A reunion of past and present staff of Automatic Totalisators was held at Mergillina's, Elsternwick on Tuesday evening the 11th of September, 1984.
The people who've made a real difference in my life.
Friends and mentors who've inspired me, challenged me, and helped me grow.
Updated 20-Dec-2025, 8:58 AM AEST by Don McKenzie
The Above Image Story - 11-Sep-1984 Foreword by Don McKenzie Peter Collier Mick Gulovsen Michael Higgins
Foreword by Don McKenzie
As I lay in the hospital bed, awaiting heart surgery, a gruff but thought-provoking question from my Scottish neighbor caught me off guard: "If you didn't make it through this operation, would you be happy with the life you've lived?"
Reflecting on my journey, I realized I've been fortunate. I've achieved most of my goals, built a loving family, and cherished friendships that have shaped me. One person who stands out in my life is my dad, Don McKenzie - and he holds a special place as my best friend.
Dad's story is remarkable. When he signed up to be a bomber pilot with the RAAF during World War II, he had to overcome a hurdle - there were no left-handed pilots allowed. Being naturally left-handed and able to use both hands as a carpenter, Dad taught himself to sign with his right hand virtually overnight. He even demonstrated signing with both hands simultaneously, a skill he retained throughout his life.
Dad's friend Lyn Newton, from our hometown of Rainbow in Victoria, joined the RAAF with him, and both trained at the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada. While Lyn went on to serve in Bomber Command in England, Dad was sent home due to illness. Tragically, Lyn was killed in a flight training accident in England.
Despite this setback, Dad continued to serve as ground staff, mastering aircraft engineering and electronics. His ingenuity earned him the nickname "mad scientist" among his siblings. One notable achievement was building one of Australia's first solar hot water systems from a CSIRO paper.
Growing up, I was influenced by Dad's resourcefulness and technical expertise. I started driving at 13, just like he did at the same age.
We worked on projects together, like I had a Gogomobile sedan with a fibreglass body, which a friend of mine rolled. We repaired it together, both having never seen or worked with fibreglass before. In Rainbow, we migrated a six-cylinder FJ Holden motor into the back of a VW Kombi Van. The necessity of continuing to run a business. The chief engineer was Dad.
Dad's passion for electronics sparked a similar interest in me, which eventually led to a career in computers.
In his retirement, Dad manufactured plumbers' spirit brushes and later automated the process using microcontrollers, with my help. He was a prolific writer, penning articles for the local newspaper in Pakenham, Victoria, and even won recognition for his work.
This story is part of a larger narrative about three other friends who have significantly impacted my life. Each has their unique story, and together, they've helped shape who I am today.
Read on....
Peter Collier
My original story on Peter. Peter Collier 13-Jan-2010 Win, Place, and Sting 21-Jan-2010 Peter's Saturday Night 27-Jan-2010 This is the Sandown Race Track? 4-Feb-2010 Peter Collier 15-Apr-2010 Peter Collier 30-Apr-2010 Doubles Betting Comes to Melbourne 7-Feb-2011 Peter Collier 22-March-2011 Peter Collier The Mobile Vans 2024 Peter supplied ATL staff commencement dates 22-July-2025Peter's appointment to Victorian Branch Chief Engineer. 31-July-1987
The Above Image Story - Christmas BBQ 21-April-2013
Peter Collier was an exceptional individual who made significant contributions to ATL-TABcorp. Unfortunately, the company let him go prematurely. Peter was an outstanding engineer and teacher who served the company for nearly 40 years.
I met Peter in 1959 at the PMG Training School, and we quickly became close friends. We bonded over our shared interests in billiards, ice skating, and cars. OH, and girls.
Even before we had driver's licenses, we'd drive to school and swap notes on vehicle maintenance.
Out of a school of 500-plus P.M.G. trainees, we were both selected to join the "Radio Section", a unique group of 12 students.
After parting ways initially, we reconnected in 1968, and in 1976 I joined ATL (later TABcorp).
Peter played a significant role in my decision to join the company, and his technical expertise was invaluable. However, over time, our differences in opinion on technical matters created tension, and we eventually drifted apart.
After a chance encounter at a colleague's funeral, we reconnected through emails, gradually rebuilding our connection. We eventually started meeting up again at industry events, and I'm grateful that our friendship was rekindled. This reconnection allowed us to make peace and move forward, despite past differences.
Peter's impact on the company's engineering direction cannot be overstated. He's a brilliant mind, and his contributions over 40 years are undeniable. Working on my "Tote History" project has been therapeutic for me, and Peter's been instrumental in providing valuable insights, photos, and corrections.
