Rod Fyffe: Difference between revisions
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'''Rodney James Fyffe''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} (20 March 1949 – 12 July 2024) |
'''Rodney James Fyffe''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} (20 March 1949 – 12 July 2024) was an Australian politician and teacher.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Finlay |first=Alistair |date=22 October 2022 |title=Decades of service acknowledged |url=https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/bendigotimes/news/decades-of-service-acknowledged/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Bendigo Times |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at [[Bendigo Senior Secondary College|Bendigo Senior High School]],<ref name=":2" /> where he taught until 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Danielle |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale Rod Fyffe |url=https://www.bssc.edu.au/news/vale-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Senior Secondary College]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He took leave from his job as a teacher each time he served as Mayor. |
Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at [[Bendigo Senior Secondary College|Bendigo Senior High School]],<ref name=":2" /> where he taught until 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Danielle |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale Rod Fyffe |url=https://www.bssc.edu.au/news/vale-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Senior Secondary College]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He took leave from his job as a teacher each time he served as Mayor. |
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Outside of politics, Fyffe was associated with the [[Bendigo Art Gallery]] and had a gallery space named for him. He served as a board member of the [[Municipal Association of Victoria]] (MAV) and the Goldfields Libraries, and was a member of the Bendigo Easter Fair Committee.<ref name=":2" /> Fyffe served on the committee of the [[Golden Square Football Club|Golden Square Football Netball Club]], in addition to acting as the club's secretary and as a canteen assistant shortly before his death.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Magrath |first=Jonathon |date=13 July 2024 |title='A champion of the people', Rod's legacy will always live on |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693943/tributes-pour-in-for-greater-bendigo-councillor-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=4}}</ref> |
Outside of politics, Fyffe was associated with the [[Bendigo Art Gallery]] and had a gallery space named for him. He served as a board member of the [[Municipal Association of Victoria]] (MAV) and the Goldfields Libraries, and was a member of the Bendigo Easter Fair Committee.<ref name=":2" /> Fyffe served on the committee of the [[Golden Square Football Club|Golden Square Football Netball Club]], in addition to acting as the club's secretary and as a canteen assistant shortly before his death.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Magrath |first=Jonathon |date=13 July 2024 |title='A champion of the people', Rod's legacy will always live on |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693943/tributes-pour-in-for-greater-bendigo-councillor-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=4}}</ref> |
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==Political career== |
==Political career== |
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Fyffe first stood for election in the [[City of Bendigo]] in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected. |
Fyffe first stood for election in the [[City of Bendigo]] in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected. |
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He was elected as mayor of the council in 2003, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003 |
He was elected as mayor of the council in 2003, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2003 |title=Fyffe to be new Bendigo mayor |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-02-26/fyffe-to-be-new-bendigo-mayor/1221390 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
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In 2004, he was elected once again by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2004 |title=New faces join Bendigo council |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-29/new-faces-join-bendigo-council/593722 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
In 2004, he was elected once again by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2004 |title=New faces join Bendigo council |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-29/new-faces-join-bendigo-council/593722 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
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He was elected as mayor for a third time in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |
He was elected as mayor for a third time in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2010 |title=Rod Fyffe to become mayor of Bendigo |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/712133/rod-fyffe-to-become-mayor-of-bendigo/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>. |
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In the [[2013 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2013 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Fyffe was awarded the [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.<ref |
In the [[2013 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2013 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Fyffe was awarded the [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.<ref name=":0" /> |
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In his fourth and final stint as mayor (2015–2016),<ref name=":2" /> he oversaw the [[Islamophobia_in_Australia#Bendigo_mosque_protests_(2014–15)|Bendigo Mosque protests]] which began when the City of Greater Bendigo voted 7-2 to build approving Mosque under previous Mayor Barry Lyons.<ref>{{Cite news |date= |
In his fourth and final stint as mayor (2015–2016),<ref name=":2" /> he oversaw the [[Islamophobia_in_Australia#Bendigo_mosque_protests_(2014–15)|Bendigo Mosque protests]] which began when the City of Greater Bendigo voted 7-2 to build approving Mosque under previous Mayor Barry Lyons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lenaghan |first=Peter |last2=Parker |first2=Fiona |date=12 April 2016 |title=Bendigo Mayor defends council amid conduct complaints |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-12/bendigo-mayor-defends-council-performance-amid-complaints/7318704 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> Opponents of the the Mosque attempted to appeal the construction to the [[High Court of Australia]], a moved Fyffe praised.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Australian Associated Press |first= |date=15 June 2016 |title=Bendigo mosque: high court throws out request to hear appeal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/15/bendigo-mosque-high-court-throws-out-request-to-hear-appeal |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Guardian Australia|The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> |
