To All,
We are sorry to advise of the passing of dear friend, Patricia Fowler. Pat left us on Saturday evening the 14th March at Caloundra. Our condolences go to Rosie, Rick, Raelene and Roslyn and their families.
The Fowler family came to Bougainville from Victoria`s Gippsland, in 1973. Bill (Chookie) was a Senior Foreman in our Milling Department. In 1977 Bill was transferred to the Mary Kathleen uranium mine. In 1978 we visited them there. Rosie and her husband, Andy Christie were visiting at the same time. A few years later Bill was transferred again, to Boyne Smelters.
Bill always held high pressure plant maintenance roles. Much of the management of domestic and family affairs fell to Aunty Pat.
We count ourselves most fortunate to be, to this day, close family friends of the Fowlers. We will miss you, Aunty Pat.
The funeral notice will be in Wednesday`s Courier Mail. The service will be held on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday 19th March.
Davo
Thank you, Rosie and Andy.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
RIP Wally Sanger
All,
It is sad to hear of Wally`s passing. The BCL Recruiting Department did quite nicely by being open to employment discussions with the many sailors who called at the Kieta Yacht Club. Wally was one of the most notable recruits who came to us from this direction. To get him onto the BCL payroll there was some inventive collusion and juggling of manpower establishment between the Mining Division and the Computer Department. Wally was placed across our mining systems under the handle of Project Leader.
Wally (and Merran) nearly did not make it to Bougainville. They were sailing along the coast of Santa Isabel on their way from Honiara to Kieta. During a storm Wally was knocked overboard and Merran was obliged to turn around the boat (without a mainsail) and search for him. After some 40 minutes he was recovered.
Davo
Thanks, Merran and thanks, Derek.
From: Merran Sanger [mailto:msanger@ausbuild.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2015 1:38 PM
To: John Davidson
Halo Wantoks
It is with great sadness that I bring the news of the passing of Wally Sanger, 74 years young, Tuesday night February 24 at “Paradise Lost” Ko Kradan, Thailand, of natural causes. His big heart ‘just stopped’.
My sincere condolences to Nok his partner and Wally’s Ko Kradan “family” . He may be gone but I am sure his spirit will well and truly be felt for ever more. Wally is being farewelled in traditional Thai funeral in the coming days.
To all those who knew Wally- with his kindness & generosity, laugh, stories and classic one liners – through work, sailing, fishing, travelling and especially to all those who shared his time on “Windstar”- the crews and their families- through the haul-outs, the races, the marriages on board and the parties, I believe Wally would be saying…… “Thank you all for being part of my journey and enriching my life…it’s been a helluva ride. Aloha nui loa”
I have included a link to an article written by David Luekens, a travel writer who met Wally a little while back. David is more than happy for me to share his article and credits Wally for being his inspiration to write. I think the article sums up Wally’s life and philosophy well. Thank you David. Click here to download
R.I.P Wally – aka “The Craptain”
It is sad to hear of Wally`s passing. The BCL Recruiting Department did quite nicely by being open to employment discussions with the many sailors who called at the Kieta Yacht Club. Wally was one of the most notable recruits who came to us from this direction. To get him onto the BCL payroll there was some inventive collusion and juggling of manpower establishment between the Mining Division and the Computer Department. Wally was placed across our mining systems under the handle of Project Leader.
Wally (and Merran) nearly did not make it to Bougainville. They were sailing along the coast of Santa Isabel on their way from Honiara to Kieta. During a storm Wally was knocked overboard and Merran was obliged to turn around the boat (without a mainsail) and search for him. After some 40 minutes he was recovered.
Davo
Thanks, Merran and thanks, Derek.
From: Merran Sanger [mailto:msanger@ausbuild.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2015 1:38 PM
To: John Davidson
Halo Wantoks
It is with great sadness that I bring the news of the passing of Wally Sanger, 74 years young, Tuesday night February 24 at “Paradise Lost” Ko Kradan, Thailand, of natural causes. His big heart ‘just stopped’.
