Welcome to Western Sydney Business Access

 fb tw yt in 

Michael Maughan. Michael Maughan.

Community stalwart Michael Maughan loses battle with cancer

COMMUNITY stalwart Michael Maughan, who helped save a struggling shopping centre as well as a district playing field,  has died after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Maughan, 72, put up a long fight against cancer - 10 years, showing the same tenacity for which he was renowned in his community life as a doer as well as campaigner.

He died on December 29, surrounded by his loved ones, including his dedicated partner Sigrid Rottmann.

Named Parramatta Citizen of the Year in 2013, Mr Maughan, was fondly remembered at a memorial service attended by Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Garrard on January 6.

While licensee of Telopea Post Office, Mr Maughan , along with fellow business operator Susan Salt, led a successful campaign to keep the vital service open after Australia Post planned to close it.

Closure of the post office would have further crippled the troubled shopping centre after the Commonwealth Bank had shut up shop.

Among his recent victories were fighting State Government overdevelopment of Telopea and stopping the Parramatta Leagues Club’s planned sell-off of the Vikings Club in Dundas Valley.

Mr Maughan was known as a fierce campaigner who was not afraid to grab the ears of politicians and authorities but he also did not mind getting his hands dirty.

More than 20 years ago, he pain-stakingly restored the clay-hardened Cox’s Oval in Dundas to a condition suitable for cricket and rugby, until Parramatta Council took over proper maintenance.

A dedicated member of Carlingford Dundas Lions Club, Mr Maughan was often seen barbecuing sausages in Church Street Mall and Telopea for fund-raising.

His pet project was Camp Lionheart, set up to give recreational respite to children with acquired brain injuries.

At the well-attended memorial service, held in Dundas Community Centre, Clr Garrard said Mr Maughan was “a real fighter who never liked to give in”.

Clr Garrard quoted 1960’s pop group The Kinks’ song Well Respected Man  to describe Mr Maughan - “He's a well respected man about town, Doing the best things so conservatively”.

Former lord mayor John Chedid said Mr Maughan was “a good community leader and mentor” who put his “heart and soul into the community”.

The service was led by Pastor Nicholas Fried from Eastwood Uniting Church who praised Mr Maughan’s community work and said he would live on in the memories of his loved ones and those who admired him.

A wake for Mr Maughan was held in the Port Bar, Parramatta, where many fond memories were shared.



editor

Publisher
Michael Walls
michael@accessnews.com.au
0407 783 413

Access News is a print and digital media publisher established over 15 years and based in Western Sydney, Australia. Our newspaper titles include the flagship publication, Western Sydney Express, which is a trusted source of information and for hundreds of thousands of decision makers, businesspeople and residents looking for insights into the people, projects, opportunities and networks that shape Australia's fastest growing region - Greater Western Sydney.