The Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC) has dedicated a park bench in Tuggeranong Town Park in memory of Rusty Woodward. Rusty was a member of the TCC, the founding president of the 55-Plus Club, the driving force behind the establishment of the Tuggeranong Senior Citizens Centre and a tireless worker for the ACT Lung Life Support Group and the Council on the Ageing (COTA). Rusty died in April 2014.
The dedication ceremony was attended by members of Rusty’s family, the TCC, 55-Plus Club, ACT Lung Life Support Group and Liberal Member for Brindabella, Brendan Smyth. The park bench was unveiled by Rusty’s daughter, Terri O’Leary and TCC and COTA colleague, Jan Petrie. In a dedication speech, Past TCC President, Darryl Johnston said the park bench was dedicated at a time when the TCC reflected on the community contributions of other TCC members who have passed, Alison Ryan and more recently Eric Traise.
“In the future the TCC hoped to honour them, if not in a similar, then a fitting way,” Mr Johnston said. Mr Johnston also thanked Scott Pittard and Libby Gordon from Territory and Municipal Services in assisting the TCC to secure and install the park bench. In a message to the TCC and read at the dedication ceremony, the Federal Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann said the park bench will serve as another lasting tribute to a valuable and much loved member of the Tuggeranong community. See the “Photo Album” for more images.