Vale Doug Duncombe

He was well liked at the football club and was a member from 1970 to 1972, holding the position of President in ‘72.

He was also a keen squash player and long-time member of the Lions Club of Benalla.

Doug's son Rod said the family moved to Benalla after Doug got the job as right hand man to Ford's dealer principal at the time, Irwin Bright.

“We arrived in 1965 and left in about 1976,” Rod said.

“In his time in Benalla he got the job running the Ford dealership, which was then known as Duncombe Ford.

“Everyone called him Kojak, as he looked like the TV Character.

“But I can't recall if that started in Benalla, or once we'd moved to NSW.”

Doug's love of squash led to the family buying the Benalla Squash Courts on Thomas St.

“We had a milk bar at the front of the courts which dad also ran,” Rod said.

“And his favourite watering hole was the Royal, just across the road.

“Dad said the Royal is where he sold most of his cars.”

Doug served on various committees during his time in Benalla, and other towns he called home, such as Wagga Wagga and Sawtell, in NSW.

Being a community minded man it will come as no shock to locals that he continued his voluntary work once leaving town and was often referred to as the unofficial Mayor of Sawtell.

In 2013 the Sawtell community named him "Sawtellian of the year" - a title he was very proud of.

He was also an active member of Rotary in his time and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2002.

Doug loved racing his yacht and was well known around Coffs Harbour where he sailed Kojak regularly.

Mr Duncombe passed away last week at an aged-care facility, leaving four children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Vale Doug Duncombe.

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