Vale Councillor Tom Morrissey

Published on 19 May 2013

It is with great sadness that we inform our community that Cr Tom Morrissey, Monash’s elder statesman, passed away in his sleep on Friday evening.

Tom was born in 1945 and lived the majority of his life in the City of Monash. Following his secondary education at Jordanville Technical College, he became a master plumber who owned and operated, Burwood Plumbing.

Tom was a strong believer in public service and performed his civic responsibilities with great sincerity and dedication. He was first elected to the City of Waverley Council in 1990. He was elected to Monash City Council in 1997, 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2012 in the Mount Waverley Ward. Tom was previously Mayor of the City of Monash in 2001-02 and 2006-07.

In 2002, he was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to Local Government.

Mayor Micaela Drieberg said that Tom had made many significant achievements for the City during more than two decades of public service.

"Tom had a dignity that was greatly respected by everyone who knew him. He was a very considerate, generous and witty man," said Cr Drieberg.

"Monash has a lot to thank Tom for. He was a champion of economic development for the City, particularly small business and was a board member of the Monash Enterprise Centre. Many people may not know that Tom was also a quiet philanthropist. He often sponsored community events including our annual Monash Carols by Candlelight and was a great supporter of the Monash Gallery of Art. He will be greatly missed."

Said Monash CEO, Dr Andi Diamond: "Tom was a gentleman in every sense of the word. I have always been inspired by the dedication that Tom has to the City. He had a deep love and passion for the community and was genuinely loved and admired by both Council staff and the citizens of Monash."

Tom loved the native bushland that traverses the City of Monash and served on the committees of the Friends of Scotchmans Creek, Damper Creek and Valley Reserve. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Waverley and an Honorary Justice of the Peace. He was also patron of the Monash Concert Band and had interests in racehorses including champion colt ‘Toorak Toff’.

Tom was a devoted family man. At the age of 20 years, he moved with his parents Ray and Edna to Mount Waverley from the Burwood house where he was born. Two years later, he married and bought a house with his new bride Lorraine just a few doors from his parents in Highbury Road. He and Lorraine have two daughters and four granddaughters. Tom was 68 years old.

Cr Drieberg said that Council would be informing the Local Government Minister and the Victorian Electoral Commission of Cr Morrissey’s passing. She said that the funeral arrangements were yet to be confirmed but Council encouraged community members to attend and give Cr Morrissey the large send off he deserved. She said community members are encouraged to attend the next Council meeting as there would be an opportunity for people to pay their respects. The meeting will be held at the Monash Civic Centre on Tuesday 28 May from 7.30pm.

24 May 2013

The funeral service for Cr Tom Morrissey was held at St Stephen & St Mary's Anglican Church, 383 High St Road, Mount Waverley on Friday 24 May.