Well said, Rick. Even one loss per year is too many, but a good plan nonetheless.

Vale, Tassie.

_________________

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!

One of our 13th MOBI Intake, Greg 'Shang' Moffitt e-mailed the following...

Hi Folks, We have been out of touch for a cupla weeks and we read with sadness of the passing of Tassie.I have very fond memories of times I spent with Gary many years ago.I enjoyed his company and we laughed long and hard.I remember with a smile the time I played darts with Tassie in a pub in Blacktown whilst at Nirimba doing a course in the Seventies.He decided to drive his Mini Moke home along the footpath from the pub and couldn't understand why the cops took a dim view when he said on being arrested in his driveway with Robin looking on "Come on Sarge it was quicker than taking the road!!"He kept the whole course amused with his tales of his night in "The Big House".I never saw him much after that time.....

I have written and attached short Poem for my friend Gary.....

Kindest Regards Shang and Marlene......

The Moffitts

Someone I knew back then

The news of his death had come down the line
His body had finally said, “That’s it!”
I knew him ‘Back When’ - he was a mate
We’d joke and drink and laugh a bit

I enjoyed his company, he was a happy bloke
I can see him now - bright eyes and cheeky smile
I never saw him much from those days on
We’d catch up now and then for a while

I’d heard from a mate that my friend was down
He would struggle a bit almost every day
I caught up a while ago over a beer
His eyes told me the price he had to pay

What makes a life take a wrong turn?
What force brings just sadness and pain?
What is this thing called Life really about?
What wind blows no sunshine-- just rain?

No one will ever answer mate
When someone calls your name
Your loved ones will hear your answer
Above the wind and through the rain

A life now has ended in clouds and in rain
The laughter and good humour’s no more
I can but think of the happier days
I’ll say goodbye Gary as you close life’s’ door

Rest in Peace…. Gary (Tassie) Coulson…

………………………Shang Moffitt…

_________________

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

Our mate Bill Kane inadvetantly started a new topic (now deleted,) to post the following, which I've transferred to here...

My final posting in the RAN was at Nirimba and it was at this time I again, and unfortunately, was the last time I saw Tassie and his then wife Robin and their two beautiful German Shepherds (1973).
I had an interst at the time in two wayward MOBI's Ferguson ( Deceased) and Prince who regularly spent their weekends doing chooks.
Tasssie had taken these two young sailors ander his wing and between the two of us got them to Graduation. Something I always remember.
Tassie was a great mate who always put himself out to help others and I know he is in a better place where there is no pain.

Rest In Peace Tassie

Lest We Forget
_________________
Bill Kane
Ex-CPOMTH
R63013
DENS June 65 (ex Stoker)
March 64 to Oct 73
Cerberus, Duchess, FMU, Nirimba, Melbourne, Encounter, Perth, Sydney, Nirimba.

_________________

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