Vale Mayor John Bowell
Published on 18 June 2024
The Kempsey community paid tribute to one of its leaders on Tuesday as Mayor Leo Hauville moved a condolence motion for former Mayor John Henry Bowell.
As part of the motion, Mayor Hauville read the following tribute:
A remarkable man and leader has passed. John Bowell OAM, Kempsey Shire councillor, and Kempsey Shire Mayor has died at the age of 92 years.
I received the very sad news last Saturday week and immediately conveyed the condolences of the Shire and myself to his wife Fay and his family. A private funeral was held at Walkers Funeral Home on the 30th of May.
At his passing John and Fay had been married for 71 years, with each supporting the other and their many endeavours within our community.
John Bowell was a man who served the community for many years. He was a staff member at Council before retiring and then being elected as a councillor. Mr Bowell was elected to council in 1995 and a member of Kempsey Shire Council for 17 years, including five years as Mayor and two years as Deputy Mayor. He was employed in local government since 1947 and eleven years later, in 1958, he commenced worked for Macleay and Kempsey Shire councils. He retired as a Director.
It was only in April last year that John and Fay left their South Kempsey home to be closer to their family. Upon their departure many people saluted both for their long-term service to our community.
Sonya Murphy, of the Macleay Netball Association, wrote the following on their departure.
“Fay and John, there are no words for how much you are appreciated by this community and how much you will have been missed by us all, especially us that have grown up having you be such a big part of our lives.”
In addition to his elected and work roles he was also Chairman of the Macleay Valley Tourist Association, was closely involved in the establishment of the Kempsey PCYC, as well as involved in the committee to successfully upgrade the Kempsey District Hospital. He was also a long-term advocate for the mental health program Headspace being established in our community.
His ongoing contribution to our community was demonstrated by his work with others to establish the commemorative garden at South Kempsey adjacent to the tennis courts. This garden is to remember the victims of the horrific tragedy of the level crossing collision between a train and school bus in 1968. 6 students died and 17 were injured in an incident that rocked the wider community. This commemorative garden is maintained by Kempsey Shire Council staff.
Mr Bowell was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to local government and the community in June 2015.
Vale Mayor John Henry Bowell.
As a mark of respect, Councils flags have been lowered to half-mast to honour John Bowell and his life of service to the Kempsey Shire Community.
A condolence book has been placed outside Council Chambers today, and will be located in the Customer Service Centre for the remainder of the week, and members of the community are invited to make tributes to our former Mayor.
