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Fyffe was born on 20 March 1949 in [[Warracknabeal]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=O'Callaghan |first=Tom |last2=Magrath |first2=Jonathon |last3=Loughran |first3=Ben |date=13 July 2024 |title=Tributes flow for 'mayor with the hair' |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693775/rod-fyffe-beloved-bendigo-councillor-and-ex-mayor-dies/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=1, 5}}</ref> He attended primary school in [[Cannum, Victoria|Cannum]] and [[Caramut]], before going to high school in [[Hamilton, Victoria|Hamilton]]. After finishing high school, Fyffe went on to study maths and econometrics at [[Monash University]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Pang |first=Simon |author-link= |url= |title=The Local Heroes: City of Greater Bendigo |date=2013 |publisher= |isbn=978-0-9806160-2-6 |volume=Three |location= |page=}}</ref> where he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Economics]].<ref name=":2" /> After undertaking a [[Diploma of Education]], Fyffe went on to teach at Mansfield High School, before departing for [[Scotland]] in 1975 for further studies at the [[University of Edinburgh]], where he studied a [[Bachelor of Arts]], majoring in Archaeology, Geology, Geophysics and Fine Art.<ref name=":2" />
Fyffe was born on 20 March 1949 in [[Warracknabeal]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=O'Callaghan |first=Tom |last2=Magrath |first2=Jonathon |last3=Loughran |first3=Ben |date=13 July 2024 |title=Tributes flow for 'mayor with the hair' |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8693775/rod-fyffe-beloved-bendigo-councillor-and-ex-mayor-dies/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |pages=1, 5}}</ref> He attended primary school in [[Cannum, Victoria|Cannum]] and [[Caramut]], before going to high school in [[Hamilton, Victoria|Hamilton]]. After finishing high school, Fyffe went on to study maths and econometrics at [[Monash University]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Pang |first=Simon |author-link= |url= |title=The Local Heroes: City of Greater Bendigo |date=2013 |publisher= |isbn=978-0-9806160-2-6 |volume=Three |location= |page=}}</ref> where he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Economics]].<ref name=":2" /> After undertaking a [[Diploma of Education]], Fyffe went on to teach at Mansfield High School, before departing for [[Scotland]] in 1975 for further studies at the [[University of Edinburgh]], where he studied a [[Bachelor of Arts]], majoring in Archaeology, Geology, Geophysics and Fine Art.<ref name=":2" />


Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at [[Bendigo Senior Secondary College|Bendigo Senior High School]],<ref name=":2" /> where he taught until 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Danielle |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale Rod Fyffe |url=https://www.bssc.edu.au/news/vale-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Senior Secondary College]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at [[Bendigo Senior Secondary College|Bendigo Senior High School]],<ref name=":2" /> where he taught until 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Danielle |date=12 July 2024 |title=Vale Rod Fyffe |url=https://www.bssc.edu.au/news/vale-rod-fyffe/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Bendigo Senior Secondary College]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He took leave from his job as a teacher each time he served as Mayor.


==Political career==
==Political career==
Fyffe first stood for election in the [[City of Bendigo]] in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected.
Fyffe first stood for election in the [[City of Bendigo]] in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected.


In 2004, he was elected by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2004 |title=New faces join Bendigo council |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-29/new-faces-join-bendigo-council/593722 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>
He was elected as mayor of the council in 2003, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-02-25 |title=Fyffe to be new Bendigo mayor |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-02-26/fyffe-to-be-new-bendigo-mayor/1221390 |access-date=2024-07-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2004, he was elected once again by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2004 |title=New faces join Bendigo council |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-29/new-faces-join-bendigo-council/593722 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>

He was elected as mayor for a third time in 2012. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-24 |title=Rod Fyffe to become mayor of Bendigo |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/712133/rod-fyffe-to-become-mayor-of-bendigo/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Bendigo Advertiser |language=en-AU}}</ref>.


In the [[2013 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2013 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Fyffe was awarded the [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finlay |first=Alistair |date=12 October 2022 |title=Decades of service acknowledged |url=https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/bendigotimes/news/decades-of-service-acknowledged/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Bendigo Times |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In the [[2013 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2013 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Fyffe was awarded the [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finlay |first=Alistair |date=12 October 2022 |title=Decades of service acknowledged |url=https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/bendigotimes/news/decades-of-service-acknowledged/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Bendigo Times |language=en-AU}}</ref>


In his fourth and final stint as mayor, he oversaw the [[Islamophobia_in_Australia#Bendigo_mosque_protests_(2014–15)|Bendigo Mosque protests]] which began when the City of Greater Bendigo voted 7-2 to build approving Mosque under previous Mayor Barry Lyons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-04-12 |title=Bendigo Mayor defends council amid conduct complaints |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-12/bendigo-mayor-defends-council-performance-amid-complaints/7318704 |access-date=2024-07-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Opponents of the the Mosque attempted to appeal the construction to the [[High Court of Australia]], a moved Fyffe praised. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Press |first=Australian Associated |date=2016-06-15 |title=Bendigo mosque: high court throws out request to hear appeal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/15/bendigo-mosque-high-court-throws-out-request-to-hear-appeal |access-date=2024-07-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
⚫
At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councillor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.<ref name=":2" /> He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.<ref name=":2" />

In 2016 he was elected as Deputy Mayor, serving under Mayor Margaret O’Rourke until 2017. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-08 |title=Bendigo mayor and deputy named |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4280919/bendigo-mayor-and-deputy-named/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Bendigo Advertiser |language=en-AU}}</ref> He served once again as Deputy Mayor from 2018 until 2019.