My sincere condolences to Nok his partner and Wally’s Ko Kradan “family” . He may be gone but I am sure his spirit will well and truly be felt for ever more. Wally is being farewelled in traditional Thai funeral in the coming days.
To all those who knew Wally- with his kindness & generosity, laugh, stories and classic one liners – through work, sailing, fishing, travelling and especially to all those who shared his time on “Windstar”- the crews and their families- through the haul-outs, the races, the marriages on board and the parties, I believe Wally would be saying…… “Thank you all for being part of my journey and enriching my life…it’s been a helluva ride. Aloha nui loa”
I have included a link to an article written by David Luekens, a travel writer who met Wally a little while back. David is more than happy for me to share his article and credits Wally for being his inspiration to write. I think the article sums up Wally’s life and philosophy well. Thank you David. Click here to download
R.I.P Wally – aka “The Craptain”
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Manus Island Editorial
During World War 2 Manus Island was a significant American naval base. My father visited there in the Australian aircraft carrier, HMAS Sydney at the conclusion of the war. At 23 years of age he was a veteran and survivor of several years of war on the Mediterranean including as a crew member of the destroyer, HMAS Stewart, a member of the famous “Scrap Iron Flotilla”. At this tumultuous time my father enjoyed a spot of shore leave, there on Manus. I was born in Sydney at around the same time.
My first experience with Manus Island was in April, 1967, it was a view from deck of the Sydney. I was a 21 year old infantry soldier in-transit to South Vietnam. The Sydney and the accompanying destroyers refuelled in Manus, prior to heading on, towards the Philippines and SVN. After the endless miles of empty ocean the sheltered waters and the contrasting greens and blues of the Lorengau lagoon were quite breathtaking. As soon as we anchored there came to us, a multitude of canoes, The occupants were urging us to part with a few dollars in exchange for shells and beads. My first commercial transaction on Manus was the purchase of some trinkets. These few hours that I spent, parked off Manus, left a lasting impression upon me. When the opportunity presented to return to the region, some 2 years later, I jumped at the offer.
The terrain of Bougainville, several hundred miles to the south, was not unlike Manus. It is more mountainous but it possesses the same plethora of outlying islands, surrounded by endless coral reefs. There was so much visible marine life that one had the impression the fish were trying to jump into the boat. I came to Bougainville in the employ of Bechtel WKE who had been commissioned by Rio Tinto, to build a $300 + Million copper mine. There were many international construction companies engaged on Bougainville including Dumez, from France, Morris Knudsen & Fluor, from the US, Barclay Bros, Johns & Waygood and Steeldeck, from Australia, Beazley Homes, from New Zealand, etc.
In those early days there was the opportunity to work in a hands on capacity with the Papua New Guineans. I forged many friendships. Some of them have endured until today. It was during this time that I became aware of the wide disparity in the appearance, the personal make ups and the skills of the various tribes. There exists, across PNG, more than more than 840 languages including 17 on Bougainville and 30 in Manus Province. This attests to the warlike nature of the Islands` peoples. I spent several years in roles associated with the transfer of skills. I have become quite skilled at defining, just at a glance and a listen, the tribal / provincial heritage of the people. From my early times I noted that it was the Manusians and, to a lesser extent, the other islanders who were often the high achievers in any grouping of the peoples. They are quite prolific within the senior levels of the PNG Public Service. I have also come across some outstanding tradesmen who hail from this region.
As a recruiter, it was their prowess across the trade disciplines that caused me to watch closely for any talent that claimed a heritage in Manus. When the Bougainville mine came to its untimely closure in 1990 I carefully gathered to my database every skilled Manusian in preparation for the re opening of the mine or for other ventures in which the fledgling JDA may become associated. There was little delay. In late 1990, the Australian Defence Force contracted to Candec Thiess for the construction of their Lombrum, Manus wharf facilities. Bob Moore of Kooragang Enterprises, Newcastle, Australia became aware that JDA could provide him with access to some high quality metal fabricators. Not only did we supply Bob with several tradesmen, they were supplied direct from the local Manus community.
