Former Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler said the proposed Pensioner’s Hill plaque was the “most appropriate” way to pay tribute to the dedicated community man.

It is proposed the plaque be installed adjacent to the memorial walk named in memory of Ned’s mother, Ailsa Iceton, who held a special connection to well-known Gunnedah landmark.

“His mum used to take food up to people there during the depression,” Mr Hasler said.

“The association [to his mother] was very strong.

“He was honoured to have his mum’s name chosen for the walkway.”

Mr Iceton grew up in Gunnedah where it is believed his father worked as a solicitor and local councillor. 

He went on to practice medicine in the Northern Territory and later was a lecturer at University of New England in Armidale.

“He was very interested in improving the world,” Mr Hasler said.

“He had a strong social conscience, showed to him by his mother who was very influential in his life.”

Mr Iceton helped establish the Nurturing Evolutionary Development (NED) Foundation, which aims to foster social and personal evolutionary processes within Australia and the world.

The NED Foundation will be covering all costs involved for the plaque, pending council approval.