Brian was one the original Right of Way (ROW) Agents.
Commencing work with William Bros CMPS in the early 1970s, Brian was involved in negotiating the acquisition of easements for many of the major pipelines in Australia.
His relaxed style and dry wit won over many a landowner, resulting in an excellent success rate in obtaining easement agreements.
Brian was a people person.
Affectionately known as “˜Knackers’, he once described himself, tongue in cheek, as a “quiet, shy, retiring chap, ruggedly handsome and carelessly well-dressed”.
Brian was a good friend and companion to many of us during life in the offices, camps and pubs along the many ROWs and will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to work with him.
During his pipeline career, Brian progressed to supervisory and management roles working mainly with Williams Bros, CMPS, Egis Consulting, then GHD on the following pipelines, to name a few:
- Moomba – Sydney Gas Pipeline;
- Sydney – Newcastle Gas and Petroleum Products Pipeline;
- Amadeus Basin to Darwin Gas Pipeline;
- Goldfields Gas Pipeline;
- Daly Waters – McArthur River Gas Pipeline;
- Moomba – Sydney Ethane Pipeline;
- PNG – Queensland Gas Pipeline;
- Eastern Gas Pipeline;
- Tasmania Gas Pipeline;
- Hunter Gas and Queensland Hunter Gas Pipelines; and,
- Wingecarribee Reservoir – Goulburn Water Pipeline.
An accomplished yachtsman, Brian was a proud member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia from an early age.
Rugby was another of Brian’s passions, being a steadfast member of Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club.
His funeral was held in Rose Bay on 27 November 2014 attended by approximately 1,000 family and friends.
Brian is survived by his wife Kate and their children, Justine, Andrew, David, Caroline, Amelia, Edward, their partners and his fifteen grandchildren.
Gone to sea.