There was then a gap of several months before I again had occasion to conduct campaign recruitment into Manus. This time I was scouring the country for the most skilled plant operators and tradesmen to build Chevron`s Kutubu pipeline. The cost of recruiting from mainland PNG was significantly less than bringing them from the island provinces. On the basis of their superior skills level and work ethic I was able to convince my main direct client, McConnell Dowell – Spiecapag JV, that it was necessary for me to include Lorengau in our recruitment strategy. We made many successful appointments from these visits. There was a mix of Plant Operators, Surveyors, Mechanical Fitters, Boilermakers and Electricians. Appointments that spring to mind are Plant Operator, Glen Salapan, Mechanical Engineer, Peter Pamolak and Boilermaker, Esekia Bulumanau. .A few of my Manus lads were interviewed and tested, as part of JDA`s exclusive contract to provide startup and operations personnel for Kutubu oilfield operations. However most of these roles were reserved for people from the project area, ie, from within the Gulf and Southern Highlands provinces.
Most of JDA`s recruitment activity at Manus has been associated with bringing Manusians to the Resources Sector, situated quite remote from Manus. During 1991 there was a quite notable exception. The Province`s only international standard, lodgings house, the Harbourside Hotel, was in need of a Manager. JDA were commissioned to source this person. We recruited Bernie Luck to the post and he did a fine job there for some 6 years. Bernie achieved much during his stay in Lorengau including the leadership of an enterprising group of people who hosted the world kayaking championships. Bernie expanded the hotel from 18 to 28 rooms. For several years Bernie was an active member of the Hospital Board. Now in retirement on Queensland`s Sunshine Coast, Bernie recalls his time at Manus with great fondness. Once again we are proud to relate that one of our people made a significant difference to the lives of people in this extremely remote part of the world.
With limited natural resources to exploit, the Manus Province does not attract the infrastructure funding that has maintained the momentum of growth in most other PNG Provinces. If one had not visited there for several years there would usually be only minimal changes over such a time span. The single consistent revenue raising came from the relocation of many of its best people to employment in PNG`s mainland centres.
We are now embarking on a time of massive growth. The first time that Manus Province was utilized by the Australian Government to house asylum seekers was in 1964. There were 38 people resettled from West Irian (Papua). In the 50 years of their residence in Manus these people have not just settled… they have thrived !
In 2000, the Australian Government (AG), under John Howard, was confronted by an increasing number of asylum seekers. The Pacific Solution Strategy was formulated and processing centres were established in Lombrum, on Manus and on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru. In the following year the AG and the PNG Government (PNGB) had a MOU ratified by the Manus Provincial Government. Negotiations continued until September, 2012 when the AG and the PNGG finally entered into the existing MOU.
Today the construction and the staffing to support the AG`s much expanded asylum seeker solution program is now in-train and JDA were positioned to make a significant contribution.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Retirement!
Hello folks,
You are communicating with a young man who is enjoying his 70th Year on this earth. We, Christene and I have spent half of this time, some 35 very busy years, in the world of Personnel Recruitment. Our company spent some wonderful years leading, under the banner of JDA, a small group of specialists servicing the Resources Sector. In retirement, I am now embarking on a new career. We will seek to continue to make a difference each and every day. There will not be a sudden change in our circle friends. However we are no longer driven, each and every week, to address a large payroll. I no longer absolutely must read the Financial Review, no matter what, every day. These days the modest outcomes we seek are associated with helping people. I have again embraced Rotary International and Chris has a number of philanthropic pursuits but we have no wish to be completely dominated by any group or organisation. Today the sun is shining as I sit at my desk. I can hear a couple of old Bougainville mates (Maintenance Supt`s) unpacking their motor vehicles and preparing for our 25th year Bougainville Reunion. I will no longer be anchored to this desk and this database. I will shortly leave the desk and to again be prepared to take orders. Chris and our interstate visitors are out shopping in preparation for the picnic.
I have incorporated within my days a fitness programme including some cycling. I will ride to support worthy causes gradually increasing the intensity, see below, the details of my Glen Innes to Goondiwindi adventure. My next significant ride will be the Rio-sponsored, Ride to Conquer Cancer. In due course I will communicate to you our fund raising arrangements.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Donald McLean Davidson Eulogy
Our father, Donald McLean
(Don) Davidson was born on 15th July, 1922 and passed away at 7.15 pm Thursday,
November the 27th, 2014 at the Karri Lodge RAAFA retirement home.
