INDO-PACIFIC CONFERENCE IN PERTH

Former chief of the Australian, Army Peter Leahy, believes the lessons of World War 2 about having a substantial defence presence in WA has been largely lost by defence planners centred in the East.

Now a professor at the National Security Institute (University of Canberra) he has called for a more serious approach to being an Indo-Pacific country.

Leahy, writing recently in the WA Defence Review, said that while the Navy ‘have got it about right, although being positioned well to the South….the RAAF and Army are in the State in limited numbers.’

The recent Defence Conference in Perth, at the end of October, run by the Perth US Asia Centre brought a number of political, military, business and academic figures together to discuss the emergence of the Indo-Pacific as an area of importance.

The Chief of the RAN, Vice Admiral Michel Noonan said that the $1.6 trillion Australian economy depended on the security of international trade routes.

Accordingly the Stirling base would remain a major fleet base and would see a the introduction of a larger submarine base , Hunter class frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels, leading to an increase in infrastructure construction and upgrades as well as greater sustainment activity associated with larger and more complex vessels. New capabilities would be added to the base, including simulation training facilities and class specific support facilities.

As Gordon Flake (CEO Perth USAsia Centre) identified, strategic thinkers are now thinking of the Indo Pacific primarily to integrate India into the Asia Pacific and as WA has 78 per cent of its trade with the countries of the Indo Pacific it is positioned to capitalise further as an integral part of the region,

Kim Beazley, WA Governor and a former Defence minister, said in opening the conference, WA is already a defence state, industrially and militarily and must become a focus of defence strategy as force majeure has come to the fore, as evident by China’s South China seas ambitions.

India was an important part of the economic and defence equation in the region “as a fellow democracy,” Richard Marles, the Opposition Defence spokesman, said. “We also loom large in the consciousness of Mauritius and Seychelles and there is a huge opportunity for Australia in deepening our ties with Africa.”

That theme was echoed by Senator Linda Reynolds (Liberal, WA) who said that African nations are working on becoming the largest free trade zone in the world. “WA has 168 ASX-listed mining and METS companies operating across 33 African nations and our ability to contribute is only as limited as our vision.”

However, Marles was critical of a $100m allocation to WA, in February 2017, (prior to WA State Election) on defence because it lacked specificity. “There was a certain contempt in that announcement, WA needs a proper narrative.”

Perhaps part of that ‘proper narrative’ should be overcoming Labor’s blinkered view on nuclear submarines.

Military historian, and a former naval officer, Tom Lewis, has argued that ‘the Australian public has been sucker- punched by the green movement into not understanding nuclear power,’ (The Spectator,17/11).

Lewis argues that the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines would cost about half of the $50billion French Barracuda re-model (using diesel engines) and that the immense speed and ability to stay under the surface gives them a clear advantage.

The US, France, Britain, China, Russia, India all have nuclear subs and Pakistan will  have them soon.

As the likely minister after the next federal election, Marles said WA should be the premier place for maritime servicing with Henderson being a global centre. “Patrol boats and small vessels should be Perth based and that WA should be a centre for military exercises. “It needs considered thought not just money thrown at it,” he said.

Indeed, the WA Government under Premier Mark McGowan is keen to advance the defence sector in the state. The Premier had slammed the Federal Coalition Government earlier in the year for WA’s minor share of contracts when it was announced that the $35 billion frigate program would be built in Adelaide.

In a clear swipe at Defence Minister Christopher Pyne (Liberal SA), McGowan said, at the time, that “Western Australia, has the only internationally competitive shipbuilding industry in Australia but the Federal Government is giving it to South Australia.”

McGowan launched his six point strategic plan at the conference that included the case for WA to be the principal location for the maintenance and sustainment of frigates; expand industry capability beyond the maritime area to focus on industrial, educational, and financial resources onto new defence procurement activities; developing strategic infrastructure and a defence science centre; a workforce plan and supporting veterans.

However, while the Navy and ships featured prominently at the conference  Professor Leahy’s written arguments about greater army numbers, both in WA and nationally, needs greater attention. Leahy has argued that with the growing operational use of Helicopter Docks these big ships can provide joint force capabilities and need support and sustainment which includes embarked troops.

