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John Beausang
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Summary
John 'Jack ' Leslie Beausang was born on 25 August, 1913 at Gympie. He was educated at Imbil and Cambroon, Queensland. In April 1955, at the age of forty-two he entered politics and was elected to Landsborough Shire Council. Jack Beausang represented the areas of Conondale, Witta and Cambroon. He retired as Mayor of Caloundra City undefeated on 17 March, 1988, at the age of seventy-five. During Jack Beausang's career in Local Government, he served on numerous committees and received numerous awards and accolades including an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1980. Caloundra Public Library was named after him, when it officially opened in 1986. Jack Beausang passed away at the age of eighty-seven on 3 March, 2000.
Biography
Born 28 August 1913 at Gympie
Died 3 March 2000 aged 87 years
Funeral 7 March 2000 Caloundra Civic Cultural Centre
Followed by internment at Caloundra Lawn Cemetery
Educated at Imbil, Cambroon, Queensland
Origins on a diary farm and grazing property in Conondale
Married Myrtle, two children (son and daughter). Myrtle was a great strength and help to him.
Affiliations
Received Citizenship awards by Rotary and Lions Club.
Representative for Local Government on the Queensland Fire Service Council.
Chairman "No Dam" committee
Patron of Senior Citizens Organisation.
Member of the Executive of the Local Government Association for Queensland since 1973.
Active in the Dairy Industry
17yrs Director Maleny Co-Operative Dairy Association
3yrs Secretary Queensland Dairy Mens Association in Conondale.
7yrs Deputy Chairman Queensland Dairy Mens Association
For a period of 12 years also President of the North Coast Local Government Association which represented Local Authorities extending from the City of Maryborough in the North to the Shire of Pine Rivers in the South.
Early days (1957) as Councillor
A fuss was caused because Landsborough Shire Council could not decide to buy an end loader. Before this Council Staff (manpower) had loaded trucks by hand: Horse drawn graders used / Condition of roads / Not many cars / Typists and Council workers (old working days).
Chronological Events
April, 1955 - Became a member of Landsborough Shire Council Division 1. Representing rural areas of Conondale, Witta and Cambroon districts.
May 1964 - Elected Chairman of Landsborough Shire Council.
1976/1977 - Elected Junior Vice President.
1980 - Received OBE. It was Jack Beausang’s 26th year as a Landsborough Shire Councillor and his 17th year as Chairman. As Chairman he stood unopposed at every election.
1983/1984 - Russ Hinze Local Government Minister intended to override Councils. Rejection of the 60 town houses, Little Mountain Development. "Jack Beausang said Councils were powerless when it came to a showdown" SCD 17/7/84
1/8/1984 - Open meetings trialed (main committee meetings). Chairman Beausang warned of the dangers of defamation. "Some Councillors will have to be careful what they say". SCD 17/7/84
1985 - Unable to contest and ineligible to stand for election to Sunshine Coast Hospital Board because of age retiring limit set at 70.
1986 - Said Councillors spend too much time discussing matters of no consequence
13/2/86 - Caloundra Public Library named after him.
1986 - Ongoing difficulties with Cr. McCaw. Cr McCaw put a motion of no confidence in Mayor Beausang. No support for McCaw.
21/11/1987 - Premier Joh Bjelke Peterson, Russ Hinze, Minister for Local Government, member for Landsborough Mike Ahern, gave the Mayor Jack Beausang a standing ovation. Jack Beausang declared at the meeting on 20 November that he would not stand again at the next election. (Mayor Jack Beausang had a long term friendship with Joh Bjelke Peterson that spanned over 40 years).
13/2/1988 - Testimonial dinner for retiring Caloundra City Mayor at Corbould Park. Hosted by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, Premier Mike Ahern paid attribute.
17/3/1988 - More than an hour of attributes poured in for retiring Mayor Jack Beausang of the final Caloundra City Council meeting before Saturday’s Election. A living legend in Local Government.
Projects Associated With
Supply water to Caloundra 1964
Augmentation of the Caloundra Water Supply Treatment Plant. Important that sewerage be disposed at low cost
Controversial name change - Landsborough Shire to Caloundra City
Keep rates to a low level
Civic Cultural Centre (a dream he had from his first days in Council)
Corbould Park
Ocean Outfall - Kawana
Huge growth rate, Kawana Division 3 in the 1980’s. A debate occurred regarding the citing of the Shires new Library headquarters building in Caloundra, Caloundra Library named after him
Strong working relationship in National Party. Mayor Beausang worked well with Queensland Government.
Jack Beausang recognised a need for industry and employment within the shire from the early days onward.
Recognised that roads were a priority and headed the main deputation to main roads, which saw Caloundra being constructed.
Celebrities: Princess Alexandra toured in 1959 and stayed at the Hotel Perle.