Our father was such a private person we have been concerned that we would receive instructions that he had no wish to attend this funeral. Sadly we are no longer obliged to seek his approval.
How can we describe our Dad ? The words that come to mind are; fiercely independent; proud; a caring husband and father; honest as the day is long; hard working; a good provider and complex of character;
It is only recently that we have gleaned from Dad some of his personal family history. His father, John McLean Davidson, lost his right arm in WW1. He operated a corner store in Subiaco, Perth and, over time, he delivered various products to the local citizens including regular orders for Fauldings. During the depression he lost the store and to sustain the family he delivered fruit and vegetables by horse and cart in the vicinity of East Perth.
Father (John) and brother, George, died from pneumonia in 1929, during the Great Depression. His mother was without the power of speech and she could not care for him.
He was fostered by the Prentice family and he moved from Thomas St, Subiaco to the Prentice house, in North Perth. He then transferred from the Highgate Primary School to Perth Boys School.
Dad`s first employment was with Dunlop as an office boy. He was a member of the Sea Cadets. In June, 1939 he joined the RAN as a “Boy Seaman” and moved to Westernport, Victoria. This was the beginning of a time of major adventure and with it a high level of danger. His first commission was on the destroyer, the proud but aged, HMAS Stuart. The exploits of the Stuart and the other Aussie destroyers of the time are well documented in the book, The Scrap Iron Flotilla. Dad`s cousin, in Edinburgh, the Reverend George Davidson Wilke told me of Dad visiting Edinburgh as a teenager, in his Navy uniform
In 1943 Dad married our mother, Gloria Joyce Hardey. Thankfully, Mum is here with us, today. As the war came to an end along came the first born, John, at St Vincents Hospital, in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Dad was transferred to the Flinders Naval Depot , in Victoria. My sisters, Fran and Maureen came along while we were living in Ballarat. Fred Prentice encouraged Dad to discharge from the Navy and return to Perth and to take up residence in and to farm his property, at Kelmscott. Soon after we arrived at Kelmscott, in 1951, along came Barbara. Fran and i can remember Barbara arriving at # 41.
The Kelmscott property was situated between the Albany Highway and River Road. The residence was the old homestead at # 41 River Rd, now a National Trust property. Dad commenced a mixed farm with enterprises associated with poultry keeping, a flower nursery and a small orchard. To supplement the family income from “the farm” Dad contracted to deliver the royal mail to the districts of Roleystone,Karagullen and to much of Kelmscott. Looking back it was quite remarkable that Dad, given his limited experience, could develop a farming property so.
I recall a most difficult time when Dad was obliged to put up a poisoned leg. To fill in, Pop Edgar and Mum were obliged to deliver the mail. One day, on the home stretch, at the bottom of Peet Rd, the brakes failed in the old blue Oldsmobile. Mum received severe lacerations to her neck. There was a small notice in the West Australian. The support from the small Kelmscott community was overwhelming. I can remember Mrs Salter bathing us kids in front of the open fire in our dining room. In those days several large families dominated the population of the town. Some of the family names were Fancote, Hicks, Salter, Creyk, Hewitt, Brierty, Buckingham, Thomas, Bradley all wonderful country folk. George Hicks was my godfather.
The 20 odd years we spent at Kelmscott were a defining part of our lives. The first thing that I recall is the endless hours that we spent on the paddocks and in the fowl houses. With the assistance of a few old Navy mates including Vic Every, Dad built the asbestos clad sheds from ground up. I can remember one morning, just on daylight, walking around the corner of the house to find that the notorious “east wind” had flattened all of our work from the day before.
Then there were some happy times. These memories would seem to be of little consequence to others but they were of massive significance to us. My sisters will have different occasions to reminisce. For me it was the visits to the Gosnells drive-in theatre, the infrequent Sunday visitors, the rare Sunday trips to the beach, at Como and feasting on fish & chips on the Fremantle esplanade.
