Brisbane’s Tongan Community was saddened to learn of the passing of the first Honorary Consul to Australia Bill Waterhouse, aged 97 on November 22.

Bill Waterhouse was the first Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Tonga to Sydney, Australia.

His diplomatic post arose from a friendship at Sydney University’s Law School with the late King Tāufa‘āhau Tupou IV.

He received several awards from the Kingdom of Tonga, including the Grand Cross of Queen Sālote, from the late King George Tupou V in 2009.

Mr Waterhouse was a barrister from North Sydney before becoming a full-time bookmaker in the mid-1950s.

His family are among the most high profile betting figures in Australian racing.

Mr Waterhouse retired in 2010. His daughter, Louise Raedler- Waterhouse, is the current Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Tonga to Sydney, Australia.

In Sydney recently, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u attended the 40th Anniversary celebration of Bill Waterhouse’s appointment as Hon. Consul General in Sydney.

In a condolence message to the Waterhouse family, the Brisbane Tongan Community acknowledged the contributions of Mr Waterhouse to the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.