we never did find who left that cake out in the rain .... thanks for great memories in our Uni days ... and the early ESRI era .... I forgive u for loving Peugeots ... great times, comparing notes on kayaking Kangaroo Valley, surf kayaking south coast and running riot at UNSW during our undergrad geography and postgrad Aries Dipix days ... sadly missed, my old friend, sadly .... 'Have you gotta light mac? .... No, then how about a dark brown overcoat" ... Keep tellin' 'em, Quill

I knew Quill at UNSW, many years ago, and over the years at conferences and other meetings. What an enjoyable companion, always fun, always full of life - what a great loss to his family and friends, but also to the spatial industry.

I knew Quill through my step brother Richard Churm. Quill was always warm and friendly. He had a special gift for making people feel at ease and welcome. Richard and I spent time with Quill in Atlanta Georgia in the USA in 1995. We had a blast that day and night. It was great to get to know him better. I am so sorry for this loss. I send my best wishes and deepest sympathies to Leanne and all the family. He was a good soul and I am sad to hear that he is gone. Sincerely, Libby

Loving husband and father to a wonderful family, mate, mentor, salesman, entrepreneur, wine cognisor, restaurant locator, Peugeot enthusiast … Quill was passionate about Geography and his GIS industry and had the drive and energy that would leave most of us behind. There were no road blocks for Quill, “Man the torpedos, full steam ahead “ was one of his many great saying that we will remember him by. Quill was an inspiration to all who knew him. Quill, you will continue to be with us in our hearts.

For 15 years we competed yet Quill was always a great friend. Away from the competition you always saw what made him a leader; his energy, ability to find out what made people tick, enable their better selves and find that vital spark, is something that will leave a big hole with many of us. 5 years ago we became colleagues and there was always this strong, vital force that shone despite his later ill health.

I always remember Quill as a person with such great spirit and a wonderful sense of humour. I was lucky to have shared all those early teenage years back in good old Blakehurst and the wonderful memories of " Thats the way it is " We had the best seats in the house as part of the Lighting team with Quill's quick wit and always so hard working and professional. An absolute joy to be beside and such a sad loss. His memory will live on forever.......My thoughts to Leanne and Family

I met Quill at the beginning of 1992 when we worked together for 3 weeks solid on the Sydney Electricity benchmark which was followed up over the next 15 years by many similar assignments and more social events in places that included Gulgong and Las Vegas. His positivity was infectious and I cannot recall a dull moment. Instead a few frightening moments are vivid in my memory, and these were when Quill would demonstrate that he had lost none of the bravado and driving skill he had acquired as a Sydney courier driver in his youth. We had less contact over the last 3 years but last time we spoke he was, as always, and despite his health, very positive about the future and an inspiration to anyone facing adversity. Every time I have, or see someone having, a Pine Colada I'll think of Quill and my sympathy for Leanne and their girls at this time.

A good friend with a big heart. Always a positive outlook and a joke up his sleeve! I have many fond memories of canoeing, getting lost x-country skiing, eating prawns in the Blue Mountains, going to the sugar shack, etc. He has left us too soon and will be dearly missed. My condolences to Leanne and the family.

My deepest sympathies, condolences and love to Leanne, Ellin, Georgia and Bronte. We worked together for many years and my fondest memories are the personal ones. I met Quill in my first week of migrating to Sydney from the Canadian Great White North. He told me that since he had attended Montreal’s McGill University, he knew what it was like to be homesick, and declared that I would never have to feel like an orphan because he was welcoming me into his family. He invited me to BBQs, christening and birthdays, bushwalked to follow the Sydney to Hobart race, bought me the greatest meat pies ever in Sutherland, raced me to the front stage of many rock concerts, let me housesit while holidaying with Leanne and their girls, and always loaned me his little orange car (although I was always afraid of crashing it whenever I accidentally turned onto the wrong side of the road). We celebrated many July 1 Canada Days with pancakes and maple syrup while no one around understood why we would laughed about some hosers, eh, named Bob and Doug Mckenzie, “Coo roo coo coo coo coo coo coo”. He would steal half of my Hershey’s Peanut Butter Cups, Coffee Crisps, Turtles and Oreos, knowing I would forgive him and then give him more. I will always think about him every time I hear my first and only nickname that he bestowed upon me. Quill, you are absolutely the best and will be greatly missed - your heartbroken Eskimo.

