harry spent 6 years in PNG rising to the rank of Assistant District Officer. In 1970 Harry married Anna Aum born Apugi Island on the 8th September 1946, who was a schoolteacher with the Anglican Mission.

During their married years in PNG Harry and Anna lived in West New Britain province at Hoskins, Bali Witu patrol post and Talasea. Upon Harry’s promotion to ADO, the Tophams moved to Northern Province where they spent time at Popendetta, Tufi and Kokoda.

During their time in PNG Anna and Harry had 2 children, Robert George (Bobby) born Rabaul 12th January 1971, to later died tragically in Sydney 2000 aged 29 and Peter Alastair Topham born at Nambour Qld on the 13th December 1973. At the completion of his 6 years contact, Harry and Anna returned to Australia initially settling in Buderim where Harry’s parents lived.

The Topham's spent the next 10 years traveling extensively throughout Qld in Harry’s new role as a manager in Indigenous affairs with the Qld Government. As the Topham boys were due start at High school, the Tophams eventually returned to Buderim to live permanently in 1983 at their current address. During this period Harry returned to studies and completed his tertiary studies in Property valuation at Qld University graduating in 1990 and set up a private valuation practice, which continued until his retirement in 2010. Anna Topham is still working at the local school a position she has held for the past 25 years. The Topham's have 1 grandson Tyson Hamilton who is a regular visitor to the Topham household.