Folks at First – Ross & Kay Jack

Their story as told by Martha Pauls

Savages. . . headhunters even. . . These are the stereotypes that come to mind when I think about Papua, New Guinea, aka PNG. Not so. “They may be out there, in the bush, but that wasn’t our experience”, explained Ross and Kay Jack who lived among the natives of PNG for three years.

We know Ross as a faithful member of the FBC choir, as one-time head of the Congregational Care Commission, and as a person who loves people and together with his wife Kay gives delightful patio parties!  ‘way, way back, Ross was a member of the large and vibrant youth group at FBC when Howard Bentall was the senior minister (late 40’s, early 50’s). Kay has been involved with Social Service work, and is a tireless advocate for minority rights. Palliative Care support, including a walking group for palliative folk, has been her passion during the past ten years.

Both Ross and Kay graduated from the Faculty of Law at U of S in 1953, then moved to Assiniboia Saskatchewan, where they began a law practice and raised a family. They became interested in overseas service during their early years in Assiniboia, but the idea was shelved for some time until their three children started into University.

The teaching team.

In 1981, the Jacks applied for overseas assignments. Eventually CUSO, at the time that Papua New Guinea won its freedom from Australia, assigned Ross and Kay to PNG. They were tasked with using their legal knowledge and skills to teach the governing bodies and the people of PNG their new (written in English) constitution.

Read more

Scroll to Top