Gordon Fetterplace

Gordon Karl Fetterplace OAM was a member of the Campbelltown council from 1968 and Mayor of Campbelltown, New South Wales, from 1986 to 1992. He died aged 74 on the 28th of March 2008 after a long battle with cancer.[1]

Family

Fetterplace placed huge emphasis on family values and was father to 10 children and 26 grandchildren. He and his wife Barbara married in 1956, coming to Campbelltown in 1961 to open the Bus Stop Pharmacy in Queen Street. His children have gone on into the Civil Construction, industrial, veterinarian and educational work force, while many of his grandchildren such as Cameron and Evelyn Fetterplace are participating in important global community work such as Oxfam conferences and studying the importance of science and technology in the future.

Community Work

Gordon was a strong supporter of rugby league and personally aided the development of the sport in the Campbelltown region, serving on the board of the Western Suburbs Leagues Club between 1994 and 1999. He was re-elected in 2002 and served a further five years in the capacity of director. Mr. Fetterplace was also the patron of the Campbelltown Show Society. Gordon became a well known personality in Campbelltown; volunteering his services in a variety of ways including to the local fire brigade and the Campbelltown Catholic Club. Mr. Fetterplace's community service also reached to St Gregory's Catholic College and charitable groups across the region. He retired from public life in 2007.[2]

Political work

Fetterplace served on the Campbelltown City Council for 23 years, serving 7 terms as independent mayor of Campbelltown. On at least two occasions Gordon Fetterplace sought election to the Legislative Assembly, competing for the seat of Camden. Fetterplace led the move for more prestige housing in the area while also providing governmental support for community based initiatives. After suffering a heart attack in April 1992, he decided not to return and retired from the local government arena.[3]

Recognition

In 1994 Gordon was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to local government and the community.[4] In 2000 he was awarded the National Medal.[5] The Wests Leagues Cup best and fairest medal is known as the Gordon Fetterplace award.[6]

References

  1. http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/goodbye-gordon/328105.aspx?storypage=0
  2. http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2007-05-29.77.1
  3. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LC19920701040
  4. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=882455&search_type=quick&showInd=true
  5. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=959238&search_type=quick&showInd=true
  6. http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=34614

External links

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