This question is often raised by not only Communicators but also by members of other branches. A number of us joined the Police, Government Agencies, Petrol Attendants, Courier Drivers, Import Export, Teachers, Nursing etc etc etc. I have now received support for this page so click HERE to view the input so far.
If you would like to add your contribution please forward to frankandlaurie@gmail.com
Was a 29th boy, finished as Killick Bunting tosser… On discharge 1963, took a while to settle into the routine of civvie life. Got a job in the construction of the Manapouri Power House. Was there for 3 years, then in 1968, came over to OZ to try mining. Was at Mt Isa till 1982,(14 years) when I left to come to WA where I worked (17 years) in a dairy factory making butter powdered milk and casein. Then for the past 10 years have been piloting a bus round the streets of Bunbury WA. But reckon I am ready to give it all away and stick to pilotting a lawn mower round to section!!!!!!! I reckon it has been a great life I have had, and still look back with fond memories on my Pusser’s time – would not have missed that for quids, Made some bloody great mates there, and it sorrows me deply to know that Arfur Venus is in hospital. Please give him my best regards and hope that he will soon be up and about again.
Mike Commons
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Hi Mike…great to see your msg. and to know what you have been up to..do you remember me . We were on Royalist in the early 60s with Arthur on the FES trip.
regards
Brian Rowe
Hi Ya, Brian, Yeah, I remember you. but I think we were on the Prince when we went North. We had a frigate and 2 Oz destroyers with us and remember we (the combined crews) drank Darwin out of beer, and the next beer boat wasn’t due till 6 weeks after we all left. Was on the Royalist only twice, On the “getting” trip in 55/56 and again on the trip to Canada/USA in 62
Just a thought – The best skill Pussars taught Communicators was typing that was a natural lead in to Computers and feeling comfortable with them (better not make any mistakes) Morse and waving flags don’t cut it any more but typing was the basic gift from the Blue Funnel Line
Yeah Dave…..Pity I couldn’t do the typing bit correctly. Will have to remember to edit and proof read what I have written, so I can correct mistakes.. Yeah think it is a real shame that the morse and flag waging part of the job is gone. But that applies to a vast number of fields —to wit, farmers don’t have oxen and more, nor and more saddly Clydesdales to do the ploughing. But, re Pussers, the worst part of it is nobody is allowed out on deck after dark these days, what was wrong with turning out for middle watch on some cold rough winter’s night up on the flag deck??????
After nearly 14 years Pussers I became a Cargologist. I was a Wharfie for 30 yrs on the Auckland Waterfront. Did my Comms trade benefit me? Not really, although I did occasionally tap out excerpts from an old crumpled Playboy mag during lapses in my crane cab. Oh yes, and I did shoot the breeze with an American Destroyer via short arm semaphore whilst standing at the end of the Container boom. Retired 12 yrs ago, but came back out ( of retirement not the closet ) to drive a Country school bus in Murwillumbah NSW 7 yrs ago. Occasionally get pestered by Chook Fowler driving down to my farm in his flash Limo. To Brian Rowe- I think we may have served together on Royalist 63-64 trips. Also, I know this is the wrong forum, but in my opinion the findings of the employed Naval Historian into Op and FESR service is a load of Bollocks.
Regards Pilz
hi pilz..yeah we did a bit of a time on the Royalist at that time ..I was looking a photo of us in Sembawang in Singapore in 63 doing some shopping..good to know that you are still around.
Brian
Good on ya Pilz. What memories reading your notes brought back> I am also in OZ only a bit far south of you to commute (Melbourne to be exact) Maybe you could give me a call on 0397868646 if you would like to catch up. I agree with your comments re FESWr service, however maybe the wrong people are giving the info.
Grenville Darroch
Nice see you are still looking at the green side of the grass rather than the brown side. Still driving school buses are we. Was in Oz recently and going again next year. Wheres the nearest big known town to you?
Hi Ernie,
Murwillumbah is a bit inland half way between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay. Thats our town but we are 15 mins away in a Village called Stokers Siding. Population at last census was 389. Unfortunately we are in the thro’s of selling the farm and heading back home due to health reasons but nobodys got any money. Closer to the time drop us an email as we will most probably still be here.
Regards Pilz
Hi ya, Ernie, Right, where is the nearest known big town ?? Well, that would be Bunbury,
That is on the coast, about 180 km south of Perth. We all live out in Dardanup, about 15 km from Bunbury. By we I mean, the missus, Christine, the dog, Laika, and the 4 chooks, as yet unbaptised, and then there is me, and that is in descending order of importance!!!! And at times it is a bit of a toss up whether 1st place should be Christine, or Laika?????
Catch ya Mike
Hi Mike would you get Christine to send me an Email pse.Been trying to get hold of her.Noel and I are at Whangamata on the Coromandel, but Noels wheels have got a bit wobbly now, not quite fallen off yet though. Tks.
Hiya Lofty,
Think saw you last in Nelson 2009 Reunion? plus others I hadn,t seen for years.
I retired in 2007 after a total 50 yrs in uniform and as a Civvy at NSD. I reckon had a good innings except as usual the pleasures of DFs and cheap liquid refreshments gets the better of one.
By the way, any idea what happened to Sid (Blue) Graham. He and I knocked around together on the 55/56 Bell/Royalist trip.I wonder if he went back to UK.
Anyway nice to know you are keepin OK.
I shifted to Rotorua from Northshore last Feb (2010).
See yer mate,
Regards Bill Bartlett
Hey Bill, Kia ora e hoa. Very long time no sea……Great to hear from you and to know you are still alive and kicking. Yeah, I remember that reunion, but it was in Auckland. Tell me, do you still speak like a Janner??? Couldn’t get over that , a Pommey speaking Maori???? No, mate Haven’t heard a dicky bird about Bluey. Boy, you must be getting old, if you gotta go to live in the heat of Rotorua. You got your own thermal pool?? Don’t stay in there too long or you will finish up like a prune. You know Buck is in hospital with cancer of the oesophagus?? He is undergoing chemo at present and it seems to be working.
