Gunnedah Shire Councils former Director of Planning and Environment, Mr Mike Silver, was farewelled by some fifty family, friends and staff - both present and past - at a function held at the Gunnedah Rugby Club on Saturday evening.

Mr Silver had been a long-standing member of Gunnedah Shire, having served some 43 years as an officer of both the Gunnedah Municipal Council – commencing on 4 June, 1973 - and the amalgamated Gunnedah Shire after 1979.

Mr Silver was joined by wife, Glenda, and sons William and wife, Gaby, with their three children Baxter, Hudson and Carter, along with son David and friend Laura Knapman. David read a letter of tribute from third son, Peter, who was not available to attend the event.

During the formal part of the evening many speakers spoke of Mr Silver’s significant contribution to the Gunnedah community both in his professional capacity as well as his community roles particularly as a member of APEX and as an administrator of the Gunnedah Cricket Association.

Speakers included Mayor Owen Hasler, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain, General Manager Eric Groth, former engineer Rod Green, former Shire Clerk Ian Horwood, former fellow Apexians and sports administrators Don Ewing and Terry Curran and son William.

Councillor Hasler spoke of Mr Silver’s distinguished career in Local Government.

“Mr Silver became an important Senior Officer in terms of his role in mentoring and managing staff, developing teams within the organisation and also as a respected adviser and counsel to elected members”.

“Mike was a strategic thinker who always focused on improved outcomes for our community based upon a strategic vision which had been workshopped with Councillors and which had involved considerable community consultation.”

“Mr Silver has been involved in many important community projects spread across the breadth of community impact, from tourism to cultural facilities, to child care, to aged care, to public housing, to recreational and sporting facilities, to emergency services, to floodplain management, to urban design and streetscape planning as well as in the development of strategic policy in town planning, environmental management and community embellishment” stated Gunnedah Shire Mayor Owen Hasler.

These projects included:-

• Sugargums Childcare Centre;
• The establishment and expansion of the former VIC now the headquarters of the Dorothea Mackellar Society and home of the Jean Isherwood Collection;
• The Nursing Home Redevelopment - two stages;
• Community Housing including Favell Court and Vi Robinson Place;
• Donnelly Fields, Wolseley Park Upgrade, Junior Cricket Fields and the Riverine area;
• The Bill Clegg Building - SES Headquarters;
• Upgrade of the Waste Management Facility;
• Raising of houses in Carroll and Gunnedah, the levee bank issue, and Blackjack Creek proposal;
• The upgrade of Conadilly Street and concept design;
• The development and adoption of two LEP's which focussed on strategic policy in town planning, environmental management and community embellishment.

“Mr Silver's contribution to the Gunnedah Community has not been limited to his professional role.”

“Mr Silver is an extremely active citizen in a number of other ways not least been his involvement in a number of community organisations.”

“The first of these was his long standing involvement in the Gunnedah Apex Club where he was integrally involved in a number of their projects including the development and construction of the former VIC building.”

“However, Mr Silver is also remembered for his involvement in the sporting community, particularly the Gunnedah and District Cricket Association, as both a player and an administrator.”

“It is not surprising, therefore, that the cricket facilities in Gunnedah are second to none in rural NSW with the Wolseley Oval grounds and pavilion an outstanding result of his determination to have a first class cricket ground. Similarly with the junior cricket grounds in the Riverine area which spearheaded development in that part of our community.”

“We thank Mike and wish he and Glenda well in retirement,” Concluded Mayor Hasler.

Councillors Hasler and Swain, together with General Manager, Eric Groth, made two presentations to Mr Silver on behalf of Council in recognition of his considerable years of service.

Mr Silver responded by indicating how much he had appreciated the opportunities and challenges provided him, including the opportunity to participate as a member of the Australian Cricket Board, during his time at Council.

He also thanked his mentor, Peter Clark, for his early years of assistance when a trainee.

Mr Silver also spoke of how much his family had enjoyed their time in Gunnedah and looked forward to their continued residency in the community during retirement.

In conclusion, Mr Silver thanked his wife Glenda, and family members for their love and support during his career in the community.

ENDS

Contact: Lisa Davis 02 6740 2100