03 Feb JOHN MILLS OAM – THE PASSING OF A LEGEND AT 94
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you of the passing earlier today of John Mills OAM, SLSA Life Member, who passed away peacefully at home in Coffs Harbour.
John was surrounded by his loving children Lorraine, Suzanne, John and Alison and family members at the family home, finally at peace and free of any suffering.
And what an innings to celebrate – Millsy was 94!
He will be remembered as a proud born-and-bred Coffs Harbour man a father, grand father, great grand-father, uncle and father figure to so many.
Especially his much-loved 12 grand children and 16 great grand children who all worshiped the ground their GPop walked on.
John, Neville John and Jack as he became known within his family and broader friends grew up on the banks of Coffs Creek.
One of 16 children born to Bill and Sarah Mills, where he loved to swim, play football and fish with his brothers and sisters.
Millsy became one of Coffs greatest ever surf swimmers, winning many local championships and chosen to represent Australia in 1950, and until today was the oldest surviving member of that touring team to New Zealand.
John moved to Sydney settling in Balgowlah with Aunty Marge where they raised Lorraine, Suzanne, John and Alison, and where they spent a memorable 30 years.
John then ruled the waves at Freshwater Surf Club, carving out an extraordinary life and careers in surf lifesaving, swimming, rugby union and rugby league, leaving a life long legacy.
John and Marge returned to their beloved Coffs in 1980 where they continued to make a difference for the next 40 years with their tireless community work and in John’s life-long love of surf lifesaving – earning him the OAM in 1991.
(Many believing it was actually Aunty Marge who deserved Australia’s Order of Australia medal.)
Adored by his surviving sister Evelyn and an extended family tree of nephews and nieces in a Mills clan who loved nothing more than a hug from their “Uncle Jack.”
Millsy as he was known up and down Australia’s vast coast line of surf clubs, will be remembered as one of the true legends of Australian Surf Lifesaving.
Not only wearing the green and gold against the Kiwis but representing the NSW sky blues on three occasions – winning four prestigious Australian R and R championships with Freshie and countless surf and belt championships at Branch, State and Australian Championships with Coffs and Freshwater.
A life member of both clubs, NSW and recently named the 308th Life Member of Surf Life Saving Australia.
A life-long surf and life coach of thousands of young Australians from the sands of Coffs Harbour Jetty Beach to his beloved Freshwater Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
“The Big Fella”was a true man’s man who left an indelible mark on so many.
Johnny Mills – A lifesaver’s lifesaver
Johny Mills received his bronze medallion in Coffs Harbour in 1945 – a dedicated volunteer – serving his communities in Coffs Harbour and Freshwater on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with continuous Vigilance and Service.
John Mills was regarded by many as is a true unsung Aussie icon – a distinguished and humble champion volunteer – a man of extraordinary talent and dedication – a lifesaver’s lifesaver.
There has rarely been a more active, long serving, more decorated, dedicated and more knowledgeable lifesaver in Australian Surf Life Saving history.
A long standing patriarch of a surf lifesaving and sporting family dynasty, born on the banks of the Coffs Harbour Creek, where the family learnt to swim.
Until today Millsy remained the oldest surviving Australian Surf Team member – the team that toured New Zealand in 1950 – proudly displaying Australian Surf Team cap Number 30.
John also represented NSW in 1952, 1953 and 1955 at the National Inter-State Championships.
A man who has risked has life on numerous occasions and coached and instructed well over 3,500 young Australians to follow in his footsteps – teaching anyone who comes knocking on his door – to become a better lifesaver, better swimmer, board paddler, ski paddler and Ironman – but more importantly a better person.
In competition John dominated surf race, belt, surf teams, R and R and March Past events at Branch, State and National level with both Coffs Harbour and Freshwater.
Mastering huge waves and treacherous conditions long before surf powered rescue boats – a man at one with the ocean – who could match it with the Olympic champions of his day.
Hitching rides on the trains from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie and Kempsey to race on weekends – returning over night to work on the banana plantations on Monday morning.
Apart from his competitive prowess as one of the best surf men in the country, John was also a long-standing Committeeman at Coffs Harbour and Freshwater and the Manly-Warringah/Sydney/Sydney Northern Beaches – holding positions as Committeeman, Club Captain, Patrol captain, Chief Instructor, Boat Captain, Delegate to the Branch, Club Coach, R and R coach, surf coach, board and ski coach and Ironman coach, also an active member of the Manly-Warringah/Sydney/Sydney Northern Beaches Board of Examiners – officiating at Branch, Metropolitan, NSW and Australian Championships.
Self-taught but matching it with the best in the business, Olympians included. Mills won “Aussies” gold on four occasions in the prestigious Premiership R and R as well as March Past and Surf Teams, also representing Australia and NSW.
He has not just been a member but some 75 years on, John continued his active membership, imparting his vast knowledge as he coaches the youngsters of Coffs Harbour in the skills of the surf, board and ski– with the same enthusiasm that he started out with, holding daily sessions, sometimes two, at Coffs Harbour Jetty and in the surf and also for swimming sessions in the pool for budding young champions from Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Woolgoolga, Urunga and Hat Head.
Up until last year he could still be found marshaling his troops at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour – coaching kids from 8 years of age to Masters at 50 years old.
