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Don Withers – Passed Away 26/2/2024 – Aged 84 years

08 Mar 24
Peter Bull
one comments

Neil Yakalis has advised:

Don Withers’ daughter, Claire Bate, advised the passing of her father, Don Withers, on 26th February 2024 aged 84. The service was held at Northern Suburbs Crematorium on 5th March 2024.

Don started with OTC in 1963 with a posting to Rockbank radio receiving station Victoria. He also worked at Bringelly receiving and Doonside radio transmitting stations. Due to ongoing health problems he left OTC in the late 1970’s.

 

David Peel – Passed Away 22 February 2024 – Aged 77 years

23 Feb 24
Peter Bull
No Comments

Ross Martin has passed on the sad news of David’s passing in hospital after a long illness.

David spent time at Carnarvon, Ceduna, Moree and Scoresby as well as other work locations while working for OTC.

The details for David’s funeral are as follows; (Information provided by Irene Peel)

Monday March 4th, 11am,
Handley & Anderson, 3085 Loch-Wonthaggi Rd, North Wonthaggi.
Afterwards at Anderson Inlet Fishing Club, 88 The Esplanade, Inverloch.

David’s funeral service will be live streamed via Handley and Anderson Funeral Directors website.  It will also be available to watch within 24hrs if you can’t watch the livestream via the website.
Thank you
Irene, Jodie, Rebecca and Mathew

John Arthur Davey – ex Melbourne Office – Passed Away 7/2/24 – Aged 83 years

20 Feb 24
Peter Bull
No Comments

Yashmin Beaumont, President OTVA Melbourne, has advised us of the passing of John Arthur Davey from Melbourne Office (MOR) on 7th February due to a heart attack at Monash Medical Centre Clayton.

John’s health had not been good of late.

Not advised of a service as John’s relatives all live interstate. TBA.

The below photo is of John with Abbey Marie taken in 1985.

The below photo is of JD with Robert Hall taken in 2018.

Bob Heron – Passed Away 23/12/23 – Aged in his early to mid-70s

07 Feb 24
Peter Bull
4 comments

John Burdinat advised:

Bob Heron passed away on 23rd December after a long period of complex illnesses.

He had prostate cancer over 10 years ago, metastasis melanoma (spelling?) on chest, lots of radiation treatment, CIDP in the legs, a couple of strokes, bladder stones and was in great pain in his legs and feet, unable to walk unassisted.

He eventually succumbed to the cancers after having an early Christmas dinner with wife Glennis and the children and grandchildren at Hervey Bay where they lived for the past few years.

Bob’s daughter Nicky circulated the funeral notices but possibly missed advising some of Bob’s friends as it appears OTC Vets were not informed.

I spoke with Glennis this morning and she was quite surprised that a lot of Bob’s friends had not been in contact, now she knows why.

Glennis’s phone number is  0437757751 if people want to pass on their condolences.

Scattering of ashes notice. 

Bob is now in his favourite fishing spots on the Clarence river.

 

Charlie Micallef – Passed Away 7/2/24 – Aged 84 years

07 Feb 24
Peter Bull
2 comments

Sad to report to you that our  Colleague  Charlie Micallef passed away at 5am this morning 7.2.2024.

He was very peaceful. Charlie was 84 years old.

Charlie worked in Melbourne Operating Room (MOR). Charlie commenced at OTC (A)  Queen Street Melbourne in December 1957 in MOR moving through the ranks over the years resigning in 1985 as SITO/Facsimile Operator at Lonsdale Street Melbourne. Charlie’s father Joe also worked OTC as a Storeman from  1957-1967.  Charlie was a former Past President of OTVA Melbourne in 2017.

Charlie worked at Armaguard for 46 years retiring in 2015. Charlie and his wife Josie in retirement travelled extensively around the world taking many photos which Charlie shared on Facebook.  Charlie’s wife Josie also worked at OTC  in Phonograms for a few years.

Late last year Charlie was diagnosed with a tumour in  his pancreas.

Our sincere sympathy and condolences to Josie and Loving Family and Friends of Charlie on a Life  Well Lived.  RIP.

Regards Robert Hall

The Funeral for the late Carmelo (Charlie) Joseph Micallef 27th July 1939 – 7th February 2024 age 84 was held at Tobin Brothers Funerals Berwick Vic. On Tuesday 13th February at 2pm.  Attended by about 90 Family, Friends, with former Armaguard Colleagues, OTC(A) / OTVA Veterans namely :  Yashmin Beaumont, John Caulfield, Ashley Foote, Paul. S. Murphy, Harold Murphy, Robert and Judith Hall who both spoke of Charlie as a Colleague and friend of 60 plus years.

Leigh Tyler – Passed Away 27 March 2023 – Aged 84/85 years

13 Dec 23
Peter Bull
one comments

 

Tony Farrugia has received advice from Leigh Tyler’s wife, Beryl, that Leigh had passed away on 27 March 2023.

Leigh had not been well for a few years and was being cared in a nursing home. He passed away after a short illness in Bankstown Hospital.

Tony believes that Leigh worked in Engineering Branch transitioning to Operations before joining R&D. In a Transit magazine Leigh was listed as OTC’s R&D Business Manager in 1992.

