Keith always had community at heart

KEITH Ewenson has left behind a legacy not many could live up to.
A proud member of the community, his name is synonymous with the area.
Born in Richmond, Keith grew up not far from the Punt Road Oval where his beloved Tigers played.
He would watch them with his father, but later gave that away to play tennis, a sport he always enjoyed.
From school Keith got a factory job at McColl Electric in Fitzroy where he started working in quality control, while working he completed night school and became a draftsman.
He met the love of his life, Val at work.
Their first date was to a musical in the city called the Pyjama Game.
He proposed to Val looking over Corio Bay with the oil refinery in the distance, they married two years later.
Over the next seven years they were delighted with the births of three children Leslie, Andrew and Davis.
When his work moved to Springvale, Keith and Val bought a place in Upper Beaconsfield and built their home.
The Ewensons became very involved in village life and got working in kindergarten and local school councils, the hall committee and the Upper Beaconsfield Association (where he later became a life member).
In 1973 Keith started working as officer in charge of the Cranbourne mobile library and continued to do so for 20 years.
It was also at this time that the Shire of Berwick was realigned to create the City of Berwick and Shire of Pakenham. Keith was approached by prominent citizens to run for the Beaconhills Ward.
He was elected unopposed and remained a councillor for 27 years, serving as mayor three times.
Keith planted a tree at the opening of the Cardinia Cultural Centre. He helped turn the first sod at the Casey Hospital and met Prince Edward at the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Pakenham.
Not only a member of the local council, Keith worked tirelessly as the chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield appeal for three years and was employed by the Electoral Commission to oversee elections in Cranbourne, Pakenham and Berwick, as well as working with Living and Learning in Pakenham.
Little wonder he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002 for services to local government and the environment.
The last stage of Keith’s life involved battling cancer. He accepted the physical challenges he faced but strove to stay home.
He was able to do this thanks to the love and devotion given by Val.