Rodney Stevens

At the July meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC), Councillors have paid tribute to two incredible local men, Uncle Ron Heron, and Vince Castle, who passed away recently.

Mayor Ian Tiley said very recently the Clarence and in particular the Lower Clarence lost two remarkable local identities.

“Uncle Ron Heron, a very gentle, quiet man and an outstanding Yaegl elder who passed away suddenly and whose funeral service was yesterday,” he said.

“Ron was an absolute leader, an academic, he taught indigenous studies, his family are well known across the Clarence.

“Ron was a storyteller, he researched at Macquarie University bush medicines.

“He had a life well lived. He taught me cultural awareness.

“It’s so fitting that there’s a lasting memento, the mural at the Maclean pump station.”

Cr Tiley also paid tribute to a stalwart of the sugar industry, Vince Castle.

“An exceptional man, a stalwart of the Australian sugar industry, he lived his entire life at Palmers Channel, all 86 years,” he said.

“He was chair of the Clarence Cane Cooperative from 1988 till 2012 and he served on many government organisations.

“I recall serving with him on the Upper North Coast water management committee in the late 1990s and then on the North Coast Catchment management board.

“Cr Clancy informs me that he served with him on the National Parks committee.

“He was a confident, practical man. He mixed easily with politicians, lawyers and bureaucrats. He always had a calm demeanour.

“He had much to do with the establishment of the Caringa school for children with disability.

“In 2013 he received the Premiers Community Award.”

Cr Tiley said both men are highly respected and loved, they will be both sadly missed.

Councillors then observed a minute’s silence in respect of each of their memories.