Malcolm Brooks: Mourners farewell former Gosford MP, veteran councillor who died, aged 90
Mourners have gathered at a private service to pay their respects to former Gosford state MP and mayor Malcolm Brooks who died on June 19, aged 90.
Central Coast
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Former Gosford state Liberal MP and mayor Malcolm Harold Brooks, OAM, was remembered today at a private gravesite service at Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park.
Born on June 16, 1930, Mr Brooks celebrated his 90th birthday just three days before his death and remained outspoken and passionate about the Central Coast right to the end.
The son of citrus farmers at Springfield, Mr Brooks bought Regal Motors in Gosford with his father and became a rally car driver competing in Ampol and Redex Trials.
A member of the Liberal party Mr Brooks was elected Gosford MP from 1973-76 before moving into local government where he spent more than 20 years as an alderman and councillor on the former Gosford Shire Council and Gosford City Council.
He also served terms as Shire President and Mayor.
Mr Brooks married his wife Tricia in 1954 and in 1980 the couple got their pilot’s licence.
Mr Brooks was a member of Gosford Rotary and Apex clubs, a longtime chairman of the Motor Traders Association and founding commodore of Gosford Aquatic Club.
As a councillor Mr Brooks wanted to cap the local population because he felt the region’s infrastructure could not cope and was against high-rise development in Gosford.
Mr Brooks helped establish the Regional Gallery and Japanese Gardens at East Gosford and was committed to the Sister City program with Edogawa in Japan.
He also played a key role in the creation of a network of bushland reserves as part of the Coastal Open Space System.
He was also responsible for turning Kibble Park from a dusty car park into a green heart for the city.
After a failed bid to run as an independent councillor in 2008, Mr Brooks remained a driving force to establish a regional performing arts centre at Gosford.
At last week’s meeting Central Coast Councillors acknowledged Mr Books’ contribution with a minute’s silence.
He is survived by his wife Tricia, three sons and daughters-in-law Darryl and Debbie, Evan and Lyn, and Leon and Denise, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.