By Margaret Maccoll
Noosa MP Glen Elmes gave a condolence speech in State Parliament last week for the Member for Cooroora from 1974-’89, Gordon Simpson, who passed away on 10 May.
“I first met Gordon in 1985 when I moved to the Sunshine Coast and was inspired by his dedication to the job and to his constituents, and was impressed with his extraordinary passion for his beliefs.
“He was ever present – and I personally took note of his ability and drive to be out and about, and actively involved throughout his electorate,” he said.
“The then seat of Cooroora took in most of what is now the seat of Noosa and well before I became the member in 2006 I admired the great things he achieved for my community – including his contribution to the creation of local values and unique culture, that locals still identify with, live by, and treasure today.
“His legacies include the removal of sand mining leases at Sunshine Beach, the protection of the Noosa Spit from developers, the expansion of the Noosa National Park and Noosa’s first town plan that placed a ban on high rises.
“Gordon was a visionary and a man of the people. He spoke of the importance of tourism, and the need for state and federal governments to support council in their endeavours, and about the importance of protecting national parks and the freedom of community to access their ‘wonderland’.
“The people of my electorate and visitors alike have Gordon Simpson to thank for the way Noosa has kept its pristine environmental attributes where other coastal communities have not.
“Lesleigh and I pass on our deepest condolences to Gordon’s wife Norma, children Bruce, Helen and Jock and the current member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson MP, who continues her father’s great work in this place.”
