Surf life saving legends John and Marge Mills remembered with a paddle out around the Jetty Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - April 22, 2022 Friends, family, surf life saving fellows and pupils of John Mills paddle out into Coffs Harbour. Photo: Peter Sechi. JOHN and Marge Mills’ memorial paddle out at Coffs Harbour Jetty was a day of highs and lows, of happiness and heartfelt moments. The day of the paddle, Thursday 14 April, brought with it many obstacles. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Rain, wind and overcast conditions persisted throughout the day. Meanwhile, hundreds of family and friends were unable to attend due to delays on the Pacific Highway and surrounding road closures from incidents around Coffs Harbour, and close family members testing positive to Covid. The fortunate attendees stood with their boards on the southern side of the Jetty for one final paddle together. Each one sharing memories and thinking about the countless Jetty laps they had done, and the thousands of training sessions coach John Mills had taught over a lifetime of coaching up and coming surf life savers. Paddlers held their boards up-right as John and Marge’s children Lorraine, John, Suzanne and Alyson walked past the surf life savers, thanking them for supporting their dad; a super coach and recent recipient of life membership to Surf Life Saving Australia. The paddle out was followed by an arm-in-arms embrace on the sand, with young Coffs athletes Tahlia Kollen and Mitch Hickey paying a special tribute to their coach. The group then hit the water again to lay wreaths, flowers and spread the ashes. John’s daughter Suzanne said some beautiful words in the water on behalf of the family. John had coached her, her husband Ian Hanson and their four children and grandchildren in surf life saving. During the traditional paddle out the surf life savers formed a circle and held their arms up to the sky, splashing and cheering as the ashes were released into the sea. Over 50 people of all ages attended – many of whom had travelled from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Melbourne, Agnes Waters and the Sunshine Coast to join Coffs Harbour locals to celebrate the life of two incredible people. Among the former champions who travelled back to Coffs to honour their coach were three of his most decorated paddlers; Australian under-18 board champion Gemma McGrath, and iron woman stars Belinda Neville and Kylie Brazier, who combined to win the NSW under-18 board relay for Coffs Harbour, amongst many other State and National titles. Other paddlers included members of the Lawler family, led by long-time paddlers Grant and wife Melinda, Sean and wife Kylie and their children, and John and Marge’s grandchildren, Brooke, Kurt and Jade Hanson and great grandchildren Cooper (twelve), Billy (eight), Matilda Clarke (six) and Sonny Gargoura (three). John and Marge’s grand daughter, Olympian Brooke Hanson, told News Of The Area, “It was a beautiful send off for two incredibly inspiring Coffs Harbour locals who are forever with us in spirit and each time we are in the sea. “We are so thankful to the thousands of athletes who were coached by our grandfather John and supported and fed by our grandmother Marge for over 80 years.” By Andrea FERRARI Suzanne Hanson, Millsy’s daughter, with cousin Brett Mills, spreading the ashes of his father, Ray – the brother of John and the youngest of sixteen children – holding the back of the board is Ian Hanson. Photo: Peter Sechi. It was an emotional send off for John and Marge Mills felt by their grand-daughters, sisters Brooke and Jade Hanson. Photo: Mackney Images. Surf lifesavers from up and down the east coast converged onto Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Beach to pay homage to Australian Surf Lifesaving great and legendary coach John Mills OAM. Photo: Mackney Images.
