George’s passing has been very traumatic for his brother, Peter, and his wife, Chris, and his children Michael, David, Elyse and Kate.
George suffered a cardiac arrest and went into a coma and passed away 3 weeks later. It was extraordinarily tragic and completely unexpected largely because he was a very fit and active person.
Peter Bakunowicz will provide the Tribute to George compiled by his son, Michael, when he gets back from overseas.
Guntis (“Gus”) Berzins reminds us all the way from Latvia that another anniversary of an historic event in Australia telecommunications history is fast approaching. If you have any stories or photos that relate to this event please send them to me for circulation to the wider group.
A friend of Gus, Colin Mackellar, reminds us that later this month will be the 50th anniversary of the historic TV broadcast between Carnarvon and Goonhilly / London, which was the first ever live TV transmission between Australia and overseas. Colin Mackellar was at one stage associated with the NASA tracking operations in Australia.
You may wish to distribute his message, and particularly the associated honeysuckle link on your veterans mailing list, as it has a considerable amount of information about OTC(A).
Jim began his career in OTC in VIM (Melbourne) as a CRS Operator back in the late 1950’s.
Jim and Keith McCredden studied for their Cable certificates in Sydney in 1961 along with Geoff McDonald.
Jim was posted to Suva around 1962 and he & Keith were together at Cocos Island in 1964/5.
Jim went into the Commercial Branch sometime after Cocos closed and was later appointed to the position of WA Manager for OTC Sales.
Jim was the manager of the Perth OTC office in the early 90’s.
Keith was not sure of dates for any of these moves and thinks that Jim possible retired about the time of the Telstra takeover (circa 1991).
Keith believes that he took up gliding and was in the same club as Graham Watts.
Unfortunately Jim did not keep in touch with the Vets or any of his old OTC workmates so details of his wife, Sandra, or any of their children are unknown.
More to follow if we hear anything.
From ROBERT BRAND
Looks like ThunderStruck Aerospace is a major part of a Mars mission that just got one step closer to going to Mars. The project leverages, in some part, on the engineering knowledge acquired by Robert in his activities related to his hobby and passion of space travel & exploration as well as his engineering knowledge obtained through years of working for OTC.
The Mars Median Project is all about landing a network of organic methane detectors on Mars. Phase 1 was so successful they are moving into Phase 2 using my deployment system of impactor probes. It will be rather amazing if this gets to fly. Some testing will be in Australia somewhere and although it is me that is part of the core team, it will be the team and ThunderStruck Aero that will do the testing of the backplane and the deployment here. If it passes one more phase it may fly as a solo mission to Mars. It should be amazing. If it works it could last for years operating the median biological methane detectors, moisture detection, weather system and more. The network may be up to 30km long It will work back to the landed backshell for a relay to the orbiters and back to earth. All will be solar powered including the spikes.
Here is the conversation this morning:
Nick Howes (UK) has posted a comment on Robert’s Facebook page that reads: “And in other news, I am almost ready to let you in on [Mars] Median project phase 2… and we took your advice, lock stock mate… [Mars ground] penetrators all the way!
This is amazing as at the end of the phase 1 testing for the Median Project (out of the UK) for landing a network on Mars I specified to the team that only penetrators would do the job of landing a long network on Mars. It was all about the weight of the parts of the network and getting them safely to the ground. There was no way to carry the mass of making each node a soft landing and ESA would never put anything volatile in the lander package.
The testing of a Mars penetrators on the Nullarbor Plains will be insane. Dropping spikes from 3 Km altitude! Like I said, balloon flights and similar activities are an amazing way to test for future Mars missions. I am so looking forward to this. As one of the few people in the world with the skill set to do the high altitude work I find it amazing and it all started because of a father son bonding activity of launching a high altitude balloon – 28 flights and many years back. Wow if this goes all the way to Mars, I will be very pleased. You cannot imagine how much fun this work is and to hear that your idea is moving into stage 2 with funding is amazing.”
Nick Howes then said: “Robert, you’re gonna love the team I am working with at a UK University too, the engineering side is insane..these guys make life size Iron man robots…that work!”
Anyway stay tuned as we work over the next year testing ground penetration somewhere like the Nullabor. My company just took one step to getting a project on Mars. Slamming spikes into the ground justifies the company name of ThunderStruck Aerospace.
Then the details started flowing from Nick. They had adopted everything about the probes too.
Nick Howes: Thanks Robert. It’s logical and works, the plan in the heatshield mounting works too. Aerodynamic modelling now underway, to look at optimal release height, and impact velocity. A ton of research papers being worked through on this… trust me, it never stopped, we just had to find the right team to work on phase 2… got them now!
Robert Brand: It is a really crazy project and the penetrators will be a real first as will a network on Mars that may last for years if built right.
Nick Howes The aerodynamic modelling is being done by a University student and her supervisor. They are also going to build the shell for the penetrator (and would value your input hugely). You also need to look at a project called DS2 which was due to fly on Mars Polar lander (but crashed) different in that they planned full EDL
Robert Brand: It is the shock absorption that is critical and the penetration material. It would be great if it had a hard front and a softer crumple zone to absorb some impact but still crash through the ground without being destroyed. A spring like system for the electronics – much like a woodpeckers brain is protected from 1200G – yes – 1200G force. Lots to work on with the team
Nick Howes: Tungsten front and reinforced CF crumple zone, spring loading is in the idea too… nice. Possibly a Kevlar style composite too.
