History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Walter Phillip Renshaw/Notes

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OBITUARY - PHIL RENSHAW, VK2DE On 16th November, 1968, there passed from the ranks of Wireless Pioneers one who did much to build up the world of Amateur Radio Experiments — Phil Renshaw. I first met Phil Renshaw about 1912 when the Wireless Institute of N.S.W. was formed and through his efforts Wireless Amateurs became a united body. He was not very active on the air, but he did much to make the Wireless Institute an active organisation. In 1922, when the Institute was formed into the N.S.W. Division of the Wireless Institute of Australia, he was the first Secretary of the N.S.W. Division, and was one of the signatories to the Articles of the Association. In 1923 the Wireless Institute N.S.W. Division held an Exhibition in the Sydney Town Hall, and as Secretary of the Division he was largely responsible for the success of the enterprise. He continued as Secretary of the N.S.W. Division until he became its President and in 1926 became Federal President of the Institute. Some may remember him in the early days as a motor bike enthusiast, riding a big Red Indian cycle. In later years he was often heard on the air using his call sign VK2DE. In early 1930, when the Wireless Institute was attracting Professional Radio men, it was decided to revive the Institute of Radio Engineers, which, at the time, was not functioning. In this, with others, Phil Renshaw played an important part and the Institute of Radio Engineers was re-born. Phil will always be remembered, not so much for the noise he made on the air, but for his energy and his personality, which endeared him to all who knew him. His bright and cheerful nature made it a pleasure to work with him. His interest in radio continued until business pressure forced him to leave the hobby he so much loved. He did not enjoy good health in later years, although he carried on as a Consulting Engineer in the city. So his passing removes yet another pioneer Radio identity to whom, we as Amateurs, owe so much.— H. A. Stowe.