Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

I wish to inform Council of the passing of Sharne Dunsmore, CEO of The Fact Tree Youth & Community Services Waterloo, who sadly lost her brief battle with cancer on 31 October 2024. Sharne is survived by her daughters Marli and Georgia and their other mother, Marilen, and her sisters, Julie and Kerrie.

Sharne worked tirelessly for over 30 years as the CEO and driving force behind The Fact Tree having joined at 28, just three years after the service opened.

Sharne had previously made her mark in the Bondi community working at Ways Youth & Community Services. She brought that passion to the Waterloo community and was a fierce advocate, always making sure the community was treated fairly and with dignity.

She created a space that was warm and welcoming. Everyone always looked for her smile and wave as they walked past. She was devoted, always willing to give her time and have a yarn. Her open door policy created a second home for so many in the community.

Over the years, The Fact Tree has stood alongside the community in challenging times and has provided a consistent source of strength and advocacy. Under Sharne’s leadership, The Fact Tree consistently advocated for policies and programs that prioritise the needs of those most vulnerable in the community.

The City has proudly supported The Fact Tree’s After Hours service since 2011 and provides a fun and diverse program of activities for young people aged 11-18 years every Friday and Saturday night from 4pm-10pm.

Sharne was a unique and charismatic presence. She was the backbone of the community and so many who knew her and grew up in the youth service are full of gratitude that she was there to support them so passionately and for so long right up until the end.

As proud as Sharne was of all her work at The Fact Tree, there were no prouder moments than 14 and 12 years ago when she welcomed her two daughters, Marli and Georgia.

Sharne’s passing is a huge loss to her family, friends and all the young people whose lives she enriched and supported over many years of outstanding and vital work within the community.

COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE AO

Lord Mayor

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)      all persons attending this meeting of Council observe one minute’s silence to commemorate the life of Sharne Dunsmore, for her decade’s long devotion as CEO of The Fact Tree Youth & Community Services and to the Waterloo community;

(B)      Council express its condolences to her daughters Marli and Georgia and their mother, Marilen, her sisters Julie and Kerrie, staff at the Fact Tree Youth & Community Services Waterloo, and the Waterloo community; and

(C)      the Lord Mayor be requested to convey Council’s condolences to Sharne’s family and the Fact Tree Youth & Community Services Waterloo.

Carried unanimously.

S051491

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