The call for a greater spread of army resources is backed by Guy Duczynski (Strategic Defence Advisor, Edith Cowan University) who believes ‘meth consignments’ on lonely NW beaches has proved beyond the capacity of law enforcement to solve. Reservists are not the answer but rather regular forces in the North are needed.  

Orange Years 

In the European winter of 1947 Jack Seely, the 1^st Baron Mottistone, was depressed.

A Second World War had ended less than two years ago with Britain again victorious, albeit impoverished, and his own life drawing to a close too he suspected.

No doubt then the tributes would flow to him for his career in the military and politics that led him to being a General, Secretary for War and a career politician. His career had been impressive with the usual highs and lows that those of authority have.

He also had had no regrets about backing the appeasement policies in what proved a futile attempt to prevent Hitler’s aggression. The earlier South African War against the Boers, had convinced him that the stand-and-deliver tactics belonged to highwaymen and not diplomacy. Indeed, Lord Alfred Milner’s diplomacy, then, had been akin to Dick Turpin and had convinced Seely of the need for moderation in the 1930s.

Ironic that Milner, as the British Governor at the Cape, in that earlier era, had received support from his hawkish political master, Joseph Chamberlain, whereas  the Colonial Secretary’s son, Neville, as PM in 1937-40, had been the exact opposite, a dove, striving to placate Hitler and keep Europe at peace.

Indeed, even though he believed in British Imperialism when he thought back to that Anglo-Boer conflict on the veld, of 1899-1902, he felt that his country had been diminished by the aggression against the farmers and their families.

As a British Captain, at the time, he vividly remembered the raid on that house where he demanded information from the young 10 year old boy, called Japie Greyling.

Seely was sick of Boers and their sullen hatred displayed against the army as he chased these  elusive ‘orange pimpernels’ over the Orange Free State on frequent occasions before the day when he confronted that Boer boy at the farmstead.

Tipped off by an Afrikaner National Scout, Captain Seely had arrived at the farm to see the small Boer commando, led by Barend Greyling, galloping away.

Left behind was his family and he wanted information from them–and quickly.

“You will give the information of where your father and the commando are going,” Captain Seely had thundered, grabbing the frightened boy by the shoulders.

“I will not tell,” replied Japie Greyling.

“You will, or you will be shot,” Seely roared.

“I will not tell,” the young Greyling replied.

Barking at his young lieutenant, who had turned a lighter shade of pale, Seely ordered him to form a firing party and young Japie was placed at the farmhouse wall.

Moving alongside the younger officer, Seely quietly said he was not to fire, while Japie’s mother, Susanna, became hysterical at the thought of her young son’s imminent death. However, he continued to press the boy for information.

“Last chance to tell me where they have gone, lad,” Seely snapped.

“I will not tell,” the worried boy replied.

Seely saw clearly in the stand-off that the boy was prepared to die rather reveal the whereabouts of his father and the other Boers and he was not prepared to give such an order.

“At ease men,” the captain said to his troops before approaching Japie. “I hope I meet you again one day as you are the bravest young man I have met.” The British then departed in another forlorn search for their intended prey.

Seely reflecting on the courage of Japie Greyling that day flicked the pages of his memoirs. His current reflection was mirrored in his words of yesteryear.‘As long as I live I shall never forget that love of father, home and country triumphed over certain death. Never shall I forget the expression on the face of that Boer lad when with his eyes brimming with tears he said, “I shall not tell.”

Yet it would not be the last time that the citizen of the Orange Free State would rebuff him.

The General’s conscience had pricked him at the way he had treated the young boy and he had tried to make amends years later after the publication.

He remembered the words of a famous actor, ‘never share the stage with children or animals as they would always upstage you.’ He had shared a very large stage with both and the actor was right with his comment.

It was remarkable that a Boer boy and his famous horse, Warrior, of the Great War should to him epitomise the best and finest, the most courageous of all.

There was a knock on the door, and his son David entered.

“Hullo pater you are looking pensive,” he said.

“Just reflecting on the courage of a person and a horse, David” the Baron replied.

“Who, Winston and Warrior,” David asked?

“Well you are half right but no, not your godfather, rather a young Boer boy I met in the South African conflict,” the General quietly said to his son.

As the only child from Seely’s second marriage, David was well aware of the esteem his father had for Warrior his famous war horse, the steed the Germans couldn’t kill, and his great friend and colleague, Winston Churchill, whose paths continually crossed in war and politics.

