Shock and sadness have rippled through the Bulli community, and the Surf Lifesaving community Australia-wide, at the passing of Bulli SLSC president Keith 'Cocky' Caldwell on May 30.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club said Mr Caldwell passed at 5.47pm in the intensive care unit of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
"Keith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Maria, Jamie, Alicia, Natalie, and Catherine," the club said.
"Keith will forever be remembered as a loving husband, dad, poppy, mate, and mentor."
A man who spent his entire life in the service of others, Mr Caldwell was described as the "lifeblood" of the Bulli SLSC.
Dean Dudley was deputy president under Keith for six years, but first met him 20 years ago, on Mr Dudley's first day at the club.
"I'm one of the many that has benefitted from his warmth, love and selflessness," Mr Dudley said.
"People like to define the success of the club by the number of people we pull out of the water, but there is an unquantifiable number of people the club saved from drowning in life.
"Whether it was a broken marriage, a lost job, or finding life overwhelming, Keith emphasised that's who we save first - and when we can save ourselves we can do incredible things."
Mr Dudley said that although many people knew Mr Caldwell best for his commitment to the competitive side of the club, he was deeply involved at every level.
"He had a wonderful human quality and understood clubs are built on people and relationships," Mr Dudley said.
"The successes the club has enjoyed are largely due to Keith. He was unique, and his loss is going to leave a big hole in his club and our community for a long time."
Mr Caldwell first joined the club in his teens, served 30 years with the NSW Police, and was president of Bulli SLSC for 17 years.
He received a slew of accolades for his work - he was a life member of not only Bulli SLSC, but of Surf Life Saving Illawarra, Surf Lifesaving NSW, and in 2021 was recognised as a life member of Surf Lifesaving Australia.
The legacy he leaves behind is far greater than that.
Mr Dudley said he did not think there was a large enough venue locally to accommodate everyone who mourns Mr Caldwell.
"His life must be celebrated, commemorated and shared, and we will make sure there are opportunities to do that in the coming days and weeks," Mr Dudley said. "We owe it to Keith."
Updates will be provided via the Bulli SLSC Ffacebook page. Those who wish to send their condolences to the family are urged to get in contact through the club.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
