A resident who was once known as the ‘Mr Soccer’ of Redlands Coast will have a community park renamed in his honour.

Mayor Karen Williams said the site currently known as Donald Road Sportsfield on Donald Road, Redland Bay would be renamed John Edward Downie Sportsfield.

“John Edward Downie migrated to Australia from the United Kingdom shortly after World War II and settled in Redland Bay, where he was a farm manager for more than 30 years,” she said.

“He was passionate about the game of football (soccer), joined Redlands United Football Club and for many years was central to the development of junior football in the region.

“He went on to become known as ‘Mr Soccer’ and it is a fitting tribute to his contribution to sport in our city that this park be renamed in his honour.”

Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty thanked Councillors for supporting the name change, which she said followed a request to her from a resident.

“This resident also has a long association with football in our city and when I heard about John Downie it seemed appropriate to acknowledge his dedication to the sport by renaming this park after him,” she said.

“Mr Downie’s family still lives locally and I am told  he instilled a real sense of fair play in all those he trained, as well as how to be gracious in both winning and losing a game.

“This is a way of saying thank you to Mr Downie, and I am sure those from the football fraternity would support this decision.”

Christmas for many local families will be a little brighter thanks to the efforts of some Redland City Council employees.

In an internal Christmas drive that started in October, Council’s Customer Service team members have been consistently gathering Christmas gifts and festive food items for less fortunate community members.

Mayor Karen Williams said the team recently donated 17 large baskets of food and gifts – all contributed by the team members themselves – to Redland Community Centre for distribution to Redlands Coast families needing help.

“This is a fantastic display of goodwill and generosity,” she said.

“More than 400 local families, which includes almost 1000 children, have registered with Redland Community Centre for assistance in this Christmas season.

“For two months, these team members had been contributing food items and gifts for those battling to put food on the table and presents under the Christmas tree.

“The team has organised this months-long collection in the lead up to Christmas every year for 16 years and I know their generosity has helped many local families.”

Cr Williams commended all Council employees who were contributing to internal Christmas appeals.

“Christmas is usually a happy occasion, but for many people dealing with challenging circumstances it can also be one of the toughest times of the year,” she said.

“There are many people in our city who are unable to enjoy a special meal at Christmas.

“Many children also miss out on the excitement of finding presents under the Christmas tree and I’m sure these donations will bring smiles to many who need our help.”

Helping spread Christmas cheer are, from left, Redland Community Centre General Manager Allison Wicks, Mayor Karen Williams, and Council Customer Service team members Jacqui Murphy, Ben Madden, Michelle Thomson and Alison Dunn.

A herd of camels that once grazed in paddocks at Redland Bay will be remembered after Council today resolved to rename Falkirk Parade Park as Camel Paddock Park.

Mayor Karen Williams said many residents remembered the camels that were kept on the site in Falkirk Parade when it was little more than a grassy paddock.

“The camels were used for rides on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and were kept on the paddock to graze, becoming a local attraction for the community,” she said.

“They were moved elsewhere when the rides ended but the site has always been known as the camels’ paddock to the community and now this piece of local history will be acknowledged.”

Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said the park today included landscape elements that reflected its former use as a camel paddock, including stepping stones featuring camel foot imprints.

“The camels have always been a talking point for residents and many people have fond memories of taking their children to see them grazing,” Cr Talty said.

“The suggestion of renaming the site Camel Paddock Park was well received by local residents and I’m pleased that Councillors have supported the move.

“A city’s history doesn’t always have to be about pioneers and buildings because sometimes the animals we remember are just as important.

“The island camel rides may have gone but the memory of these creatures grazing in Redland Bay will stay with the renaming of the park.”