Vic Bugeja

Sad news from Tony Austin of Vic’s passing on 10th October 2024 after declining health over recent months. 

Vic’s funeral will be held at the Renowden Chapel at Springvale Cemetery on Friday 18th October at 10:30 a.m.  For those unable to attend, it will be live streamed at https://smct.org.au/view/1019262612

Our sincere condolences to his wife Barbara, daughter-in-law Jackie, and family.

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Vale Ray Simpson

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We regret to inform all QCC members of the passing of Ray Simpson, who died on Wednesday June 22.

Ray was inducted into the IBM Quarter Century Club of Victoria in 1987.

Ray Joined IBM in the Operations area of the Data Centre in 1962.  That meant handling and sorting large volumes of punch cards.

By the end of the 60s, he was in the Development area of the Data Centre working with REAL Computers (1401’s and 360’s) as a programmer/analyst.

In the early 70s, Ray became a SE Manager, first in the Data Centre, and then moved to Market Street, in the mainstream part of the business, responsible for Retail customers.

In the 80s, Ray became the Country Retail Specialist resulting in lots of travelling in Australia and overseas.

He, like many others, left IBM in the early 90s, and he continued to take on Project Manager roles for various customers in the retail world.

Later in life, Ray lived alone. This always seemed in contrast to his time in IBM where he was always a people person. He supported and helped so many of his colleagues in their careers

His interests were hobby farming, horse racing, snooker, horse racing, cricket, horse racing, American baseball, horse racing, golf  – and horse racing.

About 10 years ago, Ray developed some minor heart issues and it was about this time that he stopped smoking.

From that time on there was a slow but steady decline in his overall health resulting in several falls early this year. In the last 2 months his decline accelerated.

He will be remembered as a gentleman and a friend to many.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and colleagues..

We will update this post with any further information on funeral details/service as they are available.

(My thanks to my colleagues, Ray Ffrench and Geoff Newnham, who knew Ray well, for these words of remembrance).

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Vale David Lee

NSW QCC member David Lee passed away on Anzac Day after a short battle with cancer. David started in the IBM Support Centre in the late 80’s, providing customer support for the newly announced AS/400. After many years in the support organisation, David’s career progressed into Sales, where he had various roles in the Systems business, primarily focused on IBM Business Partners selling Power systems running IBM i – the new name for what was the AS/400 of old. In this role, David developed many great relationships with IBM partners and this no doubt helped him achieve success in this role. 

During his career, David made many good friends in the IBM Systems family, and especially in the close-knit team around the IBM i platform. David was known for his positive attitude and thoughtful approach to dealing with all people. He often had personal anecdotes to relate that would help in most sales situations.  He will be missed by all who worked with him.

Our deepest sympathies go out to David’s family, his wife Jacqueline and his seven children.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Wednesday 8th May at 11:am

St. Matthias Anglican Church, 471-475 Oxford St. Paddington

Refreshments from 1:00pm at Horizons (Level 2), South Maroubra Surf Club, Bernie Kelly Drive, Maroubra

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Vale Aivars Saulitis

Quarter Century Club member Aivars Saulitis passed away on Sunday, 24th March 2024.  Julian Robertson attended the funeral service on 2nd April and passed on the condolences of our QCC Members to Aivars’ son Peter and daughter Anda.  The funeral was well attended by the local Latvian community with a feast of Latvian dishes offered at its conclusion. 

Aivars Saulitis may not have been well known to many of our current members, but an article by Jānis Kārkliņš (Laikraksts Latvietis Nr. 569, 2019. g. 3. nov.) pays tribute to his character and achievements.  See extract below.

Aivars Saulitis – 90th Birthday celebration

Aivars was born in Riga, Latvia on October 22, 1929.  In 1944, the family fled to Germany and later to Australia in 1949, where they lived for the first year in the Bonegilla camp outside Albury.  Aivars already had excellent English and was assigned to the labor camp in the office of the Department of Social Services . In 1950, Aivars moved to Melbourne and, along with working in an electric motor manufacturing factory, entered the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Melbourne. However, studies had to be stopped when his father died suddenly and Aivars had to take care of the family.

In 1952, Aivars married Māra Pilskalnas, and together they raised a daughter Anda and a son Pēteris. Aivars worked during the day and studied accounting at RMIT in the evenings, which he also successfully completed. In 1961, he started his career at IBM, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.  During his time with IBM, Aivars and his family lived in Melbourne,  Adelaide, Perth and Sydney.  In retirement, he and Mara moved back to Melbourne, where their children and grandchildren lived.