I met Quill in the fall of 1981 at McGill University Graduate School, in Montreal. We were the only two students in the Remote Sensing Diploma program, and so, suffered together. We became friends very quickly, and for the better part of a year, spent a great deal of time doing things other than studying. He taught me all about Technicolor yawns, Fosters, cooking curry, almost convinced me that carrying a swag was okay for a man, that POME stood for Prisoner of Mother England, that there were many poisonous things to be found Down Under, and many other things. We shared a love of partying, a twisted and sarcastic sense of humor, and deep irreverence for crusty old professors. I have many fond memories of our time at McGill and all the Friday night parties in Thompson house with our international entourage, the joking and dancing and peanut fights and Molson 50s. He came home to Massachusetts with me that Christmas, to visit with family and friends. Having a few too many jars in the airport lounge, we lost track of time and missed a few planes, but eventually made it. Another time, and taking advantage of an inebriated state, he somehow talked me into eating bull testicles at a Venezuelan restaurant. I’ve never forgiven him for that. I got to know Quill pretty well that year. He was always very funny and never took himself too seriously, and even going through some tough times, he never wavered. The news of his passing came as quite a shock – based on the light hearted emails, I’m afraid I didn’t have a notion of how serious things were, and I’m very sorry we didn’t have the chance to talk a bit more. I had always thought that we’d meet up again one of these days, maybe at an ESRI conference in California. He was one of a kind, a great friend, and even after all these years and miles and gaps between us, I’m really going to miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Brian Hebert

Mark always welcomed me into his marvellous friendship group and family home, we had great discussions and I enjoyed his wicked sense of humour. I think that Mark and Leanne have made a great family, and his love will endure. I am thinking of you.

I am very sad to learn of Quill's passing, and I would like to offer my condolences to his family. I studied together with this fine man during his time in Montreal, Canada, in the early 1980s. Fresh off the plane and shortly after receiving bearings from the McGill grad admin, he walked into the office one day, sat down on one corner of the desk, and announced that he was going to be my new mate. Little did I know as a fairly fresh German exchange student. But within three minutes flat (and believe me, not a second longer) I had all the important things down pad: first, he was "Quill" (and not "Maaak"), and the funny little shoulder bag with that endless supply of Player's in it was his "swag", that "Sheila" (pl. or sing.) had a special place in his big heart, and that "bush-walking" was something that he'd miss dearly while studying remote sensing in the urban jungle of Montreal. I always think of that first encounter now, and what a great mate he was. May your Big Bush-walk be blessed, Quill!

Quill was an inspirational colleague that always presented a positive optimistic approach to all things. His creativity and larger than life personality will be missed and remembered with a smile and warmth. He never gave up and we never gave up with him and for this he will be remebered for the fighter, conquerer and simple man that he was. My deepest respect and love to his family.

When I first met "Quill" over 20 years ago I instantly liked the man - who couldn't! He became an icon in the Australian GIS landscape. He had more passion about this industry than anyone. We have always kept in touch with "Quill" and I will alway cherrish the memories of the many unmissable lunches we had over the years. "Quill" will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends. Our thoughts are with Leanne and the girls at this most difficult of times.

As is often the case, we get so absorbed in our own lives that we lose contact with some of our old mates. I will always remember when I first arrived in Blakehurst in 1972 from Melbourne and met " Quill ". What a champion bloke and we shared many good times with our very close knit Blakehurst, Southy and " That's the way it is " families. I last saw Quill at another funeral and I will always remember him with love & joy. Condolences to Leanne and family. Rowey

Quill was more than a great bloke he was a dear friend. We first met some 40 years ago as teenagers. As young men we shared a house together and had it pumping with our music. We shared a lot of fun times together over the years. I remember he taught me how to paddle a kayak. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Every time I look at the old photo albums memories of Quill will live on forever. Quill will be forever in my heart.

I remember Quill as a noble and caring man. I have not seen him much in the past thirty years, not since 'Thats the Way It Is' days. the last time we spoke was at a reunion at the South Hurstville pub about ten years ago. We shared a beer and some great memories. My heart goes out to his family and his dear friends, that group of brothers who surfed and kayaked and bush walked together. He will be sorely missed. His spirit, his soul will live on in more than just our memories.