Cairns Regional Council cancels name change of pavilion at Norman Park in Gordonvale

Cairns Regional Council has been left with egg on its face after a well-intentioned proposal to rename a Gordonvale park’s pavilion in honour of a ‘community leader’ was swiftly cancelled.

Cairns Regional Council proposed to name the pavilion at Gordonvale’s Norman Park after the late Stan Marsh, but that proposal has now been dropped. Picture: File photos

Cairns Regional Council has been left with egg on its face after a well-intentioned proposal to rename a Gordonvale park’s pavilion in honour of a “community leader” was swiftly cancelled.

On Friday the council proposed the pavilion at Norman Park be named in honour of 24-year Mulgrave Shire councillor Stan Marsh and was seeking community feedback.

Stan Marsh finished his tenure at Mulgrave Shire Council as deputy chairman and remained a staunch advocate for his community until his death on August 14, 2021, aged 84.

But on Monday the Mulgrave Shire Historical Society reminded council the pavilion had already been named, almost 30 years ago.

The structure was built in 1994 and named the Richard and Sarah Blackwell Performance Pavilion.

A council spokesman said the council was unaware of the existing name and the consultation process had been ceased.

“The project, undertaken by the Friends of Gordonvale, was dedicated to the pioneering family, who paved the way for the establishment of Gordonvale,” the spokesman said.

“The council apologises for any inconvenience.”

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said Mr Marsh had a historic connection to Norman Park.

“Stan was instrumental in having a grassy mound constructed at Norman Park, where the pavilion now stands,” Mr Moller said.

“It was a place for people to sit and enjoy the activities at the park.

Stan Marsh (right), pictured here with Pyramid Residential Care Centre Chair Paul Gregory and former trustees Ray Hickling and Kevin Murgatroyd, was the founding secretary of Pyramid Residential Care Centre. Picture: Stewart McLean

“Given Stan’s undeniable impact and service to Gordonvale … this proposal needs to be given appropriate consideration, and it is only right that the community has the opportunity to provide feedback.”

Mr Moller described Mr Marsh as an esteemed member of the Gordonvale community.

“(His) legacy is etched in the many roles he played to enhance the Gordonvale community,” he said.

“Stan played pivotal roles in healthcare, emergency services, and community development.

“His impact spanned multiple sectors, from youth and elderly care to public service and the local economy.”

Mr Marsh was actively involved with many community groups, including: Catholic Youth Movement, New Moon Theatre Company, Gordonvale Turf Club, and local emergency services.

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller described Mr Marsh as a devoted member of the Cairns community. Picture: Brendan Radke

He was also a board member of Cairns Private Hospital and Cairns Port Authority.

In the 1980s Mr Marsh was the founding secretary of the Pyramid Residential Care Centre, where he resided in the later years of his life.

He remained actively invested in the longevity and financial wellbeing of the care centre until his death; in 2020, while living at the centre, Mr Marsh spoke out against “shifting compliance goalposts” imposed by the federal government and called for funding assistance from the government to prevent the standards of care at the centre from being jeopardised.

Mr Marsh’s life was not, however, without any moment of controversy.

In 1987, 12 years after homosexual acts had begun to be legalised in Australia, Mr Marsh, a National Party member, clashed with Far Northern gay rights campaigners and infamously moved that the council “write to the ministers of justice and health asking for the rules on homosexuality, poofs, be tightened so they know it’s repugnant and unnatural”.

“If you got a well meaning nymphomaniac and locked her up for a week with these blokes, they’d come out agreeing the natural way is better,” he continued.

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council cancels name change of pavilion at Norman Park in Gordonvale