JACK THOMPSON
1922 - 2013

Jack will be warmly remembered by many in the Sydney geological fraternity for his time with Amax. Michael Leggo recalls, in his letter to John Curdie, President of the Epping RSL sub-Branch, who kindly provided the attached article from the Club’s Routine Orders on Jack: "I worked with Jack for many years with the American mining company which you have mentioned (Amax), where Jack provided strong technical leadership and mentoring of many of our young geologists. His enthusiasm for geology never waned and as you have noted, he could become very passionate about his latest ideas and observations. He was one of the old-timers who would rather head out into the jungle with a horde of porters, food supplies and tent flies and build his camps as he went along rather than rely on helicopters and base camps." Another geologist remembers Jack from the Getty-Amax Magavara joint venture in Milne Bay Province in 1973: "Jack's aerial 3D photographs in PNG were legendary. I also remember his amusement at being able to talk to the Amax New York head-office using an SSB radio from a remote Highlands village in PNG via a Port Moresby telephone link."
Here is Jack's story by John Curdie.

Professor Willard C. "Bill" Lacey
1916 - 2013
Some sad news for the Australian geological community. I’ve just had an email from Bill’s daughter Marian and son-in-law Mike Fellows (a Townsville-based geo) which in part reads:
“A note to advise that Bill Lacy died December 7th in Tucson, Arizona. He was 97 and a half. He enjoyed a full life that would have been more than enough for two lesser men and had a gracious and peaceful ending. He had very fond memories of his time in Australia and the many people who made him feel welcome here. “
Bill had a big impact on minerals side of geology down under, particularly during his time as Professor of Geology at James Cook University. His James Cook MSc course for geo’s working in industry was legendary and touched the lives of many who are now industry leaders. He was a true gentleman geologist and was greatly respected by all he came into contact with.