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Obituaries

Innovator in surf lifesaving and champion kayaker

Dave Roberts (back, right) on the beach that was to shape his life.

 David Roberts grew up with sand between his toes. Not surprising, then, that innovation in surf lifesaving was to be one of his great legacies. He was instrumental in the setting up of Masters Surf Lifesaving in Australia after an instructional tour to New Zealand, where Masters competition was already strong.

Passionate leader in agriculture and education

David Smith, leading administrator and teacher in agriculture.

Brought up on an Adelaide dairy farm during the Depression, where rabbits were the main source of income, David Smith went on to be a leading educator and administrator in agriculture.

In Passing

 In Passing

Nicholas Sand, Heinz Kessler, John Cockburn

Small-town hero played vital role in exposing police misconduct

Eddie Azzopardi at NSW Parliament House nearing the end of a 24-year fight against police corruption, 1993.

Born in Malta in 1932, Edgar John Azzopardi grew up in the thick of conflict. In World War II he survived German bombardment of his homeland, a tiny but strategically vital colony of the British Empire. When the war ended Azzopardi sought a new life on the other side of the globe.

Dedicated champion of French language and culture

Micheline Giroux, teacher of French language and history

Legendary teacher Micheline Giroux is deservedly remembered as one of the significant contributors to French studies in Melbourne. For students and colleagues alike, she was an authentic embodiment of all they associated with the idea of France.

Prolific keeper of the Australian flame

Hugh Anderson, writer on Australian folklore and literary history

Hugh Anderson wrote prolifically on folklore and literary history, publishing more than 40 books and almost 100 articles. He was the leading scholar of folksong and 19th-century popular culture in this country.

Numbers man was a silent star of sport

Jack Cameron, sports statistician for the ABC and scorer for the Australian Ashes tour in 1961.

Jack Cameron rated himself "not good enough" as a sportsman, but his skill with numbers and lifelong dedication made him a sports statistician rated as the very best.

Teacher devoted later life to painting, then poetry

Connie Barber, teacher and poet

When teacher Connie Barber's children became more independent, she used her spare time to pursue painting and drawing and then started to write poetry, publishing five books of her poems.

In Passing

In Passing

Dennis Edwards Jr, Olga Hegedus, Kate O'Beirne