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| UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF SIR KEITH YORSTON PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION MIKE CAMPBELL CHAIRMAN OF THE JUNIOR AUSTRALIAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATON INTRODUCES SANDY TODRIN VICE PRESIDENT AND YOURS TRULY (EXTREME RIGHT) TO THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF PACIFIC FLEET U.S.NAVY
A tribute to a dear friend : Michael Daniel Campbell who died on this day in 1999 at the relatively young age of 66yrs.
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Mike was a Solicitor by Profession and a member of the Council of St. John's College at Sydney University. He had originally come from Gunnedah, where I believe his Father had been Mayor. Mike did his schooling at St.Joseph's College Hunter's Hill as a Boarder. He was a devout Catholic and had very broad interests in public affairs and politics as well as religion.He was never married. His brother is a Priest.
Mike and I shared our religion, our interest in the Australian -American Association , our Membership at the time, of the Royal Automobile Club
and a conservative view of Political matters. We used to dine at the RAC approx. monthly and after an enjoyable dinner we would adjourn to the Members' Lounge for Coffee and a Chartreuse or two ( thus stimulating the Monastic economy) and it was in that setting that very many of the World's problems were solved ( without any apparent external effect!)
Mike was a guest at our wedding when Robyn and I married in 1970, and a regular Dinner guest over the years, as we were to become at his home.
He was a very good man, and a thoroughly honourable man. Though his opinions and mine rarely differed, he was always that little bit more generous and formal in his judgement of the "baddies"in many cases. I admired that in him. We shared many grand occasions, particularly in connection with the United States Navy. I particularly enjoy the memory of Mike and I being invited to Lunch aboard the Nuclear -powered Guided Missile Cruiser U.S.S. LONG BEACH a beautifully designed and large ship moored out in the roadstead opposite Farm Cove. We were to be collected from a landing on the Western side of Farm Cove. Across from the ship came a huge Admiral's Barge and we were borne in great state to the Port Side Ladder, climbed the very high ship's side and were greeted by a full Side Party , saluted to and welcomed aboard as if we were Royalty. We were both embarrassed, but Mike the more so, because he was a very shy and unassuming person, though a great stickler for propriety.
If he cares to look down from above, I am sure he will have a chuckle at my efforts to get all the brush strokes right in this brief verbal portrait.
Mike we miss you very much and pray for the repose of your soul .
