Stephen Lawrie, to me Steve. He made a difference to so many aspects in work, community and family lives.   Over the 19 years starting with TABQ and ending at Tatts Group, we had some interesting challenges in dealing with regulators, explaining the controls over a lottery machine – I remember him explaining that it’s a vacuum cleaner, there was no software.  He explained that you cannot check the software code on a vacuum cleaner. The internet going live at UniTAb Steve's team were trying to beat the other states but did not want to lead and fail.  He understood the power of technology and converted a 30 year old mainframe to a virtual web.  He understood the customer, they wanted to be able to transact freely but not have their identity stolen. His team navigated 19 years in the gambling industry – converting the TABQ to UniTAB, implementing a Gaming system, integrating SATAB, NTTAB, Tattersalls, Golden Casket, NSW Lotteries, MaxGaming NSW, SA Lotteries there were huge integrations with 100s of thousands of customers. There were loads of other smaller entities. Budgets for technology were tight and he had to be creative, which he was, he always delivered.  It was immense pressure but always kept a brave smile.   Although Steve navigated all of this with the Executive team, it did not stop him being a father and loving husband. His daughters shared a passion for dancing.   He was at all the daughter’s concerts installing the cameras, lights and other technical equipment. He enjoyed the Disney cruises and carrying copious amounts of dance shoes through customs.  He made sure that be bought a gift for his girls back from his trips interstate and overseas.  He was very popular with Pandora Melbourne airport.  He was involved in the school community at St Ritas and at the socials he followed the strict instructions to socially distance 30cm rule between the boys and the girls – he was so much fun at these events. He had strong values but he did not impose them on others. I looked forward to his witty banter and funny stories, he would always pick on literal interpretation of what you were saying.  It was very Abbott and Costello humour ‘Whos on first?’. I was so looking forward to catching up with Steve when restrictions were over and we could travel again. Coffee club was the ‘go to’ place to catch up out of the office, I think I have been to every coffee club in Australian capital cities with Steve. My last email was a referee for a gaming licence, my last chat was at London airport when he drove into see me, which is not easy in London traffic.  His emails contained in the subject: "Where the hell are you?" And closed with "Stay Happy"
I very much appreciated his friendship, comradery and most of all his no fuss attitude.