David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Harper Lee, Nancy Reagan, Gene Wilder, Leonard Cohen, Fidel Castro, Carrie Fisher and Anna Glover (among many others).
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You can’t help but think there’s an extraordinary conversation taking place on a different plane right now!
The year 2016 was, for many, one filled with tragedy upon tragedy as news reports of the deaths of celebrities and other notables seemed to arrive with relentless regularity.
While Bowie, Prince and George Michael saw headlines across the world, it was closer to home in the Bega Valley where the community was hit hardest as we learnt of the death of Anna Glover just days before Christmas.
The contribution of Anna to Bega and district can not be overstated. Through 21 years at the helm of the Bega District News (1987-2008), then a further nine nestled within the Bega Valley Shire Council media team, Anna continually worked for, and on behalf of, her community.
As the tributes and obituary in today’s paper clearly show, Anna had much of which to be proud in Bega – and in return, Bega has much for which to be thankful to her. (I trust that grammar is to you liking Anna!)
The South East Regional Hospital, the annual Bega Showjumping Cup, University of Wollongong campus and its nursing and teacher courses, Bega Bypass – all of which, and more, Anna was a critical element in bringing them to fruition. And that was on top of bringing out the papers every week.
There was also her undeniable personal touch, with countless Bega people past and present attributing who they are now in some way to Anna’s guidance.
At her service this week, Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly said Anna had early on made it very clear what she expected of him as a member, while council general manager Leanne Barnes said she was respected and loved by everyone in the organisation.
Leanne also shared the recollection of seeing a twinkle in Anna’s eye when there was a thought council would never appoint a female general manager. She said Anna was first in line to congratulate her once it came to pass.
In my own tribute at Anna’s service I said death may make news, but it’s the celebration of life and community that makes a newspaper. We should all be celebrating Anna Glover’s life and invaluable contribution to this community. Ben Smyth
- OBITUARY, TRIBUTES, Page 11