VALE – IAN NEWMAN

It is with a heavy heart that I write today to acknowledge the passing of a great friend, colleague and champion of the transport and logistics industry.

I first met Ian Newman at a forum at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) when he was then General Manager of Searoad. I recall having to pinch myself during power-point presentations to keep awake whilst presenters would be reading the words on the screen verbatim. When Ian Newman was called to give his presentation his voice boomed out across the auditorium with expletives and practical calls for action with common sense narrative that woke me up and had me transfixed with his passion and drive to create better services for the trading community of Tasmania. From that day forward our friendship was cemented.

Ian has had a long career in the shipping and transport industry and will be remembered by all for his no nonsense approach with success being his driver and legacy for many companies that he has touched. Ian also had a huge compassionate heart with his involvement with the Australian Maritime College as a lecturer as well as his trips to Vietnam to help communities there.

Ian and I would meet for lunch as often as time allowed to share observations and thoughts around the current and future world of transport, shipping and logistics in Tasmania. Many of our conversations would not just sit in the philosophical sphere, but actually be acted on and implemented to our mutual satisfaction. Whilst these conversations were large in our world, there was always time set aside to talk about family and interests and we never parted ways without a strong handshake and a commitment to catch up next month to do it again.

I understand that Ian managed to get a sail in last weekend – the smile on Ian’s face whilst sailing out of Kettering with Bruny Island in full view with nothing but the sound of wind and the ocean is what will forever be etched in my future memories of Ian Newman.

I hope I speak for all of the shipping, transport and logistics community of Tasmania when I say Ian will be missed and remembered well.

Brett Charlton

Chairman – Tasmanian Logistics Committee