Paul John Murphy (P J or Spongy) aged 58 passed away on 2^nd February 2016 at his flat, a result from a fall going upstairs to the bedroom where he was found deceased by a neighbour.

A Funeral Service was held on Friday 12^th February at 2.30pm at the Le Pine Chapel 1048 Whitehorse Road Box Hill Vic.

The service was well attended with about 120 Family/Relatives/Friends/Work Colleagues including 22 OTC/OTVA Members namely:

Ashley & Glynis Foote,

Rob & Trish Byrne with son Nick,

Paul S Murphy (no relation),

Harold Murphy (no relation),

Robert & Judith Hall,

Gary & Debbie Kelly,

Warren Marshall,

John Caulfield,

Geoffrey Whitmore,

Charlie Micallef,

Geoff & Jan Lynn,

Artie Koopman,

Angelo Scambiatterra,

Steve Llewellyn,

Michael Murray,

Anthony Mikulic.

Personal Tribute by close mate Rob Byrne of Paul’s great love of Tennis, Surfing, Football, (Essendon) Cricket, Cycling, Running, Camping, Hiking, Golf, Shooting, Fishing, Music, Motor Biking, and always enjoyed the Annual Wagga Wagga weekend.

Paul commenced at OTC in Lonsdale Street Melbourne about 1976 as C.A./ITO/SITO until redundancy in 1986/7 then went to ANZ Bank until made redundant again in about 2007/8.

Paul with former wife Heather had two sons Sam & Jack and were in attendance at the funeral.

SADLY A  LATE ADDITION TO THIS  STORY

Heather Jean  Murphy (now Cook) Paul’s former wife has passed away peacefully on 5/4/2016 born on 31/12/1957 aged  58 from cancer. Heather was born in Foster Victoria.

Heather loved her sport being a Foundation Member of the Melbourne Renegades Cricket Team and a passionate and devoted Member of the Western Bulldogs. A Memorial Service was held at the MCG Members Dining Room on Friday 15^th April at 12.30pm and was very well attended by several hundred family and friends. It was a fantastic celebration of Heathers life, love and achievements. Those attending from OTC were Ashley Foote, Trish & Rob Byrne and son Luke, Warren Marshall and daughter Lisa, P.S. Murphy, Harold Murphy, Keith & Jeanette Schafer, Janice & Geoff Lynn, Gary & Debbie Kelly and Lyn McKenzie.

BOTH WILL BE SADLY MISSED  R.I.P.

PAGE ERNEST BARROW

11.1.1927  –  27.3.2016

Page Ernest Barrow passed away peacefully at Wantirna aged 89 and suffered from Dementia. Loved husband of Iris and father of Greg, Ann Marie (Dec), Marianne, Brian, Ray & Karen and father-in-law to Pauline and Grandfather of five and loved brother of Gordon and sister-in-law Margaret.

The Funeral Service was held on the 4^th March 2016 at 10.00am at Tobin Bros. Season of Life Chapel 331 Maroondah Hwy. Ringwood.

About 41 attended including OTVA Members Robert & Judith Hall, Geoffrey Whitmore, Anthony Mikulic, John Walters & Gary Kelly.

Page and his brother Gordon were born in Newport Vic. and after schooling in the Footscray area he left at age 15 and commenced on 4.5.1942  with A.W.A. Beam Wireless as Circulation Clerk on a weekly salary of 23 shillings per week, in October 1942 Page was promoted to Telegraphist MOR. 1946 taken over by OTC  (Aust.)

1947 to 1953 attached to Facsimile Section. 1953 promoted to Circuit Control Officer on 936 Pounds per Annum.  About 1964 promoted to Supervisor MOR which later was re-designated to Shift Controller. On 16.1.1987 Page was made Redundant and Retired at age 60.  Page had a life-long interest in HAM RADIO VK3RP he conversed mainly by Morse Code which he very frequently made contact with a friend in Ireland and held an Amateur Radio Licence for many years.

Photo of Page attending the 25 year service awards supplied by OTVA Victorian President, Robert Hall.

My Uncle, John Bede Lennon (1920-1981), joined the PMG as 14 year old in the Depression.

He had along history with OTC and associated organisations in Cocos Keeling & New Guinea including Port Moresby, Wewak,  Rabaul,Fanning Is.

He was occasionally at Paddington.

I am interesting in knowing what sort of person he was at work and the things that he did when at work.

Thanks Greg O’Sullivan

Neil Yakalis organised this tour and the pictures prove it. The group ended the day by heading off to Gladesville RSL for lunch and a few drinks that lasted another 2 hours.

