KENNETH ELSTON DALZIEL

26 FEBRUARY 1916 – 21 SEPTEMBER 2000

In 1934 Ken’s father, Hugh, was fishing on the Victorian Ninety Mile Beach when, a “Southampton” flying boat made a forced landing on nearby Lake Reeve. He waded out through the shallow water to see if he could assist the Air Force crew and found them anxious to let Point Cook air base know of their situation. Hugh told them that his son, Ken, was a member of the RAAF Wireless reserve, and would radio Point Cook on his amateur radio station. This was done, and the plane was eventually dismantled to be reassembled on nearby Lake Wellington. Ken, invited to occupy the co-pilot’s seat at the re-launching ceremony, was so impressed by the rows of WW1 campaign ribbons worn by the senior Air Force officers, that he decided to apply for an Air Force cadetship. He learned to fly, and he and a close friend, “Herbie” Fenton, spent a good deal of time flying to outback destinations.

Ken’s interest in radio had been kindled by a close relative who operated ant amateur radio station and he qualified as an amateur radio operator with his own call sign, VK3SK, at the age of 16 in 1932. In 1933 he became assistant engineer of radio station 3TR at Sale.

But the Air Force beckoned. In 1936 Ken enlisted it the RAAF as a wireless operator, being posted to Richmond air base for two years and then to Darwin. Here he was attracted by the prospect of becoming radio officer on the QANTAS flying boats on the Southampton – Rose Bay air route. He resigned from the Air Force in 1938, and was soon enjoying the luxury of being an officer on the Short flying-boats.

With the threat of war looming, a strong rumour began circulating that the flying boats were to be impressed by the Air Force, so Ken joined the Department of Civil Aviation in Melbourne, where he soon became radio inspector. This led to a second posting lo Darwin where he met Lilian May Quarry. He and May were married in the Anglican Church on 20 November 1941, but their days of marital bliss were few – Darwin was bombed. May was evacuated and Ken’s radio outfit moved to Katherine.

The next move was to Townsville as Officer in Charge of the civil aerodrome (mainly Aeradio). May joined him in Townsville, and their first child, Wendy, was born there. He was later transferred to Guilford in WA where he was Flight Control Officer, and it was there that his son, Rodney, was born.

He eventually returned to Melbourne as Approach Controller al Essendon Airport but became somewhat apprehensive about his prospects in the Commonwealth Public Service. A friend suggested he talk It over with Phillip Law who persuaded him that a year as Radio Supervisor at Heard Island might lead to better things. And so il was that Ken joined the 1953 expedition to Heard Island.

Ken was one of several lucky 1953 Heard Islanders who were picked up by Kista Dan to assist in the establishment of the new Mawson base in 1954. He wrote in his memoirs “My term in Antarctica was certainly the experience of a lifetime, and I pay tribute lo Phillip Law for his qualities of leadership.” During the year Ken wrote a series of letters to Wendy and Rodney, which became the basis of a very successful children’s book, Penguin Road. Following his return from Heard Island, Ken resigned from the Public Service to enter the private sector, initially with Electronic Industries Ltd, but later with the manufacturers of Linda electric blankets. In the early sixties the profitability of local electronics firms fell, so Ken transferred to the housing industry, first to A.V. Jennings, where he remained for seven successful years, then to a real estate firm selling land at Endeavour Hills. In both these areas, as in the electronic industry, Ken’s sales record was outstanding.

May died in 1993. Ken later moved lo Claremont Home in Albert Park Melbourne, where he remained until his death.

Fred Elliott.