Vale Vern Haley OAM

Former Bunbury council planning director Vern Haley is being remembered for a lifetime of achievements and honours.

OBITUARY: Vern Haley (Born: January 15, 1926 - Died: August 16, 2016)

The World War II trainee air force pilot, WA Football League player and district Rotary governor was actively involved in the community throughout his 90-year life.

Mr Haley was married to Laura for 68 years and lived in the same house near Bunbury Senior High School for 55 years.

Long-time neighbour, friend and Rotarian Stephen Foster said Mr Haley had a long list of traits that made him popular.

“Vern had high ethical principles, a well ordered and independent mind, and was a clear and logical communicator who had an ability to plan and finish jobs,” Mr Foster said.

Mr Haley was born in the Perth suburb of Leederville and attended Perth Modern School, living with his grandparents while his father was a shire clerk in the Wheatbelt.

Aged 16, he started working as a clerk with Mobil and he volunteered to serve in the air force as a trainee pilot when he turned 18 during World War II.

He never left Australia but spent two years in the role.

Post-war, Mr Haley began working as a meat inspector, studied municipal health and played league football for West Perth.

Around this time, he also resumed a friendship with Laura – who had arrived in WA as a 13-year-old war evacuee in 1942. Their friendship became a romance which led to a life-long marriage.

Professionally, Mr Haley was the Collie Shire Council’s health officer before becoming a health planner for Bunbury council in 1960.

He eventually became the council’s planning director – a position he held until retiring in 1992.

It was in the later years of Mr Haley’s life that his community involvement went to another level.

He served as a Rotarian for 55 years, was a Rotary Club of Bunbury Leschenault founding member and held several roles within the organisation including club president and district governor.

He was an active Freemason with the South West United Lodge and also their first Worshipful Master and became the first Aqwest chairman after the body separated from Bunbury council.

Mr Haley was also Leschenault Inlet Management Authority chairman, involved with the South West Development Commission’s economic advisory committee, Bunbury Trotting Club president and a member of the State Planning Appeals Committee.

He was also a Justice of the Peace and because he lived close to Bunbury police station, was often called on to sign arrest warrants late at night. Mr Haley was recognised nationally with a Centenary Medal and he also received an Order of Australia Medal in 2003.

Mr and Mrs Haley were supported by neighbours and the Silver Chain in the last years of Mr Haley’s life.

Mrs Haley has also been acknowledged by Rotary with a Paul Harris Fellowship for her support of Mr Haley, the club and Rotary International.

Vern had high ethical principles, a well ordered and independent mind, and was a clear and logical communicator who had an ability to plan and finish jobs. – long time friend and fellow Rotarian Stephen Foster