William (Bill) Jones
Background
Bill was born in London in 1923 and served as a Flight Navigator with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He remained with the RAF after the war before pursuing a civil aviation career, working for various international airlines in different capacities throughout the world. He met and married Australian-born Jan in the Bahamas. They had two children and were living in Hong Kong prior to Bill’s retirement and their move to Buderim.
Buderim - life and community
Bill and Jan’s association with the Sunshine Coast dates back to 1969 when they bought land in Buderim. Based on their experiences living in various parts of the world, they considered Queensland’s ‘north coast’ region the most desirable place on the globe. They moved to Buderim in 1979.
With a strong background and interest in the arts and music, Bill helped Jan set up ‘The Blue Marble Gallery’, possibly the Sunshine Coast’s first comprehensive art gallery. His primary interests, however, revolved around community. He worked tirelessly across a broad range of activities, with the betterment of community in mind. Organisations with which he was involved include the Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA), Maroochy Ratepayers Association, Maroochy and Buderim Chambers of Commerce, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Buderim’s Pioneer Cottage and Foote Sanctuary, Buderim Mountain Probus, Buderim Bowls Club, Headland Golf Club and Mooloolaba Yacht Club. He was an enthusiastic member of the BWMCA’s Australia Day committee and initiated the move to holding Buderim’s Australia Day celebrations on 26 January well before this practice was adopted nationally.
He was particularly passionate about Buderim, regarding it as the jewel in the Sunshine Coast crown, and was keen to see its development managed well. With insights gained from a lifetime of varied experiences, he was greatly interested in town-planning issues and recognised the importance of community involvement in this area. As well as taking a keen personal interest, he motivated others to be informed and to have their say. His philosophy was that the good things from the past should be retained and blended with the modern to achieve better outcomes.
He stood for council at one stage and came within a whisker of election. Undaunted, he did his best to keep council on its toes through his involvement with representative organisations like the chambers of commerce and Sister Cities, and through the media. He was a prolific writer of letters-to-the-editor and used that forum for arguing the advantages of facilities that seemed radical to many 25 years ago - things like roundabouts at busy intersections, pathways and cycleways to enable children to get themselves to school safely, and rainwater tanks for houses.
Possibly a man ahead of the times, Bill died in 2005 aged 81.
Donors: Jan, Llewellyn and Bronwen
