In a ceremony held today, esteemed figure Alan Evers-Buckland has been honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his remarkable services to life-saving, charities, and the music industry. Evers-Buckland expressed heartfelt gratitude, dedicating the honour to his late father, who instilled in him the values of giving back to the community.
With a diverse career in the music industry, Evers-Buckland, who recently moved to Point Cook, has held various roles, including artist manager for notable figures such as Abbey Stone, Gavin Wood, and Grammy-winning musician Charlie Musselwhite. His contributions extend to venue booking, record production, journalism, radio hosting, promotion, and involvement in significant events like Live Aid.
Evers-Buckland has played a pivotal role in the preservation of live music venues, spearheading the strategy and legal proceedings to save The Palace. His dedication to the music scene earned him recognition as a multifaceted contributor.
Beyond the music industry, Evers-Buckland has been actively involved in life-saving initiatives. Serving as Director, Deputy Chair, and Board Member of the Royal Life Saving Society in both Victoria and Australia, he received the Commonwealth Service Medal in 1997 and Life Membership of Altona Life Saving Club in 1994.
His philanthropic efforts extended to volunteering with The Les Twentyman Foundation for at-risk youth and serving as an ambassador for OzChild. Evers-Buckland utilized his connections to raise funds for various causes, including football clubs, anti-suicide associations, road crews in crisis, and political parties.
Acknowledging the collaborative effort behind his achievements, Evers-Buckland emphasized, “It might have my name on it, but it’s my team and close associates who really share this honour with me.”
Among the notable figures mentioned are Greg Macainsh, The Altona Life Saving Club, Geoff Howard, the late Jacki Geia, and others who have been part of Evers-Buckland’s journey.
The commendation also highlighted Evers-Buckland’s enduring support for First Nations artists and communities. Professor Richard J Frankland emphasized that Evers-Buckland’s commitment was rooted in tapping into raw talent rather than focusing on the artists’ ethnicity.
Evers-Buckland’s legacy with First Nation artists began in the eighties during his tenure on the Victorian Rock Foundation Board. His continued work and personal relationships have maintained a significant impact.
Balancing a full-time career in music with life-saving endeavours at Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club, Evers-Buckland’s dedication to both fields has been truly commendable. He shared insights into his early days, patrolling and competing for Williamstown before transitioning to the Altona Life Saving Club in his late teens.
With a humble acknowledgment of his team at Altona LSC, Evers-Buckland dedicated the OAM to them, especially for the countless rainy days on patrol.
Looking ahead, Evers-Buckland expressed a new mission focusing on suicide prevention in collaboration with Dr. Hanna El Khoury and his family foundation. The initiative aims to develop events, websites, and support mechanisms, with a global outreach and projects including building kindergartens in Fiji. Rod Stewart has also contributed by donating signed soccer balls for auction to support these causes.
