Yashmin Beaumont (President OTVA Melbourne has passed on the sad news of Gwen’s passing.

Melbourne has lost another one.

The service took place on 12th March. The Vets had one attendee in Dimi Krisa.

Gwendoline Ellen Wilson 06/09/1938 to 02/03/2024.

Gwen began working for OTC in Lonsdale Street Melbourne on 04/04/1961 as a switchboard operator.

Resigning on 24/05/1963 to get married and rejoining OTC 06/01/1967. Gwen took the redundancy package on 30/01/1987 and then went to work at the Mercy Maternity Hospital for 20 years as their receptionist retiring at the spritely age of 75, she loved her job.

In April 2023, Gwen moved into care as her Dementia had advanced.

Attached is a photo of her back in 1980 at OTC and a photo taken several years ago.

Jim Simpson, Graham Hansen, Tim Jensen and Don Koulaouzos have passed on the sad news of the passing of Phil Hastings.

https://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/505166/phillip-sami-hastings/?r=https://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/smh-au/

The below photo is from the funeral service booklet provided by Phil’s family for the use of those who attended the funeral service.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 27^th July 1939 – 7^th February 2024 age 84 was held at Tobin Brothers Funerals Berwick Vic. On Tuesday 13^th 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.

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.

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.

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