Leopold reserve to be officially named in honour of late Fred Cook

A LEOPOLD reserve will be officially named after a keen environmentalist who was instrumental in the revegetation and improvement of community facilities along the Bellarine Rail Trail.

The City of Greater Geelong council voted last week to name the reserve at 97 Christies Road the Fred Cook Reserve, to honour the late Fred Cook OAM.

This comes after the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail proposed to recognise one of its longest serving and most active members.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood welcomed the naming of the Leopold reserve to Fred Cook Reserve, as Mr Cook was a highly respected and dedicated member of our community.

“Mr Cook made a significant contribution to improving our region’s natural environment and the community continues to benefit from the works he carried out on the Bellarine Rail Trail,” he said.

Cr Jim Mason said Fred Cook was very well known because of the social conscience he built, and his understanding of leadership and working within a team.

“He carried all of those things from his early life,” Cr Mason said.

“He had several interests and was very active in a number of areas of the community.

“I got to know Fred through the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail, through Bellarine Landcare and through Bellarine Catchment Network.

“He ran a very efficient team, and everyone had great respect for him.

“He was also a man of great humility who did many things for the environment and for many people.

“Through his humility I imagine he would have preferred to see this reserve named after the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail than himself, but we note that it is the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail who have suggested the reserve be named after him.

“Tonight was a very special night for the Cook family, and we were pleased to make the decision with members of the family present, including his wife Carolyn.”

Mr Cook joined Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail during its establishment in 2002 and worked tirelessly until his death in 2017.

Mr Cook’s hard work led to the establishment of more than 80,000 plants and the coordination of over 20,000 hours of volunteer work by Friends of Bellarine Rail Trail members.

The council asked the community for feedback during February and March this year and received 25 online submissions, all in support of naming the unnamed reserve.