Vale Derek Blair (1939 ~ 2022)

(Tuesday 21 June 2022)

It is with profound sadness that we at Tas Maritime Radio report the passing of our good friend and long-time colleague Derek Blair.

Derek volunteered as an Operator with Tas Maritime for more than 16 years and was well-regarded among colleagues and mariners alike. It was the end of an era when he hung up his microphone in 2021 and his dulcet Scottish tones have been missing from the airwaves ever since.

Derek was a good friend and a mentor for newer operators and one of the more amiable people you could hope to meet. He always wore a grin and had a joke ready for every occasion.

Derek passed away peacefully in hospital in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon (21 June 2022) surrounded by his family. Derek, you will be missed.