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In 2016 he was elected as Deputy Mayor, serving under Mayor Margaret O’Rourke until 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |
In 2016, he was elected as Deputy Mayor, serving under Mayor Margaret O’Rourke until 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2016 |title=Bendigo mayor and deputy named |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4280919/bendigo-mayor-and-deputy-named/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> He served once again as Deputy Mayor from 2018 until 2019. |
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In 2020 Fyffe made another bid for Mayor but was unsuccessful, losing to Jennifer Alden.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |
In 2020, Fyffe made another bid for Mayor but was unsuccessful, losing to Jennifer Alden.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Callaghan |first=Tom |date=9 November 2020 |title=Fyffe declares mayoral run in three-cornered contest |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7003697/fyffe-declares-mayoral-run-in-three-cornered-contest/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
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At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councillor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.<ref name=":2" /> He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.<ref name=":2" /> |
At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councillor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.<ref name=":2" /> He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Awards and recognition == |
== Awards and recognition == |
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In 2012, Fyffe was given Mayor Emeritus status by the [[Municipal Association of Victoria|MAV]] for his three mayoral terms.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Denton |first=Jenny |date=13 July 2024 |title=We dedicated an edition of the Addy to Rod |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=6}}</ref> In 2022, Fyffe was the recipient of the MAV Victorian Councillor Service Award, being included in the 35 Years' Service category.<ref name=":3" /> |
In 2012, Fyffe was given Mayor Emeritus status by the [[Municipal Association of Victoria|MAV]] for his three mayoral terms.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Denton |first=Jenny |date=13 July 2024 |title=We dedicated an edition of the Addy to Rod |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=6}}</ref> In 2022, Fyffe was the recipient of the MAV Victorian Councillor Service Award, being included in the 35 Years' Service category.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> |
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The 7 November 2012 edition of the ''[[Bendigo Advertiser]]'' was dedicated to Fyffe, whose third term as mayor had ended that day.<ref name=":3" /> In 2019, Fyffe appeared on a [[mural]] celebrating the history of Bendigo.<ref name=":2" /> He was noted as being "among one of the most recognisable of Bendigo's residents".<ref name=":2" /> |
The 7 November 2012 edition of the ''[[Bendigo Advertiser]]'' was dedicated to Fyffe, whose third term as mayor had ended that day.<ref name=":3" /> In 2019, Fyffe appeared on a [[mural]] celebrating the history of Bendigo.<ref name=":2" /> He was noted as being "among one of the most recognisable of Bendigo's residents".<ref name=":2" /> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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A few days before his death, Fyffe met with councillors of the City of Greater Bendigo to submit a self-written [[eulogy]], detailing his experiences as a Bendigo councillor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2024 |title=In his own words – for the final time |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693772/vale-cr-rod-fyffe-reflects-on-38-years-in-bendigo-council/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=6}}</ref> He passed away on 12 July 2024, aged 75, after a long illness.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale local government legend, Cr Rod Fyffe OAM |url=https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/vale-local-government-legend-cr-rod-fyffe-oam |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=City of Greater Bendigo |language=en}}</ref> Fyffe received tributes from politicians [[Maree Edwards]], [[Lisa Chesters]], and [[Premier of Victoria|Victorian premier]] [[Jacinta Allan]]. |
A few days before his death, Fyffe met with councillors of the City of Greater Bendigo to submit a self-written [[eulogy]], detailing his experiences as a Bendigo councillor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2024 |title=In his own words – for the final time |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693772/vale-cr-rod-fyffe-reflects-on-38-years-in-bendigo-council/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=6}}</ref> He passed away on 12 July 2024, aged 75, after a long illness.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale local government legend, Cr Rod Fyffe OAM |url=https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/vale-local-government-legend-cr-rod-fyffe-oam |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=City of Greater Bendigo |language=en}}</ref> Fyffe received tributes from politicians [[Maree Edwards]], [[Lisa Chesters]], and [[Premier of Victoria|Victorian premier]] [[Jacinta Allan]], among others.<ref name=":4" /> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 04:07, 14 July 2024
Rodney James Fyffe OAM (20 March 1949 – 12 July 2024) was an Australian politician and teacher.[1]
Rod Fyffe | |
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Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo | |
In office 2003–2004 | |
In office 2004–2005 | |
In office 2010–2011 | |
In office 2015–2016 | |
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Lockwood Ward | |
In office 2012–2024 | |
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Golden Square Ward | |
In office 2004–2012 | |
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Fortuna Ward | |
In office 1996–2004 | |
Councilor of the City of Bendigo | |
In office 1983–1994 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 20 March 1949 Warracknabeal, Victoria |
Died | 12 July 2024 Bendigo, Victoria | (aged 75)
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Independent |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Monash University (BEc) University of Edinburgh (BA) |
Occupation | Teacher |
Awards |
|
Nickname | The Mayor with the Hair |
Early life and career
Fyffe was born on 20 March 1949 in Warracknabeal, Victoria.[2] He attended primary school in Cannum and Caramut, before going to high school in Hamilton. After finishing high school, Fyffe went on to study at Monash University,[3] where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics, majoring in Mathematics, Statistics and Economics.[2] After undertaking a Diploma of Education, Fyffe went on to teach at Mansfield High School, before departing for Scotland in 1975 for further studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Archaeology, Geology, Geophysics and Fine Art.[2]
Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at Bendigo Senior High School,[2] where he taught until 2011.[4] He took leave from his job as a teacher each time he served as Mayor.
