A lifetime of community

RIDING around Australia in 2009 was one hell of a milestone in a life of many achievements for Healesville Rotarian Geoff Kennedy.
Geoff rode 8000 kilometres and directed the entire 18,000-kilometre Rotary Health Great Australian Bike Ride.
On 14 April, fellow riders formed a guard of honour at Healesville Cemetery as family, friends and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to a man who was loved, liked and respected for who he was, and what he did.
Having lived in Healesville all his life, he was involved over many years in community organisations.
From 1988 to 1994 he served as a councillor with the Shire of Healesville, including a term as shire president.
Geoffrey Lindsay Kennedy was born on 4 January, 1948, to John and Aileen Kennedy.
He attended the local state school and the Central Classes in Badger Creek Road before moving on to Lilydale High School for a year. It was there he met the love of his life, Mount Evelyn girl Jennifer Knopp.
They married on 3 August, 1968 and in 1971 the first of their three daughters, Janine, arrived. Angela was born the next year and Sharon in 1976.
He adored his girls – all four of them, and later was equally smitten by the charms of granddaughters, Ella, Hannah and Emily.
He started his career in banking and later worked as an inspector with the Transport Regulation Board.
Though forced into early retirement after contracting Ross River Fever in 1987, he refused to let it sideline him from his community work.
Over the years Geoff was a member and office-bearer of numerous committees including the Healesville Hospital Show, the Race Club, and Healesville Football Club.
Over nearly 40 years as a member of Healesville’s Apex and Rotary clubs Geoff contributed to hundreds of community projects and events.
He was a past-president of Rotary and a recipient of the club’s highest award, the Paul Harris Fellow.
Rotarian David Brown was one of several speakers who paid tribute, and shared funny and touching anecdotes following the service.
He was one of a close-knit band of Apexians, including Geoff, who graduated from Apex to Rotary.
He said Geoff took up bike riding at the suggestion of his doctors after contracting Ross River Fever.
“It started as a means to an end, but it became a passion and he loved it,” he said.
After riding in the annual Rotary Ride to Conference a couple of times he joined the ride committee and helped organise rides for the past 14 or 15 years.
His experience, sharp mind and eye for detail landed him the ultimate ride job, on-road manager of Rotary Health’s Great Australian Bike Ride.
Of his broad community service, Mr Brown said “If there was a need in the community, Geoff stepped up to the mark … you could count on him.”
Di Moore was one of seven new councillors, including Geoff Kennedy, elected to Healesville Council in 1988.
She said he had a great sense of justice and equity.
“He was the sort of guy you could always have a useful discussion with and he had an understanding of council processes and procedures in a way I was still learning.
“He sought to drive change, but as a leader more than a driver,” she said.
“He was a man who inspired loyalty; he was also a man with a wicked sense of humour.”
Geoff’s loyalty, humour and warmth were also touched on by Denise O’Dwyer, whose late husband Mick was works manager at the shire and a close friend.
“Geoff brought to council strong ethics,” she said. He was a thinking man, always quiet and measured in his approach, but not to be walked over either.
“He was honest, a true gentleman in every sense of the word and a close and trusted friend,” she said adding another fine attribute.
“Geoff was a great cuddler.”
Celebrant and friend Betty Treller said Geoff was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Geoff Kennedy was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December and died, aged 63, on 7 April, 2011.