Attendees were: L to R: Ian Thomas, Bob Askew, Ian MacDonald, Neil Yakalis, Wendy Volpatti, John Eades, Laurie McIlree, Greg Martyn, Ray Dowsett (friend of Neil), Ray Alford, Ross Beaumont

Ray Alford and Laurie McIlree get the feel for what Ray might have experienced sitting in front of his radio panel.

Ray Alford and Laurie McIlree check out the electronics associated with Ray’s equipment

Laurie McIlree checks out the radio station transmitting equipment

Laurie McIlree listens intently as Ray Alford comments about Ray Volpatti

Ray Alford and Laurie McIlree deep in thought

Photo courtesy of Peter J Forrester

Rear: Andy Hemus, Les Bateman, Bill Jolly, Bill Klix, Don Charles, Rod Pernich, Dot Haggett, Jack Gray, Colin Benpoarth, Kommer Springvleod, Peter J. Forrester, Terry Blatch, Eric Lim, Chris Collisson, Ken True

Front: Ray Azzopardi, Neil Robinson, Steve Rayner, Jim Harte, Terry Douglas, Frank Moran, Tom McKnight, John West, Basil Adams, Murray Oakley, Jim Keenan

My Dad, Geoff Day, has passed away this morning

He was peaceful and passed away with his family around him

Thanks for your support and friendship of Dad over his journey: he always valued his friendships with you and I thank you most sincerely for that love and support

If you have any other questions please let me know via geoffday18@bigpond.com

Best wishes and thanks again

Regards John

PASSING OF GEOFFREY JOHN DAY

10.02.1925  –  17.03.2016

Geoff commenced with A.W.A. in Melbourne on 26.4.1942

10^th to 13^th February 1945.  Appointed Telegraphist then transferred to Sydney

1.10.1946  Employee of OTC (A) Sydney

30.6.1956 to 19.1.1962  Transferred to Norfolk Island Cable Station and appointed Senior Telegraphist 19.5.1961

5.3.1962 – 2.4.1962 Snr. Telegraphist Suva Cable Station

2.4.1962 – 15.8.1963 Snr. Telegraphist Fanning Island Cable Station (seconded  by C & W.)

15.8.1963 – 9.10.1966  S.O.R. Snr. Telegraphist

1965/66 Attained Supervisory Certificate part time studies.

10.10.1966 – 5.6.1969 Appointed Traffic Officer  S.O.R.

9.5.1967  Associated member of the Aust. Institute of Management.

14.8.1967 – 7.1.1968 Acting Supervisor (Records & Statistics).

21.1.1968 – 16.5.1969 Acting Traffic Controller, Liaison (Traffic Section) – (This position was formulated when the new computerized Message Relay Switching Centre began for liaison between Engineering Programming and Technical sections for its satisfactory function.)

6.6.1969 – 1.7.1970 Traffic Controller. S.O.R.

2.7.1970 – 10.12.1972  Appointed Senior Commercial Officer Grade 1

1968/1971  Attained Management Certificate. Part time studies.

21.2.1972  Transferred to Melbourne  (S.C.O. Grade 1)

11.12 1972  Acting Traffic Superintendent for a period ? then resumed S.C.O. Grade 1 duties

Transferred back to Sydney in 1980 until Retiring in 1985 age 60

Geoff Day – Eulogy Given By His Son, John Day

In talking about Dad today, I will be using part of a draft that Dad did in writing about his life – a number of thoughts and reflections I will draw on for today’s Eulogy. One thing that I want to focus on today is the love that my parents shared – they lived for each other and I only take comfort that somewhere, they are back together again

Dad was born at 10 Ailsa Grove, Ivanhoe in Melbourne on February, 10, 1925 – he was 91 when he passed away on March 17, 2016. From a point of interest it is worth noting that Dad passed away on the same date as his Fathers Birthday – and St Patricks Day ……

Dad parents were Fred Day (Pop} and Winifred (Mamie) – Pop was a Photographer and Mamie a Mum – Pop passed away in 1968, and Mamie passed away in 1980…..Dad was the third of four children, the others being:
• Uncle Del – he was the eldest and was born in 1918 and passed away in 1983
• Uncle Alan was the next eldest and was born in 1922 – he is here today…he is a very young 94
• Aunty Beth is the youngest of the four siblings: born in 1931 –

Dad remembers arriving ‘with a rush’ – Mamie his mother was on the chamber pot when he arrived….this could be the first part of too much information in today’s Eulogy!!!!

