From bridges and parks to mountains and lakes their names live on, but have you ever wanted to know more about the people behind these place names…
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Down by the mighty Manning at Wingham is the Mick Tuck Riverside Reserve and mosaic memorial chair.
But who was Mick Tuck?
Mick Tuck is remembered as a man who worked tirelessly for the well being of his beloved Manning Valley.
There was no-one in the Manning Valley who cared more about the region’s prosperity than Mick Tuck. He always had a soft spot for the region, having lived at Elands when he first moved to the Manning in 1980.
In 1984 Mick joined the Community Housing office in Wingham, and in 1987 – on his first attempt – he was elected to the former Greater Taree City Council as a councillor.
In 1998, Mick became a naturalised Australian citizen, having been born in England.
In 1999, Mick was elected mayor by popular vote, and the following day resigned his job at Community Housing to become the city’s first full-time mayor. He wanted to be accessible to the people, and in that he certainly failed no-one.
A ‘people person’, committed to working for every individual in the Manning Valley. A gentleman, a man of vision, passionate and fair, with never a hint of aggression, always approachable and always with time to listen.
He always made time to hear what the people had to say, to represent their interest and to get involved with every event he possibly could. He had all the qualities a community could ask for in a mayor, and he was much-loved by the community. He had the respect of all, particularly the Aboriginal community.
Mick Tuck died in 2003, during his tenure of mayor, doing what he loved most – being a part of the community and helping those less fortunate.
A massive heart attack claimed his life on Saturday, October 25. He was playing at a charity tennis match at the Forster Bowling Club at the time. He died only five days short of his 56th birthday.
At the time of his death, Mick had two sons, Ben and Oliver, and a partner, Julene Westwater, who also had two children, Bart and Leah, and grandchildren Nathan and Declan.
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