DEATH OF Mr DONALD McKINNON GEDDES, O.A.M.
The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE [11.27]: When I made my maiden speech last year I said of the City of Newcastle that it was a formidable force when groups came together for common goals. Today I had the honour to represent the Government at the funeral of a great Novocastrian where one could see that force, the force of many people coming together to pay tribute to a great Novocastrian, Donald McKinnon Geddes, O.A.M. Don Geddes was a person who above all else represented what is good about local government. He was the longest serving alderman on Newcastle City Council. Having been elected in 1977 he served until his death last Saturday - except, of course, for the period in the mid 1980s when the Newcastle City Council was dismissed. Don
Geddes gave to his city because he loved his city and he believed that he had something to contribute. He was, in addition to being a member of the Newcastle City Council, a solicitor for many years, and lately a barrister. It was for that professional work that he deserved a title as one who believed in and was prepared to work for the underdog.
As was said today at Don Geddes' funeral, he was prepared to give of his time and of his energy to the city he loved. He was honorary solicitor to more than 400 community groups. When he was elected to the Newcastle City Council in 1977, he also accepted the position of Controller of the Newcastle State Emergency Service, a position he still held at the time of his death. If honourable members put that in the context of the 1989 earthquake they will appreciate something of the time and effort that he gave to his city - and that he gave unstintingly. In addition to those positions, he was a Wing Commander in the Royal Australian Air Force reserve, a judge advocate and defence
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forces magistrate. He was involved with many ethnic groups in Newcastle, president of the Newcastle Australian Football League, president of Charlestown Skillshare; he was involved and had been involved for more than 20 years with police youth clubs and with ex-service groups. But above all else he was a family man. His wife and four children certainly today heard of the pride that the city had for Donald Geddes. Not only did the city and the civic fathers come together to pay tribute, but among the tributes was a letter from the Anabakal Aboriginal community, who simply wished to place on record that they had lost a great friend.
It was interesting to note in the funeral procession that after the car carrying the Lord Mayor and bearing the flag of the city there followed four bikies representing the Newcastle Combined Bikers Group who said that they wanted to be present because Don Geddes was a patron. They attended in their leather regalia to pay their last respects. That says something of a man who was able to draw the whole community together. Don Geddes was a man who did not believe in politics in local government, but believed very much in local government. Today at his funeral the community was represented. One of his pallbearers was the honourable member for Charlestown, Richard Face. Many other members of the Opposition attended the funeral, including the former Independent member for Newcastle, George Keegan. The funeral was the largest in Newcastle in more than 50 years. That says something of a man who gave to his city. I thought tonight I should place on record a tribute to Don Geddes. I am sure all honourable members join with me in expressing condolences to his family: his wife Maria and his four children.