Around 1970, I received an invitation to join the Silver Top Taxi Radio Room as a radio operator. During this time, I met Colin, and we quickly became close friends because we shared many interests.
We both considered ourselves "top guns" in the taxi industry, as we knew how to navigate the system and maximise our earnings, even when other drivers were struggling.
Working the night shift as both drivers and radio operators allowed us to understand the system well enough to tilt it slightly in our favour.
Although we share those stories privately today, I believe it's best to keep most of them unsaid, as we could face serious consequences if we did the same things now.
Peter Brannigan was our Radio Room Supervisor at that time. Peter and I were offered an additional job as Radio Room Operators at City Towing in Collingwood. This meant we were working two 8-hour shifts each day, five days a week.
However, most nights, the tow truck business was very quiet, except for Fridays and Saturdays, allowing us to get some sleep during most of our shifts. We alternated shifts between Carlton and Collingwood, but since Peter managed the roster at Silver Top, we were able to balance the task effectively.
We continued this arrangement for about 12 to 18 months, all while still working part-time as taxi drivers during this period. Eventually, we all moved on, but a few years later, we managed to have a Christmas lunch reunion for the radio room staff in Melbourne, which included a sizable number of our former colleagues, both male and female.
In later years, our group had five members, including Brian Planke and Matti McNaughton. We were good friends, but sadly, one by one, they have passed away. I believe Brian stayed in the taxi industry and became the manager at Black Cabs. Matti and his wife owned a pub in Yarrawonga, Victoria, for many years before eventually retiring to Gladstone Park, where I currently live.
I would often see Matti walking his greyhounds, and during our last few lunches together, I would pick him up. The very last time we met, he was using an oxygen tank, so I dropped him off outside the pub and had to park far away in a Wilson Carpark.
I remember parking my car and noticing a nearby sedan rocking back and forth. Curious about what was happening, I glanced into the backseat and saw a young couple getting intimate. I thought to myself, "Well, this is Melbourne these days." Is this how I want to remember my final day with Matti?
Eventually, our group dwindled down to three people: me, Peter, and Colin. In the photo at the top of this page, you can see us together. I ran my own business called Dontronics, while Peter won a substantial amount in Tattslotto in 2002, which allowed him to retire and enjoy 19 holes of golf every day.
Colin initially went to Israel for an adventure, participating in the Six-Day War. However, he arrived late and eventually moved there permanently, where he got married and started a family. More details about his story can be seen in his son's video and the story below.
Colin and Shula. Our wedding. Tel Aviv May 1975.
Colin would return to Australia regularly, and we maintained our three-man luncheons in Melbourne. Unfortunately, Peter passed away from cancer just before COVID-19 in 2019. I called him shortly before he died, and he thanked me for being a lifelong friend - a phone call I will always remember.
Colin was scheduled for heart surgery around that time, and then the conflicts in Gaza and Iran occurred, causing me to lose track of him. He eventually appeared as a suggested friend on Facebook, so I attempted to contact him via Facebook Messenger.
After some time, I found an old notebook with his email address, which led to the exchange of emails detailed below. Until that point, we both believed we were the last one standing, so to speak, until I rediscovered Colin through social media.
Why Odyssey?
The Last Man Standing: A 56-Year Odyssey from 1970s Melbourne to Israel 2026.
A headline I came up with when I started writing this story.
A headline Colin's son Boaz Fremder came up with when he produced "Trails of Memory: The Colin Odyssey"
We both chose the word Odyssey
Boaz's video resonated deeply with me. I watched it three times, and it moved me to tears. It felt like our stories intertwined, as if we were both searching for a connection through our experiences.
The video seemed to conclude at a poignant moment, when you settled back in Israel. I couldn't help but wonder if there would be a part 2.
I'd love to see a continuation of your story, picking up where the video left off. Perhaps you could share more about your life in Israel and reflect on your journey as a whole.
Your perspective would bring a unique depth to the narrative, especially if you drew from your experiences since returning home.
I felt I could add our story to this intro, and you could add your part 2, and we place it down near the bottom of this file.
1968 to 1970 - Taxi Driver - Don McKenzie
When I came back to Melbourne, I drove taxis on what we called a hungry shift, 5PM to 5AM, 7 days a week. I did that for two years. My wife Cheryl joined the very first bunch of female taxi drivers during this time.
1970-1972 - Radio Room Operator - Don McKenzie
Having won over the Silver Top Taxi Radio room manager, I was invited to join the staff in the radio room. I ended up working three shifts on three different jobs at one stage: Silver Top Taxis in Carlton, Yellow Cabs in South Melbourne, and City Towing in Collingwood. Now there is a long boring story about how we shuffled shifts to make this 24-hour, 7 days a week rotation work, but I also managed to drive taxis in my spare time during this period.
Up until recently, we had a Christmas lunch radio room reunion on a regular basis in Melbourne. I now believe I'm the last man standing, so to speak, so there are no more lunches. :-(
Colin's Email 5-July-2025
Hi Straub, (Colin's nickname for me. I had red hair)
What a surprise to hear from you. I am 81 years old now and believed I was the only survivor from those days.
I am so sorry to hear of your medical problems, but as you say, you are getting the best care available. I have been on a walking stick for over 2 years. After 4 falls, my wife and our family doctor convinced me to get a walker, which I use most of the time.
My health is only so-so. For several years, I have suffered from dizziness when I walk only 30-40 meters. I suffer from vertigo and have to hold on to someone or something when I get up until the dizziness subsides. In mid-June, I caught Covid, which I was told was nothing and just required rest for a few days.