Well, better do something before the old girl comes home. I am trying to be retired???
Thanks for the note Bill. All the very bests to you and yours Kia Kaha Mike
A tall streak from memory? plenty of room for the Margaret river to roll down smoothly, should make the effort to drive over and see the West before I fade away. Great to hear you’re well and enjoying life, take care
Dave Synnott
Hery Dav, Where are you parked up these days?? And what is this talk of Margaret River? you got stuck into the sherry or something???? Take care and try to be good!!
Hi Mike, you probably don;t remember me – Rick Fearnley – 40th V/S Boys – 1957 – Tamaki. Will be in Perth June 28 – July 8 2012 and would like to make contact if possible. My email…..rick.fearnley@clear.net.nz
Cheers
Russell G Hockley, departed 19 after 23 yrs,77 went fishing 2 years, pub trade 2 years,packing whole longline snapper for Japan 10 years, fishing , bar trade 2 years then retired aged 66. Loved the sea time. From passed radio experience, used to man the fishboat circuit from time to time and had 3 maydays in that time, rapid response and good people around meant we only lost one fisherman, in their moment of distress in very bad weather he got caught with some longline hooks and went over the side. Best comms exchange was with Brian Pog Cookson when he was at Whangaroa Radio. His classic daily opening was “Good morning good morning good morning this is Whangaroa Radio the time is zero eight circle circle”. always remembered Cookie. regards Russell G.
6426 Te Kao, RD4, Kaitaia 0484.
Left the RNZN in December 1985 and joined the Ministry of Civil Defence and still here albeit the ministry has changed its name a few times and restructured 7 times at my last count. Have had various statutorial roles in the Ministry and at present a regional coordinator based in Auckland. Not too many emergencies in the country since that time have I not been involved in. While I am passionate about trying keep NZers safe during natural disasters I also have a significant role with the UN in responding to disasters globally for example spent a month in Asia support the response to the boxing day tsunamI in 2004 and then again in US for Hurricane Katrina 2005. I have done more travel overseas since I left the navy than I did when it, what I dont miss is the long days between ports and in most cases end up closer to the front of the plane instead of the back so travel in comfort (sometimes). It is an interesting job and with the increase of emergency managers positions across the country mainly in local government it is a good career. Generally the sorts skills and competencies that “senior matelots” have when they decide to leave the navy are what this profession requires and to name a few who have gone down this track – Joffre Vallant, Jo Quinn, Jock Elder, Bill Morley, Paul (skin) Murray, Frank Arnott, Bruce Pepperell – as an aside my boss is ex CAF John Hamilton
Well since leaving the RNZN in 1997, I have been travelling under the umbrella of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office at various embassies around the planet. First as accountant in Oman where I was fortunate to get a ship visit from HMNZS Te Kaha to Muscat on completion of her deployment to the Persian Gulf. Following, a 4 year stint in Chile as accountant. Finally a 4 year posting to Iran as Estate Manager. Suffice to say, probably on reflection, gained a lot of valuable knowledge during my time as a communicator in various capacities to enable a rounded set of assets for the diplomacy path. An interesting and challenging lifestyle to say the least. Now I have recently returned to NZ and have established myself on a largish property in Mahia Peninsula, where by the way, the Paua are flourishing and the crayfish are monsters. We have a modest motel that goes with the property and am entertained by the local wood pigeons (kereru) and the tui with many other flighted birds in the fold. If any communicators/RNZN pers (ex or otherwise) find themselves in this neck of the woods, please do not hesitate to call in or stay, rates are negotiable (it goes without saying) contact dwhaanga@hotmail.co.uk
Just for the record – After leaving RNZN in 1987 went working for a company called Financial Systems which were one of the first selling PC’s. IBM then Compaq dealer selling to Corporates in Auckland. Become the Operations Manager fairly smartly and controlled up to a dozen Network Engineers at different times. Those were the days PC’s were just becoming the thing – $15K for a IBM AT PC, remember the first 386′s and Compaq moving into NZ. Couple of successes – Sky City couldnt get the Casino working (as all done on instructions from Atlanta) so sent a couple of boys down there and they sorted it or at least told them what they would have to do. SKY TV was another one. Only knew the basics but my job was to hire the bright boys which worked for ten years and then got made redundant in 1999. Back packed around europe for six months and came back and was living in Waipu and took a job as the Caretaker at the Coopers Beach Front Estates in Doubtless Bay – Parks and Gardens and security and odd bit of real estate for owners. Lasted about 2 years there but was too far north. So back to Waipu and found a job as a security guard at the NZ Refining Company at Marsden Point. About a year later become the Superviser and due to increases over the years now have about 15 of us here full time. So for the last ten years been driving an office here for 36 hours a week and playing golf on Wednesday’s (Sports make and mend – old habits). Retire in August this Year to play golf and have a small B & B http://www.maggiesplace.co.nz to keep us going. Been on the Board of the Waipu Golf Club for four years in charge of the Course and Buildings and also Waipu RSA just to keep the hand in.
Hi ya Rick, Right, will give you my email addy so that we can arrange a meet up during your time in Perth. We, the missus and I live in Dardanup, a small town out from Bunbury a couple of hours south of Perth Will wait to hear from you so we can organize something OK? My e-mail addy is turehu5@bigpond.com
Hi Mike, Been through Dardanup, couple of years ago my son was at Donnybrook with the local Constabulary, now back in Perth.
Dardanup looked like a nice little settlement.
regards