I first met Alan in 1st Class Primary School at Casino. He lived half a block away from our house in North Street, Casino. The Lockett family owned a large block of land at the back of their house where we aften played. Later, in late primary and 1st year High School we played bicycle polo, built dams across creeks, and generally roamed Casino and environs. I was present when the great carbide incident took place and as I write now, i cab still see our inkwells gently bubbling away with mini explosions of dark blue ink spreading throughout the classroom, staining blouses and draining down the desks onto exercise books. What fun! He got his nickname "Tinny" when a army disposal store opened up and we all acquired tin helmets and hand grenades filled with concrete. The game was to hit each others tin helmet with the wearer underneath it. you can guess who's idea THAT was. Vale "Tinny"

Alan was my mentor , friend and confidante since I met him in Woomera in 1988 when he was the Area Administrator. He was my main Referee on my Resume and he followed my somewhat interesting career path until his death. Alan was straight to the point, blunt when he had to be and his advice to me was timely and straight to the point. I will miss him greatly.