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.
X086653