Susan Salter celebrated

A PUBLIC farewell and celebration of life for Cr Susan Salter was held at the Queenscliff Town Hall on Monday this week following her death in March.

Family and friends delivered eulogies about her passion for the region and near decade long service on the Borough of Queenscliffe’s council that included time as mayor.

Paying tribute to his friend and colleague, borough mayor Ross Ebbels noted Cr Salter’s passion for botany and work on restoration of the Queenscliff Avenue of Honour.

“While I am sure Susan would have been delighted to be here to supervise our management of these new trees, her impact has not been lessened by her passing,” Cr Ebbels said.

“In every root, in every branch, in every bud of these trees as they grow and soar towards the sky, there will always be a memory of Susan Salter.”

Cr Salter’s advocacy on environmental issues form a central part of her legacy, Cr Ebbels said, particularly her work in steering the council to its declaration of a climate emergency.

“Among her proudest achievements, Susan was the one to move the motion declaring a climate emergency at the Borough of Queenscliffe, speaking passionately about the need to work together to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time.

“Her leadership in the moment, and her invitation for council and the community to work together in making the borough more sustainable, began the process of developing our Climate Emergency Response Plan.

“This plan has since been recognised nationally as a leading example of cooperative local climate action. The legacy she leaves is a more environmentally conscious borough, and a strong and lasting bond between council and our community.”