Vale John Watson

It was with much sadness that the Parklands Albury Wodonga Board, staff and broader networks learnt of John Watson’s passing.

Parklands Albury Wodonga’s first encounters with John were in the initial establishment of Parklands Albury Wodonga and the Huon Hill Regional Park in particular. We knew John as a champion for his community, a strong advocate for biodiversity conservation and a man who loved his bees.

The Watson family farmed Huon Hill and John loved the farming life and the magnificent landscape. John and his siblings grew up on the hill, living in the weatherboard farm house that used to be located on the drive up to Huon Hill lookout.  Later, John took on the family farm and ran livestock on Huon Hill.

John donated the timber beams from a shearing shed on his property to the Huon Hill Regional Park project that was led by a consortium of Wodonga Rotary Clubs (Belvoir, Central and West Wodonga Clubs).  This timber was used to construct the large picnic shelter and BBQ area on Huon Hill saddle.  Sadly, termites took a fancy to this timber and City of Wodonga removed this structure in 2022.

It was fitting that Mayor John Watson officially open the Huon Hill Lookout in 2002, alongside the former Chairperson of Parklands Albury Wodonga, Cliff Swatton.

Parklands Albury Wodonga was privileged to have John’s expertise as a member of the Parklands Public Fund Management Committee from 2007  to 2022.

We were also fortunate to record an interview with John back in 2012 and hear his recollections of life on Huon Hill and the legacy his family leaves with our community. Hear the recording here.

Thank you John for your much valued contributions.  Our sincerest sympathies go to John’s family.