Paul’s daughter, Jennifer, wrote:

Sadly, dad passed away last week, 4th June 2025. He was 90 years old.

Dad worked for OTC for 24 years. As a young man he worked with Cable and Wireless in Malta. When he emigrated to Australia in1954, he was able to get immediate employment with OTC. During his time with OTC, he worked initially in Melbourne, but then took the opportunity to work in Sydney, Perth, Suva Fiji, Fanning Island, and in the 70’s did a 2 year stint in Cairns. He worked mainly on telegraph and telephone submarine cables and computer-controlled switching systems.

Dad was a private person, and although he often spoke about the OTC veterans, I don’t believe he was ever actively involved. I do think however, several years ago, he may have given the OTVA a CD which described life on Fanning Island. If not, and you are interested, I may be able to find something in his archives.

Dad was always very proud of his work in OTC. And it’s good to know that the historical aspects of communications in Australia are not being lost thanks to OTVA.

I found the below photo in Dad’s archives. The photo is of the team on Fanning Island c.1961. Dad is seated in the front row on the lefthand side as you look at the photo.

Following is the link for livestreaming Paul’s service. It will be recorded and will be available to view for up to 3 months.

The service will be held on Monday 16th June, 2025 at 10:30 am (AEST) at Pinegrove Guardian Chapel, Kington Street, Minchinbury NSW.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0OTEwNjU5MzE2NDc4OTcmb25lcm9vbS1hZG1pbiZjb3B5X2xpbms=

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John Taylor has passed on news that another Radio Operator who had worked with Gareth Evans and lots of other Radio Operators around the country passed away at Carina, a suburb of Brisbane.

He was Paddy Phipps-Ellis and passed away about an hour after Gareth Evans passed away on Saturday.

Paddy worked at a number of Radio Stations and was also in the Radio Club.

Paddy’s funeral is in Brisbane on Thursday 12^th June 2025 if anyone wants details they can contact Martin Folks on 0406 177 656.

May He Rest In Peace

From Transit September 1992:

BRISBANE MCS lost two of its best known characters recently following the departure of Maritime Communications Officers Paddy Phipps-Ellis and Martin Folks.
Both men were given an emotional farewell at the Mayfaircrest International Hotel in Brisbane, where friends and colleagues recounted stories of ‘the dynamic duo’ .
According to Steve Fraser, who was the Acting Manager of Brisbane Radio at the time of Paddy’s and Martin’s departure, both men have given many years of loyal service to OTC.
‘Since joining OTC in the 1970s, Paddy and Martin have been staunch supporters of their colleagues, both in the workplace and through their activities with the PREI (Professional Radio and Electronics Institute)’, Steve said.
Following their departure, Paddy and Martin have decided to take well-earned overseas holidays, before returning home to consider their future options.

Peter Hewitson has passed on the sad news of the passing of Gareth Evans who passed away peacefully last Saturday.

Peter spoke to Gareth’s daughter, Tara, on the morning of Tuesday 10 June 2025.

Gareth’s funeral arrangements are as follows:

19^th of June at midday

Traditional Funerals, 636 Morayfield Road, Burpengary QLD

Gareth last served at Brisbane CRS Ningi.

In October 2024 Gareth wrote in response to an email about the upcoming Christmas reunion of OTVA members:

“I am now a full invalid having lost the use of both my legs.  I eat and sleep in my recliner chair 24hrs a day.  I am 76yo so probably do not have much time left?

My wife is Irish of 51years and a strong worker plus she is half my size. Anyway, not complaining, being a Welshman.

I arrived in Australia in 1962 and I joined the Navy in 1963 being 15 years of age. I did enjoy my time of 10yrs in the Navy as a sparkey. I received a medical discharge when I lost my first wife in a MVA on the way to Harman and spent many months  in the hospital at HMAS Penguin.

After that I spent 10yrs at OTC and loved every minute of it.”

Attached is a photo of the VIB staff reunion back in 2017. Gareth is the big fella on the left!

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Jan & Alan Moule have passed on the sad news of Kerrie’s passing in Campbelltown Hospital on Monday 26th May, 2025.

As per Kerrie’s wishes there will be a private funeral with family only.

His OTC colleagues knew him as Kerry Adams but his family knew him as Kerrie Adams

2 photos of Kerrie in the OTC Transit digital library:

April 1981 Transit

November 1991 Transit

Kerrie is second from the left in the above photo

Another side of Kerry that you not have seen before

John Morrison has passed on the sad news of the passing of Bill Martin.

A little bad news to report, Bill Martin passed away 6am 17^th March, he was 89.

He worked for the PMG prior to joining the ranks of OTC and worked in the S.O.R from 1961-1989

He played Rugby League and Cricket way back in the 60’s when O.T.C was a great place to work  !!

Bill had been in poor health since having a stroke some years ago. He was in St George Hospital suffering from U.T.I. and some blood problems and then caught Covid.

He is survived by his wife Dawn and sons Stephen and David.

There will be no funeral as such, probably a memorial afternoon celebration of life sometime in the future. John will advise when this is known.

Regards,

John M.

Ian McDonald has passed on the sad news that Des passed away yesterday at 8.30pm Perth time.

Ian has advised that Des Kinnersley’s daughter has informed him that they are not having a funeral for Des. The family will scatter Des And Betty’s ashes at a later date.

In February 2023 Des had moved into an Aged Care home (Regent Gardens, Wanneroo, Perth 6065) to join his wife, Betty, who had been at the same location for the preceding 5 years. Des had not been in the best of health for some time but he had a good innings.

May He Rest In Peace.

Bob Collins has passed on sad news to start 2025.

Ray’s wife, Elizabeth rang Bob with news that Ray passed away on Monday after being admitted to hospital on Boxing Day. Ray had not been well for a few years and Elizabeth told Bob that he had been going downhill since the loss of his twin brother, Bernard, a few months ago. Bob observed this himself on a recent visit.

Ray started his career as a radio apprentice with AWA and obtained his HSC at night school and a degree in electrical engineering before joining OTC. Most of us would remember him working in cable engineering and manager of Perth ITC.

Ray had a very small group of friends so Elizabeth is still considering what service will be held. If there are any updates on this Bob or Elizabeth will let us know.

If anyone wishes to send condolences please email me at president@otva.com if you would like Elizabeth’s address.

John Burdinat has advised that Dale passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

John and his wife traveled down to see him at Royal North Shore Hospital where he had been receiving treatment for the past 32 weeks.

His wife, Marg, has advised John that she would be able to receive and calls or emails from any Vets who knew and worked with Dale.

The below photo is from the edition of Transit in October 1988

The below photo is from the edition of Transit in November December 1988

Bill Kay has passed on advice of the passing of a colleague from his OTC days.

Sad to say Robert J Taylor (RJ) passed away on 2 November 2024.

Bill has no further information about the circumstances of RJ’s passing. Clare, RJ’s partner, passed on the message on 26 November 2024. Clare will call Bill to provide more details when she’s feeling up to it.

Bill will update the Vets once he hears back from Clare.

If you have any photos or a tribute that you would like to share please email me and I will upload to the OTVA website for all members to see.