Personal details

Birth
23rd March 1908 at Greenbushes, WA. Son of Harry Bridgland & Hannah Maud (Cohen), daughter of Sir Lewis Cohen & Lady Cohen

Death
30th July 1987, suddenly, at Burleigh Heads, South Queensland, while on holiday

Married
9th April 1929 to Elizabeth Grace Saunders, daughter of Solomon & Rachel (Myers) Saunders

Children
Margot Elizabeth (Bailey) & Michael Walter; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren

Education
Pulteney Grammar School and Queen's School

Military
Captain, Engineers, 2nd AIF (Australian Infantry Forces): overseas service New Guinea

Awards
1924 State Junior Swimming Champion
1932 recipient of Royal Humane Society Merit Award for saving the life of Edward John Mooney in the sea off Glenelg Beach
South Australian Father of the Year 1967
OBE (Order of the British Empire) 1976
Adelaide Rotary Club Service Award 1977
Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow 1983
AM (Member of the Order of Australia) 1985

Religious Affiliation
Jewish, Member of Adelaide Hebrew Congregation, 1929 until death in 1987

Interests and Activities

Local Government Adelaide City Council  
Councilor, Young Ward, 1956-66
Alderman, 1968-82
Lord Mayor of Adelaide, 1966-68
Chairman, Health, Parks & Community Services Committee (7 years)
Chairman, Traffic Committee (5 years)
Member, ACC Conciliation Committee
City Council Representative at initial official discussions with Chief Minister of Penang, Malaysia, re: the twin cities of Georgetown and Adelaide
ACC Representative, Wages and Taxi Boards
Chairman, Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board (8 years)

Other activities at various times

President, Adelaide Festival of Arts
President, Adelaide Rotary Club, 1972-73
President, Life Member & Trustee, Royal Association of Justices SA
President & Life Member, SA Amateur Swimming Association
President & World Life Member, Royal Overseas League, SA Branch
President, SA Olympic Council
Chairman, Combined Council of Commonwealth Societies
Chairman, Alcohol & Drug Addicts (Treatment) Board and Head of Department (11 years)
Deputy & Acting Chairman, SA Division of the Australian Red Cross Society
Vice-President & Life Member, Australian Foundation on Alcohol and Drug Dependence
Member of State Council of Meals on Wheels
Life Governor, Adelaide Children's Hospital
Vice-Patron & Life Member, Guide Dogs Association for the Blind, SA & NT
Chairman, Board of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Chairman, Board of Aged Pensioners' Homes Inc.
Chairman, Board of Governors of the Fairbridge Society
President, Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Woman's Association (SA Branch)
Chairman of the Ketura (Israel) Project
Executive Member, SA Council on Ageing
Executive Committee Member, Order of the British Empire Association
Board Member, Adelaide Rotary Club 1980-82
Visiting Justice, Adelaide Goal & Yatala Labour Prison 1962-82
Member & Trustee, RSL AIF Cemetery Trust (SA)
Member, Australian Government Advisory Committee on Homeless Persons, formerly representing State Health Department
Member, South Australian Police Enquiry Committee
Chairman, Gold Copper Exploration Ltd.

Clubs
Adelaide Rotary Club
Naval, Military & Air Force Club of SA Inc.
Royal Overseas League
Police Club (Honorary Member)

At the time of his death W L Bridgland was particularly active in the following:
President, Queen's Old Boys Association
Chairman, Australian Council of Elders (Housing)
President, Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, SA Branch
Chairman, Board of Aged Pensioners' Homes Inc.

And was Vice-President of several other organizations.

August 1987; Amended 2002
Compiled by Margot (Bridgland) Bailey

Accessioned onto AJM website May 2002

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