Honour Roll
These pages are intended to honour the memories of good friends in the Fleet who made significant contributions, but are sadly no longer with us.
It is intended that their names be recorded in perpetuity.
Gerry Kearney - chef extraordinaire who supported many of our early functions. Gerry would arrive at Lady Hopetoun working weekends and slippings with a charcoal cooker and a great collection of excellent food.
Bernie Postlethwaite - Master Mariner and builder. Worker at Cadman's Cottage at Circular Quay, our first display building. Bernie did much carpentry for us and was a skilled timber refinisher on the Lady.
Alex Chowne - although afflicted with ongoing heath issues, Alex was a hardworking part of the John Oxley "black gang", in particular as OIC of the stokehold.
John Badger (1983) - not a member but a filmmaker who filmed much of the Waratah restoration - through his work, we have a good record of the first use of our quality restoration techniques. John passed away during this work however his footage was later worked into a comprehensive video of the project.
Bill Brunton - boilermaker who taught the Waratah restoration crew how to hot rivet and despite expert advice to the contrary, that it was still possible!
David Phippard - one of our founders, board member and one time President who was instrumental in setting up the early LH&PJMSM, acquiring Lady Hopetoun, Waratah, John Oxley and James Craig. David was a key figure in commencing the Waratah restoration.
Geoff Cairns - Brigadier rtd. - Industrious worker on Waratah restoration at ash pens dry dock at Pyrmont. Geoff undertook a TAFE course in metal fabrication to better his contribution to the project. He also stood in as General Manager for a month.
John Fraser - artist and lecturer - worker in the fleet and crewed on Lady Hopetoun and John Oxley.
Edna Stephenson - hardworking staff member (Curator) - managed our Birkenhead Point museum display and stepped up to Manager for a time until her health failed.
John Gourlay - served on Board of Directors for many years during 1980s and supporter of many activities in the Fleet.
Roy Miles - engineer on Sydney Harbour tugs (including steam tug Woona for Waratah Tug & Salvage). Chief Engineer of John Oxley on many occasions.
Bill Pettingel - on Board of Directors in the early 1980s and supporter of many early Fleet activities. Worked in administration and behind the scenes.
Charles Curan - Charlie's father was deck crew on Waratah in the 1940s. Charlie recalled going out on her as a boy, even burning his hand badly when he touched the funnel. Charlie became a marine engineer, and was for a time Superintendent Engineer of Westham Dredging. He also served on Waratah from time to time as relief engineer. Charlie ran an engineering school for our volunteers for many years, teaching steam knowledge, riveted ship construction and DC electricals. Served on Board of Directors in mid 1980s.
Bert Dick - Naval Reserve Rtd. and RANSA volunteer. Commodore of our Fleet in the 1980s. Tireless worker with his wife Gladys in and around the Fleet. Member of Board of Directors and Ships Committee. Master of Lady Hopetoun and Waratah.
Gladys Dick - Wife and supporter of Bert. Worked on our vessels and crewed many times. Worked very hard behind the scenes at many functions and meetings.
Ron Stewart - served on Board of Directors - led team of volunteer caulkers on the main deck of James Craig during early 1990s - Ron was CEO of AWA before his retirement and arranged for the donation of the HF valve radio set in storage for John Oxley's radio room.
Linda Harvey - late wife of Shipyard rigger Stewart Harvey - contributor during Waratah restoration specialising in hospitality and functions. Famous for her cooking!
Vin Rowe - crew member on our Lady Hopetoun and regular contributor to functions and meetings.
Mill Loraway - Mill was a volunteer on the Waratah project and served as deck crew on her. Mill was an able seaman with many years experience, including as crew on the Dodge Brothers famous steam yacht Delphine (He would be surprised to see her restored and steaming in the Mediterranean).
Des Liddy - served on Board as our Hon. Treasurer on board for many years. With wife Anne Liddy, contributed to many activities. Crewed on board Lady Hopetoun on many occasions.
Brian Todd - worked on John Oxley for many years refitting cabins and on boat deck restoration.
Frank McCarthy - Very active John Oxley worker in Birkenhead Point and early Rozelle days.
Tony Langridge - Active on crew as Bosun of Waratah and crewed with wife Noeline. Energetic and popular worker for many years. Transferred to ship's husband of Protex as his health declined during a long battle with cancer.
Allan Tompkins - ship's husband and fireman on Lady Hopetoun. Organiser and cheerful worker over many years. Contributor to many social functions and meetings.
Ron Wayling - Sydney Ferries Master of Kanangra. As a youth, attempted to join James Craig as AB but was not successful. Skipper of James Craig around Sydney Harbour during her restoration. Master of John Oxley during the early 1970s and of Waratah and Lady Hopetoun.
Lionel Carroll - served on Board of Directors and on Ships Committee as Crew Coordinator for many years. Active volunteer in the electrical services to Waratah and Protex.
Doug Swanson - Supt. Engineer of North Coast Steamship Line. Chief Engineer of Tooheys. Chief Engineer of John Oxley where he carried out an extensive overhaul of her machinery while at Birkenhead Point site. Engineer of Waratah, Lady Hopetoun and Boomerang.
Mary Swanson - wife of Doug. Before and after his death, she was an active contributor to many activities and functions. Served on Board of Directors and on many committees.
Hector Russell - shipwright from the old school - spent many months caulking Waratah's decks and teaching these traditional skills to our workforce. Hector was a treasure trove of information on shipwrighting, the Shipwrights Union and the history of working vessels on Sydney Harbour.
Margaret Delaney - the first appointed Hospitality Officer of Lady Hopetoun in November 1992, but passed away quite suddenly in July of the following year.
Colin Wear - Worked on Waratah restoration - involved in abrasive blasting main engine and engine room plus application of coatings. Colin was an old machinery collector and restorer of national repute with a prodigious energy, output and ability.
Peter Garde - long time service as respected Master of Lady Hopetoun and Waratah. Peter was also active in maintenance of our vessels.
Des Clifford - Lady Hopetoun and Waratah skipper and regular volunteer. Des sadly was drowned while rowing out to check his boat.
Nick Masterman - master shipwright who pioneered the traditional small wooden boat revival in Australia. Managed the steam yacht Ena project to its successful completion and circumnavigation of the continent. Nick took a keen interest in the Lady Hopetoun project, donating machine tools and materials. Member of Leichhardt Council. Succumbed to mesothelioma.
Dennis Adams - world renowned sculptor and marine artist. His work included carving and donation of timber trail boards for Waratah restoration and the first James Craig figurehead.
Jack Spry - engineer who worked on machinery of Waratah, Lady Hopetoun and Kanangra. Jack had a fully equipped workshop at home and would take many components home for skilled repairs.
Roger Eastwood - long time member, served on Board of Directors and various committees. Worked on Lady Hopetoun restoration and on John Oxley. Roger brought much experience from his working life at Garden Island Dockyard and in our Fleet was an energetic leader of work crews, efficiently driving many projects.
David Martin - His Excellency Rear Admiral David Martin, A.O.,R.A.N. Rear Admiral Sir David Martin, Governor of New South Wales, died just three days after delivering his early retirement speech on the 7th August 1990. In the 18 months he had been Governor, Sir David became known as the "People's Governor", an indication of the high regard in which he was held by the citizens of New South Wales. Patron of the Fleet.
Steve Hoskins - RAN - expertise on steam reciprocating ships HMAS Kimbla, HMAS Diamantina and the TSST Lyttleton II. Formed a steam club for Navy apprentices while stationed at HMAS Nirimba. Apprentices would volunteer on Waratah restoration each Saturday and were a valued contribution to the project.
Doug Brooks - joined as bosun Lady Hopetoun during her restoration period and served for many years in this role. Doug was a very unassuming man, but once quietly revealed his WWII RN service in HMS Glorious piloting Swordfish biplanes against ME 109's during the tanker Ohio to Malta incident and also against the Bismark.
Col Burnell - long term deck crew and then bosun on Waratah remembered for his unstinting efforts on his vessel and for his cheerfulness.
Ian Boddy (2003) - late bosun of Lady Hopetoun. Ian often crewed with his daughter Helen. At his funeral, it was revealed Ian had a distinguished service record aboard MTB's in the North Sea and in the Mediterranean. Ian was himself a deckhand and helmsman, but would spend Tuesdays de-ashing the boiler and coaling ship as well.
Phil Renouf - passed away in active service as President in 2003. His wife Pam, still volunteers. Tireless worker and leader during the early operational days of James Craig and often served on board as steward. Executive officer and team leader on Kanangra. Driving force behind the model making wing of the Fleet. Phil's sudden and untimely passing was a great loss to our Fleet.
Bob Harkess (2003) - Electrical apprentice in Scotland on ships during WWII. Joined the Fleet on retirement and was a valued member of the metal fabrication team on John Oxley and in the workshop. Bob was admired greatly for his cheerful sense of humour throughout his long and testing battle with cancer.
Colin Orr - Served as deck crew on James Craig and active on maintenance.
Jan Reinhold (2004) - served as master of Harman and Lady Hopetoun. Always friendly and cheerful - a valued friend to all.
Stan Dagg - Engineer on Waratah and Lady Hopetoun. Also worked with tugs and cruise vessels on Sydney Harbour.
J A Fenwick 2004 - known to volunteers as JAF - deckhand on Lady Hopetoun, Waratah and Boomerang.
Anthony Morgan - 2nd June 2004 - Member of the Board and the driving force behind many of our projects, including the setting up of the John Oxley project. Anthony's untimely passing was a serious loss to our organisation and as a friend, he will be greatly missed.
Information on this page is the best available at the time of posting, however advice on accuracy is welcomed.
Please advise suggested inclusions to the Honour Roll in writing, faxed, or mailed to the office, or emailed to active crew moderator.
This page will be dynamic in that suggestions of names, incidents, etc. may be added.
Moderator of this page is Andy Munns - contact through the office on 9298 3888.
Last modified on Friday, 23-Jul-2010 12:04:24 EST
