Trevor Wilson – deceased
Gumbaynggirr – Bunjulung
Lance Corporal
Australian Army Reserve 1972 – 1979
Medals and Awards
Centenary Medal 2001
Australian Defence Medal
Councillor Pat Dixon Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Awards 2003
I am a proud Gumbaynggirr man, born in 1952 in Casino, Northern NSW. I’m the youngest of 9 children born to Stewart Wilson and Mary Wilson (nee Daley). At 20 years of age, in 1972, I enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF), now known as the Australian Army Reserve. I first served as a Gunner in the 2nd Battalion, Royal NSW Regiment, then 177 Air Despatch Company in February 1976, and 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers before completing my service as a Lance Corporal in 177 Air Despatch Squadron at Richmond in the early 1980s.
I returned to Northern NSW, and have served my local community in numerous ways. In 1997, I was one of the founding members of the Yandaarra Aboriginal Consultative Committee which gave a voice to the local Aboriginal population and provided a formal communication channel between traditional Aboriginal communities and Coffs Harbour City Council. I have been told I was instrumental in lobbying to establish the Aboriginal Community Development Officer role at Coffs Harbour Council and establishing and expanding the Coffs Harbour NAIDOC Week event, and having the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders flag flown alongside the Australian flag outside the Coffs Harbour City Council Chambers, at time when this was not a customary practice.
I am a board member of the Coffs Harbour RSL, Returned Servicemen’s subbranch, and the Aboriginal representative. I am a member of the Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council. I was on the original committee that brought Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre, now known as ABCARE to Coffs Harbour. I was a volunteer with Rural Fire Service. I am a member of the Garlanbirla Gwyu-Girrwaa Elders Group, Coffs Harbour. I was also a board member of Coffs Harbour Community Transport.
In the 1970s, I was selected as the Aboriginal representative in the Rugby League team that toured New Zealand. So, when we were living in Penrith, I became the manager of the under 16s Penrith Waratah Rugby League team. I do a lot of work in community. I was a committee member of the Aboriginal Foundation at St Marys. Every Christmas I would drive all around Sydney with the chairperson Danny Eastwood collecting donations for the Western Suburbs Aboriginal Children’s Christmas party for children 0-16 years old, but remember our Aboriginal people are all related, so the children came from everywhere with old Doc Cunningham as the Black Santa, that was a task on its own as the wives wrapped all the presents. All the clothing donations were sent out to the Rural Aboriginal Land Councils.
As a Lifesaver with Surf Life Saving NSW, I have risked my own life to save people whose lives were in danger in the surf. My role as a lifesaver spanned over 30 odd years, starting at Coffs Harbour, then Woolgoolga, then finishing up with the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Association. I helped train the young boys who came from the Armidale school to the Sawtell SLSA once a year to obtain their Bronze Medallion. I did the meat raffles once a week at the local pub to raise money for the SLSC. The surf club was my second home on the weekends during the summertime. I received numerous trophies, medals and awards during my time with the Surf Lifesaving Association.
I met my wife Narelle in December 1974 when she was 18 and I was 22. We officially tied the knot and married in 1988. We had four children, Alison born in 1976 and who was named after my mother, Trevor Jnr born in 1981 and named after me, and Daniel who was born in 1991 and named after my brother. Our last child, a girl, is deceased. We have four grandchildren, Chenora 17, twins Naimah and Baliaan who are 9, and Lennox who is 7.
Being a part of the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay in 2000 was a very proud moment in my life, once again representing my people and my country. Narelle said I was a hard worker. I was never without a job, worked all my life until I was unable to work due to my illness.
Trevor passed away into the Dreamtime on the 18 August 2021.