Thursday, 24 March 2022

Gregory ‘Watto’ Watson

Mr TILLEY (Benambra) (09:50): 319378 Staff Sergeant Gregory ‘Watto’ Stewart Watson—on 10 March at 2215 hours we lost a great man, one who loved life, one who many would envy. He was loyal, loving, hardworking and jovial. Gregory ‘Watto’ Stewart Watson was born in Broken Hill in 1958. He joined the Australian regular army in 1976 and was allocated to the Royal Australian Corps of Transport, where he was employed as a driver. Watto transferred to the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police in 1978 and was posted to the 3rd Military Police Company in Melbourne, where he immediately made his presence felt with his friendly, cheerful attitude to everyone he encountered.

He was willing to learn and after two years was posted to the 5th Military Police Company, the special investigations branch, where he became a very competent investigator. In 1985 he did a stint over in South-East Asia, in Malaysia. Greg served in the SIB in Melbourne and Bandiana until his discharge in 1990, where others, apart from during his military service in Benambra, would remember him as the publican at Chiltern’s Telegraph Hotel and in his roles in security management in the district. Jobs done with mates and mates helping each other out—he was always there, always had time for a mate and was fearlessly staunch to his family and friends. The end of the night was signalled by his call of, ‘Say goodnight, Watto’. Goodnight, Watto. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, sons, Chris and Daniel, and their families and grandchildren, Annalise and Stewart. Condolences, Sharon and family. Lest we forget.