Footscray icon Wally Hopkins OAM was honoured at Tuesday night’s Maribyrnong council meeting, the first since his death last month aged 101.
Standing orders were suspended so tributes could be paid to Mr Hopkins who died on 19 September and whose funeral was held at the Footscray Town Hall on 3 October.
Members of Mr Hopkins extended family filled the public gallery as Cr Cuc Lam led the tributes, detailing his many achievements and record of community service that resulted in seven life memberships.
Among them were the AFL Umpires Association for the more than 300 senior games he officiated throughout Victoria followed by years as an umpires coach; Victoria University where he graduated as an engineering apprentice at its predecessor institute, the Footscray Technical School, in 1939, and the YMCA where he spent decades as volunteer.
He was also awarded Australian Scouting’s highest honour for his eight decades of service to the 1st Footscray Scout group.
His commitment to community service resulted in him being named Maribyrnong Citizen of the Year in 1984 and 2008 and an Order of Australia in 1998.
In more recent years, Mr Hopkins became known for his friendship with neighbour and fellow centenarian, Vern Roberts, who he shared a fence with for more than 70 years.
“Dad was a passionate Footscrayite, he never lived anywhere else,” his daughter Julie Hopkins told the meeting.
“We appreciate very much the acknowledgement dad’s received and we’re very proud of him.”
Wally Hopkins is survived by children, Julie, Neville, Sue and Greg and their families.
