One week in September

This has been a week of saying farewell to Aussie icons.


Colin Thiele AC at the age of 85 on 4 Sept 2006


Photo courtesy his personal website

Colin was a renowned and prolific writer and educator. He wrote over 100 books and is probably best remembered for his children’s fiction. His 1963 book “Storm Boy” was made into a film in the 1970. Other notable books which have been made into movies or tv series are; Sun on the Stubble, The Fire in the Stone and Blue Fin. His books often described rural life in Australia particularly the Coorong region of South Australia.

He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1977.

I grew up with his books and remember Storm Boy being made. Who could forget Mr Percival the pelican, “Snook” from Blue Fin, or the 1930’s adventures of Bruno Gunther, the only son of a German immigrant family who settled on a farm in the Barossa Valley in the book “Sun of the Stubble”.

Thank you Mr Thiele from bringing so much joy, especially to children.


Steve Irwin at the age of 44 on 4 Sept 2006


Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Steve may have had a loud, brash, in your face and even possessed a more than a little annoying (especially to Australians) public presence, but he was also a passionate conservationist. He was probably better known overseas than in his home country.

He died after being struck in the chest by a stingray barb, of while filming a documentary in Far North Queensland.

I was never one to be counted amongst his fans, but it’s particularly sad when someone with a young family is taken from us. Much had been written about him by others, so I’ll leave it at that. Farewell Steve.


Peter Brock at the age of 61 on 8 Sept 2006


Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Peter is a motor racing legend. Mention touring cars in this country and you can’t help but think of Peter Brock, especially if you’re a “Holden man”.

Early on in his career, he adopted the number “05”. This was in recognition of the .05 blood alcohol limit. He was still carrying this number on the 8th of September.

Known as Peter Perfect and King of the Mountain. He won the Bathurst 1000 a record 9 times – a record that is most unlikely to be eclipsed since cross entry was banned several years ago.

The UK 'Motor Sport' magazine rated Peter Brock in the top twenty most exciting drivers of all time, a list which included the likes of Senna, Schumacher, Fangio and Nuvolari. A huge accolade. In another recent authoritative UK publication, he was voted the second greatest touring car driver of all time.

In 1997 he set up the Peter Brock Foundation to help those less privileged than himself.

He was an avid vegan and according to Bev his former partner of 28 years, afraid of getting old.

Peter died while competing in a rally near Perth in Western Australia, doing what he loved best – racing. He will remain forever young in our hearts and minds.

Farewell Brocky, and thank you for introducing me to the spectacle that is motor racing, especially touring cars/V8 Supercars and Formula 1.