Ken Brown was awarded Goulburn Citizen of the Year in 1990 for his contributions to the city.

Mr Brown was Goulburn City Council’s town clerk from 1979 to 1990. He was made the city manager in 1990, the equivalent of today’s general manager. He served as deputy town clerk from 1975 to 1979 and prior to that was an accountant with Goulburn City Council from 1961. He joined the council as a junior clerk in 1946, serving a total of 42 years (he spent two years with Rockdale Council).

Listed among his many impressive achievements while managing the city are the construction of the Civic Centre in 1990 and Pejar Dam in 1979. 

Mr Brown was also a fine distance runner, carrying the Olympic torch on a section of the Hume Highway between Goulburn and Marulan when it passed through in 1956. He was also a talented hockey player, woodworker and a swimming champion. 

Former Goulburn City Mayor Tony Lamarra met Mr Brown soon after arriving in Australia from Italy. In those days Mr Lamarra ran a hamburger shop.

“He was a total gentleman and I couldn’t have wished for anyone better to deal with,” he said.

“Ken was with the council the 26 years I was there. We were very, very close.

“If ever there was a problem or concern I’d go to Ken and we’d make a decision for the benefit of Goulburn. He never committed the council unless we had all the funds. He also expected punctuality and there were never any short cuts.” But Mr Brown also took “no nonsense”.

Mr Lamarra fondly remembered staff meetings with him, which took on a family atmosphere.

“It was a privilege to serve with Ken and I kept in touch with him after retirement,” he said.

“It’s very sad to lose him and we extend our condolences to the family. We’re proud to have called him a friend.”   

An editorial in the Goulburn Post on his retirement in July, 1990 stated: “Mr Brown has managed this city. And if ever a history is written of Goulburn’s progress in the past decade, Ken Brown’s name will feature prominently in it.”

Mr Brown’s funeral will be held at Craig’s Hill Crematorium Funeral Chapel on Friday, November 18 at 2pm.