Ian Palmer Bates

Ian first saw me in an SECV interview for a newly novice engineer in early 1979. Fondly I remember the day: morning flight to Melbourne, the cordial Q&A non-stressful session, the kind job offer (the only job I had with the SEC and its successors till my retirement), the SEC canteen lunch (unexpectedly for an interviewee but it was Ian’s friendly & kind act), and the happy return trip to my quiet Adelaide’s Residential College & my gentle campus of South Australian University. In the following decade, I worked in his Division/Department/Departments Group indirectly (via my Group/Section Managers) and directly (“one-on-one” in a number of times, including few low & high challenges of his day in certain projects). His unwavering determination and work ethics were hard to follow. My work life seemed routinely normal, however deeply shaped by his decision and support of the SECV post-graduate scholarship (early 80’s) and the long Overseas Study Award (late 1980’s). Then, there were fewer technical & social contacts as Ian taking on the newly University Professorship’s role. His continuing regards for technical excellence and the self-servicing less attitude was there as a beacon for one to navigate. There also were happy memories of the Transmission Groups Reunion days later in life. In our last contact, Ian explained the work of the educational assistance Foundation he pursuits. This was cut short due to my recent medical incidence requiring long term treatments. We talked a bit longer than usual and I remember Ian happily admitted a few “self-inflicted soreness” from the early footy days.