Ed Casey bridged Mackay

ABOUT 30 people gathered under a tent on the side of a road yesterday to remember a man who left quite a mark on the Mackay region.

ABOUT 30 people gathered under a tent on the side of a road yesterday to remember a man who left quite a mark on the Mackay region.

And without pomp or ceremony, just as he would have wished, his memory was cemented indefinitely in Mackay.

The hospital bridge replacement on the Glenella Connection Road now bears his name and is known as the Edmund Casey Bridge.

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, who helped unveil the new signage yesterday, said he was excited to recognise people like Mr Casey who had made so many contributions to the local community and Queensland.

“Mr Casey was one of the longest-serving state members in Queensland with more than 25 years in parliament, and was instrumental in the deregulation of the sugar industry,” Mr Mulherin said.

“He was the driving force behind much of the development in the Mackay and Whitsunday region and even in retirement he continued to be involved in the local community as chairman of the Mackay Port Authority.”

Mr Mulherin said 2009 marked the 150th anniversary of Queensland’s separation from New South Wales as a colony, and he said the name for the bridge was announced earlier this year in celebration of that birthday.

“The Q150 bridge-naming festivities highlight the integral role that roads and bridges play in building the state’s prosperity and connecting Queenslanders,” he said.

Patrick Casey said his father disliked honours and awards but his family thought this was a fitting tribute.

“We are honoured. Thank you on behalf of the family and the people of Mackay,” Patrick Casey said.

Mackay Mayor Col Meng, who also helped unveil the sign, said Mr Casey deserved to be honoured in this manner.

“Naming of this bridge is certainly worthy of Edmund,” he said.

Former Daily Mercury editor Rod Manning proposed a vote of thanks and Main Roads acting regional director Ian Husband was chairman.

The name for the bridge was recommended by a decision-making panel that was chaired by the Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt.

Originally published as Ed Casey bridged Mackay