By Derek Schlennstedt
There are few people who have given as much back to the Yarra Ranges community as veteran Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox.
The enduring Councillor of Yarra Ranges Council was elected to Lilydale Council in 1982 and, except for two years in exile during the amalgamation, has an unbroken record.
That record has earned him the title of Yarra Ranges longest-serving Councillor, and to recognise that contribution he was honoured on Australia Day with an OAM for service to local government, and to the community of the Yarra Ranges.
Serving 35 years as a councillor, and being elected to mayor six times, Mr Cox is highly regarded in local government circles, and is remembered for guiding the Yarra Ranges through its worst disaster – the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Reflecting on his long tenure at Council Mr Cox said he never intended to remain at local council for long.
“I first got elected in 1982 with Lilydale Council and I actually ran that election only planning to stay three years … I was never intending to stay any longer than that,” he said.
“I didn’t like what Lilydale council had been doing at the time and probably a little bit egotistical I thought I could make it better.
“I was going to fix everything and leave … I was very naïve then,” he joked.
While he conceded he may not have fixed ‘everything’, there is no question that Cr Cox has certainly given it his best shot, and there’s a long list of successful projects that he’s been at the helm of throughout his time at Council.
Having always worked hard to incite positive change within the broader community he said he’s passion has always been the conservation of the environment, and to help people.
“It sounds a little bit presumptuous but you have the ability to help people, and you’ve got the ability also to make things better for a whole community,” he said.
“I guess my driving force is I still enjoy helping people and I still get a lot of phone calls from residents, which I really like.”
Over 35 years, and his passion for the community has never wavered and although being in his early 80’s there are no signs of slowing down.
“My interest in community issues and local government has never waned and it might sound ridiculous but it’s just as strong now after 35 years as it’s ever been.”