In 2020 Fyffe made another bid for Mayor but was unsuccessful, losing to Jennifer Alden. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-09 |title=Fyffe declares mayoral run in three-cornered contest |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7003697/fyffe-declares-mayoral-run-in-three-cornered-contest/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Bendigo Advertiser |language=en-AU}}</ref>

⚫
At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councilor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.<ref name=":2" /> He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.<ref name=":2" />


He was dubbed "The Mayor with the Hair" by local media.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
He was dubbed "The Mayor with the Hair" by local media.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />



==Death==
==Death==

Revision as of 10:38, 13 July 2024

Rodney James Fyffe OAM (20 March 1949 – 12 July 2024), was an Australian politician and teacher.[1]

Rod Fyffe
OAM
Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo
In office
2003–2004
In office
2004–2005
In office
2010–2011
In office
2015–2016
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Lockwood Ward
In office
2012–2024
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Golden Square Ward
In office
2004–2012
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Fortuna Ward
In office
1996–2004
Councilor of the City of Bendigo
In office
1983–1994
Personal details
Born20 March 1949
Warracknabeal, Victoria
Died12 July 2024(2024-07-12) (aged 75)
Bendigo, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Political partyIndependent
Children2
Alma materMonash University (BEc)
University of Edinburgh (BA)
OccupationTeacher
Awards
  • Mayor Emeritus (2012)
  • MAV Victorian Councillor 35 Years' Service Award (2022)
NicknameThe Mayor with the Hair

Early life and career

Fyffe was born on 20 March 1949 in Warracknabeal, Victoria.[2] He attended primary school in Cannum and Caramut, before going to high school in Hamilton. After finishing high school, Fyffe went on to study maths and econometrics at Monash University,[3] where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics.[2] After undertaking a Diploma of Education, Fyffe went on to teach at Mansfield High School, before departing for Scotland in 1975 for further studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Archaeology, Geology, Geophysics and Fine Art.[2]

Fyffe returned to Australia in 1979 and began teaching at Bendigo Senior High School,[2] where he taught until 2011.[4] He took leave from his job as a teacher each time he served as Mayor.

Political career

Fyffe first stood for election in the City of Bendigo in 1982 where he was defeated. He ran again in 1983 where he was elected.

He was elected as mayor of the council in 2003, where he took time off from his teaching job to serve as Mayor. [5]

In 2004, he was elected once again by the council to be the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.[6]

He was elected as mayor for a third time in 2012. [7].

In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, Fyffe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community.[8]

In his fourth and final stint as mayor, he oversaw the Bendigo Mosque protests which began when the City of Greater Bendigo voted 7-2 to build approving Mosque under previous Mayor Barry Lyons.[9] Opponents of the the Mosque attempted to appeal the construction to the High Court of Australia, a moved Fyffe praised. [10]

In 2016 he was elected as Deputy Mayor, serving under Mayor Margaret O’Rourke until 2017. [11] He served once again as Deputy Mayor from 2018 until 2019.

In 2020 Fyffe made another bid for Mayor but was unsuccessful, losing to Jennifer Alden. [12]

At the time of his death, Fyffe had served thirty-eight years as a Bendigo councilor, having joining the City of Bendigo council in 1983.[2] He was mayor of Bendigo four times and deputy mayor twice.[2]

He was dubbed "The Mayor with the Hair" by local media.[2][13]


Death

Fyffe passed away on 12 July 2024, aged 75, after a long illness.[2][13]

References

  1. ^ Finlay, Alistair (21 October 2022). "Decades of service acknowledged". Bendigo Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Callaghan, Tom; Magrath, Jonathon; Loughran, Ben (13 July 2024). "Tributes flow for 'mayor with the hair'". Bendigo Advertiser. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  3. ^ Pang, Simon (2013). The Local Heroes: City of Greater Bendigo. Vol. Three. ISBN 978-0-9806160-2-6.
  4. ^ Snowdon, Danielle (12 July 2024). "Vale Rod Fyffe". Bendigo Senior Secondary College. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Fyffe to be new Bendigo mayor". ABC News. 2003-02-25. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  6. ^ "New faces join Bendigo council". ABC News. 28 November 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Rod Fyffe to become mayor of Bendigo". Bendigo Advertiser. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  8. ^ Finlay, Alistair (12 October 2022). "Decades of service acknowledged". Bendigo Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Bendigo Mayor defends council amid conduct complaints". ABC News. 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  10. ^ Press, Australian Associated (2016-06-15). "Bendigo mosque: high court throws out request to hear appeal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  11. ^ "Bendigo mayor and deputy named". Bendigo Advertiser. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  12. ^ "Fyffe declares mayoral run in three-cornered contest". Bendigo Advertiser. 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  13. ^ a b "Vale local government legend, Cr Rod Fyffe OAM". City of Greater Bendigo. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
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