Dad was born and grew up in the depression years – he remembers the daily food routine of Bread and hot water for Breakfast, with Tripe and Sago for Dinner –he never wanted to see two again (and for my sake…thank goodness). Winter would see them toasting bread on an open fire with dripping as the topping – he enjoyed this. He has strong memories of this time, especially around his Dad’s daily breakfast which consisted of an egg – occasionally he would share the top of a boiled egg with Dad – he really enjoyed these mornings

Schooling – Dad started school at Ivanhoe State School in 1929. Whilst in Primary School Dad was to catch Diphtheria at the age 7 – he was to spend nearly three weeks in Fairfield Infectious Disease facility as part of this illness. During this time it was Easter, and being in quarantine meant he had no contact with family. He did recall with some delight getting Chocolate Easter Eggs which was a rare sensation…and loved it: is there where the later taste of Kit Kats was to come from????? Dad never really enjoyed Primary school

Another thing to happen whilst Dad was in School was an Infant Paralysis disease which ran in 1937 and 1938 – the result of this was that parents took their children out of school for that period. Dad recalls being the last one in his grade and was sent home; much to annoyance of Mamie his mother

After Primary School Dad went to Melbourne Technical College which was in Latrobe Street in Melbourne – Dad would train to the city every day from Ivanhoe. Dad loved his secondary schooling. Wednesdays was sports day – Dad would do Swimming and Gymnastics at the YMCA at Princess Bridge. This love of secondary school came to a halt in second year – they closed the school and the new school was in Essendon – not really close to Ivanhoe. He was forced to move to Preston Tech which meant losing his friends and a school he really loved. He never liked his time at Preston Tech. Dad’s reflection of the quality of teachers was the good ones enlisted…the not so good stayed!!!!

Following Dad’s time at Preston Tech his first job in 1941 was as an assistant to a Line Etcher – they made such things as printing blocks for newspapers and advertising. The business was to close as a result of the war and Dad got a new role at Morris and Walkers – they printed and did carton cutting in Fitzroy. He worked there until 1942. At this time dad’s brother Alan and Del had enlisted in the Air Force and Dad was 17. He was offered a job at a company called Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) in Melbourne where he began as a form of telegraphist. After this the Government introduced a policy called Manpower – Dad was now part of essential services and as a result unable to join the services when he turned 18. Dad was to work at AWA/OTC until he retired in 1985 – Dad was to work here for the 43years….not something we see a lot off today.

In his early days at AWA it was off course war time – and all communications was coming through Dad’s offices so long days were the norm – cat naps on chairs were common (something we will see in Dad’s Collage later in the ceremony). In this time Dad remembers liking being busy – because of the war he really missed his brothers, his friends and it was a lonely time for Dad. When Dad was 20, he was requested by AWA to move to Sydney… and this started a whole new story line…but more about that later.

It was in this time he met a Manageress of a local Dry Cleaning business who went by the name of RM – that was the initials she put on the Dry Cleaning dockets. This was off course a lady called Rita Maxwell…soon to be Rita Day. Mum asked Dad to go on a picnic to Bobbin Head – this was how it all started.

Mum then moved to another branch of the Dry Cleaners as the Manager at Bondi Junction and Dad had no idea where she had moved to. By chance a mate of Dad’s who was boarding with Dad saw her in the new shop and advised Dad……the contact then continued……Mum would tell Dad he did not have to bring in dry cleaning to see her, he was always dropping in things to be cleaned.

Mum and Dad were engaged on Mums 21st birthday: in 1947

During this period, housing was difficult to get: Mum’s Aunty was renting a house at Homebush and had to move out, she organised a new flat at 188 Wardell Road, Dulwich Hill – she then ‘on the quiet’ moved in with her sister who lived in a unit upstairs, and this allowed Mum and Dad to get their first flat and fast track their wedding plans. As squatters were a real issue during this time (it was during the recession) Dad moved into the flat two months before they were married……with no furniture, no bed. They had to cover the windows with newspaper so that no one could see that Dad was living there alone

Mum and Dad were then married on July 24, 1948 at St Cannistes Catholic Church at Potts Point. They were to be married for 64 amazing years – they were the best of friends and lived and loved for each other….such strong sole mates

During this time Dad continued working with AWA and in 1946, OTC (Overseas Telecommunications) was formed – I was born in 1953 and was the only child – we lived at Dulwich Hill until my third birthday when we moved to Norfolk Island following a decision by Mum and Dad to work overseas so they could save for a family home – this was really important for both Mum and Dad to have their own home. We were to stay at Norfolk Island for 5.5 years – in this time Dad loved his life here. In 1962 we returned briefly to Australia before heading off to Suva for a short period of time and onto Fanning Island where we lived for eighteen months. Our time at Fanning Island was amazing – a coral atoll about 1600 klm’s south of Hawaii on the equator. Whilst the clear down side of this era was having your mother as a teacher through correspondence – the upside was the island….13 miles in total length, 0.5 miles wide at its widest point, and Mt Fanning an imposing 5 feet above sea level…and yes we rode it frequently. Another highlight was standing on the beach on early mornings and watching 20 plus atomic bombs go off at Christmas Island, some 200 miles away

On Dad’s return to OTC in Sydney, we built a house and lived in Normanhurst – Dad was to work out of the Sydney Office where he moved into management roles in the Operations area until 1970 when he moved into the Marketing area of OTC – 27 years of Shift work had come to an end.

