Councillor Kevin Gibbins mourned

CR Kevin Gibbins has been remembered by family and colleagues as a passionate community advocate dedicated to giving ratepayers a fair go.Cr Gibbins died at home on Friday afternoon. He was 54.The former mayor had been a councillor for eight years.His brother Tony said yesterday that his family were shocked by the sudden death.Cr Gibbins had complained of feeling ill on Friday, only hours before he died.He is survived by his sons Trent and Mitch, and their mother Deb..“His whole family loved and respected him,” Tony Gibbins said.“He was a really good man and we will all miss him terribly.”Mayor Rod Campbell, who succeeded Cr Gibbons last year, paid tribute to his service.Cr Campbell said Cr Gibbins’ work as mayor in the aftermath of Black Saturday epitomised his strengths as a councillor.“I would like to make mention of the leadership that Kevin showed at and after Black Saturday in 2009.“Kevin was heavily involved in the response and recovery from the fires and he ensured that this community was able to manage through what was an extremely difficult time.“Kevin had a determination to make sure everyone had a fair go and he always represented his people strongly.“He was an engaging fellow that people really warmed to easily.“He’ll certainly be remembered for his integrity and his sincerity.”Cr Campbell said Cr Gibbins was a particularly strong advocate for rural issues, health services and sport and recreation.Cr Gibbins was responsible for leading the council as mayor after the tumultuous 2008 election. Six of the nine sitting councillors were dumped by ratepayers at the November election, and Cr Gibbins was the only nomination for mayor one month later.“Kevin has always given 100 per cent in his role as a councillor,” Cr Campbell said.“His passion for supporting and representing the community has been outstanding and he certainly has made a wonderful contribution to the people of greater Bendigo.“Kevin has always had the interests of the community at heart and was an effective advocate for a fair go, ensuring that the concerns of all people were considered at all times.“Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”Cr Gibbins joined the council in 2002, representing the Whipstick ward. He resigned as a councillor to contest the federal seat of Bendigo in 2004 for the Liberal Party. He was defeated by sitting Labor member Steve Gibbons.Cr Gibbins was elected to the newly formed North West Plains ward in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. In between he made a failed bid, again as a Liberal candidate, to wrest the state seat of Bendigo East from Jacinta Allan in 2006.Cr Gibbins was a policeman for 23 years and reached the rank of senior sergeant. He also received several bravery awards, one for his actions during a siege.Cr Gibbins owned the Huntly newsagency and general store, rising at 4am each day in time to open the shop an hour later.City CEO Craig Niemann said Cr Gibbins embodied many of the ideals of local government.“I worked very closely with him last year when he was mayor, and we worked very well together.“It’s a real shock and we’ll really miss him.”Mr Gibbons said he was saddened to learn of Cr Gibbins’ death.“We had established a productive, co-operative and friendly working relationship, especially during his recent term as mayor.”Ms Allan said Cr Gibbins had gone too soon.“It’s shocking news, considering he was quite young.“I worked closely with Kevin, his ward is in my electorate and he served his community well.”Labor MLA for Bendigo West Bob Cameron said he passed his condolences to Mr Gibbins’ family.“I saw him only a few weeks ago and he was looking fit and healthy.“It’s come as a great surprise.”Liberal senator Michael Ronaldson, from Ballarat, said Cr Gibbins humanised the often sterile world of politics during his state and federal election campaigns.“Kevin brought unique qualities to political campaigns, and his contribution as a councillor, and a mayor of the city, as a small business owner and as an active member of his community, will not be forgotten.”La Trobe University vice-chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said: “Kevin was a supporter of La Trobe University in Bendigo, committed to giving the Bendigo community a fair go in terms of access to university”.During an interview with the Bendigo Advertiser last September, Cr Gibbins said he had spent much of his life dealing with people with problems - as a policeman, a shopkeeper and a councillor.“As councillors we’re no more important than anybody else, we’ve just got a responsibility to help people.“I just want to be seen as an ordinary bloke having a go.”