By Di Sneddon
Everyone dies but it is always a life that is remembered and what a life John Martin lived.
John Martin, former Singleton Mayor, died on June 5 and has left an impact on the community few could ever dream to achieve. John never dreamed about it; he just did what was needed.
John celebrated his 90th birthday on October 12 last year but even in his final days it was his beloved Singleton that was front of mind.
Born and bred, lived, and loved, John always had Singleton’s best interests at heart and never his own.
John was elected as Mayor of Singleton from 1999 to 2000 and was the first popularly elected mayor in 2012.
He began his local government commitment at the age of 31 and concluded it in 2021 at the age of 86.
John became just the fifth person to receive the highest civic honour Singleton can bestow when he was awarded Freeman of the Shire in 2020 in recognition of his outstanding and exemplary contribution to the Singleton local government area stretching more than 60 years, including life membership of the State Emergency Service, and 50 years as a Councillor.
“He was steadfastly loyal to the people of Singleton right up until his passing and while our community, and indeed the wider Hunter Region is all the poorer for his loss, we have certainly been enriched by his contribution,” said Singleton Mayor Sue Moore on the news of his passing.
John was the long-time Division Controller for the Upper Hunter Division of the SES with an involvement in the organisation stretching over 60 years.
In recognition of his skills and experience in emergency management, he was seconded to provide a leadership role during the 1997 Thredbro landslide disaster as the Second Task Force Commander of SES volunteers among many other SES disaster responses.
John’s experience through the 1955 flood and understanding of the river saw the evolution of the State Emergency Services organisation in New South Wales which he actively contributed towards throughout his life.
In times of flood, John was on call, as was his wife Jan, to respond and read the river, directing emergency responses and just staying awake to protect others.
His commitment to local government and the SES was recognised with an Order of Australia medal in 1994.
But there is more.
John was a member of many committees but not just an attendance name, he was active and involved.
Singleton Tidy Towns membership saw John contribute to the town winning two State Tidy Towns Awards.
John was a foundation member of Ourcare Services Ltd. supporting frail, aged and disabled members of the community to live independently in their own home.
He, along with Jan and a couple of other friends established the concept of Meals on Wheels in the community because they could see the need. Jan and John spent many a Christmas Day delivering hot meals and friendship to people often not sitting down together until after 3pm for their own Christmas lunch.
Concerned about the sustainability of Singleton Hospital, he and others formed the Singleton Hospital Community Trust to ensure health services remained strong in the town.
John was patron of the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal for many years.
All this on top of his council obligations and a full time job at Gould Bros but that is an entirely other story that saw John and Jan team up together at work to ensure the success of the business.
Just think about this. John put his hand up to be a councillor when he was just 31, every four years he put his hand up again and was the strong, considered, steady voice of Singleton until he was 86.
Whenever the Hunter was threatened by flood, John would just look at the river, call a few people upstream and make a judgement, all without the computerised information they have now and he was never wrong.
He was a strong conversationalist and always lightened the mood with a solid sense of humour.
Singleton and the broader community have lost a man who did so very much for everyone else and will be sadly missed by his family and friends and the organisations that benefitted so very much from his experience, his comments and his considered opinion.
John is now with his beloved Jan and on behalf of the community, we say a sincere thank you for a life very well lived that has contributed to a better home for us all.
