Vale Patrick O'Neill

[PVDA]

With many thanks to Bill McMurray who penned these words, Pat was a long time Fire/Rescue/Safety Marshal not just here in Victoria but also around Australia.

Patrick O’Neill passed away on Saturday the 2nd of February 2013. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Pat dedicated countless hours to motorsport and was a fixture at Winton raceway as the driver of Safety 1 and the on track leader of the Fire and Rescue team, with his best mate, Gus McMahon, beside him. No official was held in higher esteem than Patrick. Seeing him and his crew busily preparing the circuit for racing at the beginning of a weekend reassured not only the competitors but also those charged with running the race meeting. You knew that you had a world class team, led and motivated by Pat, out on the track.

No-one was a better operator than Pat. His level of concentration while cars were on the circuit, no matter what other chatter was going on, never seemed to wane and he would have noted some careless driver long before he got into trouble or would be moving towards an accident even as the radio call was being made. He could be relied upon to give an accurate assessment of an accident scene and how long it would take to clear up. He was that good.

A down to earth and practical man, he had a low tolerance for fools and posturing. He was a fine judge of character, with a wicked sense of humour.

He delighted in taunting the race director of V8 Supercars. He considered the theatrics and circus of the category far exceeded its importance. Yet he was as committed to their safety as any other driver’s. But not without a bit of fun.

The race director would become agitated when he spotted Pat parked in his usual position in the infield behind old pit lane. An urgent radio call would be ordered instructing Safety 1 to move behind the protection of old pit lane.

Pat would be unusually slow to respond but would wend his way as instructed, only to pull up short of the entry. The directors blood pressure would rise, another radio instruction issued, and Pat would slowly enter old pit lane, undoubtedly grinning broadly. The next day, when the race director had returned to Race Control and was in command again, here came Safety 1 with Pat at the wheel, barrelling across the track and into Pit Lane in the wrong direction, but perfectly safely. The director went into apoplexy demanding to know the identity of the driver and making utterances to the Clerk of the Course about the need to get his officials under control, when the Safety Communicator, one of Pat’s many mates, told a little white lie saying that he had given permission to enter Pit Lane wrong direction. Case closed and Patrick had the last laugh, and everybody else in Race Control, bar the director, had to hide their grins.

Patrick would stay in his caravan during race meetings, the permanent camp being known as “the Swamp” in respect of its cleanliness and classy décor. He was the wine industry’s friend as he never met a bottle of red wine that he didn’t like nor one that wasn’t just about to pass its use by date. He enjoyed life, good company and good times, and yet had a serious side just below the surface and a great depth of character. He was a keen observer and could be difficult when he thought his opinion was the right one. From experience, people learnt to listen carefully when Patrick offered advice, as he was usually correct.

Pat always ensured that the various safety vehicles had an extra radio issued so that they could run their own separate chat channel. This would be alive throughout the meeting with gossip, quips, jokes, observations and comments about all and sundry. It made for lively listening and often had its own insider’s jokes. Pat’s voice would be heard more than any other. The highlight of any weekend though would be Patrick’s rendition of one of Banjo Paterson’s poems. Those of us who heard it will never hear nor read the Man from Snowy River again without thinking of Pat. Another age, another time, Pat had much in common with the poems hero.

To be greeted by Pat as a friend and mate was one of life’s great rewards and compliments. Those of us who were privileged to work with him and enjoy his friendship will always miss him.

Vale: Patrick O’Neill

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