I received the following sad news from Trevor Davies...

Hi Rick,

I received a message this morning through the Nirimba.org site that Rodney Rodda passed away yesterday. John Williams posted the message.

I think both Rod Rodda and John Williams were Shipwrights of the Jan 65 entry.

It is of concern that the Chippy’s of the Jan 65 entry appear to be going all too early. Peter (Pommie) Robinson, John Craig and now Rod Rodda.

Tad.

I remember Rod from RANATE, another MOBI taken too soon... Rest on your oars, Rod, your journey's done... H.C.

_________________

Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

I remember Rod with his lime green XU1 Torana. Always had a grin on his dial. RIP Rod, taken far too soon.

And yes, Tad, Rod was January '65.

_________________

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!

When I first applied for my CAMS General Competition licence many years ago Rod signed my application.
Over the years I have seen him at many race meetings. His son tracked down Rods' XU1 and was restoring it last time I saw them. The last time I saw and shared a beer with Rod was at a mutual friends funeral about 3 years ago. I missed him at Sandown last year.
RIP Rod.
Great guy and as has been said always had a smile on his dial.

Please notify funeral details when known.
I will attend on behalf of the Skilled Hands members.

_________________
Peter Sneddon
R95971
Ex CPOMTH4
18th JR Intake
23rd MOBI Intake
Jan 67 to July 91
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Sydney, Perth, FMP-W, Stuart, Penguin/Ships Divers course, Stuart, Lonsdale, Melbourne, Kuttabul, Cerberus, Stuart, Swan, Nirimba/ Q course, Cerberus, CPSO-M

Was informed today by Gary Myors that our fellow January 1965 entry Chippy, Rod Rodda had passed away yesterday, October 1st. Rest easy now Rod, your watch is over. I hope the seas and winds are now in your favour

_________________
Steve Shepherd
R43062
Ex-CPOMTH3
18th MOBI Intake
Jan 65 to Jan 78
Nirimba,Sydney,Vampire,Tarangau,Albatross, Stalwart,Creswell.

Sad news, I remember Rod from Nirimba.

Taken far too soon.

_________________
Mike (Pony) Moore
O42860
Ex-LT GLEN(ME)
16th MOBI intake
Jan 64 - Jul 88.
Anzac, Nirimba, Stalwart, Moresby, Creswell, Waterhen, Penguin, Vampire, GMGID (PJP), Coonawarra, Attack, Ardent, Cook, Kuttabull, Cerberus.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

Sad news to hear about the loss of another MOBI. I never had the privilege, but my condolences to family and friends.

RIP Rod

_________________
Brian Carney
R43371
Ex-WOMTP5
22nd Mobi Intake
Jan 67 - Jan 89
RANATE, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart (FMU), Cerberus, Derwent, Nirimba, Parramatta, Nirimba, FHQ (FMMO).

Very sad news indeed, knew Rod at Nirimba and then throughout the fleet on various postings. Nice guy had a ready smile. Another chippy gone .

_________________
Henry Schubert
R42972
Ex WOMTH
17th MOBI Intake
July 64 - July 85
Nirimba x 2, Sydney, Lonsdale x 3, Tarangau, Melbourne, Coonawarra, Kuttabul, Stalwart, Jervis Bay, Penguin, Tonga Defence Cooperation, Cerberus Hobart, Harman.

Sad news. Another Chippy gone indeed. Maybe the good Lord is preparing to build a bigger boat and needs top-notch tradesmen!!!

So so sad. I also knew Rod and remember him as a very unassuming guy and very genuine.
RIP Rod.

_________________
Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.

Another good man from our intake, gone way too soon, RIP Rod

_________________
Norm Noack
R43049
Ex-WOETW4
18th MOBI Intake
Jan 65 to Jan 86
HMAS Nirimba (4yrs), HMAS Hobart (5yrs), RANTAU (2yrs), HMAS Stalwart (2yrs), HMAS Perth (2yrs), HMAS Stirling (2yrs), Navy Office (3yrs), HMAS Stirling (1yr). Civilian Engineering and construction (24yrs), Pensioner since 2010.