An important weekly event was the arrival of Pop Prentice on Saturday and / or Sunday mornings. We were always standing by for our chocolate Freddo Frogs. I don`t believe that Pop ever missed us with this weekly ritual.
The whole family was obliged to spend significant time assisting to work the farm. I can remember quite clearly, just on daylight, the procession of myself and my sisters carrying gladioli from the paddock. Then there was our sport. Dad and Mum encouraged us to participate in team sports. The girls played hockey and I played football and cricket. For a couple of seasons we played together in the same cricket side. Dad was the Hon Secretary of the Kelmscott Football Club in their premiership year of 1962. In this year Jim Brierty was the President and Sandover Medallist, Sonny Maffina, the coach. As a youngster, Dad`s preferred sport, nurtured from his early days in the Navy was Soccer. He played Soccer for North Perth. I can remember mention of the brothers, Howat. One of them assisted us with the build of the farm.
Dad made every endeavour to grow a soccer team at Kelmscott. This initiative failed after only a single season. The team was reliant on the attendance of a number of orchardists, mainly from Karragullen. Unfortunately, if there was fruit to pick or gardens to plant then the soccer team was very much of a lower priority.
Above all else we all took from River Rd a very strong work ethic. The long hours and work became a habit and this has sustained us well throughout our careers and beyond
In 1957 we took on another family business, the Kelmscott Newsagency.
In 1959 Dad commenced as a Survey Hand at Alcoa`s Jarrahdale mine. Over the next few years he completed a Survey Certificate and then worked his way into a role that had him reporting direct to the Chief Surveyor (and mentor), Ken Grey. He was well into his 40`s at the time that he completed his tertiary studies.
By any measure this was a major achievement. He spoke much about Ken and the opportunities that had been afforded him there. He mentioned that one day that a visiting senior executive call at the survey shed and asked many questions. This gentleman was none other than Sir Arvi Parbo ! Dad retired from Alcoa in 1978 and soon after they moved from Kelmscott to a unit in Rivervale. In 1984 a sea change beckoned and they moved to Moore River where they remained until their final move to the RAAFA retirement home in 1995. The house at Moore River also holds some wonderful memories. All of the grand children spent time there on school holidays. Dad always retained his fondness of the sea.
One of the most difficult times that we experienced as a family was the loss of our dearest sister, Maureen in a car accident in April, 1972. Maureen was pursuing her nursing career in Sydney. At the time she was holidaying with husband, Graeme at Narooma, NSW. I was living in distant Bougainville. The rest of the family attended the funeral, in Sydney. I arrived the following day.
It has been a source of pride to have been a member of 7 RAR and to have served in Vietnam. Christene and I are quick to embrace any opportunity to attend reunions and meet old soldier mates.
This was not always so. It took me many years to seek such engagement. In 1949 there was much less understanding and empathy towards returning defence personnel. For many years subsequent to his return we can safely presume that Dad was just too busy to dwell on such matters. However in recent times this may not have been so. Many years ago he ceased receiving anybody who was not close, immediate family. There was a notable exception and that was the Fancotes.
Fanny and Mary are here today. Dad never joined the RSL or any of the RAN unit associations to which he was connected by his service. Going back some years, Mum kept contact, via Xmas cards only, with a few shipmates based in the Eastern States. Dad served on HMAS ships throughout the war including on the Stuart, Quiberon, Shropshire, Warramunga and the aircraft carrier, Sydney. On the outbreak of hostilities he travelled to the Mediterranean on the Stuart.
From a newspaper cutting of the day I gleaned that the crew of the Stuart completed 2 years of war at sea on the Mediteranean prior to receiving any leave back in Australia. In due course Dad returned to the Pacific theatre where he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, other defining battles of the war with Japan.
For many years I have lived in Brisbane. Fortunately for my family relationships my work has brought me to Perth every several months. However Fran and Barbara and their families have always been close by. They will take exception to my “close by” description of the long road to Merriwa. We are all most grateful for their diligence in journeying to visit Mum and Dad at the RAAFA home. Except for one notable exception their life at Merriwa has been quite uneventful. (Relate the story of the fire) Thank you Dad: Rest in Peace.
