A much-loved member of the Woodend community has left the town she loved a lasting legacy.
Jo Clancy died in 2018 but left her entire estate to the Woodend Landcare group to build a new pedestrian bridge over Five Mile Creek.
About 50 community members got together on Sunday to celebrate, joined by local councillors, the designer of the bridge and the builder as well as 12 members of Jo’s family (three generations) who travelled from Melbourne.
Woodend Landcare president Peter Yates said the bridge was built by virtue of an incredibly generous bequest by Jo.
“Jo served on the Woodend Landcare committee for many years and was president for a time,” Peter said.
“After some of Jo’s friends, colleagues and family members shared their reminiscences, we all adjourned to the site of the memorial to Jo’s generosity where Jo’s family unveiled a memorial plaque.
“We followed this with some shared refreshments and then had the opportunity to look at some photos and plans of the site dating back to 2006.”
Jo moved to Woodend in about 2002 with her daughter Ruth and quickly became involved with landcare.
“She had an enduring interest in the natural environment and one of her dreams was that one day, there would be a pedestrian bridge across the creek between Bowen Street and Wood Street,” Peter said.
“Jo decided to leave her entire estate to landcare with some very specific wishes for us to carry out. High on her list was the bridge.
“Sixteen years later, it became a reality. Thanks to Jo!”
Peter said all 60 attendees tested the integrity of the 25-metre-long bridge after Ray, the designer, assured them it would cope.
“Afterwards, Jo’s family scattered some of her ashes from the bridge as a final tribute,” Peter said.
