Item number 1
People always make interesting news and on this occasion we have several items which to our older readers will convey "Good News". The first item is that Harold Grey, our retired instructor, has made a rapid recovery after suffering a very serious heart attack some weeks ago. Harold is one of those people who will never lie down, and thanks the watchfulleye and devoted attention of his wife Marj, Harold is back on his feet again. Back in the early '50s, in fact 1951, Harold had the pleasure of welcoming our first overseas student, onePeter Pang from Singapore whos ambition was to become a Radio Officer. as time went by, Peter soon showed two outstanding abilities; one a technical and operating prowess, and the other, origamy or the art of making facinating objects or designs from a plain sheet of paper, one in particular making model aeroplanes. During periods of quietness or unsupervised work, an "Aeroplane" would generally be seen gliding its way towards the Seniour Instructor's office. The only comment heard from the Senior's office was the exclamation "Peter!" Peter had a destinguished carreer at sea and ashore and in late 1974 migrated to Australia, joining our staff in January this year.
To Peter and his family we wish them abounding-happiness in the future. To those who compete for the Mad Mugs Cup, Let it be known that Peter is a member of the Royal Singapore Golf Club, which has reciprocal arrangments with several of the leading club in Sydney. He hopes to resume playing shortly and his near single figure handycap should prove quite interesting.
Within the company we will always find a few people who have maintained a continuous association with a department and have given unobstructive and loyal service over many years.
One such person is Dudly Frank Masters who officially retires on the 29th August, (1975) after 33 years and 9 months service. 27 3/4 of which have been with the school. The advent of his retirement promted us to have a look at our "Records" and we find that Dudly passed his First Class Cirtificate Examinations on the 4th November, 1941 and joined the Marine Department on the 20th Movember, sailing on the 2nd December under War-time conditions on "Tulagi".
Of his war service, Dudly can, with a little priming recount many vivid
stories of bombing etc. but fortunately they all came through safely with
nothing more then aditional space occupied by the clothes line. After six
years Marine Service and having assumed family responsabilities in the interm,
Dudlt joined the school on the 13th October 1947. In the intervening years he
has seen many changes in staff, location and subjects to be taught. He
possesses a wealth of knowledge and has the uncanny ability to impart
knowledge to those who wish to be taught. To those who don't they receive
their just desserts. For many years Dudly and our old friend Harold Grey
gave untstinting service in assisting many hundreds who wish to enter the
radio industry.
Dudly like many of us who were forced to terminate our educational
oppertunities during the depression years, has made certain that his three
children did not miss out and a record of a B.Sc., B.Sc. and Dip Ed and a
certainty of a third B.Sc. at the end of this year is a reward that any
parent would have been proud of.
Dudly will not be laying down his chalk or red pen, because after a short
break he will be returning as a part time instructor to continue his stearling
efforts of so many years. Marconi School says: Thank you Dudly for 27 3/4
years of invaluable service and a job well done.
Before closing, we axtend to Gordon Fadie our best wishes for his retirement
which also takes place on the 29th August, 1975.
Gordon joined the Marine Department oin the 3rd September, 1941 after
completing his Marconi School Training, and probably would best be known as
"Mr Duntroon" Because of his associaation with that ship prior to its demise
at the scrap yards.
It is understood that Gordon will continue his association with the Radio
Officers' field of training.
From all your friends of Intercom, we wish you a happy retirement.