Vale Phil Cooper: Community mourns death of stalwart and city’s longest serving mayor

Geraldton’s longest serving mayor and community stalwart Phil Cooper has died at the age of 95. Mr Cooper was a beloved member of the Geraldton community, and remained part of City of Greater Geraldton processes, including the swearing in of mayors and councillors and attending events as a Freeman of the City right up until his death this week. Mr Cooper served as mayor in two stints, from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1994 to 2001, a total of 13 years in office. A highlight of his tenure was Queen Elizabeth II’s 1988 visit to Geraldton, when the town was proclaimed a city, and Mr Cooper accompanied Her Majesty on her tour of Geraldton. Mr Cooper is survived by his two sons, Steve and Chris, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr Cooper’s commitment to local government rubbed off on his son Steve, who was elected to the City of Greater Geraldton council in 2021 and was sworn in by his father. Cr Cooper was just five years old when his father joined local government, but has left a lasting impression. Mr Cooper spent a total of 32 years in local government. “Dad put a lot of time in community service, being a councillor and mayor, and he enjoyed shaping the town because at that stage there was a lot of infrastructure that needed to be put in place,” Cr Cooper said of his father in 2021. Current City Mayor Shane Van Styn paid tribute to Mr Cooper on Wednesday. “Phil Cooper swore me in as a councillor twice and twice as mayor. Phil was someone everyone greatly respected with his dedication to serving our local government unmatched. He was a leader I admire,” he said. “An incredible period of service to the town, then city in which he oversaw the transition including welcoming Queen Elizabeth II who proclaimed us a city.” Mr Cooper was also awarded title of Freeman of the City in 2001. Mr Cooper was living at home in Mount Tarcoola with his wife Waltraut, but was placed in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital a week and a half ago where he died on Monday afternoon.