A proposal aims to commemorate the life and service of John Van Peype, a beloved Toorbul community member by naming a local park after him.
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Mr Van Peype, who passed away in 2012, dedicated decades of his life to volunteering for various organisations in the Toorbul area, earning him the reputation as a local hero.
The proposal put forth by Moreton Bay Regional Council would name a park located at 107 The Esplanade in Toorbul as ‘John Van Peype Park’ to honour Mr Van Peype’s volunteer work and advocacy.
Mr Van Peype was one of the founding members of the Toorbul Rural Fire Brigade, the Toorbul & Donnybrook Seniors Club, and the Toorbul Fishing Club. He helped build the Toorbul Community Hall and spent years as a member of the Toorbul Progress Association in the 1970s and 1980s.
“It’s really important we can honour members of the community that have served their local community and naming a park after a great man like John is a small way we can show appreciation,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.
Councillor Brooke Savige, whose division includes Toorbul, agreed that dedicating the park to Mr Van Peype is an appropriate recognition of his service.
“John assisted in raising funds for the community, clubs and the ambulance service. He was also a volunteer with the local fire brigade and gave much of himself for others,” Cr Savige said.
Beyond his volunteer work, Cr Savige noted that Mr Van Peype was also a war veteran, with his name appearing on the local ANZAC Cenotaph that he helped construct.
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Honouring selfless volunteers like John Van Peype is one small way the community can preserve the legacies of its local heroes. The dedication of a park in the area Mr Van Peype loved would be a fitting tribute to his spirit of service.
Featured image credit: Google Street View
Published 22-August-2023
