By thejohnharding ( December 2, 2010 at 7:34 am) · Filed under Australian Legends, ben cropp, bob grounds, Dean Cropp, Gai Girdlestone, Henri J. Bource, john harding, john michael harding senior, John Sumner, kathy troutt, lynn roberts, Malcolm McLeod, Phil Eather, Richard Weir, Ron Taylor, terry morrison, the late irvin rockman cbe, Trevor Collins (with marlin), Valerie May Taylor, Van Laman-Cropp, vic ley, wally gibbins, wally muller, Walter A. Starck
Walter A. Starck, Vic Ley, Ron Taylor, Phil Eather,
Richard Weir, Wally Gibbins, Malcolm McLeod, Gai Girdlestone, John Harding.
The Late IRVIN ROCKMAN CBE
Springvale Cemetary (Melbourne, Victoria)
Jewish Memorial Garden 2
Row W
Grave 68
Wally Muller, Van Laman-Cropp, Ben Cropp, Kathy Troutt, Lynn Roberts, John Michael Harding Senior, Bob Grounds, Dean Cropp – (a future Legend), Ron Taylor, Trevor Collins (with marlin), Valerie May Taylor, Henri J. Bource.
RON IBLE (White Water Wanderers club, Sydney) 30 April 2013 R.I.P. mate
Ron would not like a whole heap of pretty words – “a real good mate” would sum him up. Ron’s guidance and advice plus friendship to me, as a young starting-out aged 18 diver, set a course I’m forever thankful to him for. Although the following name won’t ring bells, Bill Colbourne introduced us when we all worked at the Sydney Markets. Ron Ible was a tough truck driver – as they all were then. Tough physical work that produced a physique similar to the axe-men at wood-chopping events. When Bill retired he went to live in the fishing village near Ron and his family. Two guys who gave me good advice at a time when kids like I was take things for granted. I recently thanked Ron – but regret not being able to do so for Bill who passed away soon after retiring.
Permalink
By thejohnharding ( June 29, 2009 at 9:46 am) · Filed under Dive Charter Captains, Fathom magazine (1971-1973), Fun, Sharks, The Coral Sea, UW Photography, Video & Movie, Your Own Peril, chesterfield reef, dr richard ibara, French territory of the pacific, grey reef whaler, john michael harding senior, live volute thatcheri, roy bisson, territorial shark behavior, the coral sea
Captain Wally Muller navigated using a sextant, the era pre GPS
Divers, John M Harding (senior) and Roy Bisson (on right)
This was the longest voyage undertaken by the famous charter boat in 1971. Newly launched the boat was 79′ in length and had accommodation for 16 divers (later reduced to 12), plus a crew of four.
The lure for such a voyage was shell collecting, a search for the rare volute thatcheri. Half the charter cost was paid by shell collectors. I was sponsored by a tabloid newspaper to write and photograph five stories that could be serialized over one week.
Text written especially for divers would be published in Fathom No.6 issue. Art director and diver, Roy Bisson being on the voyage.
From San Francisco the late Dewey Bergman (Sea and Sea Travel) was scouting on this voyage for what would become regular parties of American divers and underwater cameramen. The world was about to discover diving Australian style. The future voyages would not involve so much traveling time.
Marion Reef was the new inshore destination, still in The Coral Sea and today almost unvisited due to fuel cost considerations.
The Chesterfield Reef trip was our most memorable. Near perfect weather and a good crew of professional divers. For further information, including names of shipwrecks at Chesterfield Reef, see Wikipedia.org
Roy Bisson swim fins (flippers) were filmed simultaneously by my movie camera and another by Richard Ibara. This was Chesterfield Reef at it’s best. Grey Reef sharks were territorial with these displays as they probably had not encountered divers before.
Permalink