Nicole "Daffy Dill" Ray
1943 - 2018

In the Caring Clown Capers 2014 Nicole wroth: 
'I was was born in the U.K. during the second World War. Growing up I was a member of a local Dramatic Society, and in my late teens did three seasons with a local Repertory Company. In 1973 I went out to Africa, "The youngest secretary to hit Uganda". Whilst there I joined the local drama group and not being a singer ended up doing comedy. Upon my getting married I moved to Kenya where we owned and ran hotels until 1974 when we came to Australia.
I spent 10 years in Perth and when we moved to Queensland I became a Potter and Sculptor, something I had always wanted to do.
In my retirement I took up learning the ukulele at U3A where I met Gus "Charlie" Guthrie. It was through listening to him and the work that the Clowns do that I decided to join them and so 'Daffy Dill' was born.'

 Nicole was a member from November 2011 till her retirement due to illness on February 2017. Nicole was a dedicated clown and committee member and received her 5 Year Service Badge in 2016.
​The last Coastal Caring Clown function Ray attended was the Christmas Party in the Park 2017. Nicole passed away February 2018 after a long battle with Motor Neuron Disease. 



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Gus "Charlie" Guthrie
1934 - 2013

Gus was born in Surrey, England in 1934 and studied at London. Gus moved to Brisbane in 1973 to the Griffith University as Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Science. In 1986 Gus went to Sydney as Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).  He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996. On leaving UTS Gus set up his own consulting company.
 
Always fascinated by clowning, Gus attended the second of Barbara Brewster's “Clowning for Cowards” workshops in Buderim in January 2001 and never looked back, and "Charlie" was born. He became the inaugural President of the Coastal Caring Clowns Inc. in July 2001, an office he held for 5 years (as well as being Secretary for the first 3).
 
Charlie enjoyed visiting both hospitals and nursing homes and was happy to help and encourage new clowns. He enjoyed doing simple magic, especially card tricks. Charlie has, over the years given many informative talks down the Coast to try to spread the awareness of caring clowning.
 
On 16 August 2010 Charlie was appointed a "Life Member" of the Coastal Caring Clowns for his continuing services to the organisation.
 
On 12 January 2013 Gus passed away after a brave fight with cancer.  His influence on the group cannot be overstated and his legacy will live on.

Vivian "Mrs Quick Fix" Thresher
 1942 - 2010

Vivian Thresher was one of the Coastal Caring Clown’s founding members.
Her early study was at the Guildhall College of Music and Drama in London. She then worked in minor TV and broadcasting roles and then as a speech therapist and a speech and drama teacher. She worked in the UK and Australia and spent much of her childhood growing up in Perth and Malaysia.
When she came to live on the Sunshine Coast she was drawn to the activities of the Coastal Caring Clowns. Vivian was a most enthusiastic member and was the activities officer for several years.
With her past training in speech she would like to include impossible tongue twisters at clown meetings. This training was also evident in the way she would relate poems and jokes in her clown work.
Vivian’s positive outlook and vibrant enthusiasm for clowning were infectious and she was an inspiration for fellow clowns.
Viv passed away in 2010.