by geford » Sat 28 Oct, 2017 3:36 pm
"snailbate", since your entry is on an internet forum,permit me to make some amendments about Dr R.A. 'Big Rick' (Jamieson), Feb1941- Oct2013.
His family address was Kibo Rd Regents Park (not quite Berala), and from Sefton High (in Chester Hill) he came to uni (1959) where he and I became close friends in the SURC (Sydney Uni Rover-Scout Crew). With his dad's support he developed "back yard" activities like canoe building, boomerang making and with me "bushman" skills (learnt from my dad). Rick's first book (on outdoor Scouting) included my bushwalking notes.
Yes, for the 1960s SURC Gundungura Project - map, Uni Rover Trail, guide book, he was the best mate anybody could have. In his SUBW book "Press On Regardless", Dave Noble published the 1996 story (I'd written at Rick's behest) about Gundungura. Find it online (from SUBW)! Twenty years later, I'm trying to get more of the SURC material into the Public Domain (for archiving).
With 2 others from SURC, we challenged the then impenetrable Southwest Tasmania to climb the inaccessible Federation Peak in summer 1961/62. After I'd gone to live in Tasmania, he'd come and visit, even doing a record-breaking unique walk with me (another story). On finishing his engineering degree, Rick went on to complete in 1968 a Ph.D. - rare in those days, and then went overseas. The Obituary from the Bowen Mtn wake, in Hawkesbury Gazette, omitted his fascinating life away until he returned twenty years later. For example, he wrote to me about climbing Mt Blanc, highest mountain in Europe. He wrote a book on "meditations" when in a Congo prison (not having correct visa).
Few people knew all the facets of 'Big Rick'. (A mate not to be got out of his sleeping bag too early in the morning!) Someday, he will be the subject for a book of a Great Life!
geford