Our father was such a private person we have been concerned that we would receive instructions that he had no wish to attend this funeral. Sadly we are no longer obliged to seek his approval.
How can we describe our Dad ? The words that come to mind are; fiercely independent; proud; a caring husband and father; honest as the day is long; hard working; a good provider and complex of character;
It is only recently that we have gleaned from Dad some of his personal family history. His father, John McLean Davidson, lost his right arm in WW1. He operated a corner store in Subiaco, Perth and, over time, he delivered various products to the local citizens including regular orders for Fauldings. During the depression he lost the store and to sustain the family he delivered fruit and vegetables by horse and cart in the vicinity of East Perth.
Father (John) and brother, George, died from pneumonia in 1929, during the Great Depression. His mother was without the power of speech and she could not care for him.
He was fostered by the Prentice family and he moved from Thomas St, Subiaco to the Prentice house, in North Perth. He then transferred from the Highgate Primary School to Perth Boys School.
Dad`s first employment was with Dunlop as an office boy. He was a member of the Sea Cadets. In June, 1939 he joined the RAN as a “Boy Seaman” and moved to Westernport, Victoria. This was the beginning of a time of major adventure and with it a high level of danger. His first commission was on the destroyer, the proud but aged, HMAS Stuart. The exploits of the Stuart and the other Aussie destroyers of the time are well documented in the book, The Scrap Iron Flotilla. Dad`s cousin, in Edinburgh, the Reverend George Davidson Wilke told me of Dad visiting Edinburgh as a teenager, in his Navy uniform
In 1943 Dad married our mother, Gloria Joyce Hardey. Thankfully, Mum is here with us, today. As the war came to an end along came the first born, John, at St Vincents Hospital, in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Dad was transferred to the Flinders Naval Depot , in Victoria. My sisters, Fran and Maureen came along while we were living in Ballarat. Fred Prentice encouraged Dad to discharge from the Navy and return to Perth and to take up residence in and to farm his property, at Kelmscott. Soon after we arrived at Kelmscott, in 1951, along came Barbara. Fran and i can remember Barbara arriving at # 41.
The Kelmscott property was situated between the Albany Highway and River Road. The residence was the old homestead at # 41 River Rd, now a National Trust property. Dad commenced a mixed farm with enterprises associated with poultry keeping, a flower nursery and a small orchard. To supplement the family income from “the farm” Dad contracted to deliver the royal mail to the districts of Roleystone,Karagullen and to much of Kelmscott. Looking back it was quite remarkable that Dad, given his limited experience, could develop a farming property so.
I recall a most difficult time when Dad was obliged to put up a poisoned leg. To fill in, Pop Edgar and Mum were obliged to deliver the mail. One day, on the home stretch, at the bottom of Peet Rd, the brakes failed in the old blue Oldsmobile. Mum received severe lacerations to her neck. There was a small notice in the West Australian. The support from the small Kelmscott community was overwhelming. I can remember Mrs Salter bathing us kids in front of the open fire in our dining room. In those days several large families dominated the population of the town. Some of the family names were Fancote, Hicks, Salter, Creyk, Hewitt, Brierty, Buckingham, Thomas, Bradley all wonderful country folk. George Hicks was my godfather.
The 20 odd years we spent at Kelmscott were a defining part of our lives. The first thing that I recall is the endless hours that we spent on the paddocks and in the fowl houses. With the assistance of a few old Navy mates including Vic Every, Dad built the asbestos clad sheds from ground up. I can remember one morning, just on daylight, walking around the corner of the house to find that the notorious “east wind” had flattened all of our work from the day before.
Then there were some happy times. These memories would seem to be of little consequence to others but they were of massive significance to us. My sisters will have different occasions to reminisce. For me it was the visits to the Gosnells drive-in theatre, the infrequent Sunday visitors, the rare Sunday trips to the beach, at Como and feasting on fish & chips on the Fremantle esplanade.
