Vale George 'Ugly' Bevan 75-Year Member

George joined our club in 1949/50 as a cadet and did his bronze in 1950.
In 1951, he won the board and ski point score, which began his competitive life in the club. This included placing in surf carnivals up and down the coast, including a podium finish in the 1957 State Championships. He was a strong competitor in the Sunday club events, including club championships, Rose Shield, and board races.

The Coogee Board Club was the strongest on the coast with the likes of Bevan, Gates, Sorrell, Cahill and LeMarseny going for honours. George said, “Club events were like competing in an Australian Championship every Sunday morning". Coogee won many medals during this period, and George was in the thick of them.

It didn’t stop there as he joined Noisy, Sodge and Lemo in sweeping boat crews with much success, making Coogee recognised as one of the strongest boat clubs on the coast. George was in England when Coogee donated a surf boat to the Parrenporth Club and was the sweep to this very excited Cornwall crew. George’s comment “I’ve never been so cold in my life".

He also served on the Board of Examiners, Club Council (Management) and Lifesaving Committees. George was captain and publicity officer of the Coogee Penguins. He did active patrols till 1964, was reserve active until 1971 and then moved into the long service ranks.

George in life was an adventurer, excelled in water skiing, competed in car rallies including the Tassie Targa and the London to Sydney overland rally. There was nothing that George wouldn’t have a go at, golf, snow skiing and even was a published author. He was devastated with the loss of his wife, Virginia, which he shared many of his adventures.

At the end of life, he considered one of his greatest achievements was to be awarded his 75-Year Long Service Pin and Certificate presented by the two governors, Tony and Luna, just a couple of days before he left us.

George was 90, and we think of his daughter, Tory, and son, Stuart, along with his grandchildren as they have lost a larger-than-life father and grandfather.
One of Coogee Surf Club's true characters whose life was block-a-full of fun, adventure and achievements. George died on Sunday, 23rd March 2025.
Heaven is in for a hell of a time now you are up there with Lemo, but we do miss you down here.
 
RIP Ugly