Well, this resulted in pneumonia that had me hospitalized for 4 days. Two days before the war broke out, they virtually sent all the patients in our ward home but decided I was not fit enough to go. The next day, they sent me home and arranged for a doctor and a nurse to visit me daily. The next day, the war broke out, and the ward I had been in was completely destroyed. The hospital is enormous inside, and the part I was in is only a fraction of the beds available.
Yesterday, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. The celebration had been postponed twice before because of both my hospitalization and the curfews in place due to the war. Please excuse me if I don't make 100% sense; my memory is not what it used to be.
I had planned to visit Australia on two occasions but had to cancel at the last minute, mainly due to health reasons.
Please keep in touch.
Cheers,
Colin
My Response: 6-July-2025
Hi Colin,
It's quite amazing that we both thought we were the last man standing from that time, isn't it?
I don't feel the need to tell you a lot about myself, as most of it has already been written and posted online, even in recent days.
However, I do have an idea that I hope you can approve of and assist me a little.
Please check out: https://www.dontronics.com/odyssey.html
The Last Man Standing: A 55-Year Odyssey from 1970s Melbourne to Israel 2025
Given our connection dating back to the 1970s, I feel a strong desire to keep you close in my life's journey. It reminds me of when I last spoke with Peter Brannigan before he passed away; he expressed gratitude for our lifelong friendship that spanned all those years.
I would love to complete the story by adding your journey during our friendship. I can totally understand if you are not up to doing it for health or other reasons.
I guess what I am after is a page, maybe two pages of text, plus two or three images, such as you in your role at the Museum, a family picture, and any other you feel may enhance the story.
Sure, it is a miniature life legacy, but one that I feel you will be able to show your family and future generations.
Your very old mate Don... (AKA Straub)
Feature Films about the Australian Light Horse Charge at Beersheba
Forty Thousand Horsemen (1940)
Director: Charles Chauvel Country: Australia Language: English Runtime: ~100 min Genre: War / Drama Stars: Grant Taylor, Chips Rafferty, Pat Twohill, Betty Bryant
This classic Australian war film follows three Light Horsemen — Red Gallagher, Jim, and Larry — during the Sinai and Palestine campaign of World War I. The story culminates in the iconic charge at the Battle of Beersheba. It blends action, camaraderie, and romance, with Red developing a relationship with a French woman, Juliet. The battle scenes used actual Light Horse units and innovative cinematography for the time.
The Lighthorsemen (1987)
Director: Simon Wincer Country: Australia Language: English Runtime: ~131 min Genre: War / Drama Stars: Jon Blake, Peter Phelps, Gary Sweet, Sigrid Thornton, Tony Bonner, Bill Kerr
The film follows a small group of Australian Light Horse soldiers in 1917, building from inaction to key roles in Allied operations. The story climaxes with the dramatic Beersheba charge. It combines battlefield action with personal arcs and a romantic subplot, using hundreds of trained horses and historically accurate costumes and equipment. The charge scene is one of the most memorable cinematic depictions of the event.
The ANZAC Memorial Center in Be'er Sheva was built in cooperation with the governments of Australia and Israel, the Be'er Sheva municipality, the JNF, JNF Australia, and the CWGC.
The Center is located near the cemetery for combatants of the First World War in Be'er Sheva. The ANZAC Memorial Center is a unique place in Israel that tells the story of the soldiers of the ANZAC and their conquest in the land of Israel. Pre-bookings are advisable.
Colin's recent museum work has garnered great reviews on Tripadvisor, as seen below:
The (Former) governor of Victoria, and her husband with me at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on the day we had an international Australian rules Footy Game.
Colin giving a tour to tourists, at the Anzac Memorial Center.
Produced by his son Boaz Fremder for his father's 80th birthday. Uploaded Dec 27, 2023
A special 80th birthday homage. This film takes you on a personal ride through Colin's life. Starting in the comforts of Melbourne, we follow Colin from his childhood days, through his eye-opening experiences. We get an intimate look at Colin's family, understanding his parents' journey to Australia, and how his heritage has shaped him. It's a story filled with personal struggles, work life, and moments that all resonate with the historical events happening around him.
This documentary is a down-to-earth, honest portrayal, a reminder that our personal stories aren't just ours alone - they're part of the world's larger narrative.
Colin's Story Israel Today 2025
I never planned on immigrating to Israel. Most people who intend to immigrate to Israel plan it months or even years in advance for many different reasons, but all are strong Zionists.
In 1974, I was between jobs and had decided to take a holiday in the U.S.A., 15 States in 12 days. I had a friend, whom I had met whilst in Israel in 1967, who worked in his father's travel agency in Melbourne. He knew about my stay in Israel and my involvement after the Six-Day War. He talked me into going to Israel instead of to the U.S.A., and I arrived in Tel Aviv on a tourist visa.
One of the first places I visited was the British Zionist Federation, whose main function is to assist new immigrants from Commonwealth countries to settle in Israel. I met the lady, who did so much for me and the families of my two friends who were killed in separate accidents. She asked me what I was doing in Israel, and I told her I was just a tourist. She then started to talk me into staying here. I told her my main reason for leaving Israel.
In 1967, I could not find work here. She then told me if that was the reason, things had changed over the years, and she convinced me to try staying in Israel, and she would find me a job, which she did for me. This did not work out for several reasons, and she then found me a job at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv, picking up and delivering laundry to the guests' rooms.
Finishing a Marathon
This suited me well as it gave me plenty of time to sleep on the job after partying all night. After about 6 months, I met my future wife and decided that if I were to stay in Israel, I would have to change my status from tourist to temporary resident and find a more serious job.
I found a job in Beer Sheva, which did not work out and eventually found work with an American Company who were building a multimillion-dollar phosphate factory about an hour's drive from Beer Sheva. My job there was arranging material from overseas and travelling to Jerusalem each week to obtain import permits for material not available in Israel. I stayed there for about 18 months until the job was completed.