In case you missed the earlier posts about the Mars Median Project, it is a long network deployed on Mars to detect Organic Methane and pinpoint the origin of the vent.
The image is a simulation of methane detectors on Mars placed manually during a Morocco SIM. It was phase 1.
Jeannie worked in the office at Spring Street, Sydney.
Thanks to John Morrison for alerting us.
We extend our sincere condolences to Jeannie’s family in this time of sadness.
We would also like to celebrate Jeannie’s contribution to OTC and to her friends and colleagues with whom she worked so if you have any photos or any words that you would like to offer in Tribute Jeannie please email me and I will upload them to the OTVA BLOG for all to see and read.
TRAVEL: By car or by Ferry (for Ferry timetable see http://www.transportnsw.info/resources/documents/timetables/F3-parramatta-river.pdf)
WHERE: Kissing Point Park, Putney NSW
WHEN: Between 10am and 2pm
Well the weather was ordinary but the camaraderie, conversations and memories were great! It is a great shame that we did not experience Saturday’s weather. Jim Simpson also would have preferred …
Peter John Gorman passed away peacefully with me by his side after a long illness with prostate cancer on the 16th September.
Peter’s Funeral will be on the 30th September at 1:30pm at St Marys Church, 240 Birrell Street, Waverley.
On behalf of my family I would like to thank you for keeping in touch with Peter all these years.
Peter enjoyed working for OTC and playing cricket for OTC. He enjoyed the friendship and especially the matches against Melbourne in Wagga Wagga which he often spoke of. The children and I attended the 40th anniversary of Wagga Wagga and Peter did the speech regarding the history of Wagga Wagga cricket.
Please pass this onto the OTC people and say thank you for the friendship and all those great memories which Peter had.
Regards
Charmaine D Gorman
Melissa Paramo and Scott Gorman
11.04.1936 – 09.08.2016
Barry passed away on 9th August 2016 age 80 at the Casey Hospital Berwick. Barry is survived by his wife Lynne and loved father of Mark, Darren, Tracey and Leanne and cherished Poppy of 11 Great/Grandchildren.
The Funeral service was held at Tobin Brothers 232 Cranbourne Road Frankston on 15/8/2016 at 2pm.
The Funeral was attended by about 120 Family/Friends and including 10 OTC Colleagues namely: Ron & Dulcie Carey, Mary Tancheff, Charlie Micallef, Teddy Dennis & Daughter, Robert & Sue Beck, and Robert & Judith Hall.
Barry was born in Cora Lynn near Kooweerup Victoria being the second eldest of five boys, Peter who is the last surviving brother is welcome here today. Barry attended Cora Lynn State School then to St. Francis Xavier in Frankston until he left at the age of 14 after achieving his Merit Certificate.
Barry started his career at OTC in 1950 as Circuit Assistant and then the next 24 years in the Melbourne Operating Room (MOR) resigning to go into the Cosmetic Business Called (Save More) with his wife Lynne where they manufactured their own cosmetics and sold them through their chain of stores. Their factory was in Moorabbin and when Barry had his stroke at age 56 his working life was over.
After leaving hospital he was in rehab for 6 months and became strong enough to be able to walk again at which time he left hospital and came back home to Lynne who has been his primary carer ever since.
On leaving OTC Barry has kept in touch with many colleagues and despite his difficulties with stroke was quite a regular at our OTVA Reunions in Melbourne. Many years ago my wife Judith and I on a regular weekly basis saw Barry at Caribbean Gardens tending a stall selling Pet (Dog & Cat) various items which he did for a period of time and kept us in touch with Barry & Lynne.
Barry’s sporting interest was Collingwood he clearly had a terrible taste in footy teams and would be none too pleased to know that a Carlton supporter is doing his farewell service today. Other things Barry loved were Horse Racing, McDonalds and Barney Banana Ice Creams and Scotch.
Barry and Lynn had travelled to America and England during their marriage for holidays and wonderful times were shared together.
Barry enjoyed time with all his Grandchildren his face would light up when he saw them coming, first thing he would say is “give me a kiss”.
Barry had a stroke 24 years ago and his life changed forever. He has been well cared for by Lynn until 2 years ago when Barry was moved to Southern Cross Aged Care facility Lyndhurst VIC where he was well looked after by the dedicated carers there. Barry’s health deteriorated recently and admitted to Casey Hospital Berwick where he was extremely well cared for in his last days ironically Barry was unaware that a Great Grandchild was born the day before his passing in the same hospital.
May he now be resting peacefully and comfortably and there is no doubt he will be very sadly missed by Lynne and all of his family.
By Robert Hall
McCONNACHIE
Alan Alastair
Formerly of Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW.
Passed away peacefully at Caroona Kalina Nursing Home, Goonellabah on Saturday June 18th, 2016. Aged 84 years.
Beloved husband of Romola and cherished father of Fiona, Catriona and Alastair. Dearly loved grandfather of Pieter, Madeleine, Angus and Annabel. Loved brother of David.
“They will come back, come back again, as long as the red earth rolls.
He never wasted a leaf or a tree. Do you think He would squander souls?”
Relatives and friends were invited to attend Alan’s Funeral Service held at The Chapel Of Lismore Memorial Gardens, Skyline Road Goonellabah, on FRIDAY (June 24th, 2016) at 11:00 am. After the service the cortege left for Dunoon Cemetery.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on June 21, 2016
May He Rest In Peace