BILL BUTLER 1927-2024

Senior Diesel Mechanic, Mawson 1967

Born on 4^th December 1927 in Hawthorn, South Australia to Joseph and Gladys Butler, Bill’s early years were spent in Keswick, South Australia.  He had two younger brothers.  At Goodwood Technical School he learned woodwork and metal work and intended to join the Army Training School, but instead gained an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic on a starting wage of 7 shillings and sixpence a week (75c).  By the time he was 16, Bill had saved enough to buy his first motor bike when stock became available.  That commenced his long love and ownership of motorbikes.  His last was a Honda 650 which he bought for his 89^th birthday.  Bill was married to Joyce and they had two children, Peter and Jennifer.  In 1967 Bill joined the team at Mawson as the Senior Diesel Mechanic in charge of the power house, the vehicles and all things mechanical. He was ably assisted in these roles by fellow mechanics, Eddy Lawson and Ian Wood. A highlight achievement was installing and commissioning a new generator set, with the electrician (Syd Little). This boosted the power capability for the Station and was well used in supporting the newly installed meteorological “dish” radar. In these roles Bill, and his colleagues, also supported the survey teams as they journeyed out with D4 tractors, sledges and SnoTracs plus early snowmobiles. Whilst keeping the Station running, with Eddy and Ian, Bill also participated in the major Spring Survey over some 2 months from Mawson to Depot Peak and Mt Twintop as well as shorter forays out to support various science, and closer to home survey programmes. Bill, like his close friend Mark Forecast (Met Observer), was a “can do” man and both lived the ANARE spirit in quietly finding workable solutions to the usual breaks and bends of keeping the equipment running for their Station colleagues, including some esoteric science hardware. On return to Australia Bill moved into supporting “earth moving” machinery for various natural resource extraction sites in middle to northern South Australia. He continued this on-site support work on moving with Joyce from Adelaide to Murray Bridge.  Firmly established in their riverside home in Murray Bridge, it was a great loss to Bill when Joyce died.

He carried on, filling his life in retirement with a rapidly expanding family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, local neighbours and friends, and trips to Bathurst and Philip Island to watch the car and motorbike races and, of course, fishing.  Friendships made at Mawson lasted a lifetime.  When Mark Forecast moved close by to Mannum, the pair were often seen at local clearing sales and wineries.  There were also frequent trips to Melbourne with Mark, or solo trips on the motorbike.  For many years Bill made an annual visit to Syd Little in Brisbane and they toured Queensland in Syd’s ancient Kombi van.  He was present at the first, and many subsequent, ANARE get-togethers in Noosa.  Not long after Bill celebrated his 90^th birthday,  daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Bradley built next door and were a great support. Son Peter was a few kilometres away with Bill a frequent visitor.  Neighbours and old mates routinely joined Bill for coffee and a yarn on a daily basis on Bill’s verandah.  His memory, sense of humour and love for his family and friends remained sharp and focussed right to the end.  His “big” heart just finally gave out just two weeks short of his 97^th birthday.

Butler Nunataks (68° 03′ 55.4″ S; 62° 22′ 12.7″ E) in MacRobertson Land, Australian Antarctic Territory, 4km from Mt Twintop, are named in perpetuity in Bill’s honour.