Brian Green: Passionate northern beaches advocate who pushed for coastal walks, national park, local theatre, has died

In his 20 years on council — with five years as mayor — schoolteacher Brian Green became an ardent advocate for the northern beaches. He has died, aged 86.

Brian Green and his wife Helen pictured at their Curl Curl home in 2008. Mr Green was a popular and passionate advocate for the northern beaches during his time on Warringah Council. He died last week. Picture: Ros Cannon

A former mayor whose love of the northern beaches has left a legacy that includes spectacular coastal walks, a new national park and a popular community theatre, has died.

Brian Green, who served on the old Warringah council for two decades, is also remembered as a man who was “always on speaking terms with everyone”, even his political foes.

Mr Green, a former PE teacher and university lecturer who lived on the Beaches his whole life, died last week after a short illness. He was 86.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan (left) at the naming ceremony of a headland lookout at Curl Curl named in honour of former Warringah mayor Brian Green on Friday. Cr Regan was with Mr Green's wife Helen, sons Nicholas, Martin and Timothy and their daughter, Sarah. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

The popular councillor, who first ran for office as an endorsed Labor candidate, served five years as shire president and mayor of Warringah . He died just two days before the official naming of a beautiful lookout over the southern end of Curl Curl Beach, in his honour.

The Brian Green Lookout at South Curl Curl, named after former Warringah Shire President and Mayor, Brian Green. Picture: Pat Daley

Mr Green lived much of his life, with his wife Helen and their children, just minutes away from the headland.

Friend and former council colleague Tom Webster, who was the Labor MP for Wakehurst from 1978 to 1984, said on Monday that the beautiful coastal walkways locals now enjoy were Mr Green’s “baby”.

The work to link the separate paths, between Manly and Palm Beach, was his idea, Mr Webster said.

Warringah Shire councillor Brian Green (left) and a member of the Rotary Club of Pittwater planting vegetation along the Bicentennial Coastal Walk and Wetlands in 1988. Picture: Northern Beaches Council Library

He also wanted to remind locals that Mr Green played a key role in negotiating a land swap as part of an agreement with developers who wanted to build on environmentally sensitive land at Belrose.

“This resulted in 920 hectares of land a company owned on the northern side of Forest Way being dedicated as national park. It became the core of what became Garigal National Park.”

Mr Webster said his friend was also instrumental in the setting up, and the ongoing operation, of the council-owned Glen Street Theatre at Belrose.

Brian Green was a great supporter of surf life saving. Picture: Nicole Emanuel

“He had a great talent for organising and bringing people together. I learned more about politics from Brian than anyone else I ever knew.

“Brian had a knack of judging people, what drove them.

“He never considered someone as an eternal enemy. His enemy one day could be an ally the next.

Brian Green loved the northern beaches. Picture: Martin Lange

“Brian always made sure he was on speaking terms with everyone. He could get things done by talking to a wide range of people."

Mr Green’s other community achievements included being named, in 1995, the Paul Harris Rotary International Fellow for his tireless work with the volunteer community organisation.

Brian Green speaking at Governor Phillip Lookout, Beacon Hill on Australia Day, 1988. Picture: Northern Beaches Council Library

Brian Green (centre) at an Anzac Day Ceremony, Warringah Shire Council chambers, in 1992. Picture: Northern Beaches Council Library.

He also received a 50-year long service award for service to the Australian Surf Lifesaving Association, from Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club.

In 2002, Mr Green was awarded the title of ‘Emeritus Mayor’ of Warringah.

He also played a large part in pushing for measures to prevent businesses in the Brookvale industrial estate dumping toxic waste into Curl Curl Lagoon.

Current Northern beaches mayor Micahel Regan, who was at the headland lookout naming ceremony last Friday, said he was incredibly saddened to hear of Mr Green’s death.

Professional surfers Pam Burridge and Barton Lynch with Warringah Shire President Brian Green at a reception in 1991 for the competitors in the Coca Cola Bottlers Surf Classic held at North Narrabeen Beach. Picture: Northern Beaches Council Library

“He made a wonderful contribution to our community, and we will forever be in debt to him.

“He will be remembered for his commitment to council over the years he served as a councillor, deputy and shire president and mayor.

“We thank him for the initiation and delivery of projects and programs that significantly benefited our community like Glen Street Theatre, the Coastal Environment Centre (at North Narrabeen) and the Northern Beaches Bicentennial Coastal Walk.”

The then NSW Premier Nick Greiner (right) and Warringah Shire President Brian Green at the opening of the Coastal Environment Centre at North Narrabeen in 1991. Picture: Northern Beaches Council Library

Mr Green, who the patron of Warringah Golf Club at Manly Vale, was of great assistance during the club’s battle to fight off moves to reduce it to a 9-hole course to create more football fields.

Club president Scott Campbell, credits him with using his contacts to lobby on the club’s behalf.

“Like many I came to look on him as more than a Patron of the Club but as a good friend.”