Politicians, Local Government representatives, business people, family and friends gathered for a special dinner to mark the retirement of The Barossa Council’s Mayor Brian Hurn OAM at Vintner’s Wine Bar and Grill, Angaston last Friday night.
Tony and Angela Robinson, from The Leader were amongst the estimated 50 guests present.
It was at the dinner that Mayor Hurn said for him it had been a privilege to serve his community and country, trying to make a difference to his community.
“I am proud of what I have achieved,” he said.
Mr Kym McHugh, outgoing Mayor of Alexandrina Council, proposed a toast to “Brian of the Barossa.”
Mayor Hurn addressed his guests by thanking the ladies and gentlemen for being his friends. He hoped for the night to be one of a relaxed atmosphere as he added, “I hope you all have a jolly good time. Enjoy yourselves.”
Ms Ashton Hurn, spoke as a grand daughter of Mr Hurn, and congratulated him on many many years of community service.
She said grand dad had taught her three things: humility, integrity and compassion.
She spoke of how her grand dad was always at his desk dealing with a whole lot of issues.
In the sporting arena , she said her grand dad enjoyed playing sport and was a member of the winning Sheffield cricket team in the mid 1960’s and he also won the SACA Cricketer of the Year Award.
She congratulated her grand dad on all of his achievements and wished him all the best for the next chapter in his life.
Mr Max Amber, of the Campbelltown Council and former President of the Local Government Association, spoke about Mayor Hurn’s 36 years in council, 18 years of which were as mayor of The Barossa Council.
He said Mayor Hurn was always a very active man with strong opinions.
For instance, he once said, “You never win a boxing match outside the ring.” He was always in the ring, using good farming logic.
He added, “Brian had great passion for roads, particularly local roads. He lobbied the Federal Government for increased funding which led to the Roads to Recovery funding which councils today couldn’t do without.