Vale Ian John Turton 18.09.1944 – 29.03.2009 (Crommie 1963)
Cromwell College 1993 describes Ian as “A happy soul with the equipment to chew carrots… a real culture-vulture; a history buff (an article “A look at History” appeared in the same magazine) and a gas at English essays.” After completing his Teachers Certificate (1965) Ian was sent off to Alpha Secondary School, Queensland, from which he has regaled us with many funny incidents of school inspections and the like. Over the next seven years Ian moved to Sarina, Mareeba, Yeronga and Salisbury Secondary High Schools and then resigned from the Education Department. In 1968 Ian married. There were two children, but unfortunately this marriage ended in divorce in 1986. In the meantime Ian joined the Australian Navy’s Instructor Branch (19721988), as an officer. During his time in the Navy, Ian was seconded to the Royal Australian Air Force, Fairbairn ACT. On leaving the Navy Ian was Deputy Director of Naval Training. His expertise saw him and his family moving to Tallahassee, Florida (1984-1985), where he completed a Master of Science (Instructional Systems). He already had completed Bachelor of Arts (UQ 1972); Bachelor of Letters (Australian Literature) (University of New England 1980) and Occupational Analyst’s Course Certificate (Department of Defence, ACT 1979).
He was head-hunted from the Navy and became a Consultant Manager with Andersen Consulting, ACT from 1989-1991. Over the next five years Ian was a private consultant in education and training in a range of public and private sector organisations, for example Australian Taxation Office, DEET and Cocos/ Keeling Islands Health Services. He also put himself back into the private/public secondary school systems for short periods to keep his teaching skills current. In 1994 Ian moved to Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley, Western Australia as Aboriginal Educational and Economic Development Officer Program Trainer. It was here that he met Judy, a Community Health Staff Development Nurse, based in Derby. They married in June 1994. A year later they moved across to Cairns, Queensland and once again Ian returned to teaching. Due to a family death they moved to Rockhampton in 1996 and stayed there for a couple of years. On their return to Derby Ian became Flight Commander, 22 Flight WA AIRTC, Derby, WA. Ian and Judy with others, all in their spare time, set up 22 Flight, the remotest Flight in Australia and it included a large number of Aboriginal cadets. Ian again taught at the local High School and at one time worked, for six weeks, as a kitchen hand at the local nursing home. He also enjoyed the task of overseeing the Anglican Church, Derby as it was without a minister. Ian had given his life to the Lord after a major accident in 1990. In 2001 Ian and Judy moved to Maningrida, where Ian was the Campus Manager of the Job, Employment and Training Centre owned by the Community. In 2002 they went to England and Ian taught at one of the Secondary Schools in Stevenage, Hertfordshire – a lot of East Enders were moved there after the war. Their time there was cut short as Judy had an accident (dislocated left hip and hairline fracture of her femur), but not before they had visited Malta, Jerusalem and Paris. One of Ian’s dreams was to sit outside a Paris café and watch the world go by.
What a Country - Turkey In April I spent almost 3 weeks travelling around Turkey. It is an extraordinary country to visit. It has marvelous scenery including that in the unique region of Cappadocia. This area in central Turkey is covered in volcanic tuff (ash) which is soft until exposed to air. Consequently, it has been used for homes or hideaways for thousands of years. Thoroughout the region there are hotels, homes, ancient churches and monasteries carved into the mountains. There is even an underground city for 10,000 people designed to be used during times of war. It is 10 stories deep and it is a marvelous thing to wander (with a guide) through the labyrinth of tunnels and caves.
A hotel in Goreme
COCA News 2009 • Page 12
Turkey is a montage of culture, history, geography, great food, flowers, agriculture (with sheep everywhere) and welcoming
On return to Cairns, Queensland, Ian again went back into teaching, including being Deputy Principal at an all-Aboriginal College and in 2004 Ian and Judy moved to Malanda (Tablelands outside of Cairns). In 2005 Ian took himself out of the workforce to assist in the building of their new home, whilst they lived in an 80 year old house on the property. He did do some relief teaching in the Torres Strait during that time. They survived the cyclone of 2006 and at the end of that year moved into their new home. Ian worked for the Australian Agriculture College Campus (AACC), Mareeba as an instructor in numeracy and literacy in the local prison for two years and then he was invited to apply for the Manager of Education and Training at the AACC. Ian was well known amongst readers of the local papers as his letters were a source of interest in relation to current political events both at a Federal and State level. Ian and Judy went to Perth to celebrate Christmas 2008 with Judy’s family, including her 93 year old Mum. Ian had attended his daughter’s 40th birthday in Brisbane in January 2009 and was able to see his three grandchildren as well as his son and daughter-in-law. The following month Ian was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour that ironically affected his ability to express himself verbally and in writing. The illness lasted seven weeks and Judy nursed him at home until the last six days. It was a time of spiritual healing for Ian. He remained cheerful, recognising his many visitors and always having a positive word for each of them. Ian’s funeral, which over 200 attended, including school students from Cairns and Mareeba, was a tribute to his wide range of friends and how they saw him - a man with an outgoing personality, intelligent, a quick wit, a ready sense of humour and prepared to go out of his way for anyone. Ian is now at rest with his Lord.
Judy Turton 22.06.09
people. Its history spans eons with Hittite ruins visible, as well as Troy, extraordinary Roman and Christian locations of many types and later the Seljuks and Ottomans. Among the ruins is Ephesus – the best preserved ancient city in Turkey. There is even an advertisement for a brothel still visible in the roadway as well as a very Making friends intimate public toilet. at the
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public loo During my stay in Turkey I visited Istanbul (including the Palace of Topkopi), Cappadocia, The Bosporus, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, the Turkish Dead Sea and Gallipoli. It was a wonderful place to visit and, as a Christian, both a reminder of the historic importance of Christianity and a humbling reminder of the possibility that it can be over-run. If you plan to travel, put Turkey on your list.
Hugh Begbie