fr obrien holding his dog sister rosie standing next to the sign in the carpark named after him at the goondiwindi cemetery

Cemetery Carparks have new Names

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30 May 2019

 

George Fleming and Father Michael O’Brien car parks unveiled at Goondiwindi Cemetery

 

In a small ceremony this morning, two newly erected signs were unveiled to reveal the George Fleming Car Park and the Father Michael O’Brien Car Park. The signs acknowledge the substantial efforts made by both men to maintain and improve the Goondiwindi Cemetery.

Goondiwindi Regional Council Mayor Graeme Scheu said that the construction of the 2 new parking areas earlier in the financial year made it timely for Council to recognise the work that both men had put into the Cemetery.

Mr George Fleming had been the cemetery caretaker for many years and had lived in the caretaker’s residence where the new carpark area was constructed. He dedicated his time to maintaining the cemetery grounds.

grc staff in front of the sign at the carpark named after george fleming at the goondiwindi cemetery

Staff at George Fleming sign

‘It was for this dedication and devotion that Goondiwindi Regional Council has decided to name this main car park in his honour,’ Cr Scheu said.

Previously, Mr Fleming had worked at Council for 22 years, where he was known for a great sense of humour.

Speaking at Mr Fleming’s funeral in 2014, Goondiwindi Regional Council Executive Manager of Admin and Community Services John Woods said: ‘George had always taken great pride in his work, and although retired and supposed to be taking it easy, George would be up before the birds getting the sprinklers going.’

‘Council often received letters and emails commenting on the excellent presentation of the Cemetery,’ Mr Woods said. ‘It was great to hand copies of these to George, for a job well done.’

Mayor Graeme Scheu paid tribute to George’s knowledge of local families and his willingness to help family visiting the cemetery to identify graves of loved ones and extended family.

“George made a visit to the cemetery as enjoyable as it could be for people. He was respectful, helpful, friendly and displayed everything that is great about Goondiwindi.”

The unveiling of the sign adjacent to the eastern internal carpark was a surprise for the visiting Father Michael O’Brien. Having recently relocated to Toowoomba, Father Michael O’Brien previously spent 13 years as the St Mary’s Parish School priest and was a strong advocate for improved car park facilities at the Goondiwindi Cemetery.

“He pestered me almost every time that I saw him about how far it was for those less mobile to walk to the newer sites,” Mayor Scheu said.  “It is a testament to Father Michael that he always thinks of others first and that he used his persuasive powers to get this issue fixed. “

 

For more information, please contact:

Councillor Graeme Scheu

Mayor

Goondiwindi Regional Council

Mobile: 0427 718 877

Email: mayor@grc.qld.gov.au

30th May 2019 at 12:00 AM