14 August 2018

“It is with great sadness and loss that we acknowledge the sudden passing of Deputy Mayor and Ohura Ward Councillor Marion Gillard,” said Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron.

“Everyone at Council is in shock and disbelief, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Marion's family at this time.

“On a personal level, I am shattered by the loss of a close friend and community stalwart,” said Mayor Cameron. “Her death is a deeply felt blow to all of us.”

Marion was held in the highest regard by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her, and her absence will be keenly felt.

She served Ruapehu as the District’s Deputy Mayor for five years and her local community as Councillor for the Ohura Ward since 2001.

It was a real privilege and honour to have had the opportunity to have worked alongside Marion and had her support as Deputy Mayor, a role she took very seriously, said Mayor Cameron.

She had a real passion for serving her community and worked tirelessly on its behalf where she was involved with all the major issues confronting our District including; land transport, economic development, township revitalisation, the review of water services, climate change and other issues.

In addition to her roles as Deputy Mayor and Ward Councillor, Marion held a number of other important positions as a Resource Management Act Commissioner and serving on the Audit and Risk Committee, District Licensing Committee and the Maori Council.

Mayor Cameron added that although Marion believed strongly in the role of Council and the value it could add to Ruapehu communities, she never forgot that she was an elected representative and was making decisions with ratepayer money.

“Her work ethic and integrity was an inspiration to those around her,” he said.

“Marion was not afraid to challenge the status-quo, other members or any thinking or ideas she did not feel had been thought through correctly.

“She was both honest and direct and more often than not came to the table with a solution that she had thought out in advance.”

Mayor Cameron said Marion was widely admired for the life that she lived and the positive impact that she had on the lives of others.

Messages of condolence for Marion’s family can be provided to Council and will be passed on to her family.
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