Tony had worked with Leigh for a few years, and he was a wonderful person to know and work with. May he RIP.

If you knew Leigh and would like to pass a Tribute on to the family via the OTVA web site or via private email please send the tribute to me and I will pass it on through Tony.

May He Rest In Peace.

OTVA XMAS Reunion Held Thursday 9/11/23

13 Nov 23
Peter Bull
No Comments

In attendance were:

Allan Hennessy; Ben McGee; Bill Breeze; Bill Davey; Brian Travis; Carl Viglianti; Col Jones; Dave Coutts; Dean Veverka; Dennis Grant; Gary Beaton; George Woloszuk; Greg Martyn;

Ian McDonald; Jim Simpson; John Eades; Kevin O’Brien; Lex Vipond; Mal Carson; Neil Yakalis; Neville Hainke; Orm Butler; Peter Bull; Robert Brand; Robert Lewis; Robin Tuckfield;

Ross Smith; Tom Barker

Those present were reminded of those who had passed away over the past 12 months and the contributions that they may have had on our lives during and after our years in OTC.

The conversations started immediately people arrived to find out who was who (as some of us have aged more than others). For example: Neville Hainke and Dean Veverka still have their boyish good looks and age does not seem to have harmed them at all. Although Dean told us that he had some crippling back pain while on a working trip to SE Asia on his way to a conference in Europe that necessitated a quick trip home for urgent surgery but he is much better now. Bill Davey and Ray Pow too do not seem to have aged much at least to the point that I was easily able to recognize them.

Those present were happy to see that Tom Barker and Allan Hennessy were not hampered by mobility or health issues and were able to join the social gathering. They both appeared to be well and in good spirits.  Their attendance and contribution to the collective memories and stories was much appreciated by all in attendance.

Stories were told and memories relived as those in attendance recalled their experiences in their OTC years. Much laughter ensued as someone related a particularly interesting or controversial event that had happened OR when someone recalled a ‘remember when (person) did (what)” story that was considered memorable either due to its level of excellence or its larrikinism.

Unfortunately the venue could have been better. We had booked 3 tables of 10 in the Red Room on Level 1 but unfortunately the other booking in the Red Room did not want to share and we were moved at the last minute to the Bistro area which was a bit loud and distracting. Peter Bull extended his apology on behalf of the Committee to those in attendance and promised to do better next year. The Function Manager of Club York and the Bistro Manager also apologized but the situation was apparently unavoidable due to the sensitivity of some of the topics being discussed in the Red Room by the other group which had larger numbers than the OTVA. Having said that, the food was very good as was the service by the wait staff. The general noise of our conversations and occasional raucous laughter may have caused some other patrons to move giving us more room in which to spread out which was welcomed by the majority.

All those in attendance appeared to thoroughly enjoying the event and conversation with many still being there talking well after 3:30pm.

Thanks to Robin Tuckfield who provided name tags to facilitate in those awkward moments when you cannot recall a person’s name.

Thanks to Orm Butler and John Eades for taking the below photos:

Mary Betts – Passed Away 16 September 2023 – Aged 99 years

22 Sep 23
Peter Bull
one comments

Mary Betts obituary appeared in the Herald today, sourced from the Telegraph, London.

Here’s a link that may work for folk to read about her. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph-saturday/20230916/282175065718549

There were stories in past Newsletters about codebreakers in the WWII and Mary was one of the WRENs, (in the UK) who performed the work.

Bob Pearson – Passed Away 12/9/2023 – Aged 73 years

17 Sep 23
Peter Bull
2 comments

Thanks to Trevor Clay for passing on the sad news from Bob’s daughter, Cathy, of the passing of big Bob Pearson on 12 September

My Dad (Bob) passed away on Tuesday (12th Sept). Although we knew he was having ongoing heart issues he went downhill very quickly and passed due to heart failure.

He just had his 73rd birthday on the 2nd of September.

Dad and mum(Pam) both appreciated the friendship of OTC Vets, so I know you will be feeling this loss too. Sending love from our family to yours.

We will be holding a funeral service for Dad on Friday 22nd September 10am here in Adelaide at Harrison’s funerals Port Rd Queenstown, but the service will also be live-streamed (post Covid norm) for family and friends. I will send through the link and code for this when I receive them.

Much love Cathy Jackson

Chris Collisson – Passed Away 10 September 2023 – Aged 70 years

13 Sep 23
Peter Bull
5 comments

David Solomon has passed on the news of the passing of Chris Collisson.

Chris joined OTC in 1971.

When I first met him he was working in the Paddington ARM Telephone Exchange. He was a fun-loving character who always made us laugh and on our toes for any of his practical jokes. Another thing that I remember is that he had a phenomenal ability to consume food.

Within a few years of me meeting him he moved to Carnarvon and as with most of those who travelled west with OTC I do not recall him ever coming back.

His ex-wife, Ruth Mary McCready, passed on the sad news to David and others via the ex-OTC Facebook web site.

No details of a the cause of his passing and a funeral service are currently available. I will forward those details on if they become available.

Photo of Chris, Garry Chapple and John Robinson below provided by Kevan Bourke