Joe Hassan

The Ways He Touched My Life

I can’t remember my first meeting with Joe when the Class 2/67 arrived at Scheyville in 1967, I also don’t understand why we became close, he was from Sydney’s northern beaches, loved the surf and also his Rugby; I was from the dry Mallee in SA and loved Aussie Rules. Joe took me under his wing and on our first leave escorted me home to the superb hospitality of his parents, George & Betty. Thus followed a routine that Joe would take me home on each of our brief sessions of leave, through to graduation and beyond, when we were both posted to Singleton.

It was through Joe and his family that I met my wife Wendy, guess I should be eternally grateful to him for that eh!! An alignment of circumstances that follows has always caused me to wonder….if there is a guiding hand somewhere, a specific fate or destiny or just “life’s perfect imperfections”. Wendy and I decided to marry on my R&R from Vietnam, and Joe was my best man. The day I came out of the field my platoon was involved in a tragic mine incident, 3 killed and 22 wounded and wiping out the platoon headquarters group…..I was just a couple of hours away from that….so Joe, yes mate I do remain eternally grateful and still ponder how fate visits us.

Joe was highly recognised for his Ruby skills, played for Army and Combined Services at a time when the likes of Bobby Fulton (Rugby League ) did the same. For a big bloke, Joe had enormous endurance, but more so a depth of courage and guts beyond anyone else I remember during our time at Scheyville. A particular memory is the final 20 mile route march before graduation, we were all sleep deprived and pretty much exhausted (the route march was always scheduled as the last element of an exacting and very tiring “exercise” in the lead up week). The pinnacle aspiration (as I recall) was to complete the course in under 4 hours. Joe was the only bloke I knew who did that. On this occasion it was beyond endurance that I observed in Joe, on beating the 4 hours his socks were a bloodied mess, and he had gone beyond the ability of his bodily controls. I still have deepest admiration for this capacity. Yet for all his “toughness”, I never saw Joe express or use any malice, ever.

At Singleton we enjoyed a very happy Mess, very convivial with so many live-in subalterns. While we worked hard we also enjoyed more leave and freedom and the fun, sport and social landscape that it presented. Be it the close camaraderie in the Mess or afternoons at the Newport Arms, life was great and Joe very prominent in the mix of youthful “tearaways”. Joe’s gregarious nature, his ability to engage and his spontaneous happy disposition made him unique, his manner endeared him to all and was universally liked (warmly) and accepted. Add to this his love for music and performance then you can get a complete picture, to remember Joe without his guitar and a spontaneous song or sing along is to not remember or know him at all. This talent and the joy he got from music journeyed with him throughout his life. Around 2000, I had been paddling a kayak on Narrabeen Lake, on hearing some music my recognition was immediate, yep there was Joe in the local community centre playing his guitar and singing, in his element, instantly recognisable by all who knew him.

After Singleton (1968) I was posted to 5RAR in training for Vietnam, and Joe to JTC Canungra. I saw a bit of Joe there when on the 5RAR Cadre (he had more leave and time down at “Surfers”, I think a party or 3). He enlightened me with the definition of a “snail trail” left in the Mess, and also gave me a nickname (Fang) as my appetite was quite astounding, even to Joe. So that’s 2 things Joe has given me for life, a wife and a nickname that has followed me throughout my career.

I can only try to imagine how devastating the tragedy of Joe losing his wife Linda (to illness) must have been, and also that their 4 boys lost their Mum while so young. How Joe coped and mustered energy and courage to go forward is an inspiration, he prevailed over this adversity and has kept his family very closely together. I can’t express how much inspiration others can derive from him in this regard, or the enormous respect with which he should be remembered.

Although we lived in adjoining suburbs, our paths and directions took different tangents over the years, with an occasional meeting to say “G’Day mate”. I am deeply saddened that Joe has passed, from the great shock of his initial illness, to the relief of apparent successful treatment to control the illness, and then when things did such a sharp and violent “U” turn to take this extraordinary bloke.  Yet again it does make one question and ponder” the scheme of things”, he lead a good life and embraced warmly all those around him throughout his life. While Joe’s life had been more than rich in many ways he did endure great tragedy in losing Linda and the road to rear and nurture 4 boys without their Mum a challenge that would buckle most men. Yet he stood tall, strong and cheerful throuhout.