Throughout his working years, as well as most of the time after his retirement, Aivars actively participated in Latvian society. He was also active in Latvian umbrella organizations, the Association of Latvians in Australia and New Zealand (LAAJ), and a member of the board of the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA). Aivars participated in the Christian life of Latvians in Australia, being a member of the board of the Holy Cross Church in Melbourne in the 1970s. Aivars also took active in the cultural life of Australian Latvians, leading the group of Applied Arts in Melbourne and later singing in the Sydney mixed choir. Aivars chaired the Australian Latvian Cultural Days in 1987 in Sydney and in 1994 in Melbourne.

R.I.P. Aivars

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Vale Keith Jones

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With regret we pass on news of the passing of Keith Jones in Geelong on Thursday 1st February after a long battle with cancer.

Keith joined IBM in Melbourne in October 1964 and worked as a Software Services Representative. 

Keith’s Funeral will be held at East Geelong Uniting Church on Monday 12th February at 2pm.  It will be streamed live through Jonathan Hepner Funerals.

Many thanks to Ian Harry for sharing details with his QCC colleagues.

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Vale Dick Adair

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Dick Adair passed away on Monday 17th June 2024 after two years in aged care.  His Funeral Service  will be held at Tobin Brothers Tree of Life Chapel, 1382 High Street, Malvern on Monday 24th June 2024 at 10:00am.
 
Our sincere condolences to Dick’s wife Jeanne and family. 
 
Dick was a highly regarded Systems Engineer in the old Banking and Retail Branch of IBM in Melbourne in the 1980’s.  He qualified for Quarter Century Club in January 1990 and, in retirement, was a regular attendee at VSP lunches in Melbourne for many years.
 
Thanks to Kevin Curtain for sharing details with his QCC colleagues.
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Vale Don McDonald

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Sorry to inform all members, via communication from Jim Templeton, that it is with sadness we have to report the death of Don McDonald, who passed away on 12th March.

Don had been in care for a while.

He was a great person to work with, spending his later IBM years working at the Albury-Wodonga Customer Service Office. He is fondly remembered for his good humour, friendliness and willingness to help anyone at anytime.

Don’s sister Heather has advised Jim the the funeral will be held on Friday 24th March at Wodonga Baptist Church, 154 Melrose Drive, Wodonga at 2.00pm.

We will also ensure this is posted to the relevant Facebook pages for our group. 

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Vale John Cutterham

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This is a post I wish I did not have to write to you all. I am very sad and shocked to tell you our esteemed and ever-popular colleague John Cutterham passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday last.

John was such a pillar of strength and character for the IBM Melbourne location and for the FSS team, both in Melbourne and across the country, in particular. His fearlessness in doing what was right for the customer – and for telling them when they were out of line, as well – was legend and universally admired. He will be sorely missed at our gatherings and I know you join with me in expressing our deepest condolences and sympathies to Lesley and their children at this terribly sad time. 

We now have complete details  of John’s memorial  service:

Arrangements have been made to Celebrate John’s Life, next Tuesday, 6th of December 2022, at 3:30pm.

Location – Gardeners Run Golf Course 

130-132 Victoria Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140, Australia

Time – 3:30pm

Attire – Smart Casual

The web link has now been established for those unable to attend the memorial service. You may access real time on the day of the service or download and watch at a later date. The link is https://www.vividstream.com.au/live/john-cutterham

Stay safe and remember your best stories about John – let’s remember and celebrate a terrific IBMer  – and a good man.

Doug Parke, Secretary

 

 

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Vale John Kidd

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Sad news of the passing of John Kidd on Monday November 15.  Our deepest condolences go to his wife Grita and family.  John was well respected by colleagues and customers over his many years as a CSR in Melbourne.  He qualified as a QCC member in September 1990. 

 

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Vale John Vandekolk

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Vale John Vandekolk.

The IBM Quarter Century Club of Victoria Inc regretfully advises all our members of the recent passing of a colleague, John Vandekolk. 

John was ex-Royal Australian Navy, and was a well known and respected CE in the late 70s and 80s. John was Inducted into the IBM Quarter Century Club of Victoria Inc on 26/01/1995.
 
John was absent from later QCC events in Melbourne as he moved to Warrnambool after his retirement and was focused on his health. John fought a long running battle against cancer and was in remission for some time. 

John is survived by his wife Merri and his son Jake.

