02/11/1930 – 03/01/2024
Born in Goulburn, Russell completed his education at Wesley College, after which he attended university before working at the Broadford Paper Mills until an opportunity came up to work overseas in 1957.
Russell embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, first to London where he joined Shell International and stayed until 1958, after which he lived in The Hague in The Netherlands until 1960. From there, Russell was transferred to Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherland Antilles off the coast of Venezuela; by the time he left, he was fluent in Dutch.
Around 1965, Russell was transferred to Point Fortin in Trinidad. He was an auditor with Shell and used to fly to various islands in the Caribbean to conduct audits.
In 1970, Russell was transferred to Brunei where he spent eight years as Treasurer and eight years living in paradise, truly the place he called home.
In 1978, Russell was transferred to Windhoek, Southwest Africa (now Namibia) where he lived for two years, enjoying the spectacular country and amazing wildlife. He had wonderful memories of driving from Cape Town to Windhoek.
Around 1980, Russell was transferred to Port Gentil in Gabon, West Africa. He shared memories of running across the tarmac to catch a plane as they had a habit of overbooking. He told us, ‘You would run like hell to try to get on as once full, they would shut the door and the people left behind would have to try the next flight!’ During this time there, he became fluent in French.
Around 1982, Russell was transferred to Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, which comes a close second to Brunei. In those days there was no tourism, so he pretty much saw life as it had been for centuries; an incredible country with wonderful people and a place always in our hearts.
Russell retired in 1987 but took up a contract to Lagos, Nigeria, by all accounts a pretty hairy place. His driver was called ‘Good Luck’ and his cook was called ‘Blessing.’ There was no doubt that both good luck and blessings were needed to get by in such a volatile place!
Since then, Russell had been based in Sydney. Always sporty, Russell loved his tennis and golf and played tennis until his late 80s. Up until a few years ago, Lindy and Russell went to the Australian Open in Melbourne every year, notching up 18 years in a row.
He was a fixture around Lane Cove for years, walking to his favourite cafe and book shop every day until just before he passed. It is a lovely community where the shopkeepers and café workers looked out for him.
Russell is survived by his children Mark, Lindy and Jo-Anne, granddaughters, Stephanie and Jennifer, and grandson Chris, and five great granddaughters, Georgia, May, Emma, Ivy and Anna.
A grand, adventurous life. He will be missed.
Contributed by Lindy Elliott
