31/03/1959 – 20/08/2025 Community Champion, Former Councillor, and Lifelong Volunteer

The Brighton community mourns the passing of Wayne Garlick, a former Brighton Councillor and an exceptional community volunteer, who passed away on 20 August.

Wayne was widely respected and deeply valued for his tireless commitment to the Brighton municipality and its people.

Wayne was first elected as a Brighton Councillor in 1999 and retired at the last local government elections in 2022, having had some short breaks from being a councillor along the way.

He was deeply connected to the needs of the local community and worked to ensure that Brighton remained a place where everyone could feel supported and heard.

Beyond Council, Wayne’s contributions to Brighton were vast and deeply impactful.

Until 2011, Wayne served as the Volunteer Ambulance Coordinator for the local ambulance service. His leadership and encouragement inspired many local residents to train as full-time paramedics. In recognition of his dedication, Wayne was awarded the 15 Years Service Medal in 2011.

He was also a founding member and Chairman of the Bridgewater-Brighton Online Access Centre, a vital resource for education and digital access in the region at the time.

Wayne’s love of sport and belief in its power to bring people together saw him take on the role of President and Coach of the Mangalore Football Club, which would later become the Brighton Football Club. His leadership on and off the field inspired many young players and helped build a strong, inclusive club culture.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Wayne was named Tasmania’s Local Hero State Finalist in the 2010 Australian of the Year Awards.

Wayne’s compassion extended into tireless fundraising efforts for a number of charities, including the Royal Hobart Hospital and the Variety Club, dedicated to improving the lives of Tasmanian children.

When the Brighton Lions Club was established in 2011, Wayne was among its first members. Whether it was volunteering at the monthly Brighton Market BBQs, selling raffle tickets, Christmas cakes, or assisting behind the scenes, Wayne could always be relied upon to lend a hand.

Wayne Garlick will be remembered not only for his many achievements, but for his humility, generosity, and deep love for his community.

Wayne’s passing is a profound loss, but his life’s work will live on in the institutions he helped build, the people he mentored, and the countless lives he touched.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Wayne’s family, friends, and all those in the community who knew and loved him.