David had been thrilled, as a boy when he had read of the exploits of his father’s heroic charge, on Warrior, at Moreuil Wood on the banks of the Avre River in France. With 1000 Canadian cavalry behind the British general the securing of the river bank had helped to stem the German Spring Offensive of 1918.

Seely remembered the mad adrenalin rush, the pent up anger akin to what he had experienced chasing the Boers during the ‘Orange Years’ on the veld, yet different, somehow more honourable than the war waged on farmers. He also remembered the utter relief at having survived the charge and experiencing the same nervous anxiety in the aftermath of the charge as he had experienced after dealing with Japie. No wonder. A quarter of the men and half the horses had been lost that day at Moreuil Wood.

Fortunately for Warrior he went lame and couldn’t be ridden in another battle, the next day, when the Major-General, had had two horses shot from under him and suffered from gassing.

By the end of the Great War they had survived four years of shell and bullet and the mud and slime of Passchendaele. It was no mean feat.

Seely’s reverie on his favourite steed was broken as he was aware his son was pressing him on the Boer boy and the aftermath of their dramatic farmhouse meeting.

“I went looking for him in South Africa in 1931, but he did not want to see me. However, I subsequently sent my lieutenant, Hawkins, out there and through Greyling’s lawyer, who made the arrangements, they talked. Hawkins presented him with my book, Fear and Be Slain, and it was interesting what he found out from him.”

“What happened?” David asked.

“Well, apparently Greyling’s boy, also Japie, found out about his father’s wartime clash with me from his teacher who had a book on child heroes featuring his father. When his boy went home, thrilled about his father’s courage, he had asked him about the matter but Greyling simply said to his son, “you have read about it already.”

“Greyling sounds like a very modest, decent chap,” David said.

“There was a quality about him. In the boy I saw the future man. He now farms quietly in the OFS, at Bethlehem. He is very modest and told Hawkins that he did not want his story being used as propaganda against the British and that people do things in war they would not normally do. I was touched by that because I think he was reaching out to me for an episode that I have always regretted.”

Pausing, Seely said to his son, “I write in the foreward of my book that the old adage ‘safety first’ is a vile one. Japie could have done that but he would not betray his father, or people, to me despite having such pressure placed on his young shoulders.”

“He sounds like a character out of Kipling,” David said.

“Perhaps he was a South African version of Gunga Din, the Indian water carrier, David. Both were savers of life, in their different ways, and both prepared to give their own. Some of our politicians looked down on the Dutch as uncouth and uncivilized. They were wrong those people had a quiet dignity and decency about them,” the Baron replied.

Shortly afterwards David excused himself from his father’s presence, leaving the study to prepare for dinner, as the Baron continued his private reflections of a war he was involved in as a young officer.

Strange the impact that particular war had on men. He thought of Kitchener. At one stage K had said that the Boers only had a thin veneer of civilisation, yet he came to respect the Boer Generals, particularly Louis Botha. If Milner hadn’t vetoed discussions on the Transvaal and Orange Free State independence, between the two generals, in February 1901, the final guerilla phase of the war could have been avoided. Instead there would be another 15 months of fighting, ending on his 34^th birthday, on 31 May 1902, with the Treaty of Vereeniging.

 By that time the death roll of Boer women and children was close to 28,000, over 30,000 farms had been burned to the ground and 3.6 million sheep destroyed. As a consequence K had become utterly reviled by the Boers with relations between the two white groups in tatters for generations to come because of the ‘methods of barbarism’ employed.

The Boers may have lost the war but they had won the peace. With the formation of the Union of South Africa, on another last day of May, 1910, the era of   Afrikaner generals, as prime minister, began, Botha, Smuts, Hertzog and Smuts again, the latter having again been at the helm since 1939.

Winston of course had come and gone. From being exiled on the government backbenches during the 1930s he had, like a shooting star, returned to successfully lead the nation, at war, before being consigned to being Leader of the Opposition, courtesy of the voters, in the last election, as they had moved en masse to support Clement Attlee and the Labour Party.

It was a different world, the Baron mused. His era-the Imperial era- was over, globally. The age of socialism, both democratic and totalitarian, had begun.

It was time to go downstairs for dinner. The Baron poured himself a sherry and raised his glass. “Here is to you Japie Greyling. You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.”

