Vale Michael Bussell
This obituary is by Mike Thornber who knew Mike Bussell as a CSIRO co-worker and by an association with Margaret River.
Mike was the eldest of 3 brothers and was a descendant of Alfred Bussell who first settled with his family at Ellenbrook on the coast near what is now Margaret River township. Mike was married to Del. He was devoted and extremely caring of her in her latter years.
Mike Bussell had many stories of his boyhood when he often visited Ellenbrook and the Glenbourne property that is now operated by many of his CSIRO friends.
Mike Bussell’s association with CSIRO began when his honours year at the chemistry department of the University of WA was supervised by Dr David Koch who was on sabbatical from CSIRO in Melbourne.
He started work at the newly formed CSIRO Minerals group at Perth under Wilf Ewers.
He helped to build up the hydro-thermal equipment which he treated as though it was his special baby. He made many improvements to this over the years when it became bought as a large stainless steel reactor vessel. Mike Bussell adapted this so that it could be used as to digest bauxites in caustic Bayer liquors without causing explosions due to caustic embrittlement. Mike Bussell used his other skill so that the equipment was controlled by computer.
Mike also introduced basketball to Perth CSIRO group with a social team. He also became secretary of the social club.
He became secretary of the WA Basketball who operated courts over the road from the CSIRO buildings.
Mike Bussell leaves a large void. We miss him.
We encourage those that knew Mike to add their own tributes to this post, so please contact alumni@csiro.au if you have stories to share.