Biography

Douglas Gill (1914 - 1983) was born on 24^th April 1914, in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, the son of James Stewart Gill and Jessie Stewart, formerly Gourlay. He came to Tasmania with his parents and family of four other children in 1920.

He was educated at the East Launceston Primary School and the Launceston High School and was first employed at the Agricultural Department in Launceston.

On 14^th September 1939, he married Shirly Marghritta Robbins, of Sydney. Shirly was born in Devenport, Tasmania, on 26^th March 1916. They had two children. During World War II Doug served with the Australian Army with the rank of captain.

After the war he was employed at The Examiner newspaper. Later he was manager of the City Newsagency, in St. John Street, and held this position for many years. He was accountant at Beck's Timber Pty. Ltd. and then until his retirement in June 1983, he was secretary of St. Luke's Hospital, in Lyttleton Street.

Doug was well known in sporting circles, especially in hockey. He was past president for twenty years, patron and life member of the Northern Tasmanian Hockey Association; president of the Tasmanian Hockey Association for twelve years up to 1983. In 1956 he was one of the Australian Olympic Hockey Squad. He was a member of the Umpiring and Umpires Appointment Committee of the Australian Hockey Association, and was the first Tasmanian to receive the Australian Badge as hockey umpire. As an umpire he was active until 1980.

Earlier in his career, Doug had been an active member and past secretary of the Northern Tasmanian Badminton Club, a former treasurer of the South Launceston District Cricket Club and a member of St. John's Church Tennis Club.

He was a member of several service organisations; he was a past president of the Lions' Club of Launceston, a member of Launceston Jaycees and Rotary Club. At one time he was president of the Northern Division of the Newsagents' Association, also a member of the Scotch College Council for over twenty-five years, and a member of the Board of St. Luke's Hospital.

Doug had been a strong churchman and was associated with St. John's Church since 1922, when he joined the Sunday School and the choir. He remained a member of the choir for sixty-one years. He served as a vestryman for twenty-three years, thirteen of which were as churchwarden.

Doug died on 31st October, 1983, and his ashes have been interred in the Garden of Remembrance at St. John's Church. A brass plate was given by his family and placed above the choir stalls. The inscription reads:
A.M.D.G.
IN LOVING MEMORY OFDOUGLAS STEWART GILL
1914-1983
CHOIR MEMBER FOR 61 YEARS CHURCHWARDEN FOR 13 YEARS

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