I then went to work in the shipping department of the county's largest exporter of agricultural chemicals, Israel Bromine Co. I spent 18 months there. Whilst there, my temporary resident's visa expired and I became a permanent resident, which meant I was compelled to spend 3 months of basic training in the Israeli army.
By law, I could not be fired from where I worked, and I received my full salary through the National Insurance of Israel. I hated this job, but because of my pending army service, I had no option but to continue there. My military career lasted, after 3 months of basic training, for 10 years of reserve duty, which lasted 5 weeks per year. I hated basic training. But loved reserve duty.
Army reserve duty, On Egyptian border with Egyption Officer and his sergeant.
After leaving the bromine compound, I eventually went to work with a South African company who were constructing a new plant at the Dead Sea. This was a 10-million-dollar job. My job there was Material handling and Assistant Administration Manager. This job lasted about 2 years, but I stayed on for about 5 years. My boss in stage 1 was a South African, called L, who loved spending money. His secretary was a middle-aged South African. An Israeli woman called M, who was as mean as they come. Every time I would order office supplies, M would complain that she could get them for half the price. L answer to this was to tell me to double the order.
She sat at a desk facing L's office. They ordered a new desk for her. She is left-handed, and the desk was right-handed. It was sent back, and the replacement was again right-handed. The third try and correct desk was eventually sent. I went up to her and whispered in her ear that if the desk were facing, L could see straight up her legs. Next thing, L was seen installing a modesty board to quieten M down. The job was great fun. I could write pages about the pranks we got up to.
Our entire family, Including 13 grandchildren 2023.
Colin's Story Israel Today 2025 Part 2
At the end of stage 1, I stayed another 3 years on other projects that Bateman Engineering held. All told, I worked for them from March 1980 until March 1985. Last job was Stage 2 of the new Potash Plant at the Dead Sea, which went for almost 2 years. Towards the end of this job, rumor had it that we would be awarded another multi-million dollar job of constructing a conveyor belt from the Dead Sea Works, approx. 300 meters below sea level, to the railway loading bay, at sea level. Total length was 17.2 kilometers.
Towards the end of the work on stage 2, a gentleman came into our site office and asked me to show him around. I politely told him that the offices did not belong to us and he would have to contact the Dead Sea Works for details. I asked him what his interest was, and he told me that he represented an English Company who were awarded the contract for the erection of the conveyor belt. I immediately showed him around and gave him all the information he required. I also asked him for a job on their project. It took about 3 months before it became official that they were awarded the contract, and I started working for them. All the while, Bateman Engineering was certain that the contract was going to them.
I worked on the conveyor belt from April 1985 to March 1987. It was an Engineering masterpiece. 17.2 kilometers, straight up. 1 continuous belt,
12 bridges over valleys. The contract was for 21 million dollars, which included a 5 million dollar contingency. The job went about 5 million over.
As it was a turnkey project, the company had to pay for all the extras. The project manager was the perfect English gentleman. Every time the sub-contractors applied for extra money, he approved it. Until the head office woke up to how he was handling the project and fired him, it was too late, as the damage was already done. We worked with 5 or 6 subcontractors of whom most of them were honest. It was one contractor who caused all the damage.
One of many stories I can tell (there were many) was, whilst commissioning the belt. In those days, there were no mobile phones, and communication was through walkie-talkies. To keep in contact with the crew down below and the crew at ground level, we set up crews on the way to relay when to start pulling the cable up. It was all done at night. Four crews of 2. At about 3.00 a.m. one morning, we lost contact with one of the crews. I went out to see what had happened and came across 2 crews sound asleep.
Rather than wake them, I leaned over and removed the ignition keys. Back at the camp, I rang the contractor providing the manpower to say that we had lost contact with one of the crews and could he come immediately to see what had happened. In the meantime, the crew woke up and started calling us to say that they had lost the ignition keys. When the contractor came out to the site and handed him the keys. It was the last time we used the manpower of this contractor.
The only interesting job I had after the construction of the conveyor was from September 1978 until June 1990, at an Israeli Air Force base. The work was for the American Corps of Engineering, and I work for the Israeli company that did all the work for them. My job was an Administration and Safety Manager. Safety was unheard of in those days. For the Americans, it was their number 1 priority for them I took it very seriously.
I had an American friend who worked in safety at the Dead Sea. I arranged for him to come onto our base. I asked the American COE rep to tell our site manager that an important guest was coming to the site from the States to inspect the safety, and would Colin be free to show him around. When he arrived, I briefed him on what to say.
When asked how he liked Israel, he replied that the best thing he had come across was Israeli beer. This caused the project manager to run to the P.X. store, and have a six-pack ready for when he returned from a site inspection. Upon inspection, every time we found a safety infringement, I would tell the foreman in Hebrew, to immediately rectify it before the Americans noticed it. Of course, my friend understood Hebrew, so everything I said, he would immediately query it in English. This went on for over an hour. Nobody twigged it was all put up.
For the next 10 years, I worked on several projects before working on the construction of the first toll road in Israel. It was 175 KM in length. I was given a free hand in safety, and how we ran it has been used as an example throughout Israel. We had, at a given time, 10 to 12 subcontractors on site, totaling up to 1500 workers.
All accidents were supposed to be reported to us, and a full investigation was to be held. The subies were not interested in reporting incidents. Over a period of 4 years, not 1 accident was reported. (Complete bullshit), But 10 fatalities occurred. All of which could have been avoided if safety instructions had been carried out. All accidents, if not fatal, were covered up.
