Farewell 'Wingy'

A WELL-KNOWN member of the Derwent Valley Council staff, Eric Dowling, unexpectedly passed away yesterday. Mr Dowling, of Rosegarland, was 67. He had manned the tollgate at the Peppermint Hill tip site for many years, invariably greeting customers with an opinion on current events and a joke or two.

Eric had been a long-serving country fire brigade volunteer and in 1992 was named the New Norfolk Municipality's Australia Day Sportsman of the Year, having recently won a gold medal for weightlifting and a bronze medal in the shotput at a national amputee championships.

Eric is survived by his wife Patricia and it is understood his funeral will be held on Friday. The Derwent Valley Council Chambers, council depot and the Peppermint Hill refuse site will close at 10.30am on Friday. Peppermint Hill operating hours will be as normal from Saturday.