************************************

Japie had heard the news of the death of his British bête noire from a neighbour, just before Christmas.

 The Baron had died on 7^th November 1947. As Japie had told Hawkins, years previously, he did not bear Seely any malice and he now regretted not receiving the General in 1931, when Seely had come looking for him.

Greyling could hardly hate English speakers, as a group, because he seen how many of  the English speaking officials turned out in defence of their beloved country when the fall of Bloemfontein, the Orange Free State capital, was imminent. Men like Braine, Brebner, Roberts, Fraser, MacHardy had joined their fellow burghers in the field- against invaders who may have shared their tongue but not their sentiments or loyalty.

Greyling had remembered General Barry Hertzog- perhaps the most famous Free Stater- recalling those facts during his long term as Union prime minister, (1924-39). He also recalled how his parents had said President Brand, during his record 24 years as OFS president, had developed good relations with the British and a deep friendship with Sir George Grey, who had been a Cape Governor before fulfilling the same role in New Zealand and later becoming PM of that country.

No, hate had never been part of the Greyling family make-up and he had taught his two children, Japie and Martha, to be of the same mind, despite the general bitterness that the South African War had engendered.

The title of Seely’s book was strange. Greyling remembered he had been afraid, very afraid, on that day yet he had survived. The teachings of his parents and his dominee had helped. The words of Deuteronomy 31:6 had flashed through his mind at that grim moment and he had determined that just as God had promised not to forsake him so too would Japie neither betray his Heavenly Father nor the father he loved on earth. He believed his love of God and volk had saved him.

Reflecting some more on the Baron, Japie realised he had clearly been a brave man, as displayed with that famous charge at the head of the Canadians that would have required him to overcome gut wrenching fear. Yet that same man had clearly been troubled by the war in South Africa, as reflected in his words, despite the fact of having gone a long way, in his life, as a servant of the greatest empire the world had seen.

Japie had also seen military and political giants in his home country and he believed he was privileged that he could always say he had been a citizen of the Orange Free State, the model Boer Republic, whose president and people had given loyalty to the bigger ZAR –the South African Republic - in her hour of need.

He missed the country of his childhood and even though the OFS continued as one of the four provinces of the Union of South Africa it was not the same as being an independent nation. The past was another country.

While the defeat of the two Boer Republics had been traumatic there was much to sustain the Boerevolk for their historic role in those dramatic years. His own father had managed to elude the British, as had, more famously, President Steyn and General de Wet, despite some hair raising adventures across the high veld, including the President riding away from the British in his night gown, like a latter day Wee Willie Winkie.

De Wet’s Christmas Day victory, of 1901, at the Battle of Groenkop, had also thrilled him and reminded him of George Washington’s victory on another distant Christmas, at Trenton, as the Americans won a surprise victory against the British redcoats.

But above all his own mother and father had loved him deeply as he had his wife and children.

 It was enough.

BLOEMFONTEIN CONFERENCE: A DETERMINED PATH TO WAR

The ZAR franchise issue was the central issue between Britain and the northern Boer Republic but it was not the real reason for the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) which was political power.

The failure of the Bloemfontein Conference in the middle of 1899 (31 May-5 June) meant the path to war was a very short one.

British High Commissioner, Alfred Milner, was the ill-suited representative who ensured peace had no chance. Certainly he radiated sartorial elegance next to the crumpled figure of the aging ZAR (Transvaal) president, Paul Kruger. Yet clothes do not make the man and it was Oom Paul who approached the conference in a more conciliatory fashion than his tormentor. Kruger genuinely wanted peace but not any price; Milner sought confrontation and got his war.

I cannot imagine someone like Sir George Grey, a mid century Cape Governor, even remotely allowing this conference to drift to war like this later successor.

Unfortunately, for the Boers, they had a troika of arch-imperialists (Salisbury, Chamberlain and Milner) determined to ‘put them in their place.’ In some respects I agree with historians like GH Le May and JS Marais who believe it was Milner who was the chief culprit for the war. After all, Milner’s comment, to the interpreter Abraham Fischer, that “no matter what Kruger concedes I won’t be satisfied, I will ask for more,” was hardly conducive to finding a settlement.

However, it could also be argued he was merely the stalking horse for his political masters.