One of the worst fatalities occurred at an isolated spot. They were laying foundations for a bridge 12 meters high. To do this, they had to pile drive 3 times the height of the supports. The procedure was, once the pile was dug, they had to place a casing, 50cm high, around the open hole. The foreman completely ignored warnings. He consistently said that the holes were only 40 cm in circumference, and were to be filled within 24 hours.
All was very well until somebody fell into the hole. It took 5 days to dig out the body. Several months after this fatality, I was confronted by the foreman responsible for this accident. He apologized for the attitude he showed towards me. He told me that this was his day of work and he had a court case pending over this incident. He told me he was 29 years old and married with 3 children. He was expecting to get between 3 to 5 years in prison. If only he had listened to me. Now he would be branded a criminal for the rest of his life
Another incident that occurred was that I received a phone call from a COE engineer I had worked with several years ago,
asking if it was possible to take a tour of the road. We arranged it for a Friday morning.
When I told my boss about it, he said that our project was to finish in a couple of months,
and my job for as long as it took was to find out the name and telephone number of the Let. Colonel in charge of all COE work in Israel 2 days
before our tour, I got a call from my buddy, asking if it was O.K. that his boss came along.
Not only did my boss get the information he wanted, but he also came on the tour and got to know the Let Colonel.
During the tour, we came upon a crew trying to lift a 24-inch concrete sewage pipe. They were using a sling attached to a JCB excavator. The sling had a bare thread to lift the pipe. And no one was wearing PPE equipment. I apologized to my guests that, because of the seriousness of the infringements, I would have to stop the tour and attend to what was going on. After much arguing, they finally agreed to leave the site. We continued on. On the way back, the crew had returned to work and absolutely refused to leave the site. My boss, who was also the security manager, told me to show them how to remove them.
A telephone call to our security team brought them immediately to the site. The boys are really tough and are fully armed. After pointing their submachine guns at them, they immediately packed up and left the site. The Let Colonel remarked that not only impressed but had never seen safety performed in that way. This led to him securing a job as a safety officer on an upcoming COE project,
With the help of the COE, who recommended me, I spent the next 6 years with a German/Israeli company as a safety officer, on many projects for the COE. The most memorable incident was on an Air Force Base. We had 3 separate projects going, each with a separate foreman. I had no end of trouble with one of these foremen, who refused to wear safety boots. One day, after arguing with him for about half an hour, I finally rang the project manager to get him to assist me. He asked what I wanted to do. I told him to suspend the foreman for a week.
After much deliberation, it was decided to suspend him for the next day only. The next day, the Company's managing director paid a visit to the site. He asked me how safety was progressing. I told him about what had happened the previous day. He went berserk. Wanted to know who gave me the authority to send somebody off the site. I told him it was my initiative, but it was the project manager who decided on the suspension.
He left my office and said we will talk to the P.M. and then decide what action he will take. In the afternoon, He left the site without any action being taken. After he left, the company secretary came to my office and wanted to know if it was true that I had suspended the foreman, and the whole site was talking about it. I told her to cool it. She then asked me if she told me a secret, I would not tell it came from her. What she told me was that the foreman had previously asked for a day off. It was all a bluff, and I was the center of the ploy. I was fuming.
When I got home. I filled an empty whiskey bottle with cold tea. The next day, I confronted the foreman, apologized for sending him home, and asked him to accept a gift of an almost full bottle of whiskey. (It was not full to the top as I could not seal it.) After much persuasion, he accepted the gift, and word went around the site of what a dumb idiot I was. One of the other foremen was talking to the foreman, who I thought was suspended for the day.
The other foreman said it was his birthday and that night was having a celebration at his home. He accepted the gift that I gave to the (suspended) foreman. That night, he poured the whiskey and discovered it was not whiskey. Straight to the hospital, where, after several hours, they were sent home. He who laughs last, laughs the loudest. I remained at Meisner until my (first) retirement in 2015, when I was 72 years old.
My first 4 years at Meisner were very good, but my last year there was terrible. Too many people who didn't like the way I worked.
Colin's Story Israel Today 2025 Part 3
On leaving Meisner, I had the satisfaction of screwing them nicely. Labor laws in Israel state that any employee is terminated without a good reason or if terminated because the project has finished and they have no further work, you are entitled to 1 month's pay for each year worked.
An exception to this is if you are at retirement age or seriously ill, you are entitled to severance pay. It is based on your last salary. With Meisner, there is a salary review in December, but it is not paid until the January salary. I had decided to quit in October, but waited until the bonus was in my pay.
I really did not anticipate any bonus and almost fell over when told that not only did I get a 10% increase, but also a month's payment. I quit the next day. The excuse I gave was that I wanted to retire. That really upset them, and they stopped talking to me throughout my month's notice.
After I left Meisner, word got around, and at 72 years of age, I was swamped with job offers. I became an independent worker, issuing an account for all work that I did.
The most memorable job I had was for an American Company based in Dubai. After 6 months with them and having issued a bill for 1 month's work and 11,000 dollars in expenses, I came to work one day to be told that the company had declared bankruptcy. Goodbye to $22,000. All I managed to get was my laptop, which I guess I stole from them.
The worst part of it was my expenses. The Company held 2 jobs. One in the South and 1 in the North. They had no safety officer in the north and promised me the world if I would juggle the 2 jobs until they could find a suitable person to fill the job in the North.
I had to pay for my accommodation for a month, which they agreed to refund, and they agreed to pay for excessive mileage for travelling from job to job. The problem was that the COE rep on site in the North would not approve any safety officer who was presented to her. I had worked with her on a previous COE job where she was project manager for Meisner . We were continuously at loggerheads about safety. Now she was with the COE her attitude completely changed and I became her golden boy.
