The Archer Scholarships are named in memory of Fred P. Archer. The Fred P. Archer estate (administered by Perpetual Trustees) has generously supported the Archer Leadership Scholarships since their inception in 2011.
Fred Archer was a drover’s son who served with the AIF in World War I before moving to New Guinea in 1923, where he became a successful planter on Bougainville and New Britain.
When the Japanese invaded in World War II, Fred stayed behind as a Coastwatcher. After the war he rebuilt his shattered plantations and created the Bougainville Company, a successful sea freight operation.
When he retired, Fred devoted himself to philanthropic work, providing education opportunities for generations of Papua New Guineans. He paid school fees, attended graduations, sending many local children to the best available schools.
Shortly before he died, Fred formed his company into a charitable trust to be managed in perpetuity with dividends distributed each year to charities in PNG and Australia.