It has been the life of Brian, or the three lives of Brian, as he did more in his one life than most of us can dream of.
Brian Condon, who died aged 95 in Adelaide on June 3, lived life to the fullest. He was devoted to his family, his work, the church and his community.
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During the war years, as a young man he studied at agriculture at Roseworthy College then returned to Port Pirie to help run the family business of the Moyles soft-drink factory.
In the early 1960s it was bought out by Coca-Cola Company. He expanded the distribution area to more than two million square kilometres - the biggest in the world covered by one franchise.
To achieve this, Brian obtained his private pilot's licence at the age of 42. He always said he could be anywhere in Australia in a day.
Brian was committed to the Rotary Club of Port Pirie. He became a member in 1959 and was still attending meetings up until the end, spending three years at the Rotary Club of Burnside.
He raised money for charity and was especially dedicated to the abolition of polio, a cause close to his heart. He received every award in Rotary. He and his late wife, Joyce, hosted 25 Rotary Exchange students.
They were both honoured with a Buddhist Remembrance Ceremony in Thailand on June 5. This was a great privilege.
Brian volunteered his life to Port Pirie. He was a lifelong member of St John Ambulance, the golf club, the bowling club, GTS-BKN television and was a Justice of the Quorum, just to name a few.
He helped to man the gates at the football oval for many years. He was an active participant in the Bacchus Club. Brian held many of the top office positions in these organisations.
He became world president of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians for two years and was a participant for many years.
He established a new chapter of the fellowship in New Zealand. In 2007, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community, Rotary and Flying Rotarians.
He made 76 overseas trips and travelled to 95 countries. He made friends wherever he went and would stay in contact with them. One of the highlights of his life was to take "Rump Wade", a Pirie ex-serviceman, to revisit the Thai-Burma Railway.
Brian was a truly remarkable Port Piriean who would have never left the town, but due to failing health issues was compelled to move to Adelaide to be with his two daughters and grandchildren.
He died six days short of his 96th birthday.
Greg Mayfield
As editor, I am responsible for 11 mastheads around the state. I have more than 45 years' experience in newspapers and digital platforms. I am lucky to have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of journalists working with me.
As editor, I am responsible for 11 mastheads around the state. I have more than 45 years' experience in newspapers and digital platforms. I am lucky to have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of journalists working with me.