Outside of politics, Fyffe was associated with the Bendigo Art Gallery and had a gallery space named for him. He served as a board member of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Goldfields Libraries, and was a member of the Bendigo Easter Fair Committee.[2] Fyffe served on the committee of the Golden Square Football Netball Club, in addition to acting as the club's secretary and as a canteen assistant shortly before his death.[5]
Political career
Fyffe first stood for election in the City of Bendigo in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected.
He was elected as mayor of the council in 2003, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor.[6]
In 2004, he was elected once again by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.[7]
He was elected as mayor for a third time in 2012.[8].
In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, Fyffe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.[1]
In his fourth and final stint as mayor (2015–2016),[2] he oversaw the Bendigo Mosque protests which began when the City of Greater Bendigo voted 7-2 to build approving Mosque under previous Mayor Barry Lyons.[9] Opponents of the the Mosque attempted to appeal the construction to the High Court of Australia, a moved Fyffe praised.[10]
In 2016, he was elected as Deputy Mayor, serving under Mayor Margaret O’Rourke until 2017.[11] He served once again as Deputy Mayor from 2018 until 2019.
In 2020, Fyffe made another bid for Mayor but was unsuccessful, losing to Jennifer Alden.[12]
At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councillor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.[2] He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.[2]
He was dubbed "The Mayor with the Hair" by local media.[2][13]
Awards and recognition
In 2012, Fyffe was given Mayor Emeritus status by the MAV for his three mayoral terms.[14] In 2022, Fyffe was the recipient of the MAV Victorian Councillor Service Award, being included in the 35 Years' Service category.[1][14]
The 7 November 2012 edition of the Bendigo Advertiser was dedicated to Fyffe, whose third term as mayor had ended that day.[14] In 2019, Fyffe appeared on a mural celebrating the history of Bendigo.[2] He was noted as being "among one of the most recognisable of Bendigo's residents".[2]
Death
A few days before his death, Fyffe met with councillors of the City of Greater Bendigo to submit a self-written eulogy, detailing his experiences as a Bendigo councillor.[15] He passed away on 12 July 2024, aged 75, after a long illness.[2][13] Fyffe received tributes from politicians Maree Edwards, Lisa Chesters, and Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, among others.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Finlay, Alistair (22 October 2022). "Decades of service acknowledged". Bendigo Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l O'Callaghan, Tom; Magrath, Jonathon; Loughran, Ben (13 July 2024). "Tributes flow for 'mayor with the hair'". Bendigo Advertiser. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Pang, Simon (2013). The Local Heroes: City of Greater Bendigo. Vol. Three. ISBN 978-0-9806160-2-6.
- ^ Snowdon, Danielle (12 July 2024). "Vale Rod Fyffe". Bendigo Senior Secondary College. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b Magrath, Jonathon (13 July 2024). "'A champion of the people', Rod's legacy will always live on". Bendigo Advertiser. p. 4. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Fyffe to be new Bendigo mayor". ABC News. 26 February 2003. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "New faces join Bendigo council". ABC News. 28 November 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Rod Fyffe to become mayor of Bendigo". Bendigo Advertiser. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Lenaghan, Peter; Parker, Fiona (12 April 2016). "Bendigo Mayor defends council amid conduct complaints". ABC News. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (15 June 2016). "Bendigo mosque: high court throws out request to hear appeal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Bendigo mayor and deputy named". Bendigo Advertiser. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ O'Callaghan, Tom (9 November 2020). "Fyffe declares mayoral run in three-cornered contest". Bendigo Advertiser. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Vale local government legend, Cr Rod Fyffe OAM". City of Greater Bendigo. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Denton, Jenny (13 July 2024). "We dedicated an edition of the Addy to Rod". Bendigo Advertiser. p. 6.
- ^ "In his own words – for the final time". Bendigo Advertiser. 13 July 2024. p. 6. Retrieved 13 July 2024.