Gavin Pearce (Braddon, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health, Aged Care and Indigenous Health Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wynyard has lost a trailblazer and an entrepreneur with the passing of Francis Ransley OAM. I've known Mr Ransley, an electrical engineer by trade, since I was a kid. In fact, everyone in that community has. I remember the day when, at the age of 13, I bought my first clock radio off him. It was made in Australia—how's that! Mr Ransley's passions were speedboat racing, vintage cars and his beloved community. His service in each of these pursuits was recognised when he was awarded the Order of Australia medal. His 20-year career in powerboat racing started with dinghy races in the Wynyard regatta and culminated in 1983, when he set the national water speed record of 228.46 kilometres an hour in his hydroplane, ironically called Road Runner. This 40-year national record still stands.

Forced to give up his passion because of a medical condition, Mr Francis Ransley turned his hand to his other love, restoring vintage cars. In 2005 he opened Wonders of Wynyard, which houses his wonderful vintage car collection. His vision was to develop an attraction that drew tourists off the main Bass Highway and into his township. That vision has been realised and acknowledged by Tourism Tasmania. Francis Ransley will always be held in high regard with them, as he is with all of that community. He will be deeply missed. Vale, Francis Ransley.