EULOGY - John Anderson - 1936-2023

John Gilbert Anderson was born to his parents Gideon and Kate Anderson on 18th December 1936, in Morrinsville, New Zealand. In 1948 he moved with his parents to Norfolk Island where they settled at 79 Mission Road. He attended the local school here where he completed his high school years gaining top of the class along with another local girl. From here he travelled to Longburn College just out of Palmerston North in New Zealand along with Ken Nobbs to complete his high school education.

He had a keen interest in electronics and after gaining various certificates joined the merchant navy as a wireless operator. He often told stories of being at sea in storms and visiting interesting places in his journeys.

His passion for radios led him to set up a ham radio at the family home in Mission Road. Apart from contacting many people from all over the world, he would hold a regular session with Tom Christian on Pitcairn Island. This connection went on for many years until Tom passed away.

This Pitcairn connection led to John screening every Tuesday evening a movie film on the Mutiny on the Bounty at his hall in Cascade Road, for locals and tourists alike. This went on for many years until the films and movie projector just wore out.

His hall in Cascade Road was where he stored much of his radio collection. Old radios used during the war, old radio parts and any old electronic item you could find in amongst his treasures. His plan was to establish a museum for these items and he was working towards this goal.

With the advent of transistor radios and the development of Hi-Fi sound systems John obtained the agency for Sony. He initially set up shop with Ken Nobbs in the old Tea Rooms building that used to be opposite Yelavich’s Panel Beating. From there he moved to a shop opposite the Information Centre and then later still into the Arcade. His shops were always busy with tourists purchasing their limit of duty free goods to take back to Australia and New Zealand. He kept this agency until the late 80s when it was not profitable to sell Hi-Fi gear once the duties had been lifted in Australia and New Zealand.

John also had a keen interest in aviation and flying. He has built up a considerable library of aviation books over the years. When Ben Morris arrived on the island in the late 60s with a Cessna 172 and an instructor’s rating, John decided to learn to fly. He soloed here on Norfolk and pursued a private pilots licence. In order to complete the cross country and navigation requirements of the license he travelled to Papua New Guinea to fly with one of the Adventist Mission pilots who had just begun operating aircraft up there. He was successful in gaining his Private Pilot’s Licence. It was this interest also, that saw him head to PNG for several trips, to experience real flying, and also to install HF radios around the various mission stations to improve the level of communication between very isolated families and stations.

It was while on one of these trip that he met a young nurse at Sopas Leprosarium in the Western Highlands. They fell in love and after marrying in Sydney, John brought Florence back to the family home on Norfolk Island. Plans were being put in place to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on 23rd of this month, but sadly this is not to be.

John became very involved in a number of societies on Norfolk. Perhaps his biggest contribution was to the Norfolk Island National Park advisory Committee. He was a founding member of this committee which commenced in September 1985 and remained an active member right through until earlier this year.

John had a wealth of knowledge about the island’s natural history and had a particular interest and expertise in the field of weed control. John developed the first weed control strategy for the park, establishing areas requiring specific control techniques which are still referred to as “JA” Areas.

John’s interest in, and love for Norfolk Island’s natural history, especially the park was a testament to his character and his determination to leave this place a better one for him being here. He certainly succeeded in that objective.

John was also a member of the Norfolk Island Historical Society and also the Flora and Fauna Society before commencing his own Conservation Society.

John has always been a member of the local Seventh-day Adventist Church. In the early 60s he played an active part in the Pathfinder Club working with the young boys in particular on electronic projects and the like. He had strong principles and was always honest in his dealings with others.

The last couple of years have seen a steady decline in his health along with having to devote more and more time to the care of his wife Florence. In spite of these setbacks, John still had many plans that he wanted to bring to fruition. Sadly these will not happen.

John loved his Lord, and was confident in the hope of the resurrection. He was looking forward to the end of all pain and suffering and being reunited again with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace John