Beloved educator honoured
Park named after Sandy Brennan
SANDY Brennan was one of the unsung heroes of the communities of Highfields and Crows Nest – and her memory is about to be immortalised.
The education and community advocate will have the central park in the upcoming Avenues of Highfields project named in her honour.
Mrs Brennan, who passed away suddenly in 2015 aged 53, was instrumental in establishing the Mary McKillop Catholic College in 2003.
Her widower Ged Brennan said he was touched when Avenues developer Mac Stirling and project manager Stephen Bowers offered to name the centrepiece park after his wife.
“She would not have sought the limelight, but we thought we were humbled by their gesture,” he said.
“She was a woman with a lot of energy, passion and empathy and it’s a great honour that they have named it in her honour.”
Mr Bowers said the 6800sq m parkland in the middle of the housing estate would offer “a sense of place” to those who bought land in the precinct.
Mr Brennan said his late wife loved both Crows Nest and Highfields, adding that she was driven by her religious faith.
“She lobbied for a local Catholic school and she volunteered as a person on the formation committee,” he said.
“It was a little passion of hers and she was a lady of strong faith.
“She didn’t mind putting her time and her energies into it.
“She was a caring person and that reflected on what she did. It was bigger than her family.”
Sandy Brennan Park will include bike and walking paths, open spaces and a playground.