Kevin Lionel Smith

20th January 1942 to 11th Sept. 2010

Meteorological Observer Macquarie Island 1968

It is with deep regret that I advise the passing of one of the most popular and respected members of our 1968 party. Kevin lost his well-fought battle with cancer in the early hours of  September 11th.

Kevin had an incredible general knowledge and always enjoyed a lively debate that usually resulted in the dreaded call of “cans” which meant that the treasured issue of Fosters was at serious risk. There were not many occasions that the cans travelled from his possession.  At Macquarie, Kevin held the running record for the Met hut to Wireless Hill aerials and return in a time that I believe was not lowered for many a year. Not a bad effort for an oversize “Irishman”, (though born in Victoria), who loved his food and drink!

After his year at Macca, Kev and his Family spent several years in India where he worked for the Australian Government Agricultural aid programme. Jacinta, the fourth of the Smith clan of 5 children, was born in India during this overseas experience.  Upon returning to Australia, Kevin worked for several Victorian State Government departments including those covering Forestry, Correctional Services and the Environment. Kevin’s much loved wife Maxine passed away in 1999.

Following his retirement, Kevin, or the “Wild Irishman” as he was often called, sold his Melbourne residence and moved to his idyllic little farm at Woodend where he painstakingly restored the heritage farmhouse to an extremely high standard. There he was surrounded by scores of different types of poultry, emus, goats, horses, dogs, kangaroos etc.

Everything was just falling in place with his life when his cancer was diagnosed. Kevin’s partner Josie did a marvellous job of caring for him and looked after him right to the very end.

Kevin was a true friend who will really be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Peter Cutler
This was posted on 29 September 2010.