Obituaries Australia

David Bevan, 2004, by Nikola Fitzpatrick

It is with sadness that we report the passing of prior long time Glenorie resident, David Bevan. David, the older son of Daphne & Victor Bevan, late of Cattai Ridge Road, Glenorie, lost his battle with his health on Saturday 7 February 2015 at Royal North Shore Hospital.

He was born on 18 August 1943, grew up in Glenorie, a pupil of Glenorie Public School then Hornsby Boys’ High, which unfortunately burned down, requiring transfer to Normanhurst Boys’ High School. Upon completion of his schooling, he commenced a carpenter’s apprenticeship with Paul Bridson. He also worked shifts at the Glenorie telephone exchange, run by Ivan and Shirley White within the Glenorie Post Office. As a lad he was a member of the Glenorie Scouts and in later teenage years was in the first group of Glenorie Sea Scouts, organised and run by Ray Whiteman.

On 29 July 1961, 20 days before his 18th birthday, a tragic accident rendered him a quadriplegic. He spent many months in Royal North Shore Hospital. The Glenorie community, including the scouting associations, rallied with amazing support, fund raising for David and his family to assist with David’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, climaxing in a dance held at the Glenorie Memorial Hall and attended by 350 people.

David’s original rehabilitation exercises included using an old typewriter with two fingers of his paralysed hands and hitting the keys as hard as he could. From this simple exercise, and by gaining knowledge and ideas, the donation of an old alcohol-run carbon duplicator, and the support and assistance from many people, including his cousin Stan Bevan – and with a lot of hard work – his own business ‘Daveprint Duplicating Service’ was born.

This business grew over the years, saw the introduction of a letterpress printer with which David produced cards, invitations, reports and magazines, including the Glenorie RSL magazine Yours. With progression, David became proficient with computerised equipment and eventually started the production of a local newspaper The Glenorian – Glenorie and District Gazette. He designed, organised, formatted and edited this popular local newspaper. Over the years he gathered local items, advertisements and information for this popular local newspaper, producing 100 editions. The final issue was printed in November 2010.

David was well recognised in his community, having been awarded life membership of the Glenorie RSL in 2008, life membership of the Dural Rotary Club and a community award from the radio station 2WS. He was a member of the Galston Rotary Club and worked for many such community groups.

David’s health started to deteriorate and circumstances saw him move to North Richmond for the last few years, with the assistance of family. He became bedridden in the latter part of 2014 and was frequently hospitalised. In January 2015, he became a permanent resident of Aminya Nursing Home, Baulkham Hills.

David always felt that he wanted to repay the community who came to his aid throughout his difficult life. Well done, David!