Goodbye Durk – end of an era!
No one knows exactly when Durk joined the LARAC Exec, well before our online computer records began! We think it was “around 1996”, which makes Durk the longest serving LARAC Exec member, with more than 26 years served and the only Exec member serving during four different decades – an amazing achievement!
Durk is retiring from local government and finishes in June 2022, and therefore must also hang up his LARAC hat. Many of you will know that Durk has been LARAC’s Vice Chair for a number of years, on more than one occasion, and was VC during my term as Chair. I’ve always valued Durk’s considered opinions and the way he draws on his experience in local government is greatly admired.
At many Exec meetings, Durk has been the voice of reason, listening intently and often consolidating thoughts and opinions in a truly reflective manner. He was also great at providing a lot of food for thought so that others could see his reasoning and would often come up with new ideas and solutions to problems. The Exec meetings will not be the same without him. Neither will McDonald’s profits! Durk regularly paid a lunchtime visit to McDs when we had our Exec meetings in the centre of Birmingham (our buffet wasn’t that bad – honest!)
Durk has been one of LARAC’s greatest ambassadors, even returning to the Exec after a short break due to health issues, and always one of the conference stalwarts. Whether chairing the main conference, panel debates or workshops, Durk was firm but fair and a great timekeeper. A keen dancer, he would often be seen “throwing some shapes” on the dancefloor at the awards.
I’ll never forget the time I was enlisted to the LARAC squad for the Waste World Cup (a very long time ago), turning up with no idea how to play or even kick a ball – Durk showed me what to do in order to survive the match with all limbs intact (thank you Durk).
I really hope Durk enjoys his well-deserved retirement; it has been a pleasure working with him on the Exec and I will truly miss him. LARAC has been lucky to have him on board for such a long time. However, the LARAC Exec has nominated Durk as an Honorary Member, so he is still very much welcome to attend the conference and “bust some moves” at the awards night. See you on the dancefloor!
Carole Taylor, Internal Affairs Manager
Farewell messages for Durk:
- Thanks, Durk, for your stalwart promotion of LARAC’s core principles and your amazing contribution to its work and your ideas and opinions in our discussions. You have been a valued colleague since I began with LARAC in 2014 and you will be very much missed. John – John Coates, Head of External Affairs
- Durk, you have been an inspiration to everyone who you have worked with throughout the years at LARAC, and you will certainly leave some big shoes to fill! Thank you for all of your hard work over the years and your commitment to LARAC, and all the very best for the future. Cathy – Cathy Cook, LARAC Chair
- Durk will be greatly missed by us all at LARAC, his challenge and wisdom have been instrumental in forming many of our position statements and policies. Above all Durk is a really great guy, always entertaining and great company. Have a happy retirement, very best wishes, Andrew. – Andrew Bird, National Rep
- Best wishes to Durk for the future from Wendy and all at Northumberland County Council - Wendy Fail, Co-optee Exec
- Congratulations on your well-earned retirement. Thanks for the support and dedication you have given LARAC over the years. Your knowledge, experience and opinion will be missed. - James Ward, Vice Chair and Yorkshire & The Humber Rep
- Durk, good luck in your retirement and thank you for everything you have done in your many years with LARAC. – Gareth Rollings, National Rep
- Durk this is truly the end of an era! We will miss your unique outlook on the world and your decades of experience. Wishing you a very happy retirement filled with all the things you are looking forward to doing. -Elly Attwood, East Midlands Rep
- Best wishes Durk! it's been great working with you over the years, you will be a great miss! Take care, Vikki x - Vikki Burrell, North East Rep
- Congratulations on your retirement Durk, the true LARAC legend....Thanks for all the hard work and support you have provided to LARAC over the 20+years...You will be missed..Take Care - Ed Yendluri, Co-optee Exec
- Really great to meet you through the LARAC Exec, sending happy retirement wishes your way, best wishes, Cindy – Cindy Gardener, London Rep
- Dear Durk, you were a legend to work with and I enjoyed every minute of it. You are LARAC through and through and you’ve striven for what’s best for LARAC for years – unstintingly, we were all lucky to have had your expertise for so long. Plus, you are a funny and kind guy. Have tons of fun now, Jenny xx – Jenny Perry, Ex-LARAC Executive Officer
- Durk, Happy Retirement, hope its lots of fun! Mariana – Mariana McManus LARAC Support Officer
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