I have more sad news to hand, and it seems the big fella is recalling more Chippies. I received this email from Mick Lusham this afternoon:

Hi all

I met Dusty at the Cancer Centre Nepean Hospital in February this year and he told me then his cancer was inoperable. He seemed resigned to his fate and was, as ever, at his cynical best. I read in the paper last week of Dusty’s passing up at Springwood in the Blue Mountains. He was aged 80.

Vale Dusty

Mick

Dusty was the Barrackmaster at Nirimba when I posted ashore from Hobart in 1980, and I ran the workshop for him. I found him to be the best boss to work for bar none, and he always backed me to the hilt in everything.

We had some riotous moments together, and his putting D.G. Holthouse in his place on at least one occasion gained my respect.

Vale Dusty, may you have dusky maidens, calm seas and sunny skies on your journey old friend.

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!