| IT was a sombre mood in town this morning as Cooma woke to news that Cooma-Monaro Shire Mayor Vin Good had passed away yesterday afternoon. Flags will fly at half-mast today in memory of Cr Good who spent the past six months battling lung cancer. He had been undergoing treatment for the condition, which in the end claimed his life.
A funeral service has been organised to farewell the 68-year-old ex-army warrant officer and captain at 11am on Monday, March 29 at Saint Paul's Anglican Church with a private burial at the Cooma Lawn Cemetery to follow.
A wake for the former commissioner of the Snowy Hydro Electric Scheme will be held at the Cooma Ex-Services club following the burial.
Cr Good dedicated much of his life to Cooma after moving to Cooma in the 1980s. He has served the community for the past two years in his capacity as mayor.
Cr Good will be remembered for his colourful and flamboyant approach to local governance, vocal advocacy for change within the health system, passion and dedication to upgrades for the Monaro Regional Library and perhaps most importantly his dedication to improving services at Sir William Hudson Memorial Centre.
Today his wife Di and family were coming to terms with the sudden loss.
The couple lost two sons Christopher and Daniel in 1977 and 1987. Di said she hoped her husband was now with them.
Cooma-Monaro Shire general manager John Vucic said Vin Good would be sadly missed.
"He was director of Sir William Hudson for six years and made some extensive new changes which were of real value to our aged care facility," Mr Vucic said.
"He used his management and financial skills to make some major contributions that led Sir William Hudson Memorial Centre to be one of the top centres in aged care."
Cr Good was mayor right up to the end. After an invasive surgical procedure to remove the damaged lung tissue was right back in the mayoral garb for the council meeting on March 8.
At the March 8 meeting he told councillors he would continue to do what he could for council and attend meetings because he enjoyed it but needed some time to get his strength back.
He thanked Dean Lynch for stepping in as deputy mayor and supporting him throughout the ordeal.
The news has been a shock to councillors and the community. Vin is survived by his wife Di, son Brett, daughter-in-law Gemma and grandson Bryce.
Reprinted from Cooma Monaro Express, March 25th, 2010
Mayor Vin Good and Witold Krzesinski of the Polish Embassy speeking at Kozzie Fest 2009. Photo Puls Polonii |
A letter of thanks by Mayor Vin Good |
Mayor Vin Good - a friend of Kozzie Fest. Photo Puls Polonii (April 2009) |
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