He was the fourth child of Clarrie and Madge Tattersall and the third son of nine children.

Noel attended schools at Coonabarabran, Gulligal, Kelvin and Gunnedah before leaving school at 14 years of age to go working with his dad in the bush, tackling fencing, shearing and trapping among other things.

He then worked at Pemewan Wright in Coonabarabran (now Coles) for a year or more before starting his life time career on the railway on October 8, 1947. For many years, Noel worked all over the North and Central West as a ganger and fettler, and relief inspector over all of NSW. He spent many years living in railway supplied tents.

After Noel married his Pat Meagher on June 16, 1961 at Newcastle, they continued to live in tents and had flower and vegetable gardens.

Always a good student, Noel was promoted to full-time track inspector in 1971 at Mudgee for four years. When he was promoted to Sydney as senior inspector at Strathfield he continued his studies at the Valley Height Training Centre in the Blue Mountains and over the years was promoted from district track manager to district track chief inspector.

After 41 years experiencing many exciting and terrifying situations in his career and working as the most senior district inspector in NSW, Noel and Pat retired to Gunnedah in October 1988, where many of his siblings and their families live.

The couple loved life and enjoyed retirement, taking some trips and visiting friends. Sadly, Pat became ill and died on April 16, 1997, changing Noel’s life forever. He began writing his life story, but unfortunately developed macular degeneration and now has limited sight.

Noel celebrated his 90^th birthday on June 9 at the Smithurst Theatre, with almost 100 people attending, including friends and five generations of family. The party was organised by his three sisters and catered by the Gunnedah Presbyterian Church. The six-layered rainbow cake was made by Noel’s great niece Jamee Ovington and was decorated with edible photos from Noel’s life.

Noel has received cards and letters from family and friends and the Hon David Hurley, Governor of NSW, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Parkes MP Mark Coulton, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, Gunnedah shire mayor Jamie Chaffey and NSW Legislative Assembly Speaker Shelley Hancock, the member for South Coast.

With his constant companions Tripper the cat and Beau the little dog, Noel manages life extremely well. He still loves to take trips with his three sisters, enjoys visits from his brother who lives in Queensland when his health allows, and chatting with friends around town, comparing notes about the football and horse racing.