"His Motto" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Date of birth28 August 1913Date of death3 March 2000OccupationMayor, Caloundra CityMenuPeople | John Beausang
John 'Jack ' Leslie Beausang was born on 25 August, 1913 at Gympie. He was educated at Imbil and Cambroon, Queensland. In April 1955, at the age of forty-two he entered politics and was elected to Landsborough Shire Council. Jack Beausang represented the areas of Conondale, Witta and Cambroon. He retired as Mayor of Caloundra City undefeated on 17 March, 1988, at the age of seventy-five. During Jack Beausang's career in Local Government, he served on numerous committees and received numerous awards and accolades including an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1980. Caloundra Public Library was named after him, when it officially opened in 1986. Jack Beausang passed away at the age of eighty-seven on 3 March, 2000.
Biography Born 28 August 1913 at Gympie
Died 3 March 2000 aged 87 years
Funeral 7 March 2000 Caloundra Civic Cultural Centre
Followed by internment at Caloundra Lawn Cemetery
Educated at Imbil, Cambroon, Queensland
Origins on a diary farm and grazing property in Conondale
Married Myrtle, two children (son and daughter). Myrtle was a great strength and help to him.
Affiliations
Received Citizenship awards by Rotary and Lions Club.
Representative for Local Government on the Queensland Fire Service Council.
Chairman "No Dam" committee
Patron of Senior Citizens Organisation.
Member of the Executive of the Local Government Association for Queensland since 1973.
Active in the Dairy Industry
17yrs Director Maleny Co-Operative Dairy Association
3yrs Secretary Queensland Dairy Mens Association in Conondale.
7yrs Deputy Chairman Queensland Dairy Mens Association
For a period of 12 years also President of the North Coast Local Government Association which represented Local Authorities extending from the City of Maryborough in the North to the Shire of Pine Rivers in the South.
Early days (1957) as Councillor
A fuss was caused because Landsborough Shire Council could not decide to buy an end loader. Before this Council Staff (manpower) had loaded trucks by hand: Horse drawn graders used / Condition of roads / Not many cars / Typists and Council workers (old working days).
Chronological Events
April, 1955 - Became a member of Landsborough Shire Council Division 1. Representing rural areas of Conondale, Witta and Cambroon districts.
May 1964 - Elected Chairman of Landsborough Shire Council.
1976/1977 - Elected Junior Vice President.
1980 - Received OBE. It was Jack Beausang’s 26th year as a Landsborough Shire Councillor and his 17th year as Chairman. As Chairman he stood unopposed at every election.
1983/1984 - Russ Hinze Local Government Minister intended to override Councils. Rejection of the 60 town houses, Little Mountain Development. "Jack Beausang said Councils were powerless when it came to a showdown" SCD 17/7/84
1/8/1984 - Open meetings trialed (main committee meetings). Chairman Beausang warned of the dangers of defamation. "Some Councillors will have to be careful what they say". SCD 17/7/84
1985 - Unable to contest and ineligible to stand for election to Sunshine Coast Hospital Board because of age retiring limit set at 70.
1986 - Said Councillors spend too much time discussing matters of no consequence
13/2/86 - Caloundra Public Library named after him.
1986 - Ongoing difficulties with Cr. McCaw. Cr McCaw put a motion of no confidence in Mayor Beausang. No support for McCaw.
21/11/1987 - Premier Joh Bjelke Peterson, Russ Hinze, Minister for Local Government, member for Landsborough Mike Ahern, gave the Mayor Jack Beausang a standing ovation. Jack Beausang declared at the meeting on 20 November that he would not stand again at the next election. (Mayor Jack Beausang had a long term friendship with Joh Bjelke Peterson that spanned over 40 years).
13/2/1988 - Testimonial dinner for retiring Caloundra City Mayor at Corbould Park. Hosted by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, Premier Mike Ahern paid attribute.
17/3/1988 - More than an hour of attributes poured in for retiring Mayor Jack Beausang of the final Caloundra City Council meeting before Saturday’s Election. A living legend in Local Government.
Projects Associated With
Supply water to Caloundra 1964
Augmentation of the Caloundra Water Supply Treatment Plant. Important that sewerage be disposed at low cost
Controversial name change - Landsborough Shire to Caloundra City
Keep rates to a low level
Civic Cultural Centre (a dream he had from his first days in Council)
Corbould Park
Ocean Outfall - Kawana
Huge growth rate, Kawana Division 3 in the 1980’s. A debate occurred regarding the citing of the Shires new Library headquarters building in Caloundra, Caloundra Library named after him
Strong working relationship in National Party. Mayor Beausang worked well with Queensland Government.
Jack Beausang recognised a need for industry and employment within the shire from the early days onward.
Recognised that roads were a priority and headed the main deputation to main roads, which saw Caloundra being constructed.
Celebrities: Princess Alexandra toured in 1959 and stayed at the Hotel Perle.
"His Motto" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Date of birth28 August 1913Date of death3 March 2000OccupationMayor, Caloundra CityMenuPeople | John BeausangImage
Document
Oral History
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Oral HistoryJohn Beausang Oral History
John Beausang. Sunshine Coast Life, accessed 28/04/2026, https://sunshinecoast.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/217