Vale Hermann Schwabe

The Sunshine Coast has lost a great environmental advocate and leader with the recent passing of Hermann Schwabe whose legacy lives on

Hermann Schwabe was elected to Maroochy shire Council in 1982. This was the Council led by Don Culley and new Councillors like Hermann and Jim Cash were able advocate for the environment for virtually the first time.

At the time of his election he was operating an organic farm near Kenilworth. He was involved in moves to control the spray drift of agricultural chemicals and he was also a long term supporter of the Basics Co-op in Nambour. Hermann was an engineer with a keen interest in water and sewerage issues and he was on the former joint Maroochy-Caloundra Water Board. 

In the Progress ‘85 Council led by Fred Murray, Hermann was often a lone voice standing up for environmental issues. 

He took a keen interest in finances and chaired the Finance Committee for a number of years. Hermann championed the introduction of recycling bins in the early 1990s.

Hermann was a SCEC supporter, being a popular presenter and guest speaker during the 1990s. He is seen here presenting Stan Tutt with an award at the Sunshine Coast Awards run by SCEC.

He remained on Council for 24 years until 2004 and retired to Maleny where he was involved in the Maple Street Food Co-op and Maleny Credit Union. Hermann’s last years were spent in a retirement village at Meridan Plains. 

Maroochy Shire Council Mayors during Hermann's terms as a Councillor until his retirement in 2004

Don Culley: 1982-1985

Fred Murray: 1985-994

Bob King: 1994-1997

Don Culley: 1997-2000

Alison Grosse: 2000-2004

Joe Natoli: 2004-2008

Hermann passed away on the 7th August at the age of 83.