John’s funeral will be on Monday., 21st February. The service will commence at 2pm at Guyett’s Funerals, 271 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool. 

The IBM Quarter Century Club of Victoria Inc sends its sincere condolences to Merri and Jake and to his close friends, in and out of the IBM community.

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Vale Terry Disher

Sad news on the passing of Terry Disher in Melbourne on 25 May 2021, aged 78.

Qualified for the IBM QCC on 3 October 1991.

33 years at IBM, retired Dec 1999, retired up onto Lake Eildon for many wonderful years.

Went back to IBM for consultancy twice in the following years.

He is survived by his wife, Anne, children: Shauna, Heath, Trent, grandchildren: Deni, Kale, Dakoda, Beauie, Zanek, Kushla, Keeley, great grandchildren: Hudson, Cooper, 2 more to come.

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Rob Owens – 29 June 2020

Rob Owens passed away in Melbourne on Monday 29th June after a courageous battle with cancer.   Rob began his career as a Program Support Representative (PSR) with IBM in November 1975 and became a guru on IBM’s large systems operating systems software.  After some years as a Systems Engineer, Rob moved into Sales and Marketing where he applied his in-depth product knowledge and persuasive skills to great effect.

Rob will be long remembered by for his good humour, wit and his love of wine, vintage sports cars, outdoor adventures and travel.  He was a much loved husband to Sue, and father to Clare (dec), Mark and Louise.

His family would like his friends and former colleagues to share any memories of him via https://www.forevermissed.com/robert-edward-owens/about?invitation_code=a4045839e41c30d579ab22949700a62&utm_source=fm_emails&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=memorialInvitation&utm_content=visit_link

 

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Peter Rose – 29th December 2019

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Dearly loved husband of Lesley and father of Andree, Jillian and their families. Aged 84 Years.

Vale Peter Rose

Prose, as he was known across the industry, joined IBM in Brisbane, in August of 1963.  He was one of a batch of twenty-plus DP Trainees recruited across Australia and New Zealand in anticipation of the System/360 announcement, which came on 7th April, 1964.

After completing his training, Peter was promoted to Associate Systems Engineer, and then to full SE.  In early 1967, he was moved to Sydney education centre, and initially took charge of SE education.  By late 1968,he had been given the extra load of running all DP Sales and SE training, and then in 1969 was promoted to take charge of Systems Assurance (SA) throughout Southern Region, based in Melbourne.  Over the next twenty years, he always carried systems assurance responsibility, no matter what part of the world he served in.

 In 1972, he moved to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, taking charge of the Aramco account, plus SA responsibility for IBM Europe’s Near East organisation, covering all the Arab countries in  the Middle East.  Here, he won the first of eleven Excellence awards, and the first of three Outstanding Contribution Awards.

In 1974, he attended the  European Research Institute, in Geneva, where he designed and wrote a set of extensions to the Computer Systems Simulator (CSS)  program product and then was sent to Zurich to define and  rectify performance problems in the systems of one of the huge Swiss banks.  Upon completion of this task, he returned to Melbourne and SA once again – now with a promotion to the (then rare) rank of Advisory SE.  This time, he stayed in Melbourne for more than two years, reporting directly to Jeff Teele, the Manager of Southern Region.  In early 1976, he was again promoted, this time to Senior SE.

At the beginning of 1977, Peter moved back to IBM Europe, as a Consulting SE, based in Paris.  Here, along with SA, he worked for IBM Trade Development – effectively IBM USSR.  His main job over the next two years was the design and export licensing of the results processing system for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.  This involved building and exploiting relationships with the KGB, CIA, US Commerce  Department, the Pentagon and CoCOM.

It should be mentioned that, over the years 1972 to 1980, he also managed to acquire two university doctorates – a PhD in Informatics and then a DSc in geophysics.

In 1979, Peter  moved again, this time to London, where he worked in the International Airlines Support Centre (IASC).  He initiated, designed and managed the initial development of the Airlines Control System (ALCS) program product.  In 1983/1984 he again returned to Melbourne, then back to London, where IBM UK used his high-performance systems design skills to win and install large amounts of business in the British banks.  From here, he was promoted back to Paris, reporting directly to the President and CEO of IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa (Frank Cummiskey) as Chief Systems Engineer.

In 1986, he moved to the IBM Americas/Far East organisation, as director of airlines marketing and support, based in Singapore.  IBM Australia, as his“home country, then moved him, for the last time, back to Australia  His work involved support of the QANTAS account team in Sydney, (led by Peter Bowyer) in their successful push to convert the account from an all-competitive to an all-IBM one.

