Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to respected Queensland National Country Party stalwart Mr Neville Hewitt. Mr Hewitt passed away in Rockhampton, aged 96, on 19 July. With his passing, Central Queensland lost one of its great political characters from the past century. Neville Hewitt, originally from Theodore, played a pivotal role in representing various parts of Central Queensland for the National Country Party, later the National Party, in state parliament from 1956 to 1980. He represented the seat of Mackenzie, which was later renamed Auburn, until the seat was abolished and absorbed into the Callide and Fitzroy electorates.

Mr Hewitt was one of Queensland's longest-serving ministers for water resources. According to the Queensland Country Life, during his tenure as minister nearly all of Queensland's major dams and weirs were built. In the city of Rockhampton, the Neville Hewitt Bridge across the Fitzroy River, known affectionately as 'new bridge', was named after him while he was still alive. This fact demonstrates the sense of esteem with which Neville Hewitt was regarded by the Central Queensland community. Up to 36,000 vehicles cross the bridge in the city each day. Vale, Neville Hewitt.