In the early 70’s Dad took on the role of Head of Marketing in Melbourne – he worked in Lonsdale Street in the city, and we lived at Doncaster.

In 1980 Mum and Dad returned to Sydney and were to again buy in Normanhurst – I was to stay in Melbourne following my marriage to Niece in 1976. As mentioned earlier, Dad continued working in the OTC Sydney Office until his retirement in 1985. He was 60 years old when he retired and was in a Sales Management role. They were to stay at Normanhurst before moving into Independent Living in the Adventist Aged facility in Wahroonga in 2005 which was the next suburb from Normanhurst – they were able to maintain contact with family and friends through this move. This venue gave Dad enormous joy – it was located adjacent to natural bushland and Dad would often ‘loose himself’ in this environment

When Dad and Mum retired they then travelled extensively – they caravanned around Australia and travelled overseas – they visited 45 countries which Dad thrived in….his inquisitive nature and love of history and geography resulted in wonderful times for both of them.

As a lifetime smoker, in 1995 Dad had Cancer of the Tonsils – even after Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy he was to take up smoking again for many years before he eventually gave it up some time later.

Dad continued to live in independent living in Wahroonga through Mums Alzheimer’s; it was only after her passing in February 5, 2013 that Dad’s health started to deteriorate and we eventually moved him into a higher level of care. We decided to move Dad down to Melbourne in December 2013 – Dad and I shared the need to have him close to our family as his independence was being impacted by loss of license and reduced mobility

In summarising Dad there are key things I would like to say:

• Dad and Mum where best of friends – there love for each other and others was amazing
• Music was a big part of Mum and Dad’s life…….the songs we played at the start of the service was just a taste of those that Mum and Dad would either sing to or dance to – there are many songs that they would sing in the house, in the car (no car radios in those days) and they are reflected in the compilation you heard when you entered the chapel today……one special song for them is:
 ‘You are My Sunshine’….. Kiera will do a special presentation on this song later in today’s Service for Dad

• At my mother’s funeral we spoke of her personal attributes – I am going to share those as they apply to Dad today:
 His immense loyalty to Family and Friends
 Incredibly dedicated to everyone, especially Mum and I
 Proud…..he was always proud of his extended family including Beverley who is here today….Beverley has been a strong support of Mum and Dad – thank you
 Proud…he was always so proud of his Grandchildren Matt, Simon and Kiera
 Proud……he was incredibly proud of Niece
 Proud……always proud so proud of Tiffany and Emma – not to mention his Great Grandchildren Oscar and Lucy – with a little girl also on the way for Matt and Tiff – he was always so thrilled to see them
 And he was always so proud of Mum and Myself

In summary before I close I wanted to thank:

o All of Mum, Dad and my Family and Friends who have attended today and supported Mum, Dad and myself over many years…..thank you most sincerely for your love, support and friendship….we can’t begin to tell you how much we valued and appreciated it.
o To those who have come from interstate….a special thanks for your efforts in being here today…we really value it
o Dad passed away at Knox Private Hospital after a six day period – he had been living at Emmavale Aged Facility in Lower Templestowe as his residence. To the team at both of these facilities thank you so much for the love and care you have given Dad over his later years
o And to my Dad……what an amazing show of love and loyalty my Dad has shown to my Mum not only through her life, but also the last 11 years of my Mum’s life…..his daily visits, feeding, love and care are beyond description – this commitment shows the principals of Mum and Dad’s relationship throughout their 64 Years. I have no doubt Mum and Dad are dancing somewhere as we speak….and waiting for vespers time to share a drink before dinner….of course a Kit Kat will follow for Dad!!!
o And to my Dad……my message is on the way in the collage which will follow me…..

Dad’s final paragraph in his book says it all from his perspective and I would like to share those thoughts with you…it reads:

‘Just to finish off with saying that life has been absolutely wonderful with Rita, John and family. I would not want to change anything except those 27 years of shift work. My heart use to ache when because of shift work, I was unable to spend more time with John and to go away on Father and Son weekends. Thankfully Rita was always the backbone of our relationship. Life would be very, very dreary without her

I will close of this little story with: MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL’

From left to right – Harry Clay, Dave Stimson, (unknown), Station Manager (unknown), Ray Wood, Vince Sim, Stewart Hewison

Can you put a name to the faces of those persons 3^rd & 4^th from the left in the above photo?

