Noel Seiffert, Councillor Anne Field and Christine Welsh – Mayoral Dinner, Rockdale City Council Mid 1995 – Le Sands Restaurant (Brighton Le Sands)
Noel Seiffert (16 December 1928 -15 August 1996)
Noel was born on December 16,1928. It is believed that Noel lived in Kurnell Street, Brighton Le Sands as a young boy, and attended Brighton Le Sands Public School. He spent the major part of his life in Sans Souci, living at 588 Rocky Point Road, (corner of Toyer Street). This was the Seiffert family home.
Professionally, Noel spent his working days as an employee of the Department of Main Roads, joining their ranks in the late 1950’s as a clerk, and spending most of the first 10 years in the country. He transferred back to Sydney in 1967, and worked as a computer systems analyst from 1970, until his retirement in 1988.
Noel obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981, when he was 52 years of age. This degree was completed through the University of New England.
Noel was first elected to Rockdale Council in 1977, as an ALP representative. He was elected “by default,” taking the place of a candidate who was transferred to the country just prior to election time. Noel represented Fifth Ward, which includes Dolls Point, Ramsgate and Sans Souci, until his retirement at the 1995 Council elections.
Noel had many interests on Rockdale City Council. Foremost of these were the library and building matters. He represented Council on the Library Association of Australia, and was a Council delegate for many years to Sydney Coastal Councils.
During Noel’s term of office, of 18 years on Rockdale Council, Noel served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, General Purposes, Building and Planning Committee, amongst others. Noel was Council’s representative for many years, to the Rockdale Community Mobile Nursing Service, now called Nurses on Wheels.
Noel was well known in Ward 5, as being a Councillor who would listen to all sides of an argument. He helped many ordinary citizens, with whom he often formed a lasting friendship. Once he had come to a decision on a Council matter, he could not be shifted.
Noel joined Ramsgate Senior Citizens in approximately 1985,where his abilities were quickly noticed. In 1989, Noel was made a Patron of the Centre and in 1991, he was made a Vice President.
Noel showed great interest in the books at the Centre, so in 1992 he was nominated to be the librarian at the Centre. In 1995, at a special meeting, he was made a Committee member. Noel was well liked at the Ramsgate Senior Citizens and took part in almost every activity.
One of Noel’s hobbies was working out the Sydney Morning Herald cryptic crossword puzzle. He completed this by 10am each morning.
Noel suffered from ill health and spent several periods in hospital. After he failed to gain ALP pre-selection in mid -1995, his health deteriorated further. Noel was loyal to the end stating that “the ALP was more important than him,” and accepted the candidate chosen to take his place. His biggest loss was his computer, which had to be returned to Rockdale City Council in September 1999.
Noel’s memory will stay with the Ramsgate Senior Citizens Centre, thanks to Anne Field, a Rockdale City Councillor (1991-1999) and then a Kogarah Council Councillor (1999-2008).
The Noel Seiffert Award was first introduced in February 1997, and is presented annually by the Mayor of Rockdale City Council, now Bayside Council. From 2018, it will be presented every second year.
The Terms of Reference for the Noel Seiffert Award are significant “Noel Seiffert was considered to be a backroom man, who worked consistently to achieve significant results within the community in which he lived; a man dedicated to his convictions; fiercely loyal to his friends; and passionate about the many activities carried out at the Ramsgate Senior Citizens Centre.”
Noel was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a man of integrity, intellect, and was always a very humble man. Noel had a genuine concern for the community, and always wanted to see justice done. He had a highly developed sense of fair play, but a soft heart, which was sometimes taken advantage of.
Rockdale City Council, on January 27 1999, determined that a park off Russell Avenue, Sans Souci was to be named in Noel Seiffert’s memory. The site adjoins the F6 Freeway Reservation, known as 76-88 Russell Avenue, Sans Souci. The dedication of the Noel Seiffert Reserve took place on Saturday morning, July 17 1999.
The new owners of 588 Rocky Point Road have built in the rear of the
Property, something that Noel had wanted to do in his lifetime.
Researched by Anne Field.
A special thanks to those who contributed information on Noel Seiffert.
The Award was first presented in February 1997.
Rockdale City Council became known as Bayside Council in late 2016. Council elections for the new Council, an amalgamation of Rockdale and Botany Councils were held in September 2017.