After that, I did several small jobs before going to work for a person who I had worked for previously on a COE project. He was now working for an American Company as a project manager on another COE project. The 6 months I worked for them were amongst the best jobs I held.
After I resigned and gave a month's notice, he asked me to stay another month, which I agreed to. This took me up to 31 December. That night, they had a concrete pour and nobody to supervise it. I agreed to stay an extra day/night to help them out. The only reason I left was that the job was becoming too much for me. Climbing up to check the scaffolding, etc., was really getting too much for me. They had another safety officer starting mid-January. They let me keep the company car until he started work.
In 2014, after working several jobs in safety, at the age of 76, I decided it was too much for me and decided to hang up my boots and enjoy my retirement. After 3 weeks at home, and bored stiff, I started to look around for a volunteering job. I worked at first in a soup kitchen in Beer Sheva , dishing out meals for the unfortunates. It was really a joke.
Most of the clientele were well-off Russians who came with plastic bags to take home food for their family and friends. I was offered a job in the city council, 2 days a week, watching the C.T. cameras for traffic problems and broken water pipes, etc. Occasionally, I worked with the police, monitoring protesters from our office. If it looked like it could get out of hand, the police would move in.
About June 2016, I was approached by one of the managers in City Hall, who asked because I was Australian, did I know anything about the Anzacs. Of course, I told him that I knew all about the Anzacs and the Battle of Beer Sheva. (That night I read up all about it on the internet. He told me that they were building a Memorial Center to be opened on 31 October 2017, to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Beer Sheva.
Because I was Australian and had a lot of experience in the building trade, I readily agreed. Actually, he kept promising me that they would contact me in a day or two. On the 30th October, when the building was to open the next day, I approached him and told him that obviously they were not needing me and perhaps they could use me as an English speaking guide.
They readily agreed to this, and I started working, as a volunteer, 2 days a week. After the 2 weeks, it became obvious that it was not enough, and it became a full time volunteering job. I have met many V.I.P.s, including Australian politicians and Australian Ambassadors to Israel.
And this is where I am today. Because of the situation in Israel, there are very few tourists, and the Museum is only open 1 day a week. Because of this and my failing health, I have not done 1 day's work in the last 6 weeks. At 81, I think I have done enough in my life to warrant my retirement. Having said that, I have agreed to do another tour in November and to assist the Australian Embassy in this year's Memorial Ceremony on 31 October.
Colin and Shula at Norwegian Fjords - Cruise 2023.
Summing up and highlights of my life in Israel.
I am often asked if I miss Australia. After 51 years in Israel, I have not once considered moving back to Australia. Things in Israel have been difficult at times, but I am sure there will also be difficult times in Australia. Together with my wife, we have visited Australia many times. I feel that I am a tourist in Australia, visiting places I have never been to before. I still have friends and a brother in Australia.
We are treated like royalty when we visit, but we understand it is not the lifestyle we could afford if we lived there. We have our home in Beer Sheva and have 3 children scattered all around Israel. We have 13 grandchildren, 2 of whom are about to start their army training.
Hi-lights.
Meeting and marrying my wife in 1975.
Able to find work, mainly with English-speaking Companies most of the time . Having worked on some of the biggest projects in Israel.
Having run 14 Marathons, 13 in Israel and once in the London Marathon. Although no champion, I have done good times in all my marathons, having finished within the first 10% in London.
Having helped to organize an International Game of Australian Rules Football, with teams from Austria, Dubai, and Israel, and attended by the Governor of Victoria and the Australian Ambassador.
Colin and Shula. 50th wedding anniversary. June 2025.
The Last Man Standing - Epilogue
As this is a story about the last man standing, I felt I should give you an update on the current health of each of us.
I had open-heart surgery at the Melbourne Private Hospital in 2007, and really had a good run with my heart up until this year, 2025.
I have been rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital by ambulance twice this year, the last one being the Wednesday, the 27th of August 2025.
First time, late May, I had a blocked Artery and spent 1.5 weeks in Melbourne Private Hospital. I have needed a heart valve replacement in what they call a “TAVI” operation for 2 years now, so I thought it was that initially, as they have me under review for that one.
Don at Melbourne Private Hospital 27-may-2025. No I am not fat, I am wearing a mobile ECG under the shirt.
After the artery operation, I went to rehab for 6 weeks, lifting weights and peddling a mini-bike, building up my strength. I continued the exercise at home and was making significant improvements.
I was under the TAVI review with what they call an Echo scan, which was going to take place in December.
Monday, 25th of August, I had an episode of severe shortness of breath and dizziness. To cut to the chase, I was ambulanced into the RHM again.
It was determined that I now need the TAVI op. I am now scheduled to have this on Tuesday, 14 October 07:00. This has now been the 3rd time this op has been delayed.
I am currently as weak as a newborn kitten. I can’t walk out to the mailbox. So I have to wrap myself in cotton wool for 5 weeks so that I don’t damage the heart valve anymore.
Don at Home. 2-June-2025.
17-Oct-2025
The new heart valve (TAVI) operation on the 14th of October went well, and I made it home yesterday morning - chauffeured by a one-legged
NZ Uber driver by the name of Steve, driving a big beautiful Chinese Hybrid BYD vehicle. He has a Range Rover in the garage at home. Quite an interesting life story.
Before I left the hospital, my cardiologist asked for a hand with his upmarket Ubiquiti Wi-Fi extender. I pointed him toward ChatGPT, which he already uses.
From what I could tell from my short research, that fancy setup doesn't play nicely with Wi-Fi 7 in Australia, but I told him to just keep asking the right
questions until the answer shows up.
For now, I'm under orders to take it easy for two weeks before heading back to the cardiologist for more tests and a follow-up.
