Celebrating Jim Woods

Mayor Tim Overall said the reception is in recognition of the one of the town's outstanding citizens and one who has made a significant contribution to the area. The Mayoral reception will be held on Monday, November 11 from 5.30 - 7.30pm at the Queanbeyan City Council Chambers.

"Jim Woods has given so much of his time to making Queanbeyan a better place for all that it is is only fitting we should honour him in this way," Cr Overall said.

Mr Woods, who still lives in the area, first came to Queanbeyan in 1958 after purchasing the Queanbeyan Age. Not only was he a local businessman but also an all-round sportsman, musician, citizen and community organiser.

Some of his achievement includes the instigation of the Queanbeyan and District Historical Society and the related Queanbeyan and District Historical Museum, founding and producing the Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery, originator of the Queanbeyan Printing Museum, financing the Queanbeyan Age Water Fountain in Town Park and saving the 'Tree of Knowledge' that still stands at the corner of Monaro and Crawford Street.

Mr Woods was also a tireless volunteer working as the vice-president of the Floral Festival and past president and Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian. He had a 100 per cent attendance record at meetings, not missing a single one for 38 years.

The 99-year-old was also a force to reckoned with as a lawn bowler who represented the area on more than 150 occasions. He is also the club patron of the Queanbeyan Golf Club and Queanbeyan Junior Cricket Club.

For all his great work, Mr Woods received several awards including the Order of Australia Award (1985), Queanbeyan Citizen of the Year (1995), The Canberra Region Graphics Arts for Excellence Award (1995), Rotarian of the Year (1991 - 1992) and Queanbeyan City Council's outstanding contribution to heritage award (2010).