A champion for his people

The Editor

I am writing to you in response to the recent passing of former Hay mayor, Mick Beckwith.

As mayor, he stood up for Government jobs and services in Hay, and to that, I would like to highlight his commitment in one of many cases.

In the 1980s, the NSW Government downsized the then Department of Main Roads (DMR) to become the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

The DMR works office was to be downgraded to a maintenance depot with the prospect of losing many jobs.

A delegation of employees approached Mayor Beckwith and explained the situation, highlighting the effect of losing local jobs and the impact it would have on the town.

The mayor took up the matter with the government and received a favourable response, saving most of the jobs.

There were redundancies offered, and some were taken up.

But overall, the office was retained and still is a major employer.

Vale Mayor Mick and champion of Hay.

Greg Parr Church Street, Hay.