Lismore: Former Mayor, community stalwart, Ros Irwin dead at 82

A former Lismore mayor is being remembered as a “trailblazer” and “shining light” for women in local government. Read the tributes here.

Dr Ros Irwin at Lismore Council. Picture: Brian Pamphilon

Lismore’s first female mayor, Ros Irwin is being remembered for her visionary leadership, humanitarianism, political acumen and advocacy for the downtrodden.

Ms Irwin died this week at the age of 82.

She was Lismore City Council Mayor from 1997 to 1999.

After serving 17 years as an independent councillor with council, Ros devoted herself to being a community activist with a priority on coal seam gas CSG, koalas and wildlife.

Former Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell paid tribute to her longstanding colleague and friend.

Former Lismore Mayors: Jenny Dowell, left, Vanessa Ekins, and Ros Irwin. Picture: supplied

“Ros and I shared my first term and her last on council between 2004-2008,” Dowell said.

“I sat beside her in chambers and was in awe of her ability to enter into a debate with passion and logic only to lose the vote and then be on her feet for the next agenda item.

Lismore’s first lady Mayor, Ros Irwin, served from 1997-1999.

“She had a tenacious ability to give it her best shot and not dwell on the loss – but was always ready for the next battle.

“In those days our progressive five councillors were not able to sway the conservative six so we just got used to trying but not succeeding.

“Ros was a strong mentor to Vanessa Ekins and me as new councillors and continued to be there as support after she left council in 2008 and I became Mayor.

“We remained good friends over the years and connected many times in her roles with Friends of the Koala and as an astute observer of council.

Darlene Cook, left, Ros Irwin, Vanessa Ekins, and Elly Bird at the International Women's Day Awards 2021.

Dowell told this publication a month ago the women met for routine CT scans only to find they both had cancer diagnoses.

She said in the weeks up until Ros’s death they were communicating regularly about their results and options.

“She was hopeful of a good prognosis so her death came as a huge shock.

“My heart goes out to Bill, Nicole and all her family,” Dowell said.

Former Lismore councillor and Mayor Vanessa Ekins said she first met Ros when she was the Mayor of Lismore, describing her a “very gracious and intelligent woman”.

“She was my wise mentor in local government and a dear friend. She will be missed by many,” Ekins said.

Former Lismore Mayor Ros Irwin. Picture: Supplied

Friend’s of the Koala (FOK) said Ros was Lismore’s first female mayor and she had enriched the community over the years in “countless ways”.

“We got to know Ros through koalas and on her retirement she and husband, Bill joined Friends of the Koala.

“Ros served as FOK’s President from 2017 until 2020.”

Friends of the Koala Ros Irwin at the opening of the new facility.

Former Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said Ros was an “energetic and enthusiastic leader” who “changed Lismore City Council for the better”.

“She always had the community at heart in her many roles over the past 40 years and she will be missed,” Smith said.

State Member for Lismore and NSW Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast Janelle Saffin praised her late friend Dr Irwin as a trailblazing independent politician who had led her community with intelligence and passion as a councillor and mayor, and most recently, as an occasional commentator on public affairs.

“Ros had a career as a senior public servant, was a respected academic at Southern Cross University, and with her partner Bill, the couple devoted their retirement years to rescuing and caring for koalas,” Ms Saffin said.

“My heart goes out to Bill and family, and her many friends across the Northern Rivers.”

Tributes also flooded social media, where Ros was described as a “wonderful, kind-hearted human”, “a true humanitarian”, “one of Lismore’s best mayors” and a “shining light”.