The Mitchell Shire community and more so the Wandong-Heathcote Junction community lost a valued member, contributor, and leader with the passing of Sue Marstaeller last week.
Those who knew her will remember Sue’s contributions to the local charities and community groups, and her years as a long serving Councillor and Mayor of Mitchell Shire.
Beyond her community work, Sue will also be remembered by her family with whom her love knew no bounds, and with this in mind our thoughts are with Ian, Kim, Guy, Ali, and their families at this time.
Sue’s daughter, Kim, remembers her mother as a very welcoming person who opened her door to all family and friends, as well as the entire community.
“She taught us values such as strength, kindness, determination, financial responsibility, along with commitment and community values from a young age,” she said.
She added that her mother’s passions and activities in her younger years were swimming and tennis, activities she took up when she moved to Wandong in 1989.
“Later in life, mum began to enjoy embroidery, various crafts, and her beloved scrapbooking. Her passion for community involvement grew the more she got involved in various organisations and groups. We remember her as generous, dedicated, relentless, stubborn, polarising, stalwart, resilient, and kind,” she said.
Sue was a valued Wandong Fire Brigade member for almost 30 years, and along with other members was awarded the National Emergency Medal for service during the Victorian 2009 Black Saturday fires.
Local resident Peter Gannon said that he was one of many people privileged to serve with Sue on local community groups.
“The legacy that she leaves is one that many will envy, and few will ever emulate. Her passing is a sad loss to family and community,” he said.
On Australia Day 2017, Sue was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to local government and to the community of the Mitchell Shire.
The Award recognised her service to Mitchell Shire as Mayor over four terms and as a Councillor for 13 years.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor Louise Bannister said Sue’s loss was felt deeply by Council.
“Mitchell Shire Council is deeply saddened by the passing of former Councillor Sue Marstaeller, who served our community with distinction from 2003 to 2016,” she said.
“Sue’s dedication to the Shire and her tireless work across various community organisations left a lasting impact. This continued post her role as Councillor, getting involved in community led initiatives and committees.
“She served three terms as Mayor, during which she played a pivotal role in numerous initiatives, including emergency management during the Black Saturday Bushfires. Her contributions were widely recognised, including receiving an OAM in 2017. She was a mentor to many and leaves behind a legacy of service that will be remembered for years to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sue’s family and friends.”
Sue was also one of the team that brought the better big bank to the local community as a member of the original steering committee of the NorCen Community Bank Board, which later operated the Wallan, Kilmore, and Broadford Community Banks, of which Sue was a former Chair and Company Secretary of.
Wally Mott, who served with Sue on the original steering committee, said Sue’s passing was a great loss.
“Sue has been a fantastic member of the community, especially the Wandong-Heathcote Junction community. She was involved in all sorts of organisations; a councillor for many years, a valuable member of the board that was formed in 2007 to run NorCen, and her passing will be a great loss,” he said.
Community Bank Chairperson Kit Holland said that Sue leaves behind a lasting legacy in the local community.
“Her impact on the Community Bank from the initial steering committee to establishing three branches in Wallan, Kilmore, and Broadford and serving continuously on the Board of Directors for 18 years is a contribution that has been extremely valued,” she said.
“Sue has inspired countless lives that she has touched as advocate, mentor, and friend, and these impacts will never be forgotten. Sue’s absence will be felt deeply by the entire Board, all of our staff and many community members, in fact all those who had the privilege of knowing her.”
Sue was also a tireless worker for the legendary Wandong Country Music Festival and a major contributor to sport in Wandong. As a lasting recognition, the sports pavilion at the Wandong at LB Davern Reserve was named some years ago as the Sue Marstaeller Sports Pavilion.
Perhaps the final comment in this obituary should be left to Sue Marstaeller herself, with an old post on her LinkedIn page that summed up her attitude to life, family, and community when she wrote, “To leave this world a better place than when I came, and to leave a legacy of good planning for my children, grand and great grandchildren to enjoy into the future.”
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Sue’s life this Friday at 1pm at The Grove, 189 Hidden Valley Blvd, Wallan.
