Mick Dolman

Don't even remember they had those things then.

And she got the telegram and the young guy down the post office took it up to her where she was working in the chemist.

And the message was...

Don't worry, I'm safe, I'm in hospital and I'll be home soon.

And she said, what a rude bloody joke.

What a rude bloody joke.

Oh, she thought it was a prank?

She thought it was a prank.

The family come in and who would be the prick that would do that?

Anyway, I think I got a phone somewhere to ring and to let them know that it's true, I'm there.

And of course, all of the families that were still alive had beautiful stories to tell about finding out the information.

But I also reflected on the guys who were dead and no good news for their families.

And that made me really angry because this tragedy was coming to an end.

And some will be able to celebrate, but others will be heartbroken for a long, long time.

And those who are the cause of this tragedy should have paid a lot, lot more.

I expected them and demanded apology to all the crew and their families.

There should have been an apology at the highest level for those seafarers and those searchers, and it hasn't come, and I'm still arguing about it and will continue to push this.

The 50th anniversary has just gone past, and there was an event down in Hobart where the governor came along and others, but still no apology.

And some of those families lost their whole livelihood, and I think if there's a decent government...

that has some compassion for the occupation of seafaring, allows these things to happen, and in sync with the no-hopers who've done nothing to help these people, it's an absolute disgrace.