Councillor John Legoe

It is with sadness that this web site announces the death, on December 8, 2005, from cancer, of Councillor John Legoe.

He was a member of the Kingston District Council for 12 years and served as its Chairman 1996-2001. Elected as President of The South Australian Local Government Association, he involved himself in projects to benefit, South Australia, the Limestone coast region and his beloved home town of Kingston S.E.

Following is a biography copied from the South Australian Local Government Association web site:

Passing of a Great Leader

8 December 2005

Immediate Past President Councillor John Legoe passed away this morning, 8 December 2005.

It is with sincere regret that the Local Government Association advises of the passing of its Immediate Past President Councillor John Legoe. John suffered a short illness (cancer related) but throughout showed enormous strength and courage. John is survived by his wife Gayle and two children. He passed away early today (8/12/05).

A Kingston (SE) grazier, John Legoe was President of the LGA from October 2003 to October 2005. John was a member of Kingston District Council in the South East since 1993 including 5 years as its Chairman. He was President of the South East Local Government Association and a member of the LGA State Executive since 2000.

During his time as LGA President John led local government through tremendous change. He was a fundamental force in delivering an additional $26.25 million of Federal funding to South Australian communities through Councils for local roads and led the LGA when it commissioned an Independent Inquiry into the Financial Sustainability of Local Government, the first of its type for Local Government in Australia.

John showed great enthusiasm for local communities and during his time as President spent a great deal of time with Councils and communities listening, trying to understand and responding to community needs. Having listened to communities he was also passionate about developing stronger working relationships between State and Local government and in 2004 signed with Premier Rann the first State/Local Relations agreement for more than a decade.

"John was a great leader of local government and was passionate about South Australia and the communities which we all serve. Today we have not only lost a great leader but we have lost a great mate." Mayor John Rich said.

"I know I speak for the whole of Local Government when I express sincere condolences to John's family and in particular his wife, Gayle and their children during this very difficult time." He said.

For further information contact:
Mayor John Rich, President, Mobile 0400 344 212
Ms Wendy Campana, Executive Director, Mobile 0417 861 783

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Rest In Peace