VALE Trevor Conlon OAM
Chair, Coromandel Valley & Districts Branch,
National Trust - South Australia
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Trevor’s passing on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, at the age of 75. An energetic and enthusiastic storyteller, Trevor was dedicated to bringing the history of Coromandel Valley and surrounds to life in ways that engaged people of all ages. He is very missed.
It was Trevor's initiative in 2010 to form a coordinating committee to plan for 2012 a year?long celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of Coromandel Valley, South Australia.
Over 18 months leading up to the 2012 celebrations, Trevor worked tirelessly to involve a diverse range of community groups, government agencies and interested individuals in planning a calendar of some 70 events to engage Coromandel Valley residents — past and present — and the broader South Australian community.
Celebrated from January to November, 2012 was a celebration of the place called Coromandel Valley, as well as of the people who made and continue to make it what it is. CoroAlive! 175 was recognised as the City of Onkaparinga's 2012 Event of the Year on Australia Day 2013.
A mix of people from diverse origins: Indigenous, English, Irish, Scottish, German and others; have given the Valley its unique character and Trevor was dedicated to sharing their stories.
Trevor’s leadership was effective, his enthusiasm was contagious and his support for the efforts of others was unwavering.
Trevor actively encouraged schools, churches, sporting bodies, clubs, environmental groups, the residents’ association, Coromandel Community Centre and numerous interested individuals to join our National Trust Branch by getting actively involved. Thanks to the effectiveness of his lobbying and presentation skills there was excellent support the Cities of Mitcham and Onkaparinga (the border between these LGAs passes through Coromandel Valley), as well from Parliamentarians: the late Dr Bob Such MP (then State Member for Fisher), Iain Evans MP (then State Member for Davenport), and Dr Andrew Southcott MHR (then Federal Member for Boothby).
The calendar of events numbered some 70 activities from open days to guided discovery tours (both walking and by bus), a multi-denominational, old-fashioned church picnic, back-to functions, billy cart making workshops, concerts and ‘Spotlight on History’ sessions.
Trevor's passion for engaging the community with its history continued and he became Chair of our Branch in 2013.
In this role, Trevor oversaw the management of three council owned properties currently leased by the National Trust. Namely Gamble Cottage, Blackwood (City of Mitcham), Winns Bakehouse Museum, Coromandel Valley (City of Mitcham) and Watchman House, Coromandel Valley (City of Onkaparinga). Trevor almost singlehandedly negotiated the leases for these properties acting as the linchpin between the councils and National Trust Board. He promoted the usage of these facilities for community functions to both generate income for the Branch and also to connect the community to their history and these assets.
For some years the 'and districts' portion of the Coromandel Valley and Districts Branch of the National Trust had had little attention. Trevor set about addressing that by developing working relationships with the Blackwood Action Group - History Subcommittee (he supported that group in 2014 in the publication of 'All Good Things Come from the Hills, Excerpts from the 1914 Blackwood Magazine', proceeds from the sale of which benefitted Legacy and the CFS), and the Cherry Gardens History Group as well as initiating continuing 'Spotlight Nights' around the broader district, tapping into the knowledge contained within and interest of the wider community.
Voluntary service through the SA Country Fire Service (CFS)
Trevor Conlon joined the Coromandel Valley Emergency Fire Service (now CFS) as a 14-year old cadet in 1963. That was the beginning of an association with the CFS that continued to his death.
At age 16 Trevor became a fully operational volunteer firefighter and by about 1971 had been appointed as the Brigade’s radio officer. Across the years he served on the Brigade’s committee, including as its Chairman.
Trevor was made a Life Member of Coromandel Valley CFS in 2005, and in that same year received the National Medal for Service to the Community (Fire service related).
He was awarded a CFS Service Medal in 2009.
Since 2006 Trevor’s role within the CFS was as Community Fire Safe Leader for the Ackland Hill Road area. He was also an active contributor to local resilience projects supported by State and Local governments.
In the 2017 Australia Day Honours, Trevor was a recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his significant contributions to the community of Coromandel Valley through the promotion of local history and with other community organisations.
