Bruce Boler has passed on the sad news of the passing of our close friend Marion McCormack on 22^nd July.    Marion will be remembered by many folks as a popular secretary within Engineering Branch.

In later years, Marion moved to Adelaide to be close to family and passed after a long illness.

Please see the below snip from the SMH.

McCORMACK

Marion Therese

Passed away peacefully on 22nd July 2023 at Laurel Hospice Adelaide after a long illness. Aged 70 years

Loving daughter of Willian and Eileen (both deceased)

Beloved sister of ‘Bill’ to Trish, Paul, Pete, Mark (deceased) and Mick.

Much loved Aunty to Julia, Ben, Matt, Adam, Phil, Mark, Carla, Clare, Hugh and Ange.

Garry Dunn has provided the sad news of Michael’s unexpected passing.

Michael was known to one and all in Engineering simply as ‘BOX’.

The details of Michael’s ‘Celebration of Life’ service are below in the post from his wife Julie. I am sure it would be a comfort to the family to have some of his old work mates attend the service.

The following members attended today’s AGM held on Level 2, Club York, 95-97 York St Sydney.

1. Allan Hennessy
2. Ben McGee
3. David Richardson
4. Greg Martyn
5. Jim Simpson
6. John Phillips
7. Kevin O’Brien
8. Lex Vipond
9. Mike Elliott
10. Neil Yakalis
11. Paul Cope
12. Peter Bull
13. Robin Tuckfield
14. Steve Corrigan
15. Tom Barker
16. Tony Kalcina
17. Will Whyte

A pay-as-you-go luncheon at the Zabou Bar & Grill followed the AGM where reminiscences of some rekindled memories for many.

The 2022-2023 Committee has been reappointed unopposed for the next 12 months.

1. President                            (Peter Bull)
2. Vice President                   (Mick Callaghan)
3. Secretary                            (Will Whyte)
4. Treasurer                           (Robin Tuckfield)
5. Subscription Officer        (Robin Tuckfield)
6. Auditors                             (Ken Theaker and Tony Farrugia)
7. Newsletter editor             (Greg Martyn)
8. Committee                         (Orm Butler, Kevin O’Brien, David Richardson.)

The incoming committee thanks the members of the OTVA for its confidence in the ability of the incoming committee to continue to deliver benefits to members of the OTVA.

Minutes to follow in the next few weeks.

Graham Hanigan passed along the sad news of the passing of Colin Coles yesterday (6 June).

Graham has no other details, but will pass them on when they become available.

Peter Burgess provided the below photo of Col who was a good mate of his way back during training days etc. Peter has spoken to Col’s wife on Col’s mobile number. She promised to send him detail of the funeral but she’s obviously in shock at this time.

Peter recalls that Col trained as  TRTO in DCA Training School at Waverton in NSW and that he was an avid Ham Radio guy..  Call sign  VK2ZZU

After he finished his training, Col spent quite a while in Carnarvon Earth Station and later on in his career he worked in Police Radio.

You will be updated as information is passed on.

Below is a photo of Col with his wife, Andrea, in better days:

Jules Corben has passed on the sad news of Darryl’s passing yesterday 6 June 2023. I extend my condolences to his wife (Andrea), his teenage son (Christopher) and his many friends and extended family members. Our prayers are with them all during this very sad time. Below is a better photo taken in Optus OCS, level 33 North Sydney in April 2007 (or thereabouts).

Darryl’s funeral has been booked for next Wednesday the 28^th of June 2023 at 1:00 pm AEST at the Woronora Cemetery Chapel (121 Linden St, Sutherland NSW 2232) with a gravesite service at about 2:15 pm followed by a gathering (at everyone’s own cost) at The Royal Hotel, 45 East Parade, Sutherland at around 2:30pm for anyone who wants to share stories and memories of Darryl.

May He Rest In Peace.

Robert Hall has passed on the sad news of the passing of Geoffrey Gordon Whitmore on Sunday 28^th May 2023 aged 97 at the Doncaster Nursing Home.

Geoff worked in MOR and in the Facsimile section and retired as Shift Controller.

Funeral Service to be held at Tobin Brothers Reflections of Life Chapel, 816 Doncaster Road Doncaster, on Tuesday 6^TH June 2023, commencing at 2.00 PM   A private cremation will follow.

For those unable to attend in person, this service will be live streamed. To view the Webcast check the Tobin Brothers Doncaster Website (https://tobinbrothers.com.au/doncaster/).

Please add your tributes and memories for the family to enjoy using the “Upload Your Memories” button.

Geoff’s Daughter Sue Heinicke   0407227120    email  sueheinicke@gmail.com

May He Rest In Peace

Col Sainty’s son Dan advised me today that Col had passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on 19th Sept 2022. I haven’t seen any notices from yourself so I assume you are unaware of this and so many of the vets may also be unaware.

Col and his wife Julie had been living in Rutherglen for the last ten years. Following his passing Julie has moved into a nursing home in Nowra near Dan. They have another son Ben.

I lost contact with Col for a while but re-established contact about 5 years ago and visited him at Rutherglen. I understand Col was very active and respected within the Rutherglen community, involving himself in community events and fund raising.

In recent years Tweed vets Jeff Thwaites and Gary Samuels also visited Col and Julie in Rutherglen and both Col and Julie came up here to meet other Tweed vets who had worked with him.

To refresh the memory of the vets, Col started with OTC in SOR and moved to the BWY ISTC when the Hasler T202 telex exchange was commissioned and he was PTO of the BWY CNCC before he resigned.

Col was very popular and had many friends in OTC who I am sure have countless fond memories of him.

I have attached a photo of Col celebrating his 70th birthday at his favourite watering hole, the Star Rutherglen Hotel, where they have a memorial plaque mounted in his honour.

May he rest in peace.

Bob Collins

Raoul had worked most of his OTC technical career with the OTC Maritime Engineering group then later with Telstra Mobile Satellite and Radio Services. Raoul installed/commissioned most of the Auto Seaphone radio sites around Australia and after moving with his family from Sydney to Brisbane (Brisbane Radio) he worked with Mike Elliott on the ICO satellite facility at Ningi. With the demise of ICO he resigned from Telstra and worked in the mining industry. A work related road accident in the Tanamai NT forced him into early retirement.

Raoul was born in 1960.

The service for Raoul will be at the Buderim Crematorium at 1PM on Monday 17 April 2023.

Buderim Crematorium & Memorial Gardens

Mooloolaba Rd, Buderim, Qld 4556

The service will also be live streamed by Premier Funeral Group, Buderim

May He Rest In Peace

Neil Yakalis has advised of the passing of Bruce Hardiman who was employed by Ray Hookway & worked at La Perouse & then Doonside until it closed in 1997. After a long illness Bruce died at home aged 79 years.

Neil received the sad new from Bruce’s wife, Haydee.

Bruce’s funeral is to be held at the Penrith Presbyterian Church located at 9 Doonmore Street, Penrith NSW on Friday 3th March at 10am.

May he rest in Peace