Council pays tribute to community ambassador John Miller

19 January 2024

Councillors and friends and family of John Miller gathered at Streeton Lookout in Freemans Reach on Friday to pay special tribute to the late community advocate.

Mr Miller passed away in March 2021. Friday’s tribute was an opportunity for Council to honour Mr Miller with a plaque at one of his favourite locations in the Hawkesbury.

Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon led the tributes, describing Mr Miller as an incredible family man who was passionate about his community and driving positive change for others.

“John was held in high esteem by the community, passionate in promoting the Hawkesbury’s agriculture, heritage and tourism, an advocate for local aged and dementia care, and was a driving force in raising flood awareness and the need for improved flood infrastructure,” she said.

“John left an indelible mark on our city and all those who knew him. He is greatly missed.”

Among Mr Miler’s many achievements, he was:

- Recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018 “For service to the community of the Hawkesbury”

- A member of Council’s Floodplain Risk Management Committee and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Flood Mitigation Action Committee

- Member of Council’s Advisory Committees relating to Heritage and Flood Mitigation

- Member of many community organisations including the Hawkesbury Historical Society, Hawkesbury Family History Group

- Chief Warden of the State Emergency Service (Hawkesbury)

- Named Champion of the West 2018

- Ambassador for the Hawkesbury 1997

- Recipient of a Cultural Heritage Award in 2013

- General Manager of the Australian Mushroom Growers Association

- Author of Reminiscences of a Fun’gi - a history of the local mushroom industry

- Author of Sister Julia Bligh Johnston RRC and her Australian Army Nursing Sisters: a Hawkesbury angel of mercy

- Curatorium for Hawkesbury Regional Gallery’s inaugural exhibition – Agri/culture – in 2005

- Founding member of the Parramatta Leagues Club

- Rugby League referee

- Proprietor of a successful guided heritage and ghost tour business in the Hawkesbury.