Former Mayor of Murray Bridge Brenton Lewis OAM has died following a five-year battle with cancer.
His family has made the news public overnight following his death at the age of 77 last Tuesday the 26th of November 2024.
Brenton’s wife of 53-years, Kathy Lewis, told Murray Bridge News that she would remember his determination to achieve the best he could for himself, his family and his community.
“He had a very high work ethic, and he worked very hard at whatever he did,” she told Peri Strathearn.
“What was so strong for me was his courage, his capacity to push through no matter what the challenge was…He’s someone we loved and who we’ll miss.”
Mayor Wayne Thorley tells us it was an honour to follow in the footsteps of Mayor Lewis.
“He instilled in our community a sense of pride and that we should be proud of our community and where we live; it’s a great place. We should have pride in the fact that we’re a blue collar community and of the work we do and where we’re going,” Mayor Thorley said.
During his eight years as Mayor, Brenton Lewis led Council through the Thomas Foods International Fire, the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw rebranding campaigns for Murray Bridge, formed the town pride committee and established Murray Bridge Safe for social issues in the community.
Brenton Lewis told ARN’s Jennie Lenman in November 2022 that it was time to let someone else take the reins while he focused on his health and family.
“Through those eight years we’ve achieved a lot, and I also have a personal view that you get in there, give it your best shot and when the time is right, get out and give somebody else a go and I think that time is about right,” Brenton Lewis said to ARN’s Jennie Lenman.
“Chemo has bought me a lot of time, quality time with my family, with being able to continue as the mayor, being able to get my affairs in order and looking at life through a different lense, which I’ve been able to do daily… I appreciate the life I’ve had.”
Brenton Lewis received an Order of Australia Medal and was named Murray Bridge’s Citizen of the Year in 2023.
The former businessman and project manager with the Murraylands and Riverland Regional Development Board was also a long-time member of Murray Bridge Racing Club and helped to establish the former Murray Bridge Trotting Club in the 1970s. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge for decades.
He is survived by his wife Kathy and their two daughters, Bianca and Kelly.
His funeral will be held at Murray Bridge Racing Club at 1.30pm next Wednesday 11th of December 2024.
