By JESSE GRAHAM
GARY Cooper was a man embedded in his community.
Born in Albury on 15 March 1942, Mr Cooper grew up on a dairy farm in Tawonga before training as an electrical engineer and undertaking a diploma of teaching.
Mr Cooper came to the Yarra Valley in 1974 to teach at Lilydale Tech and was a resident of Yarra Glen before moving to Chirnside Park and, finally, to Lilydale.
His work in the community was extensive and he represented his community as a councillor in the former Shire of Healesville for seven years, including a term as Shire President.
He campaigned for Yarra Glen, Christmas Hills, Dixon’s Creek and Steels Creek in the West Riding Ward.
His wife, Lesley Cooper, said that he was involved heavily in the Yarra Glen community, and was a part of groups such as the Lions Club, bowling club, primary school council, tennis club and many others.
He played a role in the establishment of Healesville’s Don Road Sporting Complex, along with campaigning for better water prices in the area.
His impact on the community is marked in Yarra Glen with the naming of the Gary Cooper Pavilion in McKenzie Reserve.
Mrs Cooper said she met Gary in 1969 when they were both teaching in Bendigo.
Outside of work, Mrs Cooper said Gary was sociable, friendly, and politically minded.
“He enjoyed the company of other people – he was very outgoing,” she said.
“He was non-judgemental and treated everyone the same.”
Mrs Cooper said that through his recent battle with cancer Gary often kept his morale high by telling stories and making jokes – even to the nurses and doctors in hospital.
Gary Cooper died on 5 August, aged 72.
As a testament to his impact on the community, more than 300 people attended his memorial service at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre in Yarra Glen.
His family also attended a private cremation ceremony at Lilydale Memorial Park.
Mr Cooper is survived by his wife, Lesley, his family, Ben and Chrisa, Sarah and Richard and grandchildren Chloe, Alyssa, Oliver and Tessa.
