Decision details

Moved by Councillor Weldon, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the recent passing of Russell (Russ) Taylor AM;

(ii)        Russ was a man of unwavering loyalty, enduring friendship, and deep compassion. A proud Kamilaroi man, he dedicated much of his life to advancing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people;

(iii)      growing up with his family in working class Miller's Point, Russ learned the values of community, generosity, and looking out for one another. These values stayed with him throughout his life, and he remained connected and dedicated to the Millers Point community;

(iv)      Russ was a man of many accomplishments. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Housing Office and the longest serving principal and executive at Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Under his leadership, the institute made significant strides in collecting and preserving Indigenous cultural materials;

(v)       he also served on the boards of the Healing Foundation, Beyond Blue, Lowitja Institute, and Nature Conservation Trust, and as a delegate to the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples;

(vi)      Russ was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community. He was also named NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year in 2018 and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Technology Sydney;

(vii)     but perhaps Russ's greatest accomplishment was the impact he had on the lives of those around him. To his family, Russ was everything - the nucleus of the Taylor family, and a role model of what a man should be to his loved ones. He was a source of strength and support, and unwavering love and encouragement to his wife Judi and their children and grandchildren;

(viii)    friends who spoke at Russ’ funeral described him as a man of true integrity, who lived his life with a strong sense of morality and decency. He treated others with kindness and respect, and always stood up for what he believed in; and

(ix)      Russ will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew him;

(B)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Russ’ family expressing Council’s condolences; and

(C)      all persons attending this meeting of Council observe one minute’s silence to commemorate the life of Russell (Russ) Taylor AM.

Carried unanimously.

Note – All Councillors, staff and members of the public present stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect to Russell Taylor AM.

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