It has taken 10 years and many meetings to put forward the idea of having a plaque to commemorate the landing of the Compac Cable at Bondi in 1962 and the first telephone call on 3^rd December 1963 between the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Committee of the OTVA made representations to the following organisations and sent them a presentation fully explaining the magnitude of the event (Compac Cable Landing) and the subsequent significant impact upon telecommunications between Australia and the rest of the world that resulted in significant social and commercial benefits to Australians and Australia businesses:

• Waverley Council to get the plaque installed in the vicinity of the cable entry hut on the beach side of the promenade at Bondi Beach. Your committee also engaged the support of the Waverley Historical Society when negotiations with council stalled.
• Malcolm Turnbull when he was the Communications Minister and then again when he became Prime Minster of Australia.
• Channel 7

These efforts were unsuccessful.  The landing of the Compac Cable was not considered a significant event in the history of telecommunications in Australia worthy of celebration.

Telstra was approached through the manager of the Paddington Terminal, Geoff Parr. Largely through the support and effort of Geoff the concept of a plaque to recognise the laying of Compac was agreed by Telstra but the Paddington Terminal building was undergoing removal and the plaque could not be installed until last week.

Telstra installed the plaque on the Oxford Street side of its building at Paddington in Sydney NSW beside the building’s foundation stone late last week. Please have a look at the photos. We extend our thanks to Telstra for the support and recognition that it has provided through the installation of this plaque.

Many thanks to Charlie Rudd for supplying the plaque and greatly assisting your committee on the design to accommodate the words that were acceptable to both Telstra and the OTVA.

It is a real shame that Henry Cranfield was not still with us to celebrate this successful joint venture.

Well done to all involved. Below is a recent photo of the Paddington terminal that has been supplied by Geoff Parr.

Denis Pickwell wrote:

I was just going through some of last years Blogs and came across a short video (May 2015) entitled Memories – the OTC Story 1946-92. This is a complete misnomer as it obviously only covers a few years back from 1992. All the shots have computers in them! During my 10+ years with OTC (1950-1961) I never handled a computer as they didn’t exist. There is a story to be told about the early days of beam wireless and cable. I don’t know much about the history of AWA in the early years but I’m sure others do. I was stationed at Fiskville Beam Wireless Station for 7 years before transferring to Spring St. H.O. Doonside and Bringelly were new stations still “settling in”. I can recall Pennant Hills transmitters and the cable station at Southport and being amazed at what they did with an extremely weak, single channel signal. Compare that with the latest cable and associated systems!

In those days we were at the cutting edge of communications technology but in retrospect we were pioneers working with primitive equipment. I remember the visit of the Queen to Melbourne in 1956. At Fiskville we built a complete new high powered transmitter and installed about 3 others to cater for the expected traffic. I could ramble on, but I am sure there are those that remember what really happened in the early days from, say, 1946.

Regards,
Denis

Peter Grove wrote:

I visited Bribie Island last week at the end of my Queensland holiday but couldn’t find any mention of a radio station on local maps, and I’m wondering if anyone could clarify the situation?

I am trying to recall when in OTC Supply purchasing and sending/shipping goods to a Coastal Radio Station (CRS) which was – I think – on Bribie Island Road, Ningi; via Caboolture.

I’ve also found some comments by Neil Yakalis on Robert Brand’s exotc site about Lindley Deslandes, retiring after 42 Years Service (Neil was apparently a former workmate). The item begins: “Lindley Deslandes is retiring from Telstra Managed Radio Ningi Qld after 42 years service on Tuesday 14^th August 2012.”

Neil’s comments include, “Later when Doonside was in the process of closing in January 1996 he [Lindley Deslandes] moved his family to Qld. In moving he followed the transfer of transmitters to Ningi & remote receivers onto Bribie Island.”

The “1996” reference probably explains why I couldn’t find anything about Bribie Island Radio in the five archive books that were produced at the time of the OTC-Telecom merger (1992).

Was there, in fact, ever a “Bribie Island Radio” or was it always “Radio Ningi”?

Anyway,  I think it was a coast radio station.  But, if not, what purpose did it serve and how does it fit into the history of OTC?

And finally(!), does anyone know where on Bribie Island the remote receivers are located and/or whether the facility is included in any of the island’s museums and/or “historic sites”?

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Deslandes