On behalf of the Weston Creek Tennis Club Committee and all our members, it is with deep sadness that I write these words on John Bushell, one of life’s gentlemen. John was a much loved Life Member of our tennis community who served our Club with distinction, as a player, coach and mentor for 34 years.
John commenced coaching at Weston Creek in 1978 after teaming up with Alan Carroll. John had come from Sydney where he was a top junior and young adult who had played in the prestigious NSW Blackwell Cup competition. John also played Division One for Weston Creek for many years in Canberra whilst coaching and mentoring our juniors.
In 1983 John was appointed the Club Coach, and although he officially retired in December 2002 he continued working with Mark Walton (the current Club Coach) as a coach and mentor of coaches within the Canberra School of Tennis organisation until 2012.
John was more than a tennis coach. He took an active interest in all his pupils and their families both inside and outside of tennis. Many is the time I would hear little ones running in through the gate and at the top of their voices yelling - “Mr Bushell, Mr Bushell” and showing him their good results from school or a merit award they had received at school.
John was a father figure to many of his pupils and often could be seen calming down young tempers or providing heartfelt and encouraging advice after tennis lessons to mums and dads eager to see little Mary or Johnny at the age of 6 or 7 wanting to go on tour – an achievement that John new very rarely was achieved, but knowing that it was important to keep those children playing tennis as a lifelong healthy pursuit.
John was an active committee man and always participated in the many working bees during the early development days, he also rolled the clay courts prior to pennant. John’s Christmas breakup parties were a highlight on the calendar, and well worth waiting for, especially those special bags of lollies and drinks handed out by Santa.
May you rest in peace John knowing that you have left a marvellous legacy at the Weston Creek Tennis Club that will be long remembered.
I would encourage as many of our committee and club members of the Weston Creek Tennis Club to join me at 11am this Tuesday 26 September 2023 at the Margaret Whitlam Pavillion (National Arboretum) in memory of John. See further details below.
Graeme Rossiter
President and Life Member
24 September 2023
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JOHN ROBERT BUSHELL
14 September 1937 - 17 September 2023
Devoted husband of Judy (dec).
Loving father of Danny (dec),
Sandra & Christine.
Father-In-law to Ray & Michael.
Much loved grandad to Luke, AJ,
Sophie, Sam & Laura and their partners.
Great grandad to Henry & Max.
Reunited with his Judy
A farewell Service for John will be held on Tuesday 26 September 2023 at
the Margaret Whitlam Pavillion
(National Arboretum) commencing at 11am.