Clearly, regional power was the reason for the British intransigence, at the Conference, because it is hard to believe the franchise was such an insurmountable problem. Originally a 14 year qualification was required for Uitlanders to vote in ZAR elections (outsiders who had rushed into the Transvaal for the mining boom).

 Kruger’s acquiescence to reduce this to seven years, before the Bloemfontein Conference, was hardly the sign of a reluctant negotiator. As Chamberlain wanted a five year qualification rule, straight away, a ready compromise was clearly discernible, to the reasonable person, of six years.

Even after the abrupt end of their meeting in the Orange Free State, Kruger then agreed to the five year proviso, (August, 1899) but with some conditions added that deserved more than contemptuous dismissal. These included a request not to interfere any further in Transvaal affairs, arbitration of unresolved disputes and Britain relinquishing suzerainty over the ZAR.

At any time Colonial Secretary Chamberlain or PM Salisbury could have ordered Milner back to the negotiating table if there had been a real will to do so.

Instead, Milner’s behaviour throughout was the antithesis of diplomacy and he continued the politicking of Rhodes who had been disgraced by the Jameson Raid. Chamberlain’s career also should have ended over that fiasco, in which he had assisted Rhodes, the Cape PM, to obtain a departure point in Bechuanaland from which the attempted coup against the ZAR would take place.

Instead of learning a lesson, Chamberlain was, to preside over more destabilising tactics and allowed Milner to whip up the mob over the Edgar incident, encourage a second petition on grievances and then send out his infamous, Helot Telegram (May 1899). What a contrast to Sir William Butler who was acting High Commissioner when the Edgar incident occurred (Milner was on leave in London). Butler wisely realised a handful of Uitlander trouble makers were responsible for the sound and fury show and advised they be ignored.

However, Milner did not want ‘a period of peace and calm,’ as argued for by Butler, so it has to be asked whether he was the puppet master or the puppet?

Also Salisbury told Lord Rothschild, in September 1899, that he disapproved of any more contact with Kruger’s Government after a cabinet minister, the Duke of Devonshire, had contacted the ZAR, through Rothschild’s bank. The British PM also ignored an approach by the Transvaal’s representative, in London, to his private secretary.

Chamberlain, meanwhile, was saying that while a war would be ‘deplorable’ it would ‘put things on a sound basis for the future.’ Well, how did that turn out?

Kruger may have been unwise not to heed Devonshire’s ‘nod and wink to him’ that the British Government would not make any more demands if he didn’t make an issue of challenging Britain’s supreme power (suzerainty).

However, by then, Kruger probably thought the game was not worth the candle. Whether on internal or external policies Britain was showing a penchant to keep moving the goalposts; that the London Convention of 1884 really meant nothing;  and that Britain would interfere whenever it suited them. Trust had already been lost with the earlier annexation of the OFS diamond fields, as an example of Britain annexing territory, after freely giving it to that smaller republic in 1854.

The Anglo-Boer conflict is a clear example of an unnecessary war provoked by aggressive diplomacy to ensure British power remained paramount in the region.

The Bloemfontein Conference, and the aftermath, was a tragedy writ large.

A Truly Run Race: tribute to John O’Neil

The passing of John O’Neil (87) on January 26, after a short illness, saw the end to a man whose career in South Australian racing commenced on another Australia Day, in 1949.

He was Adelaide Racing’s voice to Western Australia and local punters hung off every word of his golden tones during Saturday morning previews and race meeting broadcasts.

Born in the Great Depression-in 1930- during the ill-fated Scullin Labor Government’s term, the man described as a ‘Christian gentleman,’ commenced his race calling 19 years later at Barmera Trotting Club after becoming interested in racing while a Christian Brothers College student.

Although from a non-racing family a chance meeting with 5DN race caller Matt Hynes led to that early opportunity to call a race for the Riverland station, 5RM.

Paralleling his pursuit of a being a race-caller O’Neil also had a 43 year career in SA Railways until his retirement in 1991.

In 1951 he called his first thoroughbred fixture at the Moorook-Kingston racecourse, which started his racing career advancement to the point where, a decade later, he took over from the man who had brought him into the 5DN news service, Matt Fitzpatrick.

His career as a race caller would stretch until his retirement in 1995. But it was not the end of his involvement with SA Racing. He continued as course announcer until two years ago.

In between he extended his media portfolio to television previews every Saturday morning with the Ten network and then later adding a review of the day’s meeting with the ABC.

