Ned Iceton honoured in Gunnedah with memorial plaque

The memorial plaque was designed by Uralla sculptor Carl Merten and installed on a rock on Thursday.

Mr Iceton spent his childhood years in Gunnedah and his parents, Edward and Ailsa, were very active in the community.

Edward served as an alderman on Gunnedah Municipal Council, and Ailsa took food and clothing to the less fortunate who lived below Pensioners Hill. The walkway leading to the lookout was named after Ailsa in 2001.

Mr Iceton became a doctor and worked in the Northern Territory, United Kingdom and the Sub-Continent. In his later years, he helped establish the Nurturing Evolutionary Development (NED) Foundation, which aims to foster social and personal evolutionary processes within Australia and the world. His ashes were spread on the hill on July 2.

Gunnedah councillor, Owen Hasler, was a good friend of Mr Iceton and wished to see his life remembered. He said it was a pleasure to see Carl carry out the work in honour of Mr Iceton.

“Carl and [his partner] Joan have created some really great artistic works that we’re very proud of – both here on Pensioners Hill and Brock’s Court – and this small plaque that he’s not only designed but also installed,” Cr Hasler said.

Chair of the NED Foundation, Michael Maher, said he was thankful to everyone involved.

“The board’s been informed and everyone’s very happy that it’s gone well, and it seems to have had the best outcome for the community that it could have,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful spot.”