I was hoping to make it to the Melbourne Cup Day BBQ (4th-Nov) with my old Tote mates, but that's off the cards this year.
A bit wobbly at the knees at the moment - but I'm determined to build my strength back up.
3-Nov-2025
My recovery from heart valve surgery is progressing well. I have an echo scan
scheduled for the 15th of this month, followed by a review a few days later. If
all goes well with these appointments, I should be in the clear and can start
getting back into normal life again.
18-Nov-2025
After two emergency Ambulance rides and two heart operations this year:
Passed my scan and review today, and they’ve given me a 12-month recall—so I must be doing something right.
I’m up to 2,000 steps a day, and I’m gearing up for mini-bike pedalling and weight lifting again. Though to be fair, the “weights” at my age are only 1 kg!
We have booked for 2 months in Darwin for January and February. Airfare, accommodation, and a car, so I am hoping we can get there. My mind is still sharp, and I hope to build up my strength as the year progresses.
Don's Current Health Status:
6 January 2026
We’ve arrived in Darwin and are settling in comfortably.
Qantas were exceptionally helpful on the flight north and went out of their way to make the journey far better than I had expected. It was a flight I was almost dreading. Unfortunately, I can no longer carry my laptop onboard and had to pack it in my suitcase.
I’m still a little unsteady on my feet and rely on a walking stick for anything beyond short distances. When shopping, I use a trolley as a makeshift walker.
We’ll be here for two months and are looking forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying a few meals out, and indulging in plenty of coffee and beach walks.
My colourisation of Darwin’s historical photographs is now complete, with 1,000 images converted. The transition of the Facebook page into an AI colourisation learning space has been slow to gain momentum, and I suspect many members belong to an older demographic. Still, I’ll persist — I didn’t want to leave the group without a clear direction for the future.
The Adventures of Don McKenzie stories are essentially complete for now, though I expect I’ll continue to revise and add to them from time to time.
9 January 2026
You know you’re back in town when you’re having coffee at Saltwater @ Bundilla | Museum Café & Restaurant, Darwin, NT, with the old boys’ club. It was great to see you all again.
The heat and humidity caught up with me this morning as I’m still adjusting after my heart operations. It was probably the longest time I’ve spent out with friends since before them, so I clearly need to pace myself.
Thanks for the photo, Jeffrey.
Colin's Current Health Status:
5 July 2025
I have been on a walking stick for over 2 years. After 4 falls, my wife and our family doctor convinced me to get a walker, which I use most of the time.
My health is only so-so. For several years, I have suffered from dizziness when I walk only 30-40 meters. I suffer from Vertigo and have to hold on to someone or something when I get up until the dizziness subsides. In mid-June, I caught Covid, which I was told was nothing and just to rest for a few days. Well, this resulted in phenomena which had me hospitalised for 4 days. Two days before the war with Iran broke out, they virtually sent all the patients in our ward home, but decided I was not fit enough to go. The next day, they sent me home and arranged for a doctor and a nurse to visit me daily. The next day, the war with Iran broke out, and the ward I had been in was destroyed. The hospital is enormous inside, and the part I was in is only a fraction of the beds available.
Yesterday we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. The celebration had been postponed twice before because of both my hospitalisation and the curfews in place because of the war with Iran. Please excuse me if I do not make 100% sense. My memory is not what it used to be.
I had planned to visit Australia on two occasions, but had to cancel at the last minute, mainly because of health reasons.
Relaxing with a book at Home. Be'er Sheva Israel. August 2025.
5 Oct 2025
Firstly, I fell out of bed, injuring my left arm. 2 days after that, on visiting the hospital emergency ward, on a different issue, on the way home, I fell a second time and injured my right hand and arm. Still not feeling well, I went back to the emergency room the next morning. Feeling relieved that I did not get admitted to the hospital, on the way home, as I got out of the car, I fell again. Splitting my head open, Shula was parking the car, but fortunately, a neighbour saw what happened, called an ambulance and rendered first aid. Finally, after 5 hours in the hospital and going through many tests, they put 14 staples in my head and sent me home. The next day (Yesterday), I went to the local clinic to have my 3 injuries rebanged. I fell while trying to manoeuvre into a chair. No real damage done, just badly shaken up. On arriving home, I once again fell after getting out of the car, sustaining more cuts and bruises.. Some of the neighbours came to help Shula get me to my feet again.
22-Oct-2025
I will be back at work for 1 day, on 31 October, and hopefully no one has erased it. My health is only so-so. It seems to have gotten better on one day, only to deteriorate the next day. Yesterday I resumed rehabilitation exercises. They made me go very slowly. Today I went for a short walk and then to brunch together with my wife.
30-Oct-2025
After more than a month of doing nothing (except having my head stitched up and a few nights in hospital) I'm finally back (part time) at work. Full day tomorrow, the Anniversary of Battle of Beer Sheva and then I have 3 tours over the next week.In my hay days I would do 3 tours a day but this is keeping me busy..
I've attached a file which I wrote several years ago for new guides . Hope you find it interesting. It costs $12 for pensioners to take the tour but as you're not getting to see the movie we can give you a discount.
Keep in touch,
Colin
5-Nov-2025
Hi Don,
Last Friday was the 108th anniversary of the Battle of Beer Sheva. It was also the first time in about a month that I thought I was strong enough to take people on a tour of the museum.
I was a bit buggered after that and had to have 2 young ladies to support me whilst laying a wreath during the ceremony. I am going back full-time, 3 days next week. We have 3 days of VIP visits, all done in English. Hope I can stand up to it. Interesting story about Monday's visit.
I will wait until I do the tour before I tell you about it. It's a story starting about 5 years ago about the youngest trooper killed and buried in the cemetery here. To give you background, I will send you his file. I won't be at work until Sunday, so you will have to wait until then.
