Updated 19-Dec-2025, 7:25 AM AEST by Don McKenzie
As I've started receiving emails about life after Totes, I've created this new section to keep them separate from old Totes system emails. This space will cover Dontronics and my adventures, including travels to Darwin and beyond. To get us started, I've included a story about a friend in Darwin - check it out below!
Image Source: N/A There were many passing photos taken, as this was right on the Stuart Highway. With the assistance of Jeffrey Fong, I was able to speak directly with John Garner, the owner of the RED Torana in this story.
John was living on the Stuart Highway at the Narrows when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin in the small hours of Christmas Day 1974, killing 71 people and devastating 80 per cent of the city. In the days and weeks following the disaster, most of the traumatised population had left the city.
A brick wall had collapsed on top of the car, and the photos were taken when the wall had been removed a few weeks after the Cyclone. This was when John added the "TRACEY YOU BITCH" white writing to the boot of the car. Sure, he spelt it wrong by adding an "E", but this is now part of the history of this image. He didn't really care how it was spelt at this point in his life.
The location was the flats right opposite the main gates of the RAAF base. John now lives out at Palmerston.
The car was a 1972 LJ 4-cylinder Red Torana. Strangely, this was also my first brand-new car.
John told me he was with the Aviation Fire Brigade and did a lot of trips to Tullamarine for training. The crew always stayed at the Gladstone Park Motel. As it turns out, I have lived at Gladstone Park (Tullamarine) since the year of Cyclone Tracy, 1974. We exchanged stories about Taxi drivers and short trips from Tulla airport.
In the past few years, I've had the privilege of connecting with survivors of Darwin's Cyclone Tracy, many of whom have become dear friends.
Let me share a story about the photo titled "TRACEY YOU BITCH" featuring a Red Torana at The Narrows in Darwin in early 1975.
It's worth noting that John Garner, the car's owner, spelt "Tracey" differently from the Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) spelling of "Tracy." Both spellings are acceptable as the female Christian name if you check online.
John highlighted to me that in the chaotic aftermath of Tracy, with no access to radio, TV, newspapers, or even basic necessities like food, electricity and fresh water, expecting him to adhere to the "correct" spelling was unrealistic.
For nearly 50 years, John has endured criticism and corrections about his spelling, even in today's social media discussions. But behind that spelling choice lies a poignant story worth understanding.
So, the next time someone points out John's spelling error, please remember the circumstances that led to it and remind them.
And go have a look at John's replica RED Torana, which is a highlight at the Darwin NT Museum.
29-May-2024 Geoff Watts
On 29/05/2024 7:26 pm, Geoff Watts wrote: Don,
I watched Dave's video today, and it reminded me that years ago (maybe very early 00s) I invested in a Simmstick or two, and was able to figure out how to build a pretty basic motorsport race timing system which I managed to sell to a Perth motorsport venue - which was a mixed blessing as they were always suspicious when I finished with a good time!
EEVblog 1619 - Video Mailbag: Featuring Don McKenzie ▶That sparked something (entrepreneurship, tech, a combination of the two), and soon after I moved to London to co-found a software business with my wife, which was quite successful.
I also recall reading a lot of projects you designed in Silicon Chip.
Thank you for pushing technology forward in Australia, which I wish was more of a focus here than digging things out of the ground, and for inspiring me in my career.
Regards, Geoff Watts
26-July-2025 Oliver Bailey
Oliver Bailey
Hi Don, I've around the industry professionally since '71. Some years ago I purchased a kitty usb analyser from you. I forgot how it works on the network and how to get to the menu. It still works well for low anf full speed. I retired after 53 years in the industry. I wrote Macro-Mon for the Model I, III, and IV with Geoffrey Jake Commander. In the US, that computer and software were put on display at the Smithsonian with the program running.
I was out of the country at the time.
Hope you are doing well.
Sincerely, Oliver Bailey
26-July-2025 My Response:
Hi Oliver,
Good to hear from you. Thanks for the feedback on yourself and some of your adventures.
"Kitty USB Analyser", I remember the name, can visualise an image, but can't recall if I stocked them or sold them indirectly, what you would call an Affiliate sale today. I have 6 AI machine bookmarks, and only one came up with a close answer, so I shouldn't worry about my recall if AI has no real knowledge.
I'll add your little piece of history to my archived pages.
Cheers Don...