Fifty years ago when Bernard Curtin arrived in Berrigan few knew the newsagent would become one of the shire’s biggest and most dedicated champions.
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The former mayor and current Berrigan Shire councillor died last Wednesday, aged 80, after decades of ‘beating the drum’ and advocating for his adopted home.
He moved to the shire in 1968 and took over the Berrigan Newsagency, previously run by his aunt.
Current Berrigan mayor Matthew Hannan said Cr Curtin would be greatly missed.
“Bernard had a tireless passion for our community which saw him serve you as a councillor since 2004 and as our mayor from 2012 until 2015,” he said in a statement to residents.
“Bernard was also a tireless campaigner for our health services and a strong supporter of our sporting codes.
“Bernard will be missed greatly and I pass on the respects of myself, my fellow councillors and council staff to the Curtin family.”
Cr Curtin stood down as Berrigan mayor after being hospitalised in Albury before the vote.
Cr Curtin was passionate about health and oversaw the building of an aged care hostel and self-funded retirement units as well as having a dementia care wing, named in his honour.
In 2015 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his work in Berrigan.
Cr Curtin was involved in many aspects of the community from bowl and football clubs to golf, little athletics, Carols by Candlelight, the Lions Club and the Berrigan Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, Cr Curtin told The Border Mail, small communities needed passionate advocates to survive.
"I've seen a lot of small places which have started to fall away because different facilities have been removed whether they be health, educational or commercial and I've strived hard to retain what we've got here,” he said.
"It hasn't always been successful, but you need to up there beating the drum for it.
"We've got four towns in the shire and it's important to see they progress."
He said one of his proudest times as mayor was successfully fighting off a proposed shire merger.
Berrigan Shire Council said Cr Curtin’s dedication and commitment to the community and local government would be long remembered.
Cr Curtin is survived by his children, Gabrielle, Peter, Louise, Michael, Marianne, John and Loretta; 16 grandchildren and loving wife Mary.
A memorial service will be held to honour Bernard Aloysius Curtin on Friday at 1pm, at St Columba's Catholic Church, Berrigan.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
