BENJAMIN S. TAYLOR OAM

17 July 1927 – 1 January 2012

The Board of Directors and Staff of Deaf Sports Australia wishes to express our deepest sorrow at the passing of our Life Member, Benjamin (Ben) Taylor OAM on Sunday 1 January 2012.

Ben was a long time delegate and director of the then Australian Deaf Sports Federation and Secretary of the Australian Deaf Lawn Bowls Association. He also served as President and Secretary for NSW Deaf Sports Association and NSW Deaf Lawn Bowls Association. Ben was also Secretary for the very first Australian Deaf Games, held in Sydney in 1964/65 and as Team Manager, led the Australian Team at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch, New Zealand, the 1999 World Deaf Lawn Bowls Championships in Durban, South Africa and the Australian Deaf Cricket Team when India toured Australia in the mid 1980s. He was also actively involved with Ashfield Bowling Club and Burwood Bowling Club in various capacities.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001 and his citation read: for service to deaf and hearing impaired people, particularly through the Australian Deaf Lawn Bowls Association, and to lawn bowls. Ben was also awarded Life Membership of Deaf Sports Australia, Deaf Lawn Bowls Australia, Deaf Cricket Australia, NSW Deaf Lawn Bowls Association and the Deaf Society of New South Wales.

Deaf Sports Australia will always remember Ben’s 60 years of contribution to Deaf Sports. We are forever appreciative of his services.

Our sincere condolences to Ben’s wife, Beryl, his daughters Diana and Jane, and their families.