I rise to commemorate the life and contribution of a local member and leader in my electorate, John Nicol, OAM. John passed away suddenly on 26 August, leaving behind devoted family members and friends and leaving Werribee the poorer for his passing. I would like to express my condolences to his family: to his wife, Pauline; to his sons Brett, David and Jeff; and to his daughter, Lisa.

John was a pillar of the Werribee community and a gentleman in the truest meaning of the word. Service and duty embodied John, whether it was his long years as president of the Werribee Football Club, as a member of the local Rotary and Apex clubs or as a board member for any number of community groups and local organisations. He was recognised for his community service with an Order of Australia Medal in 1989, but that did not mark the end of his service to Werribee. John was still involved with so much that occurred in Werribee until his passing. He was a strong advocate for the Werribee Mercy Hospital, and through his role on the Committee for Wyndham was a tireless advocate for his community.

John embodied community service, humility, good humour and simple decency. He rightly deserved the high regard in which he was held by politicians of all persuasions who dealt with him, yet John would have been the last person to want his praises sung in Parliament. His recognition and reward was the progress that invariably followed his involvement in community projects.