Man of many hats honoured

Hywel David Evans, OAM

Born: December 20, 1924

Died: September 3, 2019

Family man, volunteer, teacher, veteran and politician are just some of the hats Hywel David (Dave) Evans wore throughout his time living in the Lower South West.

On November 12, Mr Evans was honoured with a Motion of Condolence by the State Parliament.

His family, colleagues and friends were present to hear the condolence motion, which recognised his dedication and service to the Warren community, the State and the country.

Mr Evans was the Warren MLA from March 23, 1968, to February 4, 1989, developing an interest in politics when one of the two mills in Pemberton was burnt down in 1961.

While serving in State politics for the Labor Party, Mr Evans also served as the Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Immigration and Forests during different terms of his party being in Government and was deputy leader of the opposition and a shadow minister.

Mr Evans also identified the opportunity and organised the purchase of the Leeuwin National Park in 1971.

From humble beginnings, Mr Evans was a community-minded man who served in various local organisations to improve the region.

Born in Penycraig Rhondda Valley, South Glamorgan, in South Wales, Mr Evans moved to Pemberton with his family in 1926.

He attended Pemberton State School, Bunbury High School, Claremont Teachers College, the University of Western Australia and was a monitor teacher in Pemberton in 1942.

Mr Evans enlisted in the RAAF on January 2, 1943 and was discharged on September 17, 1945.

After earning his teaching qualifications, Mr Evans taught in several schools before settling in Pemberton from 1950-60.

His education appointments included being the deputy headmaster at Pemberton Junior High School and senior master at Manjimup Senior High School.

He also taught local migrants English free of charge after moving to Manjimup in 1963. In addition to teaching people English, Mr Evans’ volunteering included being the district youth organiser in Pemberton, a board member of the Pemberton and Manjimup hospital boards and the chairman of the Manjimup Historical Society.

He was also the president of the Lower South West Football League, the house captain of the Manjimup Golf Club, co-founder of the Manjimup Art Society with his wife Betty Evans, chairman of the Windy Harbour Advisory Board, Moonya Lodge chairman, Dunreath Cottages board member and Manjimup Motorcycle Club chairman.

While Mr Evans never did any of these various roles for the accolades, he was awarded honours several times over the years.

He was a rare recipient of the silver Australian and Italian Friendship Medal on June 2, 1991, which was unusual as the award was not often given to a non-Italian member.

Mr Evans received an award for teaching English to migrants for about five years without payment.

On June 14, 1993, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to State Parliament and agriculture.

In November, 1995, the Bicentennial Tree was renamed the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree in honour of his service and work associated with forests and forest conservation.