Kenneth Rutherford Browne
28 August 1915 – 8 January
2008
COUNCIL colleagues were among those at the funeral of former City of Berwick councillor Ken Browne at Narre Warren North Uniting Church.
Speaking at the service, Syd Pargeter and Bill Hudson spoke of Mr Browne’s ability at planning, his hard work, and his concern to create and preserve open space.
His major achievements during his time on the council included his determination to establish a national cancer register in 1987 and his work on the upgrade of Lysterfield Lake Park.
Mr Browne represented Narre Warren Ward from 1974 to 1983.
He was born in Elsternwick and grew up in Caulfield, selling newspapers as a boy for pocket money.
At 15 he began working for his father, who managed Watter’s Seed and Plant Merchants in the city.
This was the foundation of his lifetime interest in parks and gardens.
He married Jean Petterd in 1939 and later managed the plant nursery of the Nicholas (Aspro) family.
The family moved to Narre Warren in 1943 and established Aristocrats of the Garden, a nursery and mail order plant business.
Mr Browne designed many gardens in Melbourne’s suburbs.
In the Narre Warren North community he worked for the school and Guide groups and on the hall association.
Mr Browne’s daughter Robyn cared for him at home after he developed dementia seven years ago.
“Dad’s outstanding qualities included his humility, his keen sense of humour, his quiet wisdom and his unflinching support for others,” Robyn said.