As most of us from the Class of 2/67 now see youth more through the eyes of our grandkids (than our variable recollections of back in those Army days), we try to guide and mentor our grandsons, to infuse them with the right values, honesty and integrity and the drive and enthusiasm to strive and make the most from what their life will offer in opportunity and adversity. As I think of my 3 grandsons, I consider the people I have met who impress and inspire me, from Col Geddes and the exceptional DS at Scheyville, the unique and special people who were The Cadets at Scheyville, to the outstanding leadership and bravery I was honoured to experience with Officer and Men of 5RAR in Vietnam, and a handful of business people met during my working career….I can’t think of anyone who would be a better person for them to aspire to emulate than Joe Hassan. So perhaps this is my fitting tribute to Joe, that I will be more than proud if they are able to emulate at least some of Joe’s character, zest for life and exceptional attributes as a person, when they grow and develop in the years ahead……..Joe was more than a “good bloke”.

If there is that “better place”, then it is happier and brighter today for the presence of Joe Hassan.

 Sapper 2791648, Graduate Number 983, Ross Anthony Adams.

Ross was born on 20^th October 1949 and commenced his NS on 10^th February 1969, graduating with Class 2/69 on 4^th October 1969 into the RACT and was posted to 10 Movement Control Group. During his NS he was posted to 32^nd Small Ship Sqn, 40 Water Tpt Sqn (Hvy) and 109 Tpt Coy. Ross extended his NS until 9^th May 1972 then transferred to the ARA where he was posted to JTC Canungra (Movt Offr), HQ 3^rd Transport Company, Brisbane Water Transport Unit,   HQ 1^st Transport & Movement Group, HQ 1^st Division, Movement Division HQ Logistic Command, HQ Logistic Command, HQ 1^st Division Transport, HQ 1^st Military District and 1^st Ground Liaison Group. Ross discharged from the ARA on 12^th February 1989 with the rank of Major. After his military service, Ross pursued a legal career with his own practice at Sunnybank, Brisbane. During his service Ross was awarded The Defence Force Service Medal, The Australian Defence Medal and The Anniversary of National Service Medal 1951-1972.

Ross’s funeral was arranged by his son Robert, and will took place at the Mt Gravatt Crematorium Chapel on 21^st September 12011.

Eulogy: (Kevin Richardson – 2/69)

My name is Kevin and I am very proud to say that like Ross many of the gents here today we are members of a very unique group of guys called the Class of 2/69, as well as other members of the OTU Scheyville Association. In 1969 the Army took a group of young guys from many and varied professional fields around Australia, trained them, graduated them as Officers in the Australian Army and then released most of them back into their civilian occupations two years later.

I consider us a very unique group because on the 20^th October this year at Norfolk Island, 42 years after the government of the day joined us together as a class, we are celebrating yet another reunion.

This particular reunion takes on more meaning for the boys of 2/69 and their partners, as it was Ross, despite his illness and other problems, with the aid of his great mate Rob Wilson, who did the ‘recce’, and planned all the details to ensure that this reunion would be as successful and memorable as all the other reunions we have held.

I remember in particular Rob advising some us that during all the planning for this event, and despite Ross’s failing health, nothing was going to stand in his way to ensure the success of this event and I am sure at the appropriate time on Norfolk at one of our dinners we will all rise and drink a toast to our mate and brother 2of 69.

On a personal note I remember Ross inviting my wife Kath and I some 18 months ago, to Brisbane for the weekend to meet Nicki, as she had yet to meet all the 2/69s and their partners, and although far from being well he insisted on taking us to some wonderful places and in particular to one of his favorite lunch spots, so that we could get to know Nicki, and being Ross, his generosity shone through and he insisted on meeting all the expenses for the weekend.

At a point in time during lunch he was noticeable unwell, but rather than dwell on his own discomfort he related to me one of what he called the benefits of having his stomach removed.

He related a party trick he did once by downing a complete bottle of scotch in one swallow.

As he recounts to the amazement of all present he showed no signs of being drunk and as Ross explained to me, without a stomach you cannot get drunk.

He then laughed and he said he only did it the once as he had no taste buds as a result of his condition and he would not waste good money on what he could not taste.

Ross did have a bucket list and there were two things on his list stood out for me. The first was a phone call I received at work one day from Rosco telling me he was attending to one of the items on his bucket list. When I asked which one and what it was, he advised he was in a helicopter flying over the Apostles, and I had not heard him so happy and excited for such a long time.

