By Bonny Burrows and Cam Lucadou-Wells
People from all walks of life have been paying respects to long-serving Berwick and Casey councillor Mick Morland.
Since his sudden death, an array of community groups – football clubs and leagues, SES, Guides, Scouts, Rotary, Neighbourhood Watch, environment and church groups – have expressed their grief and shock.
All spoke warmly of the husband, father and grandfather and his support for their causes.
He’d pushed for a library in Hampton Park, a new track for Casey Little Athletics, an aquatic centre in Narre Warren and the Bunjil Place complex.
Casey Mayor Sam Aziz paid tribute to the “decades of dedication” from the seven-term councillor.
“He was easy to work with, he had his heart in the right place and he was compassionate – these are rare qualities these days, unfortunately.
“I’ve lost a dear friend, the community has lost a statesman.”
Cr Aziz lamented how Mr Morland could have lost his life during such a “benign, pleasant activity” as taking his routine evening walk to manage his type-two diabetes.
On that stroll, Mr Morland was fatally struck by a car on Princes Highway, near Wilson Botanic Park, on the evening of 24 June.
Casey Council – which has lowered its flags to half-mast – will decide on a lasting tribute with Mr Morland’s family, Cr Aziz said.
“He was devoted to his wife, Kay, his children and his grandchildren, and our thoughts are with them as they grieve.”
He is the second longest serving Casey councillor, behind Wayne Smith, and stood as a Liberal candidate for State Parliament.
Mayors Jim Memeti of Greater Dandenong and Brett Owen of Cardinia and a raft of politicians from several allegiances have paid tribute.
State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy described Mr Morland as “an institution in Casey, a great bloke with a heart of gold”.
“A long-time Liberal, he will be sorely missed,” Mr Guy said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said he would be remembered for the so many things he delivered for the community he loved for decades.
“All of the City of Casey will miss the man with that moustache,” he said. “Thanks Mick, you will be missed.
When he received an Order of Australia Medal in January last year, he told the Gazette that all his years of service had made him realise how many people did not put their hands up to help the community.
“I always believed that if you want to be involved in your community you have to put in the time and effort,” he said.
And that’s what he had been doing since he took on the presidency of a kindergarten in Narre Warren 30 years ago.
A passionate Tigers supporter, he was an Upper Beaconsfield premiership player and reserves coach, president of Narre Warren Junior Football Club and one of its coaches of the decade.
Rotary Club of Berwick President Mark Caulfield remembers his friend and fellow Rotarian as a generous man who gave his community his all.
A “reliable and hardworking” member of Rotary for 23 years, Mr Morland knew how to crack a joke, but was also known for his strong work ethic and tireless efforts in helping grow the aging club.
Mr Morland served on many committees during his time at Rotary and held many positions, including a stint as president from 2012-13
Mr Caulfield described him as the true definition of a Rotarian.
“He served on many committees during his time in Rotary – public relations, youth, membership, business dinner and golf day fund raisers to name a few,” Mr Caulfield said.
While Mr Morland was sure to separate his council and Rotary commitments, Mr Caulfield said the link ensured he could assist the club to “do the maximum for the local community”.
This included entering into partnerships that provided picnic tables and the Rotary Rotunda in Pioneer Park, a rotunda in Buchanan Park and ongoing work with the Casey North Community Information and Support Service, the Australia Day festivities at Pioneer Park and the Carols by Candlelight celebrations in Berwick, Mr Caulfield said.
In 2009, Mr Morland was officially recognised for his commitments with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow – an honour not bestowed upon many.
“He has had an enormous impact on the success of the Rotary Club of Berwick over the last 23 years and has many close friends in the club,” Mr Caulfield said.
He was also a loving husband, who supported wife Kay in her many ventures, including Inner Wheel – Rotary’s sister club for wives and daughters of its members.
Together they also hosted many Rotary youth exchange students from across the world, opening their home and treating complete strangers as family.
Mr Caulfield said that was just the kind of person Mr Morland was.
“(But) above all, Mick Morland was a great club member and a friend to all.
“He welcomed all new comers to the club and upheld the ideals of Rotary to do good in the world,” Mr Caulfield said.
“Our members share the shock of this tragedy with his family and friends throughout our community locally and internationally. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.”
Victoria Police also paid tribute to the much-loved community-figure.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of former mayor and councillor Mick Morland who tragically died in Berwick over the weekend,” South East Region Acting Superintendent Simon Humphrey said.
“He will be sadly missed by his community.”
Casey councillor Wayne Smith, who served alongside Mr Morland in the first term of Casey Council, marvelled at his work ethic.
While serving as a councillor, Mr Morland was running a cleaning business. He would wake at 3am to drive back into town from weekend council conferences to do a cleaning shift.
“As mayor, he was probably the hardest working mayor we’ve had. He turned up to everything,” Cr Smith said.
“He was full-time-plus.”
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said Mr Morland’s legacy would live on in all he achieved for Casey and its residents.
“Mick was so proud of Casey, and his support for the staff and work we did was evident in every dealing we had with him.”
Akoonah Men’s Shed president Ron Sterling remembers Mr Morland as being one of the shed’s great supporters on Casey Council.
“It’s a tragedy that he was just starting to relax and enjoy his life out of the public eye.
“He was old-school but a genuine person. He was a person who enjoyed life, enjoyed a laugh and put a lot into the community – he’ll be greatly missed.”
Former Berwick mayor Syd Pargeter said Mr Morland “stood out” for his pleasantness and even handedness.
“He was a rare breed of civic leader.”
Mr Morland is survived by wife Kay, children Ben, Luke, Rebecca and Brett and nine grandchildren.
His funeral will be held at Berwick Church of Christ, Centre Road, Berwick, on Wednesday 5 July at 10.30am.
Donations can be made to Casey Cardinia Foundation, in lieu of flowers.
