Janelle Smith is surrounded by family members after the unveiling of the bench in memory of her late husband, Mark

November 8, 2022

A large crowd gathered in Murgon’s QEII Park on Saturday morning for an emotional ceremony to honour a well-loved Murgon businessman who died of cancer in May.

Mark Smith was very active in the local community and was always generous in supporting local causes.

His legacy will now be remembered thanks to a large steel bench commissioned by community members.

The bench, believed to have cost about $6000, has been laser-etched with Mark’s details and portrait and mounted on the Lamb Street footpath outside the shop which still bears his name.

It was paid for by community members and the Murgon Business and Development Association.

Local councillor Kathy Duff said it was a testimony to Mark’s legacy to see so many people turn out on Saturday to honour him.

She said the bench would be a reminder forever “of the wonderful person (he was) and the love the community has” for Mark.

MBDA president Leo Geraghty said Mark was “so much a part of the community”.

“He was the president of the Murgon football club, he was president of the golf club, he was president of the MBDA … he was in everything!” Leo said.

He said Mark was a champion to the community and to his family, and would be sadly missed.

Janelle, centre, and Mark’s children Kelsey, Jeremy and Lauren and brother Neil unveil the new park bench
First to try out the new bench were four of Mark’s five grandchildren … Onah, Indi and Xavier Smith, from Cooktown; and Jake Victorson, Emerald
Local councillor Kathy Duff compered the ceremony
Murgon Business and Development Association president Leo Geraghty shared memories of Mark
Mark’s son Jeremy thanked the large crowd for coming along to the ceremony
Mark’s brother Neil gets a hug from a well-wisher at the ceremony
The large crowd which gathered for the unveiling posed for a group photograph afterwards
After the bench was carried across Lamb Street, Murgon newsagent John Robinson and Mark’s son Jeremy bolted it to the footpath outside Mark Smith’s Menswear
The new bench is made of steel and features a laser etched portrait of Mark

 

One Response to "Mark’s Memory Will Live On"

  1. Well done to everyone involved in this terrific tribute. Having the first people to sit on the seat being four of Mark’s five grandchildren was a lovely touch. Great story and photos.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.