Ray Cox has been remembered with the naming of a viewing deck on Curl Curl Lagoon fittingly after his tremendous efforts to rehabilitate the waterway among many local causes he championed over many years.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the late Mr Cox was an outstanding community member.
“Mr Cox’s tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on our community. In naming this deck we honour his selfless commitment to our community. This area will now serve as a reminder of the power and impact one individual can make on the lives of so many,” Mayor Heins said.
“As a long-standing committee member and founding life member of the Curl Curl Lagoon Friends Inc. Mr. Cox was instrumental in spending countless hours tending to the ongoing rehabilitation of Curl Curl Lagoon and nearby bushland at Alan Newton Reserve, Stirgess Reserve and Greendale Creek.
“He was also a member of the Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee advocating for the heritage listing and ongoing conservation of Manly Dam as a place of tranquillity and as a war memorial.”
In addition to his commitment to the environment, Mr Cox was an advocate for many social justice issues including Community Aid Abroad, now known as Oxfam, and establishing a local Walk Against Want event on the Northern Beaches. He was very passionate about advocating for First Nations people and supported ANTAR (Australians for Native title and Reconciliation) through their Sea of Hands days.
Mr Cox’s daughter Deborah said her dad is remembered for championing local causes, volunteering, inspiring and mentoring others and for his generosity.
“Dad was a wonderful example of how people can continue to contribute to remain involved, relevant and a source of great wisdom as they get older. He was a mentor and confidant to many younger people he knew and of course to us who were lucky enough to be his family.
“Other things Dad did that have left an indelible impact on us are his kindness, his willingness to always make time for people, and treat everyone the same regardless of their social standing. And while I could go on and on, I think something dad exemplified was a commitment to contribute to the greater good of our society.
“Dad was very involved but he understood not everyone has the time, means or desire to volunteer or get directly involved in a particular cause but he always impressed on everyone that we all have power through the political system when we vote, or the economy with the purchase decisions we make, or how we interact with each other every day, to make the world a better place for all. Dad was a great believer in the power of the collective. He was always very aware of the power and responsibility we each have as individuals to impact the world.
“He'd be so humbled and deeply chuffed knowing a viewing deck overlooking the water and lagoon that he thought was so special and precious was named after him.”
His legacy is reflected in the many people that he inspired to get involved and who continue to care for our local environment and our Northern Beaches community.
The naming proposal was supported by the Cox family and Curl Curl Lagoon Friends.
An interpretive sign has been installed at the viewing deck while a memorial bench seat has been installed at the Stirgess Reserve Garden at John Fisher Park at the request of Mr Cox’s family.