On Friday, October 1, 2021, George Bevan O’Regan, husband of Margaret, father of Craig, Scott and Adam (dec), passed away at the age of 89 in Tamworth.

He will be remembered for his strongly held beliefs and principles, and his passion and advocacy for the shire, regional Australia and the nation.

Bevan was born on February 24, 1932 to George James and Edna Amy Eileen O’Regan at the Cottage Private Hospital, Boggabri.

He was raised on the property ‘The Meadows’ a soldier’s settlers block, drawn by his grandfather George James O’Regan, together with his brother Don and sister Sue.

Bevan’s primary education took place at a one teacher school, the Blair Athol School in Boggabri.

Bevan completed his education at Farrer Agricultural College in Tamworth.

He was later accepted into teacher’s college, but instead chose to return to the land where he worked with his father and later his younger brother Don.

He met Margaret Ann Kirkby, a Boggabri girl in 1950 and they celebrated their marriage in 1955 at the Burwood Methodist Church, Sydney.

The newlyweds returned to live in Boggabri and settled on the property ‘Nagero’.

Many will recall Bevan as a stylish dancer. It was the days of Frank Bourke and the White Rose Orchestra, and having learnt ballroom dancing at school, Bevan took to the dance floors of balls and parties with aplomb.

When the couple began to dance, it was a common occurrence for other dancers to clear the floor and watch their elegant renditions of ballroom and old-time country dancing.

They raised three boys Craig, born 1955, Scott, born 1961, and Adam, born 1968.

Adam tragically passed away in an automobile accident in October 2016.

In 1974 Bevan and Margaret purchased and moved to the family property ‘Moema’ at Edgeroi.

Throughout his life, Bevan always put his family first.

Whilst busy running the family farm, he demonstrated an immense focus not only on family activities with his three sons, but a huge commitment to the community and local government, with roads and water being a main focus.

Bevan was an active member of the Boggabri Pony Club.

He was a charter member of the Lions Club in Boggabri and in Bellata.

As a president of the Narrabri Pony Club, he was well known for his efficiency, ensuring members adhered to the rules, working passionately within the club at all levels.

He took on the role of president of Narrabri Pony Camp in 1982 and then again in 1985 and 1986.

He was a charter member of Narrabri Toastmasters in 1989 and won Best Humorous Speech for the area in 1989.

Mr O’Regan did not confine his community role to local government and was a candidate for state and federal elections over the years, always with the platform of advocacy for the ratepayers.

Bevan’s political engagement was wide-ranging and included his candidature in the Federal election New England as an independent supporting the Job for Canberra campaign in 1987; Gwydir by-election (independent) in 1989; Gwydir federal election (independent) in 1990; Senate for Australians Against Further Immigration in 1996; Senate for One Nation in 1998; and federal election for Gwydir (independent) in 2001.

Bevan appeared numerous times on the platform of the Inverell Forum up until 2007, with his first forum attended in 1988.

Bevan will be remembered for his devotion to the community as a long-time councillor of 34 years and former mayor of Narrabri Shire Council.

He was passionate about his role on local council and likened the vocation as a way of being ‘closest to the people’.

During his years as a councillor, he was continually battling to have fellow councillors understand the importance of local government and the power it has, which he felt was gradually being eroded by the state governments.

As a prominent cattle and wheat farmer, an important issue for Bevan was water.

He felt that water was becoming a commodity and was disturbed to see water being ‘separated’ and sold from the land.

Bevan’s concern was for potential problems growing for local councils, including the issue of water rates and disadvantages to landowners.
He was well-known for his passionate belief in the Magna Carta as the origin of our laws and freedoms and property rights which he feared were being fast eroded.

He was an avowed monarchist, a member of the Monarchist League, and carried a copy of the Australian Constitution in his briefcase.

Bevan was awarded numerous recognitions during his life.

The Shire Association of NSW award was presented to Cr O’Regan in appreciation of his service to the people for 20 years.

From 1982-2002 Bevan was Shire president and from 1991-93 and 1993-95 he was Narrabri Shire mayor.

Bevan received an appreciation award for twenty-six years’ service to the Narrabri Shire Council, from 1982-2008, and an award for outstanding service for a total of 34 years, 1982-2016.

Bevan retired from local government in September 2016 as the shire’s most senior elected representative.

Aside from his positions as former mayor and deputy mayor, he had served a total of 34 years as a Narrabri shire councillor following his appointment in a by-election in May 1982.

Mr O’Regan was the last president of the Narrabri Shire and subsequently the first mayor when the titles changed.

Cr O’Regan left supporters and opponents under no illusion as to his political philosophy – basically, keep local government local at all costs. He was passionately opposed to rationalisation of councils.

He was a prolific writer of ‘letters to the editor’ printed in many newspapers across NSW including The Courier.

A long service award for thirty-nine years as active member of the Rural Firefighting movement of NSW was awarded to Bevan in 2004.

He also received an outstanding service honour award for his rural firefighting services for over 28 years.

Always a forward thinker, Bevan proposed a large mural on the Narrabri West water tower depicting the West’s railway heritage, long before these murals proliferated across country Australia on silos and sheds.

Bevan approached life with passion and determination.

He devoted many years to his community and to the Narrabri Shire Council, bringing new ideas and advocating for changes he strongly felt were for the good of the district and the local farming community.

Bevan is survived by his wife Margaret, sons Craig and Scott and partners, and Adam’s (dec) family including grandchildren Tully, Alby and Daniel.

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