Former lord mayor and MP Steve Condous honoured at funeral

LONG-SERVING lord mayor and MP Steve Condous was honoured as “an ordinary man who led an extraordinary life” as Adelaide powerbrokers — past and present — flocked to his funeral.

Lord Mayor Steve Condous at the Adelaide Town Hall in February 1992.

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LONG-SERVING lord mayor and MP Steve Condous was honoured as “an ordinary man who led an extraordinary life” as Adelaide powerbrokers — past and present — flocked to his funeral.

Hundreds from the state’s political, business and Greek communities packed Franklin St’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral yesterday to mourn Mr Condous, who served as lord mayor from 1987 to 1993 and was the Liberal MP for the western suburbs seat of Colton from 1993-2002.

Among those present were Premier Steven Marshall, Lord Mayor Martin Haese, former premier and state Liberal president John Olsen, former governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, former Liberal minister Joan Hall and former lord mayors Alfred Huang and Michael Harbison.

Steve Condous’s funeral at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church in Adelaide. Picture: Calum Robertson

Delivering the eulogy, former Labor minister Greg Crafter charted the rise of the son of Greek migrants, who ran a Gouger St continental deli and an Unley wine shop before moving into food manufacturing and property.

He noted that Mr Condous, who died last Friday aged 82, was often referred to as “Lord Mayor of the people”, saying he spent much time in the Adelaide Central Market talking to ordinary people and listening to their stories.

Angela Condous among the mourners at Steve Condous’s funeral. Picture: Calum Robertson

“When he left the council, he held two records — the first for being the longest-serving lord mayor of the City of Adelaide and the first mayor of Greek heritage to be elected to that profession,” said Mr Crafter, who was Mr Condous’s neighbour for 17 years.

“He broke the mould of lord mayors, who had previously come from the board rooms of the city and the professions …”

Mr Crafter said his friend’s love of family — wife Angela and daughter Stacey — was “the source of his greatest joy and satisfaction”.

SA Premier Steven Marshall at Steve Condous’s funeral. Picture: Calum Robertson

“Angela and Steve took the office of Lady Mayoress to a new level of fundraising and support for charities,” Mr Crafter said.

He added Mrs Condous has raised $15 million over the past 25 years as The Advertiser Foundation’s patron.

Mr Condous’s love of the Adelaide Crows, West Torrens Football Club and cricket was repeatedly mentioned, as were his efforts to help young people overcome adversity.