Our long-standing member and devoted supporter, Dr Mansell (Taffy) Thomas, died on 20 December last year at age 89.
Taffy and his wife Fran were among our earliest members, having joined ARCS in1983. They have remained active and supportive members ever since.
Until quite recently, Taffy (with Fran) volunteered for our Springbrook Rescue project. For several years, Taffy came up to Springbrook four times a year when we were carrying out plant growth measurements and recording other data on our 16 growth plots. And while at Springbrook, Taffy applied one of his many skills in taking responsibility for cleaning and sharpening all our cutting tools.
I first met Taffy when he headed the Chemical Pathology laboratory at Royal Brisbane Hospital and I was conducting parties of medical biochemistry students. Taffy was highly regarded in his profession and was responsible for setting up the drug testing procedures for the Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane in 1982.
Taffy was a very keen cricket fan, a member of the Queensland Cricket Association and regularly attended matches at The Gabba.
Taffy, as his name indicates, was Welsh and despite decades in Australia he never lost his accent.
Taffy was a devoted supporter and a dear friend. We miss him greatly.
Keith Scott