Thursday, December 15, 2022
A friend since I worked with him in OTC on my arrival in Australia at the end of 1970. I fondly remember the bush walks; the abseilling; the dry humour; and the BBQ's in Normanhurst where a Kookaburra stole a steak off my plate. Also the 10 years of family holidays between Xmas and the New Year at the Myall Lakes.
A natural leader, Jeff was also a mentor to all the kids who were lucky enough to join him in the bush. They learnt many things - including how to spotlight spiders' eyes at night and to avoid the "swamp" on the way to the long-drop dunny at the Myalls..
An early adopter of useful gadgets, I remember the trouble we got into on a long bushwalk in the Wollemi National Park visiting a hanging sandstone bridge - long since fallen down. Always trusting in Jeff's leadership, we were happy for him to navigate a more direct route to our destination using one of the first mobile GPS receivers to be sold in Australia.
Thrilled to be walking over land that had probably never felt the tread of a human foot, we were on top of the world. Literally as it turned out, because after several kilometres we arrived at the brink of a very large and long escarpment that stood between us and our destination! Google maps had not yet been invented.....
We eventually climbed down and reached the bridge but, by the time we got back to our cars (via the usual route) it was around 10pm at night. I recall we arrived at our homes at midnight - much to the consternation of the partners who had not joined us on the walk.
Yes, the Jeff we all knew and loved before Parkinsons wreaked its remorseless havoc on his nervous system, will remain in our memories for ever. Rest in Peace.
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