John Bevan Obituary, Death – The passing of Life Member John Bevan is a tragic loss for the Stockton Swimming and Lifesaving Club.
Stockton Surf Life Saving Club, Hunter Surf Lifesaving, and Surf Life Saving New South Wales were all honored to have John as a Life Member.
Not only did he make a significant contribution to our club, but also to the entire surf lifesaving movement throughout the region, the state, and the country.
John became a cadet at the Stockton Swimming and Lifesaving Club in 1960 and went on to get his Bronze Medallion (#14549) in 1965. In 1977, he was given the honor of life membership.
Bevo distinguished himself in his service to our club by holding a variety of leadership roles, including those of Club Patron, President, Deputy President, Honorary Secretary, Club Captain, Treasurer, and Publicity Officer, amongst others.
During the course of several years, Bevo served in a variety of capacities with the Hunter Surf Lifesaving organization. John served as a member of the Newcastle Branch SLSA Helicopter Feasibility Committee during the 1973–1974 academic year.
This committee was charged with researching the possibility of establishing a helicopter rescue service in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region. The committee strongly suggested that the Rescue Service get started right away.
The Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service was created in December 1975 and began operations under the aegis of the Hunter Search and Rescue Service.
John responded to the request and became an original member of the helicopter’s crew in Newcastle, where he also earned Crew Certificate No. 1. Throughout the years 1975 and 1995, John maintained his position in the Military (20 years).
The decades of dedication and service that John has provided to the surf lifesaving movement cannot be adequately described with these words.