Don Harris, a member of Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC for 30 years, passed suddenly late on Wednesday evening 8 April aged 73 years.

Following on from son Simon joining in 1983, Don joined the surf club in January 1986;  gained his Bronze Medallion 16.03.1986 and commenced as a patrol member. In his second year of membership,

Don was elected as Club President(1987-88) and completed four years in the role;  he was again elected as President in 2003-04 and 2004-05, and led the Club to win the 2003-04 Surf Life Saving Illawarra Club of the Year award.As well as his Club activities,

Don was also actively involved as an officer of Surf Life Saving Illawarra from 1988-89, and over a period of seven years from 1991-92 oversaw patrol activities of the 17 Illawarra Clubs as Branch Superintendent, a position now known as Illawarra Branch Director of Lifesaving.   He was a carnival official for over 20 years, officiating at local and Branch carnivals, and for quite a few years Don also officiated at State and National championships.

For his service to Surf Life Saving Illawarra as an officer, and also his service as a competition official, Don was elevated to Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Illawarra in 2011.

Outside surf club activities, Don was the lead singer of D'Band, a group that assisted many local charities including the Surf Club by donating their time at functions free of charge.

RIP Don.   

Our condolences are extended to Don's children Simon, Greg and Susan.

Celebration of LIfe and Ashes Scattering - Saturday, 23 May 2026

Family, friends and members are asked to gather on the shore for the scattering of Don's Ashes at 1:15 pm