Graham FERGUSSON
1947-2017
It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of Graham Fergusson (Ferg) on 3 August 2017, aged 69.
Graham took over the Niederer Machinery business in the early 1990’s calling it Niemac, agents for Astec, Telsmith, JCI, KPI crushers and screens. He loved developing new pieces of equipment to cater for specialist needs.
Graham was a member of the Institute of Quarrying and he was a regular attendee of Auckland Branch meetings, and we recently awarded Ferg the Paykel Shield for his on-going support of the branch activities.
In 2003, Graham introduced the Niemac Trophy to “recognise personal achievement by an IOQ member working as a quarry plant operator or engineer or manager. The intent is to reward a person directly responsible for significant development or engineering, or in plant operation, or in plant maintenance, or in problem-solving in the industry”. Awarding of the Niemac trophy at the Annual Conference has been a a terrific way to recognise innovation.
Ferg will be missed.
The NZ Herald Death Notice records:
I’ve been fortunate to have had a rich and full life: a loving extended family, great friends, travel, a rewarding career, and of course time on the boat, especially on the Whangarei and Waitemata Harbours. My life was enriched by working with my colleagues in the quarrying industry, and through my longstanding membership of AusIMM. I enjoyed my time as a Coastguard volunteer, both on the water and off. My family wishes to thank Dr Deva and his team at Auckland Hospital, and the staff at Mercy Hospice.
“I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over”
We extend our sincere sympathies to Vivien and daughters Emma and Caroline, and family.