Former Mayor and Councillor of Glamorgan Spring Bay, Monsieur Bertrand Cadart was today bid a very fond and emotional farewell at the East Coast Heritage Museum in Swansea. Bertrand was honoured for his service and dedication to the communities of Glamorgan Spring Bay.
Around 100 people attended a farewell reception, which involved the launch of a special exhibition in Bertrand’s honour featuring a number of artefacts from the 1979 film Mad Max in which Bertrand played the role of Clunk and built all of the motorcycles for the film.
As one final surprise the flamboyant Frenchman donated his infamous Mayoral scooter to the museum at the event. This will remain as a permanent display and quirky reminder of Glamorgan Spring Bay’s interesting French Mayor.
Bertrand served on Glamorgan Spring Bay Council for 12 years, with a large part of this time as Mayor. During that time, his dedication to the community and his commitment to his Council duties were exemplary. His love of the East Coast of Tasmania shone through and resulted in media attention for the region both nationally and internationally.
Ruth Dowty, CEO of East Coast Tourism said:
“There were many years of patient and tenacious effort from Bertrand to further tourism on the East Coast – and look at where we are now, due in no small part to Bertrand’s tireless commitment. No other region in the state is growing as fast as the East Coast –that’s what happens when leaders like Bertrand work tirelessly for years and develop the groundswell of support across the community.”
In September 2017, Monsieur Bertrand Cadart was forced to resign as a Councillor from Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (GSBC) due to illness and has since been living in Queensland receiving treatment for leukemia.
A very emotional Bertrand said: “I cannot express how much I miss Bicheno and the East Coast of Tasmania and I truly believe I spent the best years of my life here.”
Senator Eric Abetz in his speech today said:
“When I first met Bertrand I very quickly became fond of him and believe he not only put the East Coast of Tasmania on the map of Tasmania and Australia but the world.”
And in the ultimate compliment, Mayor Michael Kent said:
“As Mayor if I can achieve half as much as Bertrand did, I will be a very happy man.”
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
