East Geelong centenarian, WWII veteran Doug Davies dies

Swimmers will gather to farewell an East Geelong centenarian who was known for going for daily dip at Eastern Beach until he was 95.

Doug Davies, pictured in 2011, swam everyday at Eastern Beach until he was 95-years-old.

Tributes are flowing for an East Geelong centenarian who was known for swimming daily at a local beach.

Doug Davies served in World War II and swam every day at Eastern Beach until he was 95.

He died in May, aged 100.

Mr Davies lived independently at his home until his passing, with assistance from his family and GenU home care staff, and reached triple digits in February this year.

Friend Jenny Clark said he was “the most delightful person.”

“He was happy to meet and have a chat to anyone,” she said.

“He was like a beacon of light.”

Mr Davies taught his grandchildren how to swim and they would often join him on his morning dips.

Ms Clark said he encouraged her to get in the water and start swimming daily about 35 years ago.

“He kept saying ‘come on, get in’ and I kept saying ‘no’ but I made a promise that I would get in on Boxing Day with him and I did and I haven’t been out,” she said.

“He had so much joy when he was in the water … and he encouraged everyone to get in and have a swim.

“He’d say ‘it’s lovely and warm in here, I know you’re cold out there’.”

Mr Davies was born in Ballarat and grew up in an orphanage.

He lied about his age to sign up for the Australia military in Melbourne in 1942.

Doug Davies turned 100 in February this year. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Davies was deployed to Borneo and moved to Geelong when the war was over with his wife Glenys, who died in 2007.

He worked several jobs during his life, including at Geelong hospital and City Hall.

After he retired on his 60th birthday, Mr Davies swam every morning at Eastern Beach until he was 95.

“He would always be there at 7am,” Ms Clark said.

“After swimming, we would go to the Novotel and have a coffee together.

“That was our routine for so many years and he recruited more people to join us during that time.”

A farewell will be held for Mr Davies at Eastern Beach on June 15 at 9am and all are welcome to attend.

“There are lots of swimmers and walkers who’ve known him over the years,” Ms Clark said.

“We felt we needed to say goodbye to him because he gave us so much joy.”

Originally published as East Geelong centenarian, WWII veteran Doug Davies dies