Today is a very sad day. When I first met him 25 years ago he was an examiner at YMMB approving licences and I/R renewals. He was gracious to give me my CPL and I/R and a number of renewals. He was by far the most outstanding aviator amongst his peers even if judged solely on his knowledge and character. As the years rolled on he became even more and today for me we have lost not only John the pilot and icon but in our aviation world we have also lost a father. As I head off the LHR, I contemplate, not what I have achieved in my life, but what he allowed me to achieve and what he made me believe that I could achieve. I will miss his cheery smile and humility whilst having a beer with him at RVAC. As I said, a very sad day for aviation at YMMB, Victoria and across Australia.