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07/01/2005: "WALLY GIBBINS is also known as WALLY GIBBONS"
What defined a good diver in the early days was the ability to invent, design and improvise equipment. To be a good diver it was advantageous to be also skilled with a lathe and other things. Most equipment was home-made from the 1950's to 1970 and we all relied on friends for help or guidance or both.
The famous Sea Hornet (trade mark) speargun trigger was a design from Wally Gibbins.
Pictured at home in Sawtell 1990 with the most popular regulator of the late 1950's - the double hose Aqua Lung (trade mark) regulator - quieter and easier to breath from. Terrific for photographers as the exhaled air did not rumble past ears and eyes.
Footnote: Wal Gibbins worked in many Ben Cropp's underwater documentaries around Australia, PNG and the Solomon Islands for two years full time. They share the same birthday, January 19th with a six year age diffference. Wally in 1930, Ben in 1936.
See his pictures and interviews: www.xanga.com/wallygibbins
