Shaun Higgins asked for news of Bill Carter.

Neil Yakalis offered this for Bill Carter. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1998.

Bill was Director of P&T at one stage. Were he to still be alive today he would be 99 or 100 this year.

William (Bill) Frederick CARTER, OBE (27 May 1998, aged 74)

Before going to PNG, Bill was a telecommunications engineer with the PMG Department in NSW, responsible for an Engineering Division with headquarters in Parkes. He was chosen by Paul Hasluck, then Minister for Territories, to create a Department of Posts & Telegraphs in PNG. Bill was then 30 years of age. Most of the postal and telecommunication services in PNG at that time were inefficient and were heavily subsidised by the Government, and there was no in-service staff training for Papua New Guineans. By the time he retired in 1975, both services were operating in a healthy profit position and about 98% of postal staff and 80% of telecommunications staff were Papua New Guineans.

Bill’s interests extended well beyond the running of his Department. He was an avid bushwalker, surfer, skier, and family man. He helped build the Kone Pre-School and was a  Trustee for many years. He was active in the Apex movement and was made a Life Member. He became Chief Commissioner in the Scouting movement. He was an Official Member of the PNG Legislative Council (1959-64) and the House of Assembly (1964-68) (he requested not to be appointed to the Second House of Assembly as he wanted to concentrate on his own Department).  He was a senior member of numerous high-level advisory committees. After leaving PNG Bill did some consultancy work in connection with the building of Black Mountain Tower in Canberra.

Bill’s wife, Anne, predeceased him. He is survived by daughter Beverley, and sons Andrew, Stuart and Bruce.

OTC shared the transmitter building in Boroko Port Moresby with P&T. They had small 1Kw or less inter island transmitters in their half while we had big STC 10kw international circuit transmitters up our end. An internal partition divided the building in two. This site, opposite the ABC studios on St Hubert Murray Highway, is now occupied by a church.

Here is a photo of that building from the P&T end. The car parked under the awning is a 1950’s Ford Prefect.

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.

In attendance were:

Allan Hennessy; Ben McGee; Bill Breeze; Bill Davey; Brian Travis; Carl Viglianti; Col Jones; Dave Coutts; Dean Veverka; Dennis Grant; Gary Beaton; George Woloszuk; Greg Martyn;

Ian McDonald; Jim Simpson; John Eades; Kevin O’Brien; Lex Vipond; Mal Carson; Neil Yakalis; Neville Hainke; Orm Butler; Peter Bull; Robert Brand; Robert Lewis; Robin Tuckfield;

Ross Smith; Tom Barker

Those present were reminded of those who had passed away over the past 12 months and the contributions that they may have had on our lives during and after our years in OTC.

The conversations started immediately people arrived to find out who was who (as some of us have aged more than others). For example: Neville Hainke and Dean Veverka still have their boyish good looks and age does not seem to have harmed them at all. Although Dean told us that he had some crippling back pain while on a working trip to SE Asia on his way to a conference in Europe that necessitated a quick trip home for urgent surgery but he is much better now. Bill Davey and Ray Pow too do not seem to have aged much at least to the point that I was easily able to recognize them.

Those present were happy to see that Tom Barker and Allan Hennessy were not hampered by mobility or health issues and were able to join the social gathering. They both appeared to be well and in good spirits.  Their attendance and contribution to the collective memories and stories was much appreciated by all in attendance.

Stories were told and memories relived as those in attendance recalled their experiences in their OTC years. Much laughter ensued as someone related a particularly interesting or controversial event that had happened OR when someone recalled a ‘remember when (person) did (what)” story that was considered memorable either due to its level of excellence or its larrikinism.

Unfortunately the venue could have been better. We had booked 3 tables of 10 in the Red Room on Level 1 but unfortunately the other booking in the Red Room did not want to share and we were moved at the last minute to the Bistro area which was a bit loud and distracting. Peter Bull extended his apology on behalf of the Committee to those in attendance and promised to do better next year. The Function Manager of Club York and the Bistro Manager also apologized but the situation was apparently unavoidable due to the sensitivity of some of the topics being discussed in the Red Room by the other group which had larger numbers than the OTVA. Having said that, the food was very good as was the service by the wait staff. The general noise of our conversations and occasional raucous laughter may have caused some other patrons to move giving us more room in which to spread out which was welcomed by the majority.

All those in attendance appeared to thoroughly enjoying the event and conversation with many still being there talking well after 3:30pm.

Thanks to Robin Tuckfield who provided name tags to facilitate in those awkward moments when you cannot recall a person’s name.

Thanks to Orm Butler and John Eades for taking the below photos: