Tributes are beginning to flow in for long-time City of Casey councillor Mick Morland, who died after being hit by a car in Berwick on Saturday night, 24 June.
A pillar of the Berwick community, Mr Morland was on his regular evening walk when struck on the Princes Highway, near Wilson Botanic Park.
His family has posted on social media that they are “shocked and heartbroken”.
Mr Morland, 67, served on council for seven terms, being first elected to the former City of Berwick in the early 1990s. He is the second longest serving Casey councillor, behind Wayne Smith.
He stood as a Liberal candidate for State Parliament and was a member of the Rotary Club of Berwick for more than two decades.
When he received an Order of Australia Medal in January last year, he told the Gazette that all his years of service had made him realise how many people did not put their hands up to help the community.
“I always believed that if you want to be involved in your community you have to put in the time and effort,” he said.
And that’s what he had been doing since he took on the presidency of a kindergarten in Narre Warren 30 years ago.
State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy described Mr Morland as “an institution in Casey, a great bloke with a heart of gold”.
“A long-time Liberal, he will be sorely missed,” Mr Guy said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said he would be remembered for the so many things he delivered for the community he loved for decades.
“All of the City of Casey will miss the man with that moustache,” he said. “Thanks Mick, you will be missed.
“All of our thoughts are with Kay and the family.”
