Guyra's longest serving mayor, Gilbert White OAM, passed away on October 7, aged 93.
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As well as serving as mayor and a councillor on Guyra Shire, Gilbert was chairman of the North West County Council, and an inaugural council member for the Armidale College of Advanced Education.
He was born Donald Richard Gilbert White in December, 1925, in Guyra.
Gilbert grew up on his parents' properties 'Norden' and 'Box Point', Black Mountain. He was the third son of Frank and Myrtle White.
From an early age he loved books and was an avid reader.
Gilbert moved to Sydney where he worked for G. J. Coles. Then, when World War II started, he joined the air cadets and when he was old enough tried to join the RAAF but was unsuccessful as his medical showed a leaky heart valve.
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Keen to help the war effort, Gilbert returned to his parents' property and helped with their cattle and sheep enterprise. In 1947, he purchased part of his parents' property and called it 'East Lynne' (now 'Brentwood') and after some time he purchased an adjoining block known as 'Maguire's' making a parcel of about 2000 acres of grazing land.
Gilbert married Mabel Vincent in July 1948 and together they developed a grazing enterprise. Gilbert sold East Lynne in 1952 and purchased 'Sunnyside', Black Mountain. They developed the property and established highly successful Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset sheep studs. They also diversified into growing lucerne, potatoes and triticale. They later purchased "Norden" from Gilbert's brother when he retired.
In 1954, Gilbert became a Justice of the Peace and his political aspirations, greatly influenced by his uncle, Labor Senator Stan Amour, were starting to emerge.
He stood for the federal seat of New England against David Drummond and gained valuable political experience.
A few years later he stood against Ian Sinclair and was narrowly defeated. Sinclair was to later recognise Gilbert as his most formidable opponent and publicly praised his political acumen.
It was in 1960 that Gilbert was elected to local government as a councillor for the Guyra Shire Council.
His rise to fame was rapid and he quickly earned the respect of fellow councillors with his drive and determination.
In 1962, he was elected as shire president, the youngest person at the time to have held the position.
He retained this position for 25 years always fighting strongly for the best interests of Guyra Shire. Part of the secret to his success was his quick wit, extensive knowledge and his ability to get the best outcome in all situations.
During his time in local government, Gilbert was responsible for a number of major achievements.
Under his leadership, Guyra Shire developed one of the best road systems in the state with many of the arterial roads sealed.
He was responsible for the procurement of road funding grants for the Guyra area, including the construction of a number of new bridges providing year around access to people who had previously been flood bound in times of heavy rain.
In 1966 Cr White was instrumental in forming the New England Local Government Association "to address the problems unique to this part of the state". He became the first president of this new association and it provided a valuable forum for promoting New England.
He also fought for better conditions for rural people with determination to see power costs curtailed and country areas given a "fair go".
In 1973 Gilbert was selected as an inaugural member of the Council for the Armidale College of Advanced Education. He served on this council up until his retirement in 1987.
For some time Gilbert had been the Guyra shire delegate to the North West County Council (NWCC), the electricity council which managed the whole of the north west of NSW's electricity supply.
It was in 1974 that Gilbert was elected as chairman, a position which he held for 18 years up until his retirement from politics.
His work on the County Council was as dynamic as was his efforts for Guyra and the council forged ahead cutting costs, improving services and developing a better public image.
Gilbert was responsible for a range of improvements in facilities in Guyra, including construction of water treatment and sewerage treatment works.
Guyra also benefited from new council chambers, council works depot, the Truck Stop and the heated swimming pool.
The council also worked closely with the community to develop excellent recreational playing fields and facilities.
A highlight of these was the Guyra Community Hall, which was opened in October 1975. Over the last 40 years the hall has been widely used for basketball, school sports, the Guyra PA & H society and a large number of social functions.
In 1980, Gilbert was officially recognised for his services to local government when he was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
In 1984, Gilbert was awarded the Citizen of the Year for Guyra Shire. The award was for his long years of service to the Guyra community and his staunch support of Guyra.
All good things must come to an end and in 1987 Gilbert called it quits. There were a number of public functions including official farewells from the NWCC and from the Guyra Shire.
People from all over NSW paid tribute to Gilbert's contribution to local government and his fierce support of the Guyra Shire.
In 1987 when he retired from the Armidale College of Advanced Education he was made an Associate Fellow of the Armidale College.
Gilbert's wife Mabel passed away in November, 2011. Gilbert is survived by his five children, Shirley, Maree-Anne, James, Jennifer and Graham; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
