Warren ‘George’ Perkins, OAM

The name George Perkins was often mentioned in our household with his grandparents and my great grandparents settling in Tuncurry-Forster in the 1800s. Warren ‘George’ Perkins was born 25 November 1927 and would become a highly respected builder, sportsman and community leader in Forster.¹

George loved sport and at age 17 he played first grade rugby league. He joined the Forster Surf Life Saving Club where his leadership qualities saw him promoted to boat captain. He later excelled in golf and in shooting where he ranked third in the State and won the National Queen’s Birthday Shoot in 1966. George was a foundation volunteer member of the Forster Fire Brigade for 38 years where he was also captain.²

George proved himself an outstanding citizen when his interest turned to the Cape Hawke Memorial Hospital. His mother had been a dedicated member of the Forster Progress Association which established the five-bed cottage hospital in 1957. Due to a growing population it became necessary to build a larger hospital. In 1969 George Perkins “offered to build the hospital on a “cost plus” basis charging his own time at a very low rate because of the importance of this hospital to the local community”.³ Through his generous offer the build came in under budget. He continued to be involved with the subsequent developments of the hospital until 2000.⁴

Elected to the hospital committee in 1983, George became President in 1985 until he stepped down in 2004. He received many awards including the Order of Australia Medal in 1993 for his service to the community.⁵ George was a truly remarkable man and great mate to all who knew him and he sadly passed away on June 19, 2020.⁶

Author: Marilyn Boyd