The Above Image Story - Party Time.
Life gets even more complicated - my daughter and Peter's son had a child together, our granddaughter. Although their relationship didn't work out, family ties remain.
Recently, I was deeply affected by the loss of Andrew, Peter's son, who passed away just before his 60th birthday. I'd known Andrew since he was a kid, and it hit me harder than I expected.
Peter, Irene, and their three children became like a second family to us, playing a significant role in our lives for many years.
As fate would have it, we're both dealing with health issues now - I'm between heart operations, and Peter's undergoing back surgery. Despite our circumstances, we're staying in touch, exchanging messages and phone calls to check in on each other.
That's what friends do. Our friendship has spanned decades, from 15 to 82 - not a bad run.
The Above Image Story - Another Peter Collier Design.
Mick Gulovsen
My original story on Mick.Our paths crossed in early 1980 at a TRS-80 User Group meeting in Moonee Ponds, where we instantly clicked due to our shared interests.
This marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship, with Mick frequently visiting my home on Friday nights to discuss computer ideas and enjoy some beers.
At the time, Mick worked as a toolmaker-inspector at GMH, where he'd spent nearly a decade. After our TRS-80 days, we explored the Australian-designed BGR "Excalibur 64" computer, a colour version of the TRS-80.
Mick's innovative designs included a high-resolution graphics board, 512 KB memory extension, and an internal-external modem, showcasing his technical prowess.
In 1985, I convinced Mick to join ATL, sacrificing his long service leave at GMH. This career shift proved beneficial for both of us, as I doubled my income in the first year. ATL's demanding work environment required dedication, but Mick thrived in the role and never looked back.
Mick's career took an exciting turn with the introduction of J25 6800-based TIMs, which matched in nicely with his interests.
Pictured above. Mick and Cheryl. Some time last century.
Mick was a very important part of the direction of Dontronics, as he helped me during the years I was learning the game, and I always considered him my right hand man.
As our lives evolved, and Mick married Sue, our Friday night gatherings gave way to less frequent meetups, but our friendship endured.
Mick remains a vital part of my now retirement journey, offering valuable assistance with complex problems.
Despite his imposing size and distinctive appearance, our banter and playful jokes keep our friendship fresh.
Today, we keep in contact with each other, which may be anything from a day to a week.
We recently did a Podcast together for the Excalibur-64 Australian Computer with the Australian Museum Computer Society, but it is yet to be aired.
Let's see, Mick was 24 (a kid) when we met, he is now coming up 67. Hey, that's 43 years.
Pictured above. Mick and Sue.
Michael Higgins
My original story on Michael.Mike migrated to Australia from the UK at 11 and quickly became a devoted Collingwood AFL fan. He and his wife Shirley likely still attend most home games, with Shirley being even more enthusiastic.
Mike's professional journey began at PMG training school, where he honed his skills, then rose through the ranks at ATL to become a Senior Systems Engineer.
He worked closely with me on Vax vans introduced in 1990, and eventually became my manager as the On-course Technical Manager.
What struck me most about Mike was his exceptional compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. He had a profound impact on his team members, who I feel owe him a great personal debt.
Mike's advocacy for workers' rights, further education, and better working conditions often put him at odds with management. His kind nature, though, made him an excellent communicator and negotiator, qualities that would have served him well as a Human Resources Manager.
The Above Image Story - YES - The Prime Minister of Australia.
In his later years at TABcorp, Mike pursued higher education, unbeknownst to me, to transition into teaching.
When I resigned in 1999, Mike urged me to reconsider, suggesting I could ride out my career until 65 and reap the benefits of a sizable superannuation package. But I had other plans - I was eager to embark on a new journey with Dontronics, and leaving was the right decision for me.
Interestingly, TABcorp retrenched employees in their early sixties, but ATL valued long-serving employees, including those in their seventies and eighties. Less than a year after my resignation, Mike also left TABcorp and began a successful teaching career.
Unfortunately, most have lost touch with Mike, and I'm one of the few who have maintained a connection. Despite promises to catch up regularly, it's been 26 years since I left the company, and we haven't kept up with our lunches.
I am sure others tried to get him to come to the BBQ reunions put on by Peter Crozier, including Peter. But we have only seen him on these occasions when someone has passed away.
The years have passed, and we've drifted apart, meeting only to mourn the passing of colleagues. Despite this, Mike remains a dear friend I'll never forget.