Getting to know your operators ...

The Directors
Barry McCann OAM
Barry's technical career started at 7HT and whilst manager there, joined forces in 1975 with the late Les Collis, (presenter of the "See You on the River" programme), to establish a radio network for pleasure craft. Throughout the following years, Barry worked to build up the service from 14 boats to what it is today, a network of over 1200 boats. In 1979, he opened McCann's Model World and with Coast Radio and other interests, he is kept very busy. He and wife Judy enjoy travel, boating and campervanning. In 2010, Barry was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to maritime communications.

Stuart Braunholz
Stu was born in Western Australia and grew up on a farm southeast of Perth (WA) and after schooling at Albany High, returned to the farm. Later, he worked for an engineering firm and as a projectionist, at the Narrogin Drive-In, before enlisting in the RAAF, as an Armament Fitter. His service days saw him living in each state and including Malaya, finally migrating to Tasmania from Victoria in 1989. He acquired an amateur radio licence in 1980 and became involved in the technical side of Tasmar Radio in 1996 and by 1997 was behind the mike and has enjoyed it ever since. Stu is a CRH home operator.

Brian Muir

Brian's background in radio is extensive and amazes the non-technical in this organization as he weaves his magic and diagnostic skills to relieve radio interference and make the seemingly impossible work. Trained in telecommunications and radio communications in Hobart, Brian has mostly worked in the Federal Government radio-regulatory environment, investigating radio interference, conducting radio and radar surveys on ships, allocating radio frequencies and diagnosing radio communications interference. Now retired, Brian spends a lot of time as a volunteer on upgrade work for the Coast Radio network.

Volunteers
Lyn Muir
Lyn became involved with Coast Radio Hobart because she is married to Brian! Brian and Barry McCann thought it would be a good idea for Lyn to rewrite the Access database (used to keep member records) to occupy some of the first part of her retirement. They knew that this would give us a brilliant new system and "mask" the time that Brian was to put into CRH. Lyn taught Literature, English and Computer Applications at Elizabeth College.

Andrew Boon
Andrew is a member of the technical support team and occasional operator. He is married to Judy, became a grand-father in 2008 and lives in New Town (15 minutes walk from CRH!). As a communications engineer he worked for PMG/Telecom, in his own business as a consulting engineer and then with Telstra Mobiles. Since 2006 he has been semi-retired. He is currently Vice-Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Tasmania and enjoys cruising in his 10 m yacht 'Reflections' (RG713).

Radio Operators
Graham Kellaway
Born near Dartmoor (not the prison) and arrived in Australia in 1960 on the Fairsky. Career: Marine Radio Officer on several ships and later joined QANTAS as aircraft maintenance engineer, then moved into IT, mainly radio work, followed by project management, IT/Comms. In 1973, drove a Sunbeam Rapier from London to India. Hobbies are Trad Jazz (plays Tenor Banjo) and wood turning. Retired to Hobart with Judy in July 2004. Enjoys getting away in the motor-home.

John Parsell
Hobart born and bred! John worked in Fire, Accident and Marine Insurance for 27 years, Welfare for 16 years and the Funeral Industry for 5 but he is now retired with his wife interest in the sea, especially sailing but no longer has a boat. Enjoys fishing, gardening and music.

Robin Retchford
A refugee from the mainland, retired with Judith in 2000 after 40 years satisfying other women - as an architect. With a young family, lived in Fiji for 7 years returning to Brisbane in 1973. Sailed in several dinghies and 14-foot skiffs before getting into keelboats. Sold "Rewind" (S & S 30 Defiance) just before "refuging" to Hobart. Always a keen cyclist, has ridden from Brisbane to Perth, Adelaide to Melbourne and from Lands End to John O'Groats. Spends more time these days motorcycling.

Derek Blair
Born Scotland, ex. Merchant seaman. Came to Australia in 1960 with the RAF, fell in love with the country and elected to stay after discharge. Worked in office equipment sales and later in the computer industry. Moved to Tasmania 3 years ago and absolutely love the place. Hobbies include carpentry, gardening, radios and Bundaberg Rum. Derek is a CRH home operator and instructor.

Kevin Williams
Kevin and his family moved to Tasmania in 1980 after several years flying in the Kimberley and the Goldfields in WA. Understandably, they fell in love with this place and decided to stay. He retired from flying in 1997 and from everything else (to enjoy the grandchildren) in 2006. Kevin enjoys boating and he and his wife are keen bushwalkers and happy campers.


Bruce Eyers
Bruce as a former Melbournian, has a passion for Aussie Rules and cricket and played both "without distinction" (his words!). After a stint in the Army with the Medical Corps he joined the Bureau of Meteorology and spent the next 34 years in isolated and remote places including the Giles Weather Station in Central Australia, Willis Island in the Coral Sea and Antarctica, wintering there 3 times. Now retired, he and Elaine enjoy their 4 grandchildren and do a bit of motorcycle touring. Other sporting interests are golf and squash.

Graeme Denne
Graeme is a sixth generation Tasmanian and a descendant of the Dennes of North Bruny Island. He has always had a close bond with the sea and enjoys sailboarding (but it is getting harder!), sailing, kayaking, bushwalking and travel. He recently built a 10-foot sailing dinghy and loves to get out on the Derwent when time permits.

Neil Hutton
Neil has always lived on the Eastern Shore of Hobart and has spent most of his working life driving taxis so he knows his way around the whole city. He could spend all night regaling one with tales of his taxi days. Neil has been a volunteer for COSMOS, driving for their disco for the handicapped. His volunteer activities extended to the RSPCA, Community Transport Services and the Hobart Computer Users Group.

Colin Crowder
Born in the UK, Colin found paradise in Tasmania 1966 and joined ABC TV in '67 working as a cameraman and audio recordist and retired 40 years later as a program maker. Past interests include: flying, camping,bushwalking, kayaking, motorbikes and bicycle road racing. In Jan. '08, he took delivery of his very smart new Jeanneau yacht and sailed it from Sydney to Hobart. You can find him usually around the Channel somewhere. (He doesn't want anyone to know that he once went aground near the Zinc works and had to be hauled off by the police boat "Vigilant" so we won't mention that).