A ‘‘top bloke’’.
That is how both Pat Fogarty and Lindsay Renwick described their friend and colleague Norm Brennan, following his unexpected passing on Monday evening.
Cr Brennan had only just retired, resigning from a local government career of more than 20 years effective from the December 4 election.
Despite the council being in caretaker mode since before the election, he was still technically Edward River Council Mayor at the time of his death.
His successor in the top job is due to be elected on Tuesday, at the first meeting of the new-look council.
Cr Brennan was the inaugural and so far only mayor of Edward River Council, which was formed after the 2016 merger of the former Deniliquin Council and Conargo Shire Council.
He was heading up Conargo Shire at the time of the merger.
During his tenure at Conargo, Cr Brennan had served as mayor at the same time both Cr Fogarty and Mr Renwick were mayors at Deniliquin.
And Cr Fogarty has been his Deputy Mayor since Edward River was formed.
But she said their personal relationship goes back more than four decades, when the Fogartys and the Brennans both lived in Melbourne.
‘‘Linda, Norm’s wife, and I worked together in Melbourne, and in fact it was Norm and Linda who introduced us (Richard and I) to Deniliquin in the first place,’’ Cr Fogarty said.
‘‘Norm was just a great bloke; he was a genuine, decent, and down to earth man who dearly loved his family.
‘‘He was so thrilled to be a granddad.
‘‘He was also so committed in everything he did — a wise, discerning leader, tuned into the community with a ready ear to listen.
‘‘It was a privilege to serve as Norm’s deputy.’’
Cr Fogarty said the timing of Cr Brennan’s death was especially unjust, as he was starting to enjoy his retirement.
‘‘It is so unfair for Norm, and for Linda, who were looking forward to spending more time together without Norm having to have all the responsibilities — and Linda, who has always been a strong partner behind Norm in that role.
‘‘She was his rock, someone he would run things by and get another viewpoint.
‘‘Same as myself; we often chewed the fat.
‘‘We had many interesting conversations, especially as I was so pro amalgamation and Norm held such a different view.
‘‘We had many enlightened discussions over a few bottles of red, but we always remained mates.
‘‘We had our viewpoints, but we could leave the table and be mates.’’
Mr Renwick said despite Cr Brennan’s views on amalgamation, he said the time and effort he put in to helping the merged council come together must be commended.
‘‘He was anti amalgamation and that’s fine — everyone’s got their views,’’ he said.
‘‘He did a wonderful job out at Conargo (Shire), and he ran the business out at Conargo, was involved in the community out there, and of course he accepted the amalgamation and did a ripper job as our first mayor.
‘‘He has done an outstanding job, and I know how hard it is to be in that field (local government and mayor) for as long as he did.
‘‘It is not an easy role.’’
Like the Fogartys, Mr Renwick and his wife Jan have also known the Brennans since before they called the Deniliquin district home.
‘‘Jan and I were very fortunate. We got to know Norm and Linda before they even came to live in Deniliquin,’’ he said.
‘‘We got to know them through the river, the boat and the camping, and when we (the Renwicks) had the White Lion Hotel we spent a lot of time together.
‘‘It isn’t just the Conargo and Deniliquin council connection, we’ve been mates a long time.
‘‘He was a top bloke and we’re very sad to lose him.’’
In a statement issued by on Tuesday, formally announcing Cr Brennan’s death, Edward River Council described him as a ‘‘friend and champion of the region’’.
Prior to his five years on Edward River Council, he was a councillor of Conargo Shire Council for 21 years — including 12 years as mayor.
‘‘While his achievements in local government are numerous and include being added to the Emeritus Mayor Honour Roll in 2008 and being awarded the Outstanding Service Award in 2015, Norm was also successful in lobbying for many major projects in the area,” the council statement said.
‘‘He represented the concerns of the district and worked to ensure residents were heard, particularly in issues relating to water regulation and healthcare services.
‘‘He was known to the staff and councillors of Edward River and Conargo Shire councils as a kind and decent man.
‘‘Edward River Council extends its sympathies to Norm’s wife Linda, his children, and grandchildren and all those who loved him.
‘‘We are saddened he was just starting to enjoy his retirement after so many years of dedicated public service at the time of his passing.
‘‘An enormous figure, Norm will be sadly missed and never forgotten.’’
Details of Cr Brennan’s funeral have not yet been announced.