Flags at the Eurobodalla Shire Council were flying at half-mast on Friday, July 24, for the shire's first popularly elected mayor, Fergus Thomson, who died that morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sitting mayor Lindsay Brown and the council released a formal statement after Cr Thomson's family announced his death.
"It is with deep sadness that I let you know that Councillor Fergus Thomson, OAM, passed away at home this morning," Cr Brown said.
"Fergus was with his wife Yvonne and sons Brendan and James and other family and friends at the family farm in Belowra.
"Ferg has been resting there for the past few weeks after receiving many months of medical treatment for the brain tumour he was diagnosed with last year.
"Fergus was well-loved and known throughout our community for his long commitment to public service.
"He was elected to Eurobodalla Shire Council in April 2004 and served proudly and diligently as Mayor until September 2005, following the footsteps of his father, Douglas, who was Eurobodalla’s longest serving Shire President from 1947 to 1968.
"Three years later in 2008, Fergus became Eurobodalla’s first popularly elected Mayor, and once again served the Eurobodalla community with dedication and enthusiasm until September 2012," Cr Brown said.
"His service as a councillor continued until quite recently, attending council meetings and community functions when his health would allow.
"Such was the mark of the man.
"Fergus explained his feelings about local government and serving his community in January this year after being recognised for his service to the community and to local government with an Order of Australia Medal.
"He said that his motivation to continue to attend council meetings despite his illness came down to a love for the Eurobodalla."
Asked why he continue to serve, Cr Thomson had a simple answer.
‘I love the community and I think that is the only reason you could ever go into local government," he said.
"If you didn’t enjoy it and you don’t enjoy working with the people you wouldn’t do it - you couldn’t do it.
"There’s nothing better to walk down the street in Moruya or Batemans Bay or somewhere and seeing all my friends, and people you’ve actually been able to help - that’s the reward."
Cr Brown said Cr Thomson's passions were his family, local government, people, and the land.
"He served as a NSW director on the National Sea Change Taskforce and as a ministerial appointment on the Gulaga Board of Management," Cr Brown said.
"In 2013, he was elected an inaugural director of Local Government NSW, the State’s most powerful local government industry group.
"Ferg was a driving force behind the establishment of the South East Regional Organisation of Councils, and served as its inaugural chair.
"He served on Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee and the Heritage Advisory Committee," Cr Brown said.
"He was a member of the Rural Lands Protection Board and held key roles in water catchment management committees, as well as starting the Belowra Landcare Group at his beloved family property west of Moruya.
"Our thoughts are with Fergus’s family and friends during this difficult time.
"Fergus Thomson leaves a legacy of fine service to the Eurobodalla community.
"This is a sad day for Council’s many staff who knew Ferg, and our flags are flying at half-mast today in his honour."
