Bronwyn Jones 

Local Snapshot

On Australia Day, Trevor Jones, a well known Kiama identity, will celebrate his 96th Birthday.

When speaking about the significance of his Australia Day birthday, Trevor prefers to reflect on his father, William Jones, rather than the occasion itself.

William and Vera Jones in the 1950's. Source: Bronwyn Jones

William was a British soldier during World War I. While serving, he met many Australians and was struck by their easygoing nature as well as their physical size and strength. He often said that if he survived the war, he would finish his apprenticeship as a painter and decorator and then emigrate to Australia. He eventually landed in Melbourne, fulfilling his dream.

William himself was small in stature and was very happy to meet a lovely Australian girl, Vera Greenhill. She had brothers who played AFL which meant William’s dream of having some big strong Australian sporting sons could come true.

Trevor lawn bowling in 2001. Source: Bronwyn Jones

Trevor Jones was born on Australia Day in 1929 in Narrandera, NSW. He was followed by his sister Margaret and a brother named William. With a growing family to support, William moved to the Illawarra region and chose the peaceful village of Jamberoo as their new home.

Sons Leslie, Norman, and Russell were born in Jamberoo, and the big family lived there for most of their lives. Their father encouraged them all to play sport, and they excelled in many fields, including cricket, football, and tennis. Margaret, their sister, was a member of the first Jamberoo hockey team in 1948 before going on to play golf.

When Trevor married Roslyn, they moved to a dairy farm in Kiama called ‘Silverhill,’ where Cedar Ridge now stands. They had two daughters, Bronwyn and Lisa.

Trevor continued to play cricket for Kiama and was made a life member of the Kiama Cricket Club in 1972.

At the age of 36, Trevor’s best friend Harold "Googes" Tuohy introduced him to the game of lawn bowls, which would become his lifelong sporting passion. He enjoyed many great wins with friends and family, and his involvement in the Kiama Bowling Club earned him a life membership in 1986.

Trevor is especially proud of his brothers' involvement in the game. He had many successful pairs wins with brother Norman in the 1980s, and with brother Leslie in the 1990s, including a notable victory in the South Pacific Pairs in 1995.

He also encouraged and coached his wife Roslyn to take up the sport. She went on to win numerous championship titles on the green, as well. Trevor and Roslyn have now been married for 71 years.

On this Australia Day, like on all of his birthdays, Trevor feels fortunate to have had a full and fulfilling life. However, he will always prefer to tell the story of his father, William, whose dreams and experiences shaped much of his own life.