Hannah Hammoud
The inaugural ‘Guts It Out’ (GIO) Memorial Bike Ride will honour the former Whittlesea chief executive David Turnbull later this month.
The three-word motto is remembered as a staple in the vocabulary of Mr Turnbull who died from cancer aged 61 in March 2020.
Friends and colleagues have organised the ride to celebrate Mr Turnbull’s life and his immense contribution to the community through a local government career spanning more than 40 years.
Riders will take off at 10am on Sunday, March 26 from the Whittlesea Community Centre with options to complete either a 20 km or 40 km circuit.
The 40km circuit will stretch across both the Whittlesea and Mitchell municipalities, which Mr Turnbull served for 21 years and four years respectively.
Mr Turnbull served as Whittlesea’s planning and development director from 1994 to 2007 and was chief executive from 2007 to 2016.
Both circuits will finish at the Whittlesea Fire Brigade, with all proceeds going to the Country Fire Authority.
Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd described Mr Turnbull as a true humanitarian who he had worked closely with for a number of years.
“He was greatly respected by staff and community alike for his calm and considered approach to leadership and his genuine interest and care for all,” he said.
The memorial ride comes just weeks after Mr Turnbull was honoured on Australia Day with a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government administration.
The ride’s entry fee is $35 and includes a barbecue lunch and commemorative T-shirt, or $10 for just lunch.
Details: Bruce Manison, 0448 944 000.
