Proposal to rename Oatley Senior Citizens Centre in honour of Norm and Beryl Butters

Consultation Period: 26 August to 9 September 2020

Georges River Council is seeking feedback from the community regarding the proposal to rename the Oatley Senior Citizens Centre the “Norm and Beryl Butters Senior Citizens Centre” in honour of Norm and Beryl Butters. This is in recognition of their active dedication to the Oatley and Kogarah communities for more than 50 years.

Beryl was the secretary of the Parents and Citizens Committee at Oatley Primary School and Penshurst Girls High School as well as the Secretary of Oatley Brownies and Girl Guides. In 1970 she was one of the founding members of the Kogarah Historical Society, going on to become one of the longest standing members. Beryl was also the secretary of the Oatley Clock Committee which organised the 150 year anniversary of Oatley in 1983. The occasion included celebrations and fundraising for the construction of the iconic Oatley Town Clock.

Norm served as a representative of the Kogarah Local Citizens Bi-Centenary Celebrations Committee and was a prominent member of the Kogarah Residents and Ratepayers Group. In 1970, Norm was elected as the inaugural president of the Oatley Senior Citizens Centre. Beryl joined him on the committee and together they became the backbone of the organisation.

Their commitment to the Oatley Senior Citizens was one of their greatest achievements, enriching the lives of its members. They both took an active role in organising everyday activities at the Centre including line dancing, exercise, bingo, indoor bowls and bridge as well as special occasions such as bus trips, Christmas, Mothers’ Day and Melbourne Cup lunches. Norm summed up the daily value of their work like this: “We are keeping people in their homes because we have these activities.”

In recognition of their achievements they both were awarded Senior Citizens Premier’s Awards. Beryl also received a Centenary Medal in 2003 and Kogarah Council’s Australia Day Award for Senior Citizen of the Year in 2007.

Norm and Beryl Butters passed away on 10 August 2020.

Council recommends to pay tribute to this much loved couple and to honour their lifelong contributions to the community by renaming our Oatley Senior Citizens Centre the “Norm and Beryl Butters Senior Citizens Centre”. This organisation has long played an important part in the St George area and it is a wonderful place to represent the lasting legacy of Norm and Beryl Butters.