Desmond Allan (Des) Freeman (1925-2020)

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GenderMaleLife Story

Hon Shayne Neumann MP Statement to Parliament of Australia, 2021.

In December last year, Ipswich lost one of its greatest leaders. Former mayor Des Freeman passed away at the age of 95. He lived with his wife Colleen in East Ipswich for many decades. Des was a life member of the Australian Labor Party, having joined it in 1961. He served as Ipswich's mayor from 1979 to 1991. He received an Order of Australia for his services to local government and the community. Des left school at the age of 13 to work on the family dairy farm in Tallegalla. He ended up working in a local coalmine because the pay was better, and for 40 years he served as a union rep and worked for better conditions for workers and their families. He served on the local ambulance and fire brigade boards and chaired the local health authority.

Both Des and Colleen have been community minded and, motivated by their Catholic faith, committed their lives to the service of others. Beloved and deeply respected, they were a formidable leadership team in Ipswich. They were married for 65 years. Des's time in Ipswich is to be remembered. He oversaw major transformations—huge investments in sewerage, water infrastructure and flood recovery—and he transformed the Ipswich CBD. Des never forgot his roots. He was a true believer, a man of integrity and determination, a mentor to many and a hero to me. His legacy lives on. My sincere condolences to Colleen and family. Vale Des Freeman.

References (online)Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives on 3 February 2021, Mr. Neumann

Images - Queensland Times

Ipswich 150th anniversary council meeting, Ipswich Civic Centre, April 2010

Des Freeman, Colleen Freeman and Frank Peace at the Golden Years Concert, Ipswich, February 2003

Beryl Wells receiving a gift from Mayor Desmond Freeman, Ipswich, September 1980

Mayor Des Freeman presenting Air Commodore Ian Michael Westmore with an award, Ipswich, February 1985

Darren Harkins, Mayor Desmond Freeman, David Hamill, thought to be Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Darren Grogan, and Bill Hayden commemorating the 'HMAS Ipswich' receiving the 'Freedom of Entry to the City', Ipswich, January 1986

Sailor from the 'HMAS Ipswich' holding the 'Freedom of Entry to the City' deed, Ipswich, January 1986

Ipswich City Council Chambers in session, Ipswich, January 1978

Bill Hayden and Desmond Freeman with others at unidentified building site, Ipswich, July 1985

Crowd attending the Opening Ceremony of the Ipswich City Mall, Ipswich, August 1987

Mayor Freeman with plaque at the opening of the Ipswich City Mall, Ipswich, August 1987

Mayor Freeman with Quest Entrant in crowd around trumpeter from Ipswich Vice-Regal Model Band, Ipswich Colour Festival, Ipswich, August 1980

Images

Council of the City of Ipswich, 1973-1976

Council of the City of Ipswich, 1982-1985 (with inserts)

Council of the City of Ipswich, 1979-1982

Council of the City of Ipswich, 1976-1979

Images - Whitehead Studio