Council last month invited comments or objections to the naming of a plaque in memory of the late Ned Iceton who died in June 2015.

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 plaque would be located alongside the Ailsa Iceton Walkway on Pensioners Hill – a memorial established in the name of Mr Iceton’s mother. It is proposed Mr Iceton’s ashes also be scattered near the walkway.

NED Foundation chief executive Michael Maher said Mr Iceton spent most of his adult life in Armidale but always called Gunnedah home.

He recalled with fondness how the civic leader went “soft and weepy” recalling the town of his youth.

“Ned would always talk about the plains of Gunnedah,” Mr Maher said.

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He could imagine Mr Iceton “chuckling in his grave” at the thought of being immortalised atop a Gunnedah landmark.

He thought it would be a fitting tribute to a man who had devoted much of his life to community. 

But the most important legacy would be the lasting connection to Mr Iceton’s mother who he loved dearly.

The services of Carl Merten have been engaged for the memorial project, one of brains behind the carvings on Ailsa Iceton Walkway and Gunnedah’s miner statue near Wolseley Park. 

“He knew Ned well and is happy to do it,” Mr Maher said. “He’s also a bloody good carver.”

The Gunnedah memorial coincides with the launch of Mr Iceton’s book titled “The Networker” which was due to be completed when he died.

“It’s more about his ideas than his history,” Mr Maher said.

The NED Foundation would cover all costs involved in the Gunnedah memorial which is subject to council approval.