Ian Mackie

Thanks Ian for being such a good mate. When we first met on Christmas Island in 1976 I desperately needed a friend. Our first months there was anything but ideal. Vern Newton whose position I was taking over from casually mentioned that I might have a bit of trouble with one guy in the workshop. The bit of trouble rapidly escalated to a battle of wits with action and reaction collimating into my trouble maker pulling the trade store petrol pump into many pieces and refusing to reassemble it again, making me eat humble pie with a message on VLU 2 that petrol was unavailable. On finding that there was a theft of company goods committed by the trouble maker, I moved to have him sacked. Ian said you cannot sack him that’s not how it works here. I said either he goes or I go, Ian said well you might as well go and start packing up. Just let go, it will sort it self out, give it time. What excellent advice it was, with the trouble maker making fraudulent accusations to the Island manager and once proven the manager sacked him. So the old saying a friend in need is a friend indeed is absolutely true Ian was a true friend for me. Since then Ian and I have always kept in contact, only distance prevented us enjoying more frequent association. His enthusiasm, work ethics and achievements are exceptional. Ian’s humour was infectious his quick wit was one of his most enduring characteristics, making any get together a fun time. The other quality I admired was Ians determination and fighting spirit in an unfair contest against a disease that we still cannot cure. Ian fought valiantly with dignity and stoic resolve right till the end. Rest in peace Ian, my good friend. From Owen Macdonald

Dear Chris and family, We are thinking of you all at this most difficult time. May you find comfort in the support of friends and family. I will always remember, with great fondness, the wonderful hospitality of Ian and yourself, when I visited Christmas Island. I'm truly saddened by the loss of Ian. My heart goes out to you all. May you find comfort in your beautiful memories of a loving husband, father and friend. Revelation 21 v 4