Former Murray Bridge mayor Brenton Lewis remembered as positive force in community

A former Murray Bridge community leader has died after losing a long health battle, but not before one final horse race at the new track he championed.

Brenton Lewis has been remembered after he lost his battle with cancer at 77 years old. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

Former Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis OAM has died after a five-year battle with cancer.

The 77-year-old, who spent eight years as mayor until he chose not to run in 2022 due to ill health, lost his life on Tuesday November 26.

He’s been remembered as extremely energetic, passionate about the community and enthusiastic.

Current mayor of Murray Bridge Wayne Thorley said Mr Lewis would be remembered as “a really positive force within our community”.

Brenton Lewis had a motto — to make Murray Bridge “proud, safe and progressive”. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Having known each other since they were teenagers, Mr Thorley, who was Mr Lewis’ deputy Mayor, said he looked at Mr Lewis as a mentor.

“Brenton was the one who encouraged me to put my hand up to become mayor,” he said.

“He always saw the positive in everything he did.

“I never saw him get upset or angry with anybody or anything … he’s always spoken his mind and been honest with people … he had a good manner when it came to dealing with people.”

Mr Lewis was involved in the Murray Bridge Racing Club as well as a range of businesses before joining local government.

Mr Thorley said the last time the two spoke was at the Murray Bridge Gold Cup, a month ago — which took place at the new racecourse at Murray Bridge that Mr Lewis championed.

“He (Mr Lewis) was there for that cup — which is really fantastic — that was the last cup for him,” Mr Thorley said.

“We were having a chat about life and how Council is going and out enthusiasm to create more growth in Murray Bridge.

“When Brenton was mayor … he had this motto …‘proud, safe, progressive’ and that’s what he wanted Murray Bridge to be and he worked very diligently towards it.”

While Brenton was always a community member he cared deeply about his family.

The current mayor said Mr Lewis made the local community “feel proud to be in Murray Bridge”.

“Murray Bridge is very much a blue collar community,” Mr Thorley said.

“It’s hard working and it’s very proud of its migrant background … instilling that pride about being hard working, strong community, which is why community focus was really important (to Mr Lewis).”

Mr Thorley said Mr Lewis was not only a great community member but also that he loved his family, including wife Kathy Lewis, who he was married to for 53 years.

“He used to tell us how proud he was of them,” he said.

“He was also a person who was passionate about not only the racing industry but sport.”

Brenton Lewis was born on August 22, 1947, he died on November 26, 2024.

He was 77 years old.

His funeral will be held at Murray Bridge Racing Club at 1.30pm on December 11.