VALE JIM WINCKEL

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE FAREWELL
OUR MEMBER AND FRIEND, JIM.

DECEMBER 2022

We were fortunate to sit down for a chat with Jim earlier in the year

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COMING ALONG TO THE MEN’S SHED?

Joined 4 years ago, in 2018. 

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE HERE?

Would like to become more involved with tool maintenance activities, maintaining the tools and equipment.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE ARMIDALE MEN’S SHED?

There is a huge variety that we do here. We build and repair timber objects, and do maintenance on some hand tools. It’s good to come here for company and conversation. The Thursday lunches are good and it gets everyone together.

 AND A FEW GET-TO-KNOW-YOU QUESTIONS…

WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED AND WORKED AROUND THE WORLD?

I was born Bundeong, Java. When the Japanese invaded Java in 1942, my father, being a Netherlands East Indies bomber pilot, flew us to Broome. We landed in Broome 2nd March 1942 at the same time it was attacked by 9 Japanese Zeros. In that skirmish, my father shot down one of the attacking aircraft. From Broome, we went to Canberra. In 1944, due to the war, my parents divorced.
In 1946, because we were refugees, we had to leave Australia so we went to Singapore and lived with relatives. Christmas 1951, we emigrated to Australia and lived in Bankstown, Sydney.
In 1957, I joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Radio Electrical Mechanic (AIR).
In 1963, I joined Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Authority in Cooma, and had tours of duty in other areas of the Snowy.
I then resigned in 2018 and came up to Armidale to stay with my daughter, then moved to Autumn Lodge in December 2018.

WHAT CAREER DID YOU PURSUE? 

In the navy (1957-1963), I eventually became a Radio Electrical Mechanic (AIR). The ‘AIR’ portion points to working on aircraft that the navy had; Sea Venoms (attack jets) and Fairy Gannet AS-1 (antisubmarine propellor). As an REM (AIR) I was part of the Melbourne Air Group. The Melbourne Air Group was based between HMAS Albatross (Nowra) and the aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne.
Then in 1963 I joined Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Authority as a Mobile Radio Technician. I went to nearly every camp in the authority – there were 5 main ones and a number of smaller ones. The mobile radio on the snowy was a pretty extensive system – it was low band VHF FM radio.
In the late 80’s I changed jobs, from being a radio mechanic to a Communications Drafting Officer. Initially, the drafting was manual but the drafting office changed direction to electric using AutoCAD application.
In the end, I completed 55 years with the SMHEA, becoming the longest serving person in the authority.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE THAT YOU’VE LIVED?

Cabramurra. I remarried my wife and our daughter was born in June 1978.
When my daughter was three, my wife and daughter moved to Cooma. It was a trying time for my wife, with an active three year old and unable to allow our daughter to play outside due to the six foot snow outside. I therefore commuted between Cabramurra and Cooma. Then in 1980 I was a successful applicant for a position in Cooma.
While in Cabramurra, fifteen of us banded together and updated the ski tow. Winter was the best time; we were able to ski downhill and go cross country skiing.
In the summer months, on a Friday night in the wet canteen, we would organise an outing somewhere - a BBQ perhaps, or some fishing.
A new family arrived in early Spring and were invited to come along. During the course of the day, the new guy asked, “Where do you get the ice for the eskies?” We told him from the snow under the roofline of the houses. “Oh!”

WHAT SKILL WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LEARN?

Research and implement improved methods of sharpening tools and equipment.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT INSTANTLY MAKES YOUR DAY BETTER?

Making sure the unit I’m in is presentable by 10am. 

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

I was confused, didn’t know till I joined the navy and I was advised to get into electronics because that’s what was coming in – transistors were coming in, so get to know that. That was in 1957.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL?

Wood work, metal work, and tech drawing 

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A NICKNAME?

(After much laughter)

Twinkle, Rip Van, Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, Wee Willie Winkle - but I respond to Jim

WHAT WAS / IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY?

We used to go to the Whitsundays, to one of the islands and stay for a fortnight. It was good because we were living in Cooma in a cooler climate, similar to Armidale.

WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

I don’t read because after first page, I’m asleep

ASIDE FROM NECESSITIES, WHAT ONE THING COULD YOU NOT GO A DAY WITHOUT?

T.V. at night when you’re relaxing after a meal. Sit down, watch the news, see what’s on.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU DO REGULARLY THAT YOU WISH COULD BE AUTOMATED?

The wiping up, and cleaning up the kitchen 

WHO WOULD YOU HAVE PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Danny Kaye in a Walter Mitty film.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? 

Emails from friends that have humour in them, and then I share them

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GAME OR SPORT TO WATCH OR PLAY?

Watching sport on T.V. 

Rugby union is my number 1, then Rugby League and Aussie Rules.

I played Rugby Union when I was younger.

If there’s sport on T.V. I’ll watch it. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON?

Summer, where it’s warmer and you can get out in shorts and sandals.

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Used to collect Electronics Australia Magazine, a 40-year collection - some 1941’s.

WHAT EXCUSE DO YOU USE IF YOU NEED ONE?

I don’t need one. If it needs to be done, do it – don’t avoid it, as it’ll come back and bite you on the bottom.

IF YOU HAD A WARNING LABEL, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

If you want to talk to me, get my attention, look at me and then speak.

WHAT MOVIE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD WATCH, OR BOOK YOU WISH YOU COULD READ AGAIN, AS IF FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Casablanca. I really, really enjoyed that movie. The beauty about it, it didn’t have any firearms or swear words – a simple plot played by 2 great actors, a very emotional story.

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ALL DAY?

I’d still do what I’m doing now. When you’re grown up, keeping yourself occupied is important, because as soon as you stop doing that, you go down the gurgler.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONLY ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE??

Rice as a base with spicy meats and stir-fry vegetables.

WHAT'S THE MOST UNUSUAL OR UNPLEASANT THING YOU'VE EVER EATEN?

When you have been to boarding school since the age of 4, and joined the navy - these institutions have their own mess/kitchen and nothing was ever unpleasant. 

 AND THE BIG QUESTION…

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTENTIOUS TOPICS OF CONVERSATION THAT CAN BRING DISCORD TO THE MOST CIVILIZED OF DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE TOPIC OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA – YES OR NO? 

I don’t discuss, politics, religion or pineapple. 😉