In later years he also was the host of racing tours to the Northern Territory and Tasmania where his knowledge and affable nature was invaluable as a tour guide.

Over his long career O’Neil called 27 Adelaide Cups and the same number of Great Eastern Steeplechases.

In 1961 he called Tulloch breaking the 100,000 pounds barrier ($200,000) for prize money, when the champion won at Cheltenham, a fabulous sum in that era.

Indeed, prior to his passing, Adelaide’s finest was the last of the broadcasters who had called the great equine champion of Tommy Smith.

Ernie Manning, ‘the ‘Father of the House,’ in WA’s racing press box, described O’Neil as follows: “John was thoroughly professional and had a meticulous approach in ensuring he knew the facts accurately. His commentaries were crystal clear and he called all horses’ positions that was invaluable to radio listeners, in pre-Sky television days.”

“Some of his fellow race callers, such as John Russell, were highly colourful characters but John O’Neil was always level headed in both calling and in racing publications. He stood the test of time, writing for hallowed form guide Best Bets for over 30 years. He was seldom, if ever, questioned on his form comments.”

“As regards to WA he was something of a roving ambassador for Perth racing and allied himself with Marjorie Charleson, the long serving public relations officer of the WA Turf Club (now Perth Racing), to promote our carnivals.

Two of our biggest supporters in the 1970s were great trainers Bart Cummings and Colin Hayes, both Adelaide based and John spoke to them frequently. John Hawkes was another trainer he encouraged to come here. His efforts reinforced Marjorie’s determination to make Perth summer racing a showcase.”

Marjorie Charleson, echoed Manning’s comments.

Labelled ‘that woman from Perth,’ by some NSW critics who disliked the WA female trail blazer for her work in enticing the connections of quality gallopers to WA racing carnivals, Charleson had many dealings with O’Neil.

“I got on extremely well with John. He was calling for the ABC and he introduced me to key people like legendary trainer, Colin Hayes and leading stud breeders. He made it easy for me to get around the traps, whereas in other states some others determined to make it hard. “

She said O’Neil was in the top half a dozen callers in her racing lifetime. “He wrote for my magazine, Racebreed, and was an ornament to racing who thoroughly deserved his OAM and Hall of Fame recognition.”Those two awards referred to, came in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

“I always looked forward to finishing my Eastern States tours in Adelaide because of him,” Charleson said.

He also had a great sense of humour and could recount many stories. In the mid 1980’s Adelaide afternoon newspaper writer Mike Duffy sent a story saying the winner was the first horse to win a feature event in three consecutive seasons since ‘the mighty War Abandoned had achieved that great feat in 1941-42-43!’ Duffy had just arrived, from England, where he had been chief crime reporter but was placed on the racing staff. Duffy relied heavily on race book information from the winners honour roll and his story duly appeared in the first edition of the paper.

Ernie Manning said it that it provided great mirth but also concern amongst fellow racing writers.

“John O’Neil was among those who decided it must be corrected and the story was fixed for the final edition. It saved a lot of credibility for Mike and the newspaper. Mike went back to England to cover murder stories,” Manning recalled.

His willingness to help, encourage and assist people stemmed from his strong Christian faith.

That led him to be founding member of the Adelaide racing fraternity Mass committee which held its first meeting in 1964. Since then there has been a racing Mass held every year on the weekend of the Adelaide Cup.

“He was a person who lived the Gospel message,” according to Father Joe Giacobbe, who met O’Neil in 1979 and presided at his funeral mass. “John was warm, welcoming with a non-judgmental, positive disposition to life and people……so while his physical presence is no longer with us the memories of his values and good times remain with us,” he said.

That observation also summed up O’Neil’s attitude to people touring Adelaide and he was quick to using visiting racing writers, including myself, on his Saturday morning radio race program that he had conducted on Adelaide Coast FM, since 2001.

South Australia’s Christian gentleman is missed.

O’Neil is survived by his wife Laureen (Lauri), children Kevin and Sharyn and grandchildren Edward, Alexandra and William.

John O’Neil –born August 19, 1930, (North Adelaide Memorial Hospital) died January 26, 2018 (Calvary Wakefield Hospital, Adelaide)

(a slightly edited version of this obituary appeared in THE WEST AUSTRALIAN (9/8/18, page 49)