Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council will honour former Mayor Frank Pangallo by naming the Heritage Library on Crawford Street, Queanbeyan after him. The Heritage Library was the former Queanbeyan Council Chambers.
'Mr Pangallo was Queanbeyan City Council's longest serving Mayor and he made a lasting and significant contribution to the region,' said Mayor Kenrick Winchester.
'After arriving in Australia from Italy more than 70 years ago, he and his family started their life in Griffith, NSW where they overcame the language barrier and many prejudices faced by early post war migrants.'
'Mr Pangallo moved to Queanbeyan and first stood for election to Queanbeyan Council in 1971. He served as Councillor or Mayor from 1971-1983 and 1989-2008. He was the popularly elected Mayor at elections in 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2004. He retired from Council in 2008.'
Mr Pangallo was Queanbeyan City Council's first elected Mayor from a non-British background.
Some of his local government highlights include:
- Initiated Queanbeyan's first tree preservation order
- Oversaw responsible financial management of the Council
- Oversaw the planning and construction process of 'The Q'
- Supported retention of Queanbeyan's built heritage and introduced the first heritage conservation areas
- Successfully introduced procedures for Councillors to declare their real estate and other pecuniary interests, many years before it was required
- Ensured planning matters were considered in open Council, not behind closed doors as had previously occurred in Queanbeyan
- Initiated an innovative waste management system
- Encouraged business and city beautification
- Established the Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre
- Helped promote and raise the profile and image of Queanbeyan
In 1977, Mr Pangallo received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his service to local government and the community. He was also awarded Cavaliere (Knighthood) by the Italian Government and was a Member of NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission.
Details about the official naming ceremony are to come.
