John Wilson moved to the Bundaberg Region in the early 1980s and became heavily involved in the Bundaberg RSL after an extensive career in the Royal Australian Air Force.
His commitment to the organisation is still going strong these many years later and his story has been shared as part of Bundaberg Regional Council's Our People Our Stories initiative.
John joined the RAAF as a junior trainee in January 1952 and over the next 28 years, moved around Australia and overseas to places including Melbourne, Thailand, Woomera, Toowoomba, Vietnam, Penrith Singapore and Amberley.
“Short attachments included Java and Biak in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tindal NT and Learmonth WA,” he said.
“While at Penrith I worked with my wife Leone and we were married in January 1973, when I was posted to Singapore in 1974, Leone retired from the Air Force to accompany me.
“After I retired in 1980 we moved to Bundaberg and had our home built at the Port alongside the Burnett River.”
John said he then became Bundaberg RSL Sub Branch president for twenty years.
“In 1987 we were instrumental in the formation of the Bundaberg Branch of the RAAF Assn. I was the foundation secretary and still hold that position,” he said.
“I have also been involved with the RSL Club and Legacy.”
In 1994 John was invited to be involved with the Burnett Heads ANZAC Day service which led to his current position of Memorial Park committee chairman.
When he isn’t volunteering his time here, John said he enjoyed supporting the many other great organisations around the region.
“I also volunteer my time with JPs in the community at the Bargara shopping Centre,” he said.
“My current activities include gaining exercise by cycling around the Port, Burnett Heads, Rubyanna and Qunaba areas during which I pick up roadside rubbish and recyclables.
“All cash received for the bottles and cans is donated to RFDS, RACQ LifeFlight and Angel Flight.”
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