Much-loved Sawtell identity Doug ‘Kojak’ Duncombe farewelled

‘A great community bloke’: For a man who packed an extraordinary amount in to his 91 years, Doug ‘Kojak’ Duncombe still managed to find time for others.

Doug 'Kojak' Duncombe, winner of the 'Sawtellian of the Year' at Sawtell Fun Day in 2013. Photo: Leigh Jensen / The Coffs Coast Advocate

For a man who seemed to have spent two lifetimes moving about the world, there would be some who consider it an honour Douglas ‘Kojak’ Duncombe settled in Sawtell.

Kojak was farewelled by friends and family in a touching ceremony late last week after the Sawtell icon passed away aged 91.

For those who knew him, Kojak was someone who took a genuine interest in everyone he met and his mate of “only the last 15 or 20 years”, Barry Cook, says it was this quality that made him a friend to many.

“He was a real character and a great community bloke,” Mr Cook said.

“He would always remember who you were and what you your background was and was interested in you. That’s why he was so popular.

“He liked to know what made people tick.”

Douglas 'Kojak' Duncombe was a much loved member of the Sawtell community. Photo: Leigh Jensen / The Coffs Coast Advocate

Kojak was born in the small Victorian town of Ouyen and went on to live all across Australia including Geelong, Melbourne, Benalla, Wagga Wagga and Canberra.

With a similarly eclectic work history, Kojak worked at the Melbourne Stock Exchange and at different times owned a squash court and a newsagent. His son Mick Duncombe also said Kojak went from driving bulldozers – to selling them.

In 1984 he began selling Ford cars with Mike Blewitt when he moved to Sawtell, a job he maintained until his retirement in 1994.

Kojak was also well known for his work in the community and volunteered with Rotary as well as local sporting clubs including the Sawtell Bowling Club — where he left a real legacy.

His 2003 creation, The Sawtell Festival of Bowls, was Kojak to a tee.

The greens at Sawtell were filled to capacity during Kojak’s Festival of Bowls back in 2016.

The idea was simple: bring bowlers from all around the country to a week long social bowling event in Sawtell. The event perfectly captured Kojak’s love of people, community and travel with a hefty dose of that trademark entrepreneurship.

The event really took off and brought in “millions of dollars” to Sawtell Bowling club as bowlers from across Australia converged on his beloved seaside town. When Kojak was awarded Sawtellian of the Year in 2013, he said the Festival of Bowls was one of his proudest achievements.

Now known as Kojak’s Festival of Bowls, it was fitting that the 2021 event should kick off days after he was laid to rest.

Somehow Kojak also found time to write a book, travel extensively overseas and across Australia as well as embark on sailing trips in his yacht.

“He lived a full life and did a lot of things. He was a bloke who accepted anybody and could talk to anybody and make them feel comfortable,” Mick Duncombe said.

“He was just a genuinely good bloke with a lot of really good friends.”