THE death of local Arthur Heiler will be a huge loss to the Port Stephens community and to Fingal Bay in particular.

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Arthur had a long list of community involvements.

Arthur participated in a community working bee only three days prior to having a massive heart attack.

Always active in the community Arthur was Secretary of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee.

This Committee of Council was formed in 1988 and facilitates communication between cities to promote peace and understanding.

Arthur’s involvement commenced as soon as he arrived in Port Stephens in 1994 and has been continuous since, mostly as Secretary.

He has overseen the expansion after the first sister city of Bellingham, USA to include sister cities with Kushiro, Yugawara and Tateyama in Japan, and friendship relationships with Victoria, Canada, Tauranga, New Zealand and Nahodka, Russia.

Nigel Dique of the Sister Cities Committee told News Of The Area, “He was Chairman of the Fingal Bay Parks and Reserves Committee. Since 1994, and under Arthur’s leadership, this group of volunteers has done a massive job in protecting and enhancing the environmental features of Barry Park at the Fingal Bay headland.

“The park, one of the most popular whale watching spots in Port Stephens provides a fitting living memorial to Arthur, he said.

Arthur was also a long-term volunteer member of the Port Stephens Marine Rescue.

At the time of his death he was a Director and Deputy Chairman of the Fingal Bay Sports Club and was acting Chairman of the club when he passed away.

By Marian SAMPSON