A former Werribee shire councillor and community stalwart has died, aged 84.
Friends and family said their farewells to Stuart Southwick at a service at Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda on February 20.
Stuart’s friend of more than 30 years, Trish Vejby, delivered a heartfelt eulogy for a man who was “larger than life, always smiling, always busy, and always involved”.
She spoke of a man who was passionate about the west, having started a soap business in Laverton and being elected as a councillor for Werribee Shire, a term that lasted almost 30 years.
Mr Southwick also launched a two-page publication
Around Laverton, which updated residents on what was happening. He was also involved in a number of school committees and local charities.
“He was passionate about his ward in Laverton and about Werribee, and would stand up to any injustices in the community,” Ms Vejby said. “If you were game enough to take on Laverton in any negative way you then had a massive fight on your hands led by Stuart. He also worked hard, and stood up strongly for the Werribee South farmers”. Mr Southwick, a seventh generation Australian from one of the first Jewish families to settle here, was also remembered as a man who knew the importance of family, hard work and giving back to the community.
He received the Order of Australia Medal for his community work, an award also presented to his mother and sister. Mr Southwick was the loving husband of Beryl, father of Sharyn, David and Darren, and grandfather of nine.
“They broke the mould when Stuart was born, and he will be sadly missed,” Ms Vejby said.
