Gunnedah Shire Council unveiled a tribute to Hans Allgayer at Cohens Park on Wednesday.
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Mayor Owen Hasler and the late Councillor Allgayer’s wife Joanne officially unveiled a plaque at the foot of a giant Canary Island date palm.
The palm had been relocated from the Gunnedah Golf Club car park with the help of the golf club, Mex Excavations, GBP Cranes and the council to pay tribute to Cr Allgayer following his death in August last year.
“Hans was proud of his role on council, had strong views about achieving outcomes for our community and served some 15 years of committed participation in council affairs, and it is appropriate that we gather here today in order to recognise his significant contribution some nearly eight months after his passing,” Cr Hasler said.
In an emotional speech, Cr Hasler said he believed the dedication of the tree was appropriate for three reasons. One was Cr Allgayer’s involvement in the relocation of similar trees from Hunter Street to four current sites, including the Tamworth/Kamilaroi Highway entrance to Gunnedah.
He said the second reason was Cr Allgayer’s own commitment to planting trees, with a record of personally planting thousands of trees and inspiring many other groups to do the same.
“Finally, this tree stands tall and proud as did the man, Hans Allgayer,” Cr Hasler said.
“He was not one to seek the limelight or personal aggrandisement – in fact the very opposite.
“He was a man of ideas and a strong commitment and perseverance in order to achieve outcomes for our community – even if this was not always immediately popular – such was his mantra.
“So this palm tree, which has been transferred from one location in this community to this site, just like Hans – having been born and raised in his original home of Germany was brought to Australia by his parents in order to start a new life.”
Cr Hasler said the tree was flourishing in its new site as Hans had flourished in Gunnedah.
Original bricks from Cohens Store, which once stood on the site, were used as the base for the plaque.
A number of members of Cr Allgayer’s family, including his grandchildren, were at the unveiling.
