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28/12/2005: "JOHN HARDING (senior) UNDERWATER MAN"

John Michael Harding - My dear father and a former diver and hotelier of the Friend in Hand Hotel 58 Cowper Street, Glebe 2037 – a now famous boutique hotel in an inner suburb of Sydney.

He was aware of the hazards of alcoholism associated with the liqueur industry and refused to drink scotch whiskey or brandy having seen the long term effects of these strong drinks on others.

His favorite boating location was out of Cronulla and down the coast to Jibbon Beach, Marley and Wattamolla Headlands in the Royal National Park area.

Otherwise his boat would be launched at Rose Bay for destinations north to Long Reef.

JMH favored twin outboards for their guarantee of at least one bringing you home. This was put to the test several times.

A keen golfer playing the courses around Coffs Harbour he scored three hole-in-one trophies while playing 18 hole games with his mates.

As a young man in WWII he was stationed in Milne Bay, (New Guinea) and later on a second posting overseas to the Solomon Islands – both hot spots but fortunately not involving himself. He was a radio technician repairing sets in military tanks.

His military adventures seemed to quench any further desire for overseas travels, later he did diving expeditions to The Coral Sea, Lord Howe Island and Heron Island, describing the distant Coral Sea - Chesterfield Reefs trip as his favorite of all time.

Like many pioneer divers he speared sharks and big fish in the early days as a form of adventure. His favorite eating fish was luderick and flathead.

He learned good communication skills through his 15 years as a hotel licensee and had friends of all ages. He treated everyone equally and was without a single enemy on earth.