Described as extraordinary, Doug Evans OAM left a profound impact on his family, industry, friends and those who worked for him.
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He was a leader in the community, occupying many top roles over the decades, since 2003 in Yarrawonga Mulwala and beforehand, in Wangaratta; received dual Citizen of Year awards.
Mr Evans, of Mulwala, 82, passed on Thursday, May 30 away at Monash Medical Centre after a fall.
It was a packed St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Yarrawonga for the church service conducted by Rev’d Roberta Hamilton last Saturday, June 8. “It’s a sad day. It’s also a celebration of Doug’s life,” the vicar said.
Doug’s sons Craig and Stuart delivered an emotional, heartfelt eulogy about their father Evan Douglas Evans, affectionately known as Doug, who was born on April 24, 1942.
Doug and Di Evans, both awarded the Order of Australia Medal, Doug in 2014 and Di in 20
Included in the eulogy was the following; “His early years were spent living on the family farm ‘Redcap’ on Boggy Creek Road Myrrhee with his parents, two brothers David and John, and his sister Elly.
“He studied at Willowbank Primary, Moyhu, Wangaratta Technical School and RMIT. His commitment to education and continuous improvement was evident in all aspects of his career and community involvement.
“Dad in 1959, at the age of 17 had just got his pilot’s licence and as part of the celebration went out to a church dance in Brighton where he met Dianne Milnes. Dad was besotted and married the love of his life, our wonderful mother on November 23, 1963. They celebrated their 60-year wedding anniversary last year.
“Dad and Mum started their business journey in the pumping and irrigation business in December 1963. Over the next 60 years, they built an incredible legacy in the water and gas pipelines manufacturing and distribution sectors, both nationally and internationally.
“Their vision and leadership laid the foundation for Derwent Industries, a testament to Australian manufacturing excellence.
“Dad’s contributions to the community were matched by his professional achievements. In 1990, Dad and Mum relocated to Melbourne to expand their business, establishing an exporting and distribution centre for their Wang Industries products. They then moved to their current home in Mulwala in 2003.
“Derwent Industries operates multiple factories across Australia and New Zealand, employing over 280 people. The fact that people within our business referred to him and Mum as ‘Mum and Dad’ speaks volumes about their love, respect and admiration they received.
“Dad’s commitment to public service was truly inspiring. He was elected to the Wangaratta Council in 1968 and served as a councillor for 12 years, becoming mayor from 1974 to 1976. His leadership extended to various roles including President Wangaratta Base Hospital Board for 12 years; Yarrawonga Health, and Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism Board where he was awarded Life Membership in 2022.
“In recognition of his contributions, Dad was named Wangaratta’s Citizen of the Year in 1984 and was also honoured as Citizen of the Year in Mulwala in 2009. He then received the prestigious Order of Australia Medal in January 2014. His dedication to justice and community service was evident through his long-standing role as a Justice of the Peace from 1977 to now.
“Dad’s life was also marked by a deep commitment to his faith. He was an active member here at St Cuthbert’s and played key roles in establishing and co-ordinating the Tunzafun Amusement Park in Mulwala. He only recently received his 50-year gong from the Merriwa Lodge in 2023.
“His contributions to the rotary club were significant, serving as president and being honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow. I still have fond memories of walking around the Rotary Market as he and mum would be cooking hundreds of sausages to help raise money.”
One of Doug’s many friends was former St Andrew’s By The Lake Anglican Church Minister, Rev’d Ed Byford.
“I knew Doug for 10 years when I was rector at Mulwala,” he told mourners.
“We were friends in Rotary. Doug was very passionate, tremendously committed and was just bloody-minded. He was an extraordinary man.
“He had incredibly deep concerns for the people he employed by the company. Church was fundamental in his life.” Rev’d Ed said the friendly working relationship could have even been stronger as Doug used to drive past Ed’s church so often going to St Cuthbert’s church!
Doug was obviously very community-minded from a young age according to Mulwala Progress Association President Robert Purtle OAM.
“He was very well respected and had great vision. Doug and I organised to get Tunzafun going and to build it up,” Mr Purtle said.
Yarrawonga’s top shire engineer Jack Sterkenburg got to know Doug in 1980 in relation to the Stevenson subdivision with drainage concerns.
“Doug supplied all the fittings and pipes. He was a top contractor based in Wangaratta,” Mr Sterkenburg said.
Numerous other achievements and fond memories were recalled of Doug at the Evans home in Corowa Road Mulwala after the church service.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services.
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