by Walley T » Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:59 am
One very happy memory I will share with you was the day I heard a young ladies voice saying-''He's home'', when I looked around there was Ian with his daughter standing by our garage door admiring work drying on easels, around 2008.We looked at each other as if it were yesterday , some 30 plus years had passed since Ian as Chief and myself as 5th on the Townsville Star with Fred Frech as 2nd, Dave McMahon 3RD ,Peter Seaton 4th Norrie Reed as Chief Fridge Eng Officer. Ian was on holiday with family and travelling to the Wellington ferry terminal to head south .He asked can I bring the rest of the family in to see your work, 'of course' thinking a car parked out on the road at the end of our 100m driveway.Ian's daughter goes to get them, next minute a rumble is heard as a 28 seater bus pulls in , family being his whole family!!!Everyone had a gander round , group photos then it was time to leave .After 25 minutes the studio fell silent again and as if it had never happened.
Ian was a special Chief to work for , one of the lads, we all went out for drinks up the road in Suva, Melbourne and Wellington. My deepest sympathy to Dot and family. Ian was a truly a great person to have as both a boss and also a friend. Will be sadly missed at future BSL reunions.
walley
