Vale Cr Rod Fyffe OAM

My condolences to the Fyffe family on the passing of our great friend, Rod.
Rod and I started in Local Government in 1983 - Rod elected as a Councillor for the City of Bendigo and I started as a Junior Clerk at the Borough of Eaglehawk. Little did we know at the time that we would share many years working together at Greater Bendigo Council and in the Region.
I will be forever grateful for the support and guidance that Rod has provided to me - no matter what the circumstances, whether we agreed or disagreed, Rod was always about the people and always looking out for me, he was such a caring person.
He is probably the 'easiest' Mayor to work with due to his expansive knowledge and knowing so many people. He didn't need to be briefed very often and did things his way, but I always knew that he would be on the right page and doing what he thought was best for the community.
I will always remember the 'hello worker' acknowledgement and his amazing support for me as a CEO at Greater Bendigo. Many people didn't see the effort and work that Rod did behind the scenes to support Councillors, staff and people in the community - a true gift.
Rest in peace Rod, your work is complete and your contribution will be forever remembered.

There has been one constant presence ever since many councils merged to become the City of Greater Bendigo. That was Cr Rod Fyffe OAM.
In many ways, it is an end of an era. And it’s yet to sink in that we have a Greater Bendigo without Rod. But with certainty, Greater Bendigo would not be what it is today without him.
Our politics were different, but there will always be the highest levels of respect for an incredibly decent man.
A teacher, a councillor, the Mayor with the Hair. A North Melbourne supporter and Golden Square through and through.
I first met Rod in 2019 when we were both rostered on canteen duty at Golden Square. I was met with a modest presence, a quick wave, and the famous greeting ‘G’day Worker.’
Among everything that Rod was, and what everyone knew Rod to be, he was very generous with his time, sharing his wisdom, and always cared deeply for others and his community. Like many who met with Rod, we shared plenty of conversations over too many cups of coffee, particularly at Indulge (otherwise known as Rod’s office).
For any councillor who has served with Rod may consider it to be an honour. But the greater honour and privilege will be to say that I knew him.
My thoughts are with Victoria and Rod’s family, his close friends and those who knew Rod personally, and to everyone who will enjoy the best of the community we share, one that Rod shaped.
Vale Cr Rod Fyffe. May he rest in peace.

Thank you Rod for all you have given to our community. A commitment you loved doing almost as much as your family. Councillor Rodney J Fyffe OAM, a true champion of the people. It has been a privilege to learn from you and work with you. You have served your time; never defeated in an election doing what you loved!
My family and I pass on our sincere condolences to Victoria, Paul, Frankie and families and to Rod’s siblings also; thank you for sharing Rod with us all. Rest easy my dear friend, you did it your way, Councillor Fyffe right to the end!

Vale Cr. Rod Fyffe. What an amazing legacy you leave after a life dedicated to our community. I have had the pleasure of sharing your passion for Libraries on the GLC board and as. Director sharing chocolate over the briefing room table the past 2 years. Thank you for your warm welcome, care, passion and support. May there be much coffee, chocolate and a Polly waffle waiting for you. Deepest sympathies to Rod’s family on the loss of a great man.

The Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee wishes to acknowledge the amazing contribution Cr Rod Fyffe OAM made not only to the City of Greater Bendigo as a Councillor for 35 years but as a leader in the Loddon Mallee Region. He was a passionate advocate for regional Victoria and matters important to the regions and he worked closely with the RDA to deliver on priorities to improve our region. Loddon Mallee RDA extends our deepest sympathies to Rods family and we thank Rod for his service.

Rod was a wonderful, generous and enthusiastic supporter of the arts in Bendigo, one of the many reasons he was at the centre of Bendigo's beating heart. An incredible man who will be very much missed.

Rod has been part of my working life for 30 years and was always an easy going bloke who would gently push toward collaboration rather than conflict and was always community minded.

