I noted the announcement of GT's passing on facebook today, posted by his family members.

It seems that Graham was admitted to hospital last week in a serious condition but could not be saved. No further details at this time.

_________________

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!

That is quite a shock. Sorry to hear.

_________________
Brian Mackenzie
ex-Shipwright Instructor
Oct '88 to Dec '93 (NIRIMBA) before and beyond

THURSTANS, Graham Godfrey Stuart R57205

GT joined HMAS Cerberus in 1960 as a Stoker. Later he became a Mechanician before going SD and paying off as LCDR.

His Vietnam service consisted of an escort trip in HMAS Parramatta to Vung Tau in 1965.

1985 Australia Day Honours - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) - For service as Assistant Marine Engineer Officer, HMAS Hobart.

I knew GT from around the traps, but never served directly with him, just occasional contact. Still sad to loose another of the "Black Gang".

RIP Graham

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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).

I'd heard the name, but as with BC, (above) never served with him. (Then again, I may be getting him mixed up with DW Thurstan, July '65 MOBI Intake...) RIP Graham...

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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

RIP Graham

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Peter Ferris
R65102
Ex-WOMTP5
Direct Entry
Mar 1966 to July 1987
Cerberus X 3,Waterhen x 4,Supply, Gull,Ibis, Paluma, Lonsdale, Flinders x 2,Curlew, Snipe, Carpentaria, Nirimba, Adelaide, FHQ (DEE)

I served with Graham on Melbourne and then his brother Kerry who was ILS Manager at RLM Systems for the Jindalee Over the Horizon Radar build. Good blokes both. My condolences to their family. RIP Graham.

_________________
Barry Davis
R43379
Ex-LCDR SDENME-Submarines
22nd MOBI intake
Jan 67 to Nov 88
RANATE, Sydney, Melbourne, Waterhen, Watson, Carpentaria (UK), Melbourne,Orion, Otama, Onslow, Platypus, Kuttabul(CODOCK)

RIP GT!
(DW (Sam) Thurstans is alive and well and living in Wellard, WA)

_________________
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.

RIP GT- Respected the man very much- taught me throttles!

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Gary Fradd
S115224
Ex-LSMTH3
1973 - 1985
Cerberus, Melbourne, Creswell x 2, Nirimba, Perth x 2, Kuttabul FIMA

Thanks to BC, I now have more on Graham's farewell details:

As noted above, GT joined in 1960 and became a stoker. He completed the Mechanician's course and later went SD to Marine Engineering Officer.

Amongst his postings was the OIC Craft School Nirimba, and also at one time the OIC at the RAN Museum Repository at Spectacle Island in Sydney Harbour.

GT passed away in Western Australia mid last week, and his funeral will be held in the Mareena Purslow Funeral Home, 6 – 8 Robinson Place, Rockingham at 1000 on Friday 10 June. Medals should be worn.

Vale GT.

_________________

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!

Not sure that I served with Graham, but his name is very familiar, maybe a bit of oldtimers kicking ?

Nevertheless, as Brian said it is always a very sad day to see one of the "blackgang" cross the bar!

Vale Graham! RIP, fair winds and following seas.

_________________
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.