Donald Ralph Bilston attended RMC for one year in 1961. Upon leaving Duntroon, he immediately commenced Surveying under the then Queensland Surveyor General; and then continued surveying in private practice until 1969. He became a Licensed Surveyor in 1976, and a Justice of the Peace in the same year. He worked with the Queensland Government until 2003, when he became an Emeritus Surveyor. He then worked with a legal Consultancy Firm, mainly on Cadastral and Body Corporate matters. He was both a member and Secretary of Body Corporates. In retirement, Don was a keen golfer and tennis player, being the 60+mens Doubles Champion; he also participated in live theatre. He had 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
On 3/02/2020 5:31 pm, Mark Bilston (Don’s son) advised that Don was in Gold Coast University Hospital with liver cancer and that he was approaching life’s end. On 20 February, Mark informed us that Don had passed away peacefully on that morning (Thursday). His journey was pain free and in peace until the very end. Don Bilston’s funeral was held at the Surfer's Paradise on Friday 28 February 2020.
Noel Williamson, from our Class attended the funeral, which he said went well with a good turnout for Don. Mark Bilston presented the eulogy and spoke at some length about Don’s appreciation of his time at Duntroon and the lifetime camaraderie of his classmates even though he was only there for a year; and, about how Duntroon helped shape the rest of Don’s life. Mark expressed gratitude about Don’s classmates phoning him to pass on their condolences. Noel Williamson spoke with Mark and his sisters who appreciated someone from the class being there.
Rodney Usback
Donald Ralph Bilston attended RMC for one year in 1961. Upon leaving Duntroon, he immediately commenced Surveying under the then Queensland Surveyor General; and then continued surveying in private practice until 1969. He became a Licensed Surveyor in 1976, and a Justice of the Peace in the same year. He worked with the Queensland Government until 2003, when he became an Emeritus Surveyor. He then worked with a legal Consultancy Firm, mainly on Cadastral and Body Corporate matters. He was both a member and Secretary of Body Corporates. In retirement, Don was a keen golfer and tennis player, being the 60+mens Doubles Champion; he also participated in live theatre. He had 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
On 3/02/2020 5:31 pm, Mark Bilston (Don’s son) advised that Don was in Gold Coast University Hospital with liver cancer and that he was approaching life’s end. On 20 February, Mark informed us that Don had passed away peacefully on that morning (Thursday). His journey was pain free and in peace until the very end. Don Bilston’s funeral was held at the Surfer's Paradise on Friday 28 February 2020.
Noel Williamson, from our Class attended the funeral, which he said went well with a good turnout for Don. Mark Bilston presented the eulogy and spoke at some length about Don’s appreciation of his time at Duntroon and the lifetime camaraderie of his classmates even though he was only there for a year; and, about how Duntroon helped shape the rest of Don’s life. Mark expressed gratitude about Don’s classmates phoning him to pass on their condolences. Noel Williamson spoke with Mark and his sisters who appreciated someone from the class being there.
Vale Don Bilston