Hundreds turned out on Friday to farewell Ted Sayers, Ulladulla’s first fire brigade captain and the longest serving member of the Ulladulla-Milton Lions Club.
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Fire trucks formed a guard of honour at the Mollymook Surf Club as family, friends and former colleagues paid their respects to a man who made a significant contribution to the Ulladulla community.
Mr Sayers and his wife Barbara moved to the district in 1960 and he took up the position as captain when the Ulladulla branch of NSW Fire and rescue opened its doors in 1972.
He trained dozens of young firefighters in the position that he held until 1995 when Steve Farr took over as captain.
Having recently retired, Mr Farr described his mentor as a “thorough gentleman” who was highly regarded and respected with the community and by firefighters from throughout the region.
“I worked with ted for 11 years and he was really good to work with, he ran a really smooth ship and really knew his stuff,” Mr Farr added.
In August last year, Mr Sayers was awarded the Lions 43-year service pin at a ceremony at his Ulladulla home and was also presented with a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow pin for his commitment to the organisation by District Governor Allan McDonald.
Mr Sayers joined the Lions Club in 1970, and was elected club president in 1975.
Over the years Mr Sayers twice held the role as treasurer, was a director for many years as well as a tail twister and lion tamer.
Club president Brian Thompson described Mr Sayers as a “hands-on Lion”, having been chairman of the lawn moving group, involved with the donut van for many years and the Christmas Tree project for six years.
Mr Sayers was a life member of the club and was a generous and compassionate member of the community.
Mr McDonald said Mr Sayers was “very conscientious Lion who has been involved in many community projects.
Mr Sayers managed Ulladulla’s telephone exchange until he retired in 1988, after which time he dedicated much of his life to the Lions Club and its projects.
He mowed lawns and tended gardens for the region’s aged and began operating the Lions merry-go-round more than 30 years ago.
Mr Sayers was a Justice of the Peace, a keen bowler and member of the Milton-Ulladulla Bowling Club.
In January 2001, he was presented with the Milton-Ulladulla Australia Day Award for his “distinguished service to the community”.
Mr Sayers is survived by his wife Barb four children, Beverly, Lorae, Alan and John and partners as well as 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
