Jean Kekedo recalls that the only position she was offered by the District Administration was as a welfare officer. She recollects that her first posting was in Milne Bay where she was mentored by Dame Alice Wedega.
Matilda Pilacapio states that she learnt about independence while working for Burns Philp. She recalls the Milne Bay politician Alice Wedega who was in the national government. She recalls that she hoped that the white people would not leave at independence, and that there would not be bloodshed as in Africa.