14-Dec-2025
No news is good news, so I presume you are fully recovered from your op. Are you up in Darwin yet? Do they have Wifi there or do they still send smoke signals? I have my good days and bad days. Am still going to the Anzac Museum whenever they have a pre booking for English Speakers.
28-Jan-2026
Hi Darwin Diamonds,
I’ve been a little busy over the last week at the museum. On 14 January, we held a memorial service for the victims of the Bondi massacre. We had over 150 people in attendance, including the Australian Ambassador and the Australian Military Attaché — both very lovely ladies. They arrived early especially to receive a full tour of the museum.
It was a little difficult with the rest of the crowd also arriving, but we somehow managed to give them the full tour.
Yesterday, we had a private tour for the former Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and his wife. He is here on a private visit, and we opened the museum especially for them. It was very informal — just the two of them and their guide, all on first-name terms.
Things over here are not that good. We expect that if Trump attacks Iran, we will be attacked. We have been instructed to have our bomb shelters ready. Last week we were expecting an attack, but Trump backed down at the last minute. How many thousands of protesters were massacred by the Iranian army to stop the protests? It won’t take long before Israel is blamed.
Take care and keep in touch,
Colin
28-Jan-2026 - My Email back to Colin
Hi Colin, you certainly have been busy. I’ve added your email to our web page — such an exciting time for you.
I know you must have mixed thoughts about what is going on in your world right now.
I sent an email earlier this year but didn’t receive a response, so I was a little concerned and was about to send another. I’ll send you both of my daughters’ email addresses, and perhaps you could also send me Boaz’s email address, so that if anything unforeseen takes place, we have alternative contact details.
I read your take on world events and must admit, I never would have believed things could have become so serious in my lifetime. I can only hope that things improve significantly for Israel, and for your family and friends.
We’ve been in Darwin for a month now — hot and humid, and it has taken its toll on me. I have to be very careful and use a walking stick on longer walks. We have another month up here.
It’s so good to see that you’re still getting out and about.
BTW, some useless information: I met both Bob Hawke and Julia Gillard before they became Australian Prime Ministers.
Don...
22-Feb-2026
Colin Fremder
G'day Darwin Diamonds,
Not much to tell you. I'm still in the running for the last standing ex-Silver Top radio operator.
How are you keeping? Must be about ready to return to Melbourne. Exactly what is the Darwin Diamonds? As I understand it, it is very similar to the T.V. series "The Thursday Murder Club" with Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. What happens during the 10 months that you are not in Darwin? Are there no murders to solve during the 10 months that you are not there?
Boaz's email is boazf AT jln.co.il
Things over here are pretty nerve-racking. Nobody knows if there will be a war with Iran. The main thought right now is that there will be a war, but when? We go about our normal lives right now. Keep the sealed room ready if needed. No tourism. I haven't been to the museum for about 3 weeks now. That's about it for now. Have a safe trip back to Melbourne and keep in touch.
Cheers
Colin
13-Mar-2026
Colin Fremder
Hi Darwin Diamonds,
As you know, things are not great over here at the moment. Beer Sheva has had fewer rockets aimed at us lately, though one did land here, causing extensive damage to three apartment blocks. I think only two rockets landed in Tel Aviv. Ultimately, it doesn't matter how many are fired as long as they are shot down. We are now sleeping in our air raid shelter; last night (early this morning) we had three alarms, which is about normal. There are very few during the day, but Tel Aviv and the north of the country are under almost continuous attack.
It is very difficult to decide what to think of Trump. On one hand, we are grateful for what he is doing, but his ego is simply too much.
I have a question for you: What exactly is "Darwin Diamonds" about? Is it similar to the TV series The Thursday Murder Club starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan? It is hard to imagine there being enough murders in Darwin to keep it going! Do you extend your services to all of Australia?
I just finished watching The Newsreader on Netflix. It is a really great Australian show and it brought back many memories of when I lived there.
14-Mar-2026
Don Mckenzie
Hi Colin, Darwin Diamonds was a title bestowed upon us by the "I Love Darwin Facebook Group" for services rendered. We colourised 1000 historical Darwin images, and basically had to retire from doing this as we were using what we called "old School" methods, and AI colourisation made our methods virtually obsolete overnight. I was also tiring of this task. I had done enough.
Some AI versions of this process can give a very quick and excellent result, and many are extremely bad. Like all things, you need to know how to control it. I consider AI animation of photos to be essentially AI slop, so I have steered clear of doing this. I simply hate clicking on a story to find that the text and images are 100% bullshit.
I got locked out of Facebook for 72 hours because of an inappropriate image I posted. I challenged this and won; however, they still kept me locked out for 72 hours just the same. With the false and scam advertising FB provides, I have shied away from it, too. My faith in social media has been set back for now, and I feel I need a break for a while.
My two-month trip to Darwin went well; however, I felt the heat and humidity took a toll on me, and I wasn't able to continue with our previous long beach walks. Due to my mobility problems, Qantas made the trip back very pleasant, especially transiting through Alice Springs Airport.
Our 62nd Wedding Anniversary on the 22nd Feb-2026. Celebrated at the Nightcliff Foreshore cafe (image) and the Silks at Darwin Racecourse.
Got back with a head cold, possibly a little climatisation coming from the tropics after two months. Just getting over it now.
Tuesday, we had a funeral for a very close friend of both of us. Stage 4 cancer was announced just after we arrived in Darwin. Spoke with him several times on the phone. He rang up to say goodbye just before we returned to Melbourne.
"Now sleeping in our air raid shelter", I can't even imagine this, Colin. Life must be so difficult. Sounds like London during the Blitz of WW11.