In 1988, he celebrated his Quarter Century Club qualification with seven other survivors of the 1963 hiring phase, carefully arranged to fall on 8-8-88.

Prose  retired from IBM in 1990, becoming design consultant to the then-infant Optus and later, in 1992, head of IT at the University of New England.  In recent years, he lived quietly on a property outside Armidale, fighting a long battle against cardiac failure and Parkinson’s Disease.  He is survived by Lesley (his wife of thirty-five years), two daughters and three grandchildren.

 

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Mark Chan

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It is with great sadness that we heard in recent weeks that Mark Chan had passed away in October 2013.  Mark was a banking systems specialist in the Banking and Retail Branch in Melbourne and was highly respected by banking clients and all IBMers who worked with him for more than 30 years across various accounts.

The following death notice was published in the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper on 29th October 2013:

CHAN. _ Mark. 02.11.1947 – 22.10.2013

We will always love you. Lost to us too soon and sadly missed _ Your loving children Milton and Michelle, wife Maria and daughter-in-law Amy. Beloved sisters Lucy, Sue and Catherine.

 

 

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Alan Ackland – 3 November 2019

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Alan Lee Ackland passed away on Sunday, 3rd November 2019, at the age of 86 years.  He worked for IBM in Melbourne for 32 years, qualifying for the Quarter Century Club on 18th November 1982. 

Alan was a much loved husband of Joan (dec) and father to Diane and David.  His funeral service will be held at the Le Pine Chapel, 513 Greensborough Road, Greensborough on Friday 8th November commencing at 2:30pm.

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Joo Thong Ng – 17 September 2019

Joo Thong Ng joined IBM (Malaysia/Singapore) in April 1966, reached his 25 years with IBM Singapore and worked with IBM for over 30 years including a massive project with IBM Australia on Ansett Airlines in the 1990s.  He and his wife Doreen (also a QCC Member) moved to Melbourne after retirement and transferred their QCC memberships to the Victorian Chapter.

Joo Thong passed away peacefully at the Olivia Newton John Centre on September 17, aged 76.  A farewell service will be held at the Lilydale Memorial Park Chapel, 126-128 Victoria Road, Lilydale on Tuesday 24 September 2019 at 1:00pm . 

The family have requested no flowers.

On behalf of all IBM QCC Members we extend our deepest condolences to Doreen and her family. 

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Pat Seivers – August 2019

Pat Seivers worked with IBM in the UK from 1963 and joined IBM Australia in Melbourne in 1969. She was inducted into the QCC in 1988 and left in 1991 and subsequently moved to the Gold Coast.  Her husband Kevin passed away in 2011.

Pat was 85.  May she rest in peace.  Her funeral will be held on Thursday 15th August 2019 at 2.00pm at Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Gold Coast, QLD.

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Vale Derek Neill

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Derek Neill passed away at his home in Frankston on Sunday 14th July 2019 at the age of 88.  Derek is survived by his wife Maureen, 2 sons, 4 grand-children and 10 grand-children.

Derek qualified as a QCC Member on June 4, 1987.

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Vale Grahame Legge – 8 July 2019

Grahame Legge, a long-time friend and colleague of many QCC Members passed away in his sleep on July 8, following a heart attack at his home in Queensland.  Grahame qualified as a QCC Member on June 2, 2000.  

Grahame was born in Gosford, NSW on 18 December 1945 and passed away on 8 July 2019 on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

After working in London he joined IBM in Melbourne on 2 June 1975 before moving to Sydney in 1993 where he worked for the PC company until his retirement in June 2004. Grahame and partner Harry enjoyed wining and dining and  overseas travel with family and friends. He was a very special person  who will  be greatly missed.

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Barbara Perley – June 2018

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We have recently learnt of the passing of Barb Perley  who  will be fondly remembered by all who worked with her in Melbourne over many years. Barb qualified as a QCC Member in September 1991.  The obituary notice below was published in The Age on June 23, 2018.  Her husband John passed away on March 22, 2012.

PERLEY, Barbara Diane
Daughter of the late Gordon and Marjorie Morley, New Zealand. Wife of the late John Perley. Friend to Geraldine, Christopher, Andrew and many more.
Requiescat in Pace – privately cremated.

