Keith was born at St Leonards on the North Shore of Sydney on The 2ND May 1924.
Following completion of his education at Crows Nest High School he went to work as a furniture salesman for 5 years. Following this he went into business in sporting goods at Chatswood (a Sydney suburb) for 31 years.
During this period he was very active in the sports world and was elected President of the Northern Suburbs Tennis Association for 14 years and the Chatswood Tennis club for 16 years.
He was also Vice President of the New South Wales Hard Court Tennis Association for 16 years and has held the position of Director, Gordon Rugby Union Club, simultaneously he was a state selector for the Junior Rugby Association.
Keith has been awarded life membership of both Chatswood and Northern Suburbs Tennis clubs for his work and input to both these associations.
For his consistent exemplary community work, Keith was awarded an Outstanding Service Award by the Mayor of Willoughby.
Another achievement of Keith’s is the Manager of Gordon Rugby club’s tour of New Zealand in 1972 where the team won every match they contested.
In 1948 Keith married Mary Bevis who became known as Mary Bevis-Hawton. Mary won 5 Australian Womens' Doubles Titles and 1 Mixed Doubles Title. She was also successful in the French, Wimbledon and Italian Opens.
Mary died in 1981.
During his working lifetime Keith opened 3 tennis centres with his good friend Ken Rosewall.
Keith himself played tennis at a very high level and competed in the singles championships at The French Open in 956. He also played for several years in the Blackwell Cup in Sydney. People involved and associated with tennis in N.S.W would know that this is the highest level of non professional tennis in the State.
Keith represented Australia in the Dubler Cup in 1977, this is a competition for over 45’s played in Hamburg,Germany.
When Keith attended the Wimbledon ball in 1956 he was in the presence of Royalty, namely Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Keith remembers Prince Philip stating at the ball when smoking permission was sought, “if you must, you may”.
Keith’s Rotary history is ----
Joined Chatswood Rotary club in 1959 at 35 years of age.
Joined Broadbeach Rotary club in 1996 and was inducted by then President Russ Hutchison
President Broadbeach Rotary club 1999-2000. He also holds a Paul Harris Fellow.
Keith moved to the Gold Cost in 1981 and in 1988 Keith and Lorraine were married.
In 1996 Keith retired and presently lives at Clear Island Waters,