Another part of his bucket list was a very special OTU 2/69 dinner that took place in Brisbane earlier this year. As Rosco said to me, I could have all my friends around me and have a drink with them and say my own goodbyes to each of us present on that night.

We will all remember with great affection his spirit and enthusiasm that evening

And finally one last thought. Ross, I believe, would liked to have been passed on to all present and in particular to you Nicki, Ross’s mother Nita and the rest of the family now he is at rest.

Vale: Gary Ticehurst

Gray Edwin Ticehurst was born on 10^th October 1950 and commenced his NS as 2801428 on 27^th September 1972, commencing with Class 4/72 at OTU on 13^th October. Soldiering was in Gary’s blood as his father, Noel, had been a Survey Corps Warrant Officer. Gary continued serving when NS was cancelled and graduated as Graduate Number 1785, on 19^th April 1973 into Army Aviation and commenced training at Point Cook. He graduated as a pilot on 7^th December and was posted to the School of Army Aviation on 23^rd January 1974 for helicopter training, qualifying as a Sioux Pilot on 21^st May, then doing a four-week transition course for the Bell 206B-1. He attended the RAAF Survival Course, had detachments to 1 Avn Regiment and 171 Op Spt Sqn, attended the RAAF Flying Safety Officers Course and on 1 June 1977 was posted to 161 Recce Sqn. From September 1977 he was employed by the Surf Life Saving Association to fly Search and Rescue tasks on weekends. Gary participated in Ex Long Look or four months in 1978 and whilst on Leave-Without-Pay commenced as a helicopter pilot for the NSW police Force. He discharged from the Army on 13^th April 1979.

In December 1980, Gary formed his own company to pursue television and film production support to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and became the ABC’s first full-time pilot. He also donated his time helping the Variety children’s charity. Gary continued to work closely with the Australian film production industry and flew during the making of several films: Fool’s Gold, Nim’s Island, Superman Returns, Stealth, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, Mission: Impossible 2 and Anna and the King. He also flew for TV Commercials and numerous sporting events.

With Reporter Paul Lockyer and cameraman John Bean, Gary Ticehurst was piloting a helicopter on 18^th August filming a third documentary of Lake Eyre filling up with water when the helicopter crashed on the eastern side of Lake Eyre. All three died in the crash.

Gary covered 29 straight Sydney to Hobart yacht races and during the tragic 1998 race, he did more than just cover the race. The yacht Stand Aside was the first to fall victim to the wild weather, with Ticehurst’s chopper among the search and rescue crew. Gary said: “I’m used to flying through weather fronts, but this was sitting like a whirlwind, and here was Stand Aside in the middle of this with half its roof missing.” Six men died during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart, but a total of 55 were rescued including 14 crew members from stricken yacht Business Post Naiad, which lost its skipper and a crew member. Gary was also involved in the rescue of the upturned yacht Skandia.

His memorial service was held on 30^th August alongside yachts moored at Rushcutters Bay in eastern Sydney. There was standing room only as hundreds of mourners gathered in a marquee to farewell one of the national broadcaster’s finest. Veteran ABC journalists, cinematographers and loved ones remembered a “60 year’s young” man who was due to become a grandfather of twins this year.

The ABC’s man in the sky was described at his memorial as having the “eyes of an eagle and the hands of a surgeon” when it came to helping to capture beautiful images of Australia. He was also a big-hearted, gregarious character who rescued stranded sailors and bushwalkers, and brought joy to children in small towns by letting them sit in the cockpit of his ABC “squirrel”.

His son Matt Ticehurst described his dad’s love of the Sydney Swans and said he would have loved the turnout at his memorial service. “I have a direct message to you from him: “How bloody good is this?”, he said. “Dad was someone who saw the inherent ‘bloody goodness’ in every single aspect of life.”

Gary’s wife Teresa, whom he met in 2005, recalled how he proposed to her from his Sydney hospital bed on a first date. “The doctor was in shock when, after Gary had delivered ‘the mother of all kidney stones’, he gets down on bended knee in his backless hospital gown and, in fits of laughter, joy and love he begged me to marry him,” “How could I not?”

A wake was held at the nearby Cruising Yacht Club of Australia with the song Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum being played as mourners filed in.