I will check out that show on Netflix.
Trump? Let's just say I agree with most of the world on him. That is my very short version.
Now trying to build my strength up by doing some exercises and getting back to normal, whatever that is.
Don...
Colin Fremder
1 Jun 2026
Hi Darwin Diamond,
Long time without any communication. I hope no news is good news.
How are you and your family keeping? What we hear from Australia is really bad. I'm constantly in touch with my brother. He is 93 now and is not really up to date with what is going on in the world.
Relies on me for what is going on in our part of the world. I have good days and bad days. We have just come back from 2 days at the Dead Sea. Very relaxing for me but boring for the wife. We never left the hotel, just sat by the mineral water pool, both had a massage and ate ourselves stupid. I've been on antibiotics, so no alcohol. We left the car at home and took a bus there.
With what's going on here, nothing makes sense to me or our circle of friends. In Australia you only get to hear the bad things that happen here. We have elections in October and perhaps a change of government. I don't think of what we will do if Netanyahu is re-elected. Polls show him slightly behind the opposition but things change all the time. I suppose you heard what happened with our gangster politician and his band of thugs. Tying up the protesters, who were trying to sail to Gaza, and verbally abusing them. Even Netanyahu condemned it but took no action against him.
Ironically he gained an increase of two seats in the prediction polls. Makes me think that perhaps Netanyahu will be able to put together another government after October.
Trump gained a lot of support here for what he did in stopping the Gaza war and what he intended to do in Iran. Now it is at a stalemate and looks like it will drag on forever. Worry for me is that he will try to get involved in Israeli politics and openly endorse Netanyahu in the October elections. We are out of the shelter right now but look like returning there shortly.
Well, I'm at the bottom of the page now so I will sign off.
Look forward to receiving your reply,
Cheers,
Colin
2 Jun 2026
Hi Colin,
Great to hear from you, even though it sounds like things are incredibly intense and upside down over your way at the moment.
No news isn't always good news, but I am glad you got back to me.
Those two days at the Dead Sea sound like exactly what you needed to unwind, even if your wife found the hotel layout a bit quiet!
It is a shame about the antibiotics keeping you off the drinks, but a massage and eating yourself stupid definitely makes up for it.
We do hear a lot of the bad news on the television over here in Australia, but getting the real perspective from you on the ground puts it into sharp focus. It sounds exhausting dealing with the constant political swings, and the upcoming October elections.
I completely agree with you regarding the political situation; like the vast majority of people globally, my view of both Netanyahu and Trump is deeply unfavorable.
On our end, the family is doing fairly well, though life remains quite busy as we navigate things day by day. There is always a lot on our plate.
I had a dental filling done a fortnight ago, but the tooth unfortunately began breaking apart into small fragments shortly after. I am actually heading out today to have the whole thing pulled. At this stage in my life, it simply does not make sense to pour thousands of dollars into complex dental work like bridges or crowns. Due to my previous recent TAVI heart procedure, the logistics are a bit complicated, as I have to temporarily pause my blood thinners and take a course of preventative antibiotics just to sit in the dentist's chair.
On the bright side, I managed to sync my Victorian subsidized taxi voucher with my Uber profile. This allows me to catch a half-price ride straight to the clinic in Moonee Ponds, which almost works out to be more economical than paying for fuel.
Mobility-world is a bit different now, as I am permanently reliant on a walking cane. Navigating airport terminals has become such an exhausting chore that we are seriously considering retiring from air travel altogether. When we visited Darwin earlier this year, I was heartbroken to find I could no longer manage those lengthy strolls along the beaches that we used to cherish so deeply. I plan to reassess how I feel in a few months, but right now, future trips are looking highly unlikely.
On the creative front, I finally wrapped up uploading those 1,000 restored archival images to my Facebook community. The page has gone a bit quiet recently, despite my best efforts to spark some life into it using modern AI tools and prompting discussions among the followers. I have a fresh concept in mind to get things moving again, but it will likely be a month or two before I have the free schedule to launch it.
As for my digital projects, the subscription for my website builder plugin expired, meaning I am completely locked out of updating the platform unless I fork out $300 USD annually that my daughter Sharon was previously paying. Because of that steep fee, I am officially wrapping up production on that front. (wizard-of-oz.com)
After more than three decades managing my corporate domain name, I am finally taking the plunge to migrate everything over to a couple of straightforward, personal Gmail inboxes. Back in the day, I operated roughly 150 distinct aliases for commercial operations, alongside about a dozen individual product domains.
I had separate custom logins for every single utility provider and institution, like Optus@dontronics.com or CBA@dontronics.com.
Back in the late '90s, the digital spam mail was out of hand. I was sorting through upwards of 200 junk messages every single morning before I could even begin my actual workday. Masking my identity with those unique corporate aliases solved the problem instantly.
The downside now is that all of our smart home equipment—including the climate control units, the solar inverter, and the security cameras—needs to be transitioned to the new email addresses.
The process is incredibly tedious because many of these modern smart-apps force you to completely unregister the hardware and build a brand-new profile from scratch just to swap an email string.
Cheryl and I now have our new Google accounts, and the grueling process of migrating every single legacy contact is officially underway. It is a monumental chore. To give you an example of the frustration, I have been fighting with Princess Cruises for a fortnight via both phone support and support desks just trying to get them to completely wipe my old profile, yet their brochures keep cluttering my postal and email box.
Most of these digital transitions require endless two-factor text codes or email confirmations. How the average person in their eighties is expected to navigate this modern landscape is completely beyond me. I have spent most of my entire professional life working directly with computer systems, and even I find these modern security hoops incredibly exhausting to jump through.
Please take care of yourself over there, stay out of harm's way, and keep your spirits high.