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Frank Greenacre – passed away 14th July 2016

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Regretfully, the advice of Frank’s passing in July 2016 was not communicated to our QCC Members at that time.   Frank is survived by his wife Anne who still resides at their home in Viewbank.

His friends and former colleagues are invited to share their memories of Frank by adding comments to this page.

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Vale – Gerard Holuigue

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IBM QCC Victoria is saddened to hear of the passing of Gerard Holuigue on Wednesday 24th October 2018. Many will have fond memories of Gerard’s years as a Systems Engineer in Melbourne.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday 1st November 2018 at 2.00pm in Gardens House, Botanical Gardens, South Yarra.

The following Obituary notice appeared in The Age newspaper:

HOLUIGUE, Gerard

Formerly of Le Touquet – Paris – Plage France died peacefully last Wednesday in his favourite chair, in his favourite room with his favourite dog by his side.

A selfless and devoted family man who was loved by Di, Marni, Nick, Fi and Stu and his five grandchildren Noah, Alfie, Louis, Billy and Charlie.

Il va nous manquer beaucoup.

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Vale – Quentin Bradfield

Quentin Bradfield passed away on 25th October 2018. He became a Member of the IBM Quarter Century Club in March 2002.  A ceremony to celebrate his life will be held at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands on Thursday (November 1, 2018) at 11.00 am. No flowers by request – donations to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia would be much appreciated. 

Memories of Quentin – contributed by his IBM friends Paul Clayton, Justin Murphy and Will Davis

Quentin Bradfield, better known to his many IBM colleagues as QB joined IBM in March 1977 and was a very likeable South African with a pleasant smile and engaging accent.  He soon became a team player at IBM, quick to welcome and assist others, and happy to receive assistance when needed.

Throughout his 35 years at IBM, QB’s flexibility enabled him to take on many roles, from ‘Office Products Customer Engineer’ to Management, Account Management & Administration Roles.  QB was always willing to help – at the great IBM Christmas Parties held at Luna Park, there was QB transporting Father Christmas in his MG sports car.

At weekends, Sue and QB often enjoyed early morning runs in the MG with Don & Greta Hayes in their MG. However, like most sports car enthusiasts, more time was spent procrastinating about his two MG’s than driving them.

Quentin’s well developed social skills were exercised regularly at Billy Bell’s South Melbourne tavern, (when we were located at Sturt St) after work, with many of his work colleagues. This was a great time to relax together and discuss their crazy customers!!

QB started his long IBM career fixing IBM golf-ball typewriters. His mechanical mastery and suave personality was perfectly matched to his assigned patch of sophisticated ‘marketing’ and ‘advertising agencies’ clients in Albert Park and South Melbourne…. he loved those dimly lit and smokey offices. IBM Management then leveraged his ‘Are You Being Served’ skills when they got QB to introduce Point of Sale terminals into Fletcher Jones men’s stores in the city and some large regional Victoria centres. He also led the IBM support for the POS revolution in retail at Coles Doncaster and Melbourne City stores. They were challenging and successful times for IBM,. Quentin’s cool professional nature, coupled with his technical skills, made him a standout performer of that era.

QB enjoyed flying model airplanes, and he did this with IBM colleagues Will Davis and Trevor Pugh. 
Quentin joined the GMAC (Greensborough Model Aircraft Club) in 2006 (approx) and remained a member for many years, actively supporting the club at working bee’s and annual show days. After learning to fly, he built and flew several types of remote control model planes at the GMAC flying field located at Yarrambat Park. His favourite model was a Great Plane’s ‘Spacewalker’ an advanced sports model which he built and expertly flew at the clubs field on his regular Sunday morning visits. Quentin was a highly valued member of the GMAC and will be sadly missed by his many friends at the club.

Amidst his busy working career, fatherly responsibilities and hobbies, QB managed to renovate and extend his home in leafy Glen Iris. Not surprisingly he was hands-on with all aspects of the project such as roof tiling, plumbing and painting those lovely weatherboards. All challenges of the projects were met with his typical good nature and can do attitude.

QB loved an adventure. He particularly enjoyed retelling stories of two big family trips, to central Australia and a safari holiday in his homeland of South Africa.

In recent years, QB joined with various IBM groups for occasional lunches, his presence always welcome. He loved his mid-morning coffee chats at his local cafe, Bella Sistas. Was it the lovely waitress or the eccentric ‘Basil Faulty’ like boss (Pino) that kept him entertained??

QB will not be forgotten, he will always be remembered as a good friend, a gentleman with a pleasant smile and engaging accent.

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