The City of Ryde Council has been saddened to learn of the passing of former Mayor Edna Wilde OAM, who was a significant and inspirational figure in the Ryde local government area for half a century.
Mrs Wilde served as a City of Ryde Councillor for 34 years from September 1974 until September 2008. In 1980, she became the City of Ryde's first female Mayor and held that role on three separate occasions between 1980-1982, 1999-2000 and 2002-2004.
In 2000, Mrs Wilde was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community of Ryde. A year later, she was awarded the Centenary Medal for her service as the first female Mayor of the City of Ryde.
Throughout her civic life, Mrs Wilde was a dedicated supporter of the local arts scene in the City of Ryde, both through her role as Chairman of the City of Ryde Eisteddfod and volunteering her time to serve in senior roles for many community organisations.
A driving force both for the creation of the Eisteddfod in 1988, and Ryde Council's longstanding partnership with the event, Mrs Wilde's passion for the Eisteddfod was limitless.
Beyond her tireless support of the arts, Mrs Wilde was a dedicated champion for the community of Ryde, actively campaigning and lobbying for better facilities, events, and opportunities. She remained robustly active within the local community until recently.
She was immensely proud of her service both to City of Ryde as a former Councillor and Mayor, and the important community work she continued following her civic service.
On her retirement from Civic duties in 2008, Council resolved at its meeting of 26 August 2008 that Mrs Wilde's contribution to arts and culture in the City of Ryde be recognised through the sponsorship of an annual award or trophy that bears her name with a cash prize of $5,000 at the City of Ryde Eisteddfod, in the discipline of her choice.
City of Ryde Mayor Clr Trenton Brown today paid tribute to Mrs Wilde as a groundbreaking politician with a genuine love for her community.
"Edna Wilde, OAM, was a remarkable force of nature whose positive impact on the City of Ryde community over the course of a long and meaningful life cannot be overstated," he said.
"As this Council's first – and to date – only female Mayor, she will retain a special place in our City's history.
"Edna's achievements as both Councillor and Mayor were remarkable and even after leaving office, she remained an invaluable source of advice, encouragement, and wisdom. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered."
