JOSEPH
MICHAEL “MICK” GILSHENEN
16 SEPTEMBER 1937 to 30 AUGUST 2000
ROYAL
AUSTRALIAN NAVY 0/59572, 11 JANUARY 1963-14 SEPTEMBER 1987
JOSEPH MICHAEL GILSHENEN — Mike and
“Mick” to his shipmates of 25 years.
MICK was born in Charleville (outback Queensland) on the 16 September 1937— MICK was one of seven children all living at Wyoming Sheep Station. His other brother and sister being Pat; Barry; Bobby; Doug; Sue and Tony.
MICKs first education (apart from life education on the Sheep Station) was by correspondence, he later attended Nudgy College in Brisbane where he excelled both academically and in sport, MICK was an excellent rugby player.
After college MICK went to the University of Queensland to study medicine for 3 years, unfortunately MICK did not like medicine, I say unfortunately because I think MICK would have been a wonderful doctor, but in 1963 he decided it wasn’t for him and he joined the Royal Australian Navy as an electrician. While MICK was learning his new trade he met his life long partner and loving wife Jean, They were married in Denmark on the 27 February 1965. MICK and Jean had three children, Sharon, Wayne and Anthony and one grandchild Jarrad.
MICK’s time in the Royal Australian Navy spanned 25 years first as an electrician where he served in Vietnam from 16 March 1970 to 9 October 1970, after which MICK went to teachers’ college in Mount Lawley and he became an academic instructor — (quite a few senior officers today would have been taught math’s 2 — 3 and physics by MICK.
MICK moved up the ranks to Chief Petty Officer and in 1980 he was promoted to Lieutenant where he taught mathematics to the electrical branch at HMAS Cerberus.
MICK finished his naval career as the Senior Naval Recruiting Officer — Western Australia and it was my great pleasure to be his deputy for that period — we made sure we enjoyed our last years in the Royal Australian Navy.
On retirement from the Royal Australian Navy, MICK worked as a relief teacher at Wesley College and for the last 10 years he has worked with me in the swimming pool industry.
MICK was a man of strength and firm loyalty, a great mate, father and husband, he never sought accolades but he was high achiever in all aspects and I’m sure the world is a lesser place with MICK’s passing, but all the good time and great memories will live on. May he leave with a fair wind and full sail — Rest In Peace.
Your mate
Barry Quigley BEM