Coaching has been his life, in surf lifesaving, swimming and rugby, Mills has never stopped coaching – it is his passion. Even as a competitor he was also a coach and has continued coaching, instructing and mentoring young Australian men and women over his lifetime – coaching countless Club, Branch, Regional, State and National Champions – and it is estimated he has coached over 3,500 young lifesavers and swimmers – from the surf, pools and creeks around the North Coast to the Freshwater beach and rock pool – in swimming, R and R, lifesaving certificate, bronze medallion, instructors certificate and on to board and ironman training – continuing to produce some great champions.
His family of 16 included his brother the late Keith Mills who also went on to represent Australia in 1954 and anther brother George (competing for Yamba) who won the Australian Open Surf Race Championship in 1937 and boat rowing brother Les, himself a NSW and Australian rower.
The boy’s sister Iris Mills (Littler) took to the surf like her brothers during the War years, swimming in the belt like a true champion.
Her sons Robert and John Littler went on to win Australian R and R championships with Kirra – with Robert captaining both Australia and Queensland. Their cousin Vic Arnall was also in the Australian Championship winning teams.
John’s grand daughter Jade Hanson and grandson Kurt Hanson have carried on the family’s highest surf lifesaving tradition, Jade winning the Australian U16 Surf Teams with Currumbin in 1999 and Kurt going on to win the coveted Australian Open Surf Belt championship with Freshwater in 2015 – the club’s first ever National Open surf belt champion in its distinguished 110 year history.
Another grand-daughter Brooke, represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning individual silver in the 100m breaststroke and teams gold in the 4x100m medley relay – before creating history with six gold medals at the 2004 Short Course World Championships in Indianapolis.
Vigilance And Service
Born: Coffs Harbour
DOB: 27.12.1927
DIED: 01.02.2022
Attained bronze medallion: December 1, 1945
Represented NSW: 1952, 1953, 1955
Represented Australia: 1950
Awarded OAM: 1991
Represented North Coast Branch (Coach): 1992
Represented Manly Warringah Branch (Coach): 1969, 1970
Life Membership (Coffs Harbour): 1993-94
Life Membership (Freshwater SLSC): 1968
Life Membership (Manly-Warringah Branch SLSA):
Life Membership (Surf Life Saving NSW) 2014
Life Membership (Surf Life Saving Australia) 2022
Bicentenary Medal – for services to Life Saving and the Community 1988
OAM: Presented by Governor General Bill Hayden in 1991. For services to Surf Life Saving and the Community (June 10, 1991)
Federal Government Centenary Medal for dedication and contribution to the Community (Presented by Luke Hartsuker – House of representatives).
Catholic Care of the Aged (CCA) Service Award “Write your name in kindness on the hearts of others and you will be remembered” Oszanam Villa – 20 years of support for Aged Care – Presented by Catholic Care of the Aged (CCA)
Winner of seven individual gold medals 2002 World Masters Games – swimming – in Melbourne. Most of any swimmer in the Games.
Other distinctions:
- 50 and 70 Years of Coaching
- Coaching development tour to Tasmania
- Community Service Award
- Coffs Harbour Plaque of Service – Coffs Harbour Shire Council
- Carried torch 2002 Commonwealth Games
- Still coaching 2018/19 season
- Presented with his 75 Year SLSA Badge – 2019
COMPETITIVE RECORD
1944-45 Gained bronzed medallion (with Coffs Harbour) Contested first Australian Championship
1948-49 (With Coffs Harbour SLSC)
3rd Australian senior belt championship
1950: Represented Australian SLSA Team, New Zealand Tour (Test Series) From Coffs Harbour (In 2017 remains the oldest surviving Australian representative)
1950-51:
1st NSW Senior Surf championship
4th NSW Senior Belt Championship
1951-52:
2nd NSW senior belt championship
3rd NSW senior surf championship
3rd Australian surf championship
- NSW State Team
1952-53 (Joined Freshwater SLSC)
1ST Australian Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
1ST NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
1st Metropolitan Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.
- NSW State Team
1953-54
1st Australian Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
1st Metropolitan Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.
2nd NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
3rd Metropolitan Senior Surf Teams (B Lumsdaine, R Matheson, J Mills, J McPhee)
1954-55
1st Australian March Past (Standard bearer H Knox) 1st NSW March Past Champions (Standard bearer H Knox)
1st Metropolitan March Past (Standard bearer H Knox)
3rd Metropolitan Snr R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
3rd Metropolitan Senior Surf Teams (B Lumsdaine, R Matheson, J Mills, J McPhee)
- NSW Surf Team
1955-56
2nd Australian Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
1ST NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May,D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
1st NSW March Past (Standard bearer H Knox);
1st Metropolitan March Past (Standard bearer H Knox);
1st Metropolitan Surf Teams (J Mills, B Lumsdaine, R Barnwell, J McPhee);
2nd Metropolitan Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
3rd Metropolitan March Past (Standard bearer H Knox);
1956-57
1st NSW Surf Teams (J Mills, B Lumsdaine, D Williams, J McPhee);
1st Metropolitan Surf Teams (J Mills, B Lumsdaine, D Williams, J McPhee)
- Freshwater SLSC Club Captain
1957-58
2nd NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, C Williams, B Lumsdaine, N May, D Evans, R Matheson, J McPhee). Instructor, L McDonald.
- Freshwater Club Captain
- Member Executive Committee
- Club selector
1958-59
1st Australian Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor L McDonald.
1st NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor L McDonald.
1st Metropolitan Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.
Freshwater Club Captain
1959-60
1st Australian Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.
1st NSW Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.
1st Metropolitan Senior R and R (J Mills, D Williams, B Lumsdaine, B Bourke, J McPhee; G Mullins, J Forbes) Instructor, L McDonald.