He was an unconditional supporter of the public library service and had been on the Library Board, often as Chair, here at Goldfields Libraries since 2006.

I'll miss not picking up the phone and hearing "Hello Worker!" at the other end. A wonderful personality of Bendigo, always up for anything.

My condolences to Victoria and family

A generous and inspiring man who lived life with warmth and passion for the Bendigo community. Lover of history, art and culture and generous supporter of contemporary artists and the Bendigo Art Gallery through gifts, leadership, support of projects and initiatives and presence at all the events. Always stopped for a chat and showed a keen interest in whatever exhibition or project one was working on. Rest in peace and thank you for the legacy you have left with your ongoing support of the growth of the gallery and so many wonderful artworks for visitors to enjoy into the future.

Farewell Rod. You truly were a good and faithful and generous servant of our community for so many years. To bump into you down the street was always a joy. Your friendly greeting, big smile and listening ear were your hallmarks. You will be so very sadly missed. Our deepest sympathy to Victoria and your family.

He was a man with all the hair and well respected RIP Rod our condolences to family our thoughts are with you

Condolences to Rod's family on his passing.
Rod was a good friend, listener, supporter and stalwart of our community.
I've put him in some precarious places in the name of publicity and he was always a terrific sport.
Sadly missed and remembered forever.

Rod made you feel as if "the city" had a heart. His gift for remembering people's names was remarkable, and whether you saw him in the street or at the Gallery or elsewhere, he'd greet you and connect. If you'd voiced a concern, he'd give you feedback. He'll be sadly missed.
Our condolences to the family, and our thanks for all the time he spent away from home, making Bendigo a happier place!

Dear family of Rod. Such a kind and generous man whose enthusiasm for the arts will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to you all.

Profoundly saddened by the news of Rod's passing. He was a great support to my family and the Baha'i Community of Greater Bendigo. Was and inclusive man with a golden heart; just feel heartbroken, we express our prayers and kind thoughts to his family and friends.

My sincere condolences to Rod Fyffe's family on his passing. He always had a smile and a hello, if you saw him on the street. He taught my daughter at Senior Secondary and she really enjoyed his classes. She was sorry to learn of his passing.

A kind and friendly soul you will be sadly missed by many.

Dear rod was a pleasure to meet you at the rocio Spanish festival in Heathcote
You was so happy to be with us and have the paella and other Spanish food Im sure everyone going to miss you may you rest in peace my condolences to all your family and friends

No matter where you were, if Rod was there and you said hello, he would gladly talk to you, ask you how your day was, if you were intending to do anything the coming weekend in this beautiful town of ours.. let you know what was coming up, he was just a lovely man of the people. That’s what I will Remember this great man as. “The Man of the People” He will be remembered and it’s also loss to this great city of Bendigo. Thank you for your wonderful service for all those years. Condolences to his family and friends.

Rod taught me at Bendigo senior back in 1978 and amazingly never forgot me and always greeted me with his friendly enthusiasm and interest as he did with everyone. His energy, positivity, friendship and hard work have benefited everyone he knew and made Bendigo a much better place for all. He will be missed.

The best and greatest mayor and community work i have ever known. Thank you also for the ways you made changes through council to major projects ans got them done . also was a pleasure to speak to you or have a chat on a Saturday morning in the mall as you walked around . so rest in peace rod forever with Bendigo .

I had the pleasure of working with Rod for a number of years with Civic Events and the Bendigo Easter Festival.

Rod always made time to catch up at events for a chat or he would drop me a text message if we hadn't caught up for a while, always addressing me as 'Top Lady' and signing off with MWTH or DMWTH depending on his standing at the time.

He was so dearly loved by the community and quite the celebrity - even amongst his beloved North Melbourne footy players that came to Bendigo this year.

He will be dearly missed and Bendigo is a far better place for having him sit for so long in local council.

