Respected schoolteacher and Surf Coast identity Bill Bond remembered

A respected schoolteacher and Surf Coast sporting identity is being remembered as a “larger than life” character following his sad passing.

Bill Bond.

A respected schoolteacher and Jan Juc surf life saving legend is being remembered as a “larger than life” character following his sad passing.

The life of William “Bill” Bond, 68, was celebrated in Torquay on Friday with friends and family paying tribute to a “generous man” universally admired, and who had an impact everywhere he went.

Tributes have come from sporting clubs across Melbourne and Geelong, and within the education fraternity following his death on February 10.

Mr Bond is regarded as “an icon” at the Jan Juc club, where he is a life member, with his famous “Bondo’s Wheel” a must for members and visitors.

“He was a big fundraiser for the club,” his wife, Monica, said.

“He used to have these raffles and meals and he would raise a lot of money through that.”

It’s estimated he raised more than $250,000 after the development of an annual golf day for the club, which has been running for three decades and will continue in his honour.

A top swimmer and triathlete, Bill and his family have been a part of the Jan Juc community since the 1980s before retiring in the town almost 10 years ago.

Bill Bond was much loved and respected. Photo: Supplied.

“He was loving it,” she said.

“The golf, the football, the swimming.

“He got involved in everything.”

A heart attack three years ago drastically changed his lifestyle, but not his mindset.

“He was fighting the good fight,” Ms Bond said.

“He is not suffering anymore.”

Close friend Hayden Torney said his beloved mate was “massive on connecting people”.

“He did so much for people and their mental health without even knowing it,” he said.

Mr Bond was also a keen golfer and member of the Torquay Golf Club.

More than 450 people gathered from across the country to swap stories at the RACV Torquay Resort during an emotional farewell last week.

“He was a marvellous man who did wonders,” Mr Torney said.

A brilliant physical education teacher and life member of School Sport Victoria, Mr Bond taught at Bayside P-12 College and at Altona Secondary College in Melbourne.

“Bill’s focus was on the development of all the students under his care both on and, just as importantly, off the sporting field,” a spokesman from SSV said.

Bill Bond shares a laugh. Picture: Supplied

“His preparation for events was exemplary, spending countless hours of his own time meticulously preparing ensuring an outstanding time was had by all.”

He also played a big role in the career of many AFL footballers through his association with football carnivals, and is a life member of the Australian State Schools National Football Council.

He received the Outstanding Teacher Contribution Award at the Department of Education’s School Sports Awards in 2005, and was also recognised for his dedicated service with a School Sport Australia 10-year service award in 2011.

He was inducted as a SSV life member in 2014.

Mr Bond is also a life member and former president of the Spotswood Football and Netball Club.

“Bill was a much loved member of the Spotswood community and enjoyed watching his boys Jeremy and Andrew run around in the Green and Gold,” a club spokesman said.

Geelong businesswoman and former Altona student, Carly Post, said Mr Bond was a “huge advocate for women's sports.”

“He was an awesome man and always gave people in sport a big push,” she said.

“He was much loved and well respected.”

He is survived by his wife, Monica and sons Jeremy and Andrew and their families.

“He loved his family and he loved his boys,” Ms Bond said.

“We’ll miss him dearly.”

Originally published as Respected schoolteacher and Surf Coast identity Bill Bond remembered