An important weekly event was the arrival of Pop Prentice on Saturday and / or Sunday mornings. We were always standing by for our chocolate Freddo Frogs. I don`t believe that Pop ever missed us with this weekly ritual.
The whole family was obliged to spend significant time assisting to work the farm. I can remember quite clearly, just on daylight, the procession of myself and my sisters carrying gladioli from the paddock. Then there was our sport. Dad and Mum encouraged us to participate in team sports. The girls played hockey and I played football and cricket. For a couple of seasons we played together in the same cricket side. Dad was the Hon Secretary of the Kelmscott Football Club in their premiership year of 1962. In this year Jim Brierty was the President and Sandover Medallist, Sonny Maffina, the coach. As a youngster, Dad`s preferred sport, nurtured from his early days in the Navy was Soccer. He played Soccer for North Perth. I can remember mention of the brothers, Howat. One of them assisted us with the build of the farm.
Dad made every endeavour to grow a soccer team at Kelmscott. This initiative failed after only a single season. The team was reliant on the attendance of a number of orchardists, mainly from Karragullen. Unfortunately, if there was fruit to pick or gardens to plant then the soccer team was very much of a lower priority.
Above all else we all took from River Rd a very strong work ethic. The long hours and work became a habit and this has sustained us well throughout our careers and beyond
In 1957 we took on another family business, the Kelmscott Newsagency.
In 1959 Dad commenced as a Survey Hand at Alcoa`s Jarrahdale mine. Over the next few years he completed a Survey Certificate and then worked his way into a role that had him reporting direct to the Chief Surveyor (and mentor), Ken Grey. He was well into his 40`s at the time that he completed his tertiary studies.
By any measure this was a major achievement. He spoke much about Ken and the opportunities that had been afforded him there. He mentioned that one day that a visiting senior executive call at the survey shed and asked many questions. This gentleman was none other than Sir Arvi Parbo ! Dad retired from Alcoa in 1978 and soon after they moved from Kelmscott to a unit in Rivervale. In 1984 a sea change beckoned and they moved to Moore River where they remained until their final move to the RAAFA retirement home in 1995. The house at Moore River also holds some wonderful memories. All of the grand children spent time there on school holidays. Dad always retained his fondness of the sea.
One of the most difficult times that we experienced as a family was the loss of our dearest sister, Maureen in a car accident in April, 1972. Maureen was pursuing her nursing career in Sydney. At the time she was holidaying with husband, Graeme at Narooma, NSW. I was living in distant Bougainville. The rest of the family attended the funeral, in Sydney. I arrived the following day.
It has been a source of pride to have been a member of 7 RAR and to have served in Vietnam. Christene and I are quick to embrace any opportunity to attend reunions and meet old soldier mates.
This was not always so. It took me many years to seek such engagement. In 1949 there was much less understanding and empathy towards returning defence personnel. For many years subsequent to his return we can safely presume that Dad was just too busy to dwell on such matters. However in recent times this may not have been so. Many years ago he ceased receiving anybody who was not close, immediate family. There was a notable exception and that was the Fancotes.
Fanny and Mary are here today. Dad never joined the RSL or any of the RAN unit associations to which he was connected by his service. Going back some years, Mum kept contact, via Xmas cards only, with a few shipmates based in the Eastern States. Dad served on HMAS ships throughout the war including on the Stuart, Quiberon, Shropshire, Warramunga and the aircraft carrier, Sydney. On the outbreak of hostilities he travelled to the Mediterranean on the Stuart.
From a newspaper cutting of the day I gleaned that the crew of the Stuart completed 2 years of war at sea on the Mediteranean prior to receiving any leave back in Australia. In due course Dad returned to the Pacific theatre where he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, other defining battles of the war with Japan.
For many years I have lived in Brisbane. Fortunately for my family relationships my work has brought me to Perth every several months. However Fran and Barbara and their families have always been close by. They will take exception to my “close by” description of the long road to Merriwa. We are all most grateful for their diligence in journeying to visit Mum and Dad at the RAAFA home. Except for one notable exception their life at Merriwa has been quite uneventful. (Relate the story of the fire) Thank you Dad: Rest in Peace.
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