Sick List

3/6/10 - One of the old SOR mob, Gareth Thompson has had a brain aneurysm diagnosed and is currently in a residential care unit @ BUPA, 26 Pacific Hway, Roseville NSW 2069. I'm sure he would welcome old friends and workmates visits, correspondence etc.

From Bob Emanuel - "Gareth was one of the Chief Operators (CHOP) at the Broadway International Telex Operating Room - INTLX - when Telex was king, 1975 to 1987, before Fax took over for text communications, then X.25 and finally the Internet. In those days, Telex bearers were restored before voice bearers because they generated more revenue. One voice channel would have 24 switched telex bearers, in total generating more revenue than one voice call. I worked closely with the CHOPs and knew Gareth as an excellent chap, full of integrity and a decent honest man, along with Stuie Taylor and Jimmy Anderson, both well known to and well liked and respected by members of OTVA.

From: Geof McDonald - Gareth Thompson is someone I have known for a large proportion of my life. Gareth and his wife Vere were my escorts when I left Perth in about October 1955 to join my parents (George and Dorrie McDonald) on Fanning Island and as I was only fifteen at the time I wasn’t allowed to travel by myself. We left Perth in October 1955 by rail, We then waited for our ship to arrive and then proceeded to Fanning via Lautoka , Suva, Apia and then onto Fanning. We arrived there on the 28th December 1955. Gareth took on big responsibility in being my official escort as I have stated I was only fifteen at the time. I later renewed my friendship with Gareth when I worked for O.T.C. in Sydney and again when I was posted to Fanning . Gareth was one of the few operators who did multiple trips to Fanning while I was the only one who went there as a child and returned to work there. I just wish to publicly acknowledge my debt to Gareth and I wish him well and hope that he makes a full recovery.