Pat Fogarty's legacy: 21 years of community impact

That part of her life will end next month when council enters caretaker mode ahead of the September 14 local government elections.

Due to personal circumstances, Pat has chosen not to re-nominate.

But she leaves with a long list of highlights from her time on council, of which she lists supporting local youth projects among the highest.

“The best one, and one I am most proud of, was the development of the Deniliquin Youth Council,” she said.

“Marc Petersen was part of that youth council, and it has been nice to see him stand for council and then become its deputy mayor.

“Through that youth council, I was involved in the establishment of the Flat Earth Festival (a music festival held at the Deniliquin Stadium).

“Richard (my husband) and I also took them down to Melbourne to see concerts like Linkin Park and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

“Council paid for the bus and the kids bought their own tickets.

“I always felt it was so important that kids in rural areas have the same opportunities as city kids, and that youth council was a great bunch of kids.”

Pat also lists witnessing the birth of the Deni Ute Muster - initially started by Deniliquin Council - as a career highlight. She sat on the event’s music subcommittee.

Other projects of economic and social importance to Deniliquin then started coming to mind for Pat, including significant projects like the flood protection levee, riverfront projects like the Beach to Beach Walk, the original Deniliquin Skate Park, the CBD and Deniliquin Waring Gardens redevelopment, the Town Hall and council’s involvement in the development of the Intereach Neighbourhood Centre and the Ochre Health Deniliquin Medical Centre.

“Certainly, the biggest project in my time on council was the levee bank. It was a massive undertaking over many years, and things were changing all the time.

“At one stage the government changed its funding agreement which meant council’s original contribution of 20 per cent of the cost ended up being a third.

“Council also partnered with Intereach to convert the old supermarket into the Neighbourhood Centre, which was the first partnership of its kind for the council.

“Of course, the other big thing was the council amalgamations in 2016.

“It was huge, and we would have to be one of the most successful mergers. We just got on with it, and it was an amazing feat, and that was a credit to the council and the councillors at the time.

“It was a good strategy with Norm Brennan (Conargo Shire) as mayor and myself and his deputy.”

Pat served as deputy mayor for the full first term of the newly amalgamated council, and was the Deniliquin Council mayor from 2001 to 2004.

During much of this time, she was working full time as the manager of Vinnies Services and serving in various other roles relating to her career and the community.

She and Richard also launched their accommodation business Cottages on Edward during this time.

But Pat said it’s all part and parcel of contributing to your community.

“Richard and I had holidayed in Deniliquin before moving here in 1992, and we just fell in love with the place.

“I have always thought that if you are going to live in a community you need to have a sense of belonging, so you have to get involved.

“At the time I decided to stand in 1995 council was very male dominated. Sue Taylor was the only female councillor, and she was mayor at the time.

“Sylvia Baker (herself a former Deniliquin councillor) had become a mentor to me and encouraged me to stand; to champion women’s issues and give a voice to women.”

Pat said as council moves on without her, she’s keen to see some more great projects and collaborations come to fruition.

And she has encouraged community members to help drive it by standing for council this September.

“My advice to prospective councillors is to stand by our old council motto - ‘Not for oneself, but for all’.

“Keep an open mind, stay in touch with the community, and model yourself upon council's values.”