Vale Rod - may you rest in peace with a hot coffee and polly waffle

I am truly saddened by the passing of the legendary Rod Fyffe. As a long term Councillor (not as long as Rod through!) our paths crossed numerous times including several terms we served together on the MAV Board. Rod was the consummate Councillor - he was passionate about all things local government and his community. He will be sorely missed by the people of Greater Bendigo and beyond. Thanks you to Rod’s family for sharing him with the broader local government community. Please accept my sincere condolences.

When I first moved to Heathcote and became the journalist at the local paper, Cr Fyffe was the Mayor and warmly welcomed me. We got along well and he always looked for me in a crowd, was always ready for a chat whether on or off the record. He was a popular leader, lacking the arrogance and haughtiness of so many politicians these days - he didn't look down his nose at anyone, didn't think he was smarter or 'better', was always happy to listen and keep an open mind. He understood that balance requires diversity - of people, perceptions and ideas - and that sometimes what was once viewed as a 'want' or 'nice to have' had become a genuine need. Times change, people change, needs and wants change, and Cr Rod Fyffe embraced that change instead of fearing or fighting it. He was a unique individual, a vibrant soul with a great, joyous smile who will be missed and remembered.

Vale Rod and condolences to your family. You were the only councillor who I have ever saw walking around the neighbourhood making contact with people in their gardens or the street after working hours having a chat and seeing what we thought was needed in our community. All councillors and council candidates should take a really good look at the way you connected with your community and constituents; it was the true embodiment of community service. Since council boundaries changed, and you were no longer my councillor I have not seen any councillor in my area voluntarily making contact with the community since. You were a truly unique and wonderful human; you will be much missed and were much appreciated and loved in this community.

My condolences to Frank and family on the passing of Rod.

Being on council was challenging as a young women but with the solid, unwavering support from Rod it was a wonderful experience that taught me so much. Through Rods leadership I learnt about community connection, advocacy and resilience. There will never again be someone quite like him, putting the community above all else - we didn’t always deserve him but his love for Bendigo and its people was why he always remained a level above! Rest now worker, much love Trude xx

In the words of my maternal grandmother ‘Thank you for being you.’

Dear Family of Rod Fyffe,
We at Skepsi Gallery send our deepest, deepest Sympathy for your loss of this wonderful man, and wanted to share our tribute to him with you.

Tribute...
It is always difficult to write about the loss of any single one of our Skepsi Family of Artists and Friends, however, this time it is quite a struggle. We have lost our long-time Friend, Rod Fyffe, who died on Thursday the 12th of July.

A polite and caring gentleman, an enthusiastic and generous philanthropist, Rod loved the Arts, particularly the Visual Arts. Creativity inspired him and he had great respect and admiration for the Artists. However, of all the Arts he enjoyed and was moved by, I felt Ceramics was his deeper passion and pleasure.

Rod came to the Skepsi Gallery over 22 years ago, when we were located on Swanston Street near The University of Melbourne. From that time, there have been very few Ceramic Exhibitions that he has not attended. Whether a Masters' or Graduates' Exhibition, he was one of the first to visit, full of excitement and anticipation, and beaming that characteristic smile.

He always acquired with the greatest of satisfaction, but never before a thorough discussion about the work, the Artist, an extra strong cuppa of black coffee, and several Turkish delights - he was crazy for Turkish delight.

Almost all of Rod's acquisitions from Skepsi, were generously gifted to the Bendigo Art Gallery, expanding the Gallery’s ceramic collection and sharing his love of Ceramics with the Bendigo community. I often asked Rod what he looked for in a work, what excited him most, his answer, more often than not, would be, Beauty.

In the world away from Skepsi, Rod was a High School Teacher, a respected and treasured 4 times Mayor and twice Deputy Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, and Councillor for 38 years. We at Skepsi Gallery, and his community in Bendigo are hurt and saddened by his passing.

May the world beyond be filled with Beauty for you Rod.