Long Live Clem's Legacy

Clem Jones has passed today.

Clem Jones AO was the Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1961 to 1975.In 1961, Brisbane was a city with no town planning, many unpaved streets, limited water supply, and few areas with sewers. Through the 60's, Jones successfully led the council to develop a town plan, seal roads, improve drainage, and connect sewers to most of the city. The city council, under his stewardship, purchased city properties to build underground car parks, which were then topped with public parks and gardens. In the suburbs, land was acquired for open space and parkland. Work started on the development of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

During the 14 years that Clem was Mayor, he refused to be paid a cent for his services.

A surveyor by profession and cricket ground curator of some renown, Clem's civic service continued well after his retirement from politics through his membership of many civic, sporting, and professional bodies, such as the Darwin Reconstruction Commission following Cyclone Tracey, the Western Queensland Flood Appeal, and his election as delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1998. His vision, enthusiasm, and energy have made him a commanding force in many projects, including aged and disabled persons care, World Masters Games, and Queensland football. His honours include the key to the city of Brisbane and recognition for his contribution to sport with an Associate Membership of the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame.

I have chosen this as today's Good News Story - not because he has passed, but because he lived.

Acknowledgement to Wiki and The Australian Of the Year pages for research assistance.