ABOUT ME
 Hello there,  I thought I would just tell you a little about myself before launching into the main theme of this my first web page.  Most of the information to be found here is relevant to Amateur Radio in the Tasmanian Division of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

My name is John Bates and I live in the suburb of BELLERIVE a suburb of HOBART, the capital city of TASMANIA.

My postal address is:       PO BOX 151 Rosny Park, 7018 Tasmania Australia.

I am currently an active amateur radio operator in the Tasmanian Division of the Wireless Institute of Australia, holding a full call licence.

I hold  the office of Secretary of the Southern Branch, Tasmanian Division, of the Wireless Institute of Australia and also the office of Divisional Awards Manager for the Tasmanian Division.

My main interests, other than amateur radio, are woodworking, growing orchids (cymbidiums) and yachting.

When working in wood, I mainly use Tasmanian species timbers such as Blackwood, Blackheart Sassafras, Huon Pine, Celery Top Pine and Myrtle.  By using the natural bark edges, I can create especially beautiful pieces of occasional furniture that are truly unique and "one of a kind". Demand for this type of occasional furniture is on the increase due to its uniqueness. I hope one day to retire into this area of interest and create a small business out of it.

Growing orchids is purely a hobby and what a hobby it is.  When the plants are in flower, about one hundred or so of them, they exhibit their true beauty by way of their colour and fragrance.  It is well worth the effort in maintaining them throughout the year to be able to enjoy their splendour at this time of the year. I belong to the Tasmanian Orchid Society, although I must admit, not with  a very regular meeting attendance record.

All year round, the Bellerive Yacht Club conducts yacht races. Not only am I a member of the yacht club, but I am the skipper of one of their patrol boats and as such I am responsible for the safety of the yachts and their crew. The River Derwent is one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. It is possibly the best expanse of water in Australia in which to conduct yacht races, or just to go for a cruise on a lovely summers day. I love to see the yachties out "on" the water and not "in" the water.

You are visitor number  since November 22,1997
   This page created with Netscape Navigator Gold  and is Copyright to John Bates/VK7RT September 1997 This page was last updated on 22 November 1997.