Tributes have flowed in for former Member for Cessnock, Stan Neilly, who died this week after a long illness, aged 79.
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Mr Neilly was first elected as Cessnock's state MP at a by-election in 1981, after sitting member Bob Brown resigned to run for federal parliament.
He held the position until 1988, when he was defeated by Liberal candidate Bob Roberts in an election that saw Labor lose many regional seats due to its position on gun laws.
Mr Neilly was returned to office at the 1991 election, holding the role until his retirement in 1999.
Family, friends and Labor Party colleagues have remembered Mr Neilly as a hard-working, generous person who never expected anything in return.
Stan Neilly was born in Abermain in 1942, while his father George was serving in World War II.
He contracted polio at age 11, which impaired the muscles in the right-hand side of his body for the rest of his life.
He couldn't drive, but maintained a busy schedule of community involvement, work and social commitments, his sister Noelene Fletcher recalled.
"He lived life pretty much to the full," she said.
Mr Neilly was educated at Cessnock High School, and Kogarah Boys' High School and Sydney Boys' High School (the family lived in the state capital for a few years when George Neilly was a Member of the Legislative Council and General Secretary of the Miners Federation).
The family moved back to Cessnock in 1958, and George Neilly was elected as the state MP the following year.
The same year, Stan Neilly joined the Labor Party, aged 17. He served as assistant secretary and treasurer of the Cessnock branch for more than 20 years, and was the branch's State Electoral Council and Federal Electoral Council delegate for varying periods.
A CPA-qualified accountant by age 21, Mr Neilly worked as a local government officer at Sydney City Council and Cessnock City Council until his appointment as state MP in 1981.
He also did the accounts for many local churches, service clubs and community organisations on a voluntary basis.
Ms Fletcher said Mr Neilly took a great interest in helping disadvantaged people and helping to promote their causes.
"He was a wonderful man, a modest man, who made decisions from the heart," she said.
"If he couldn't do you a good turn, he wouldn't do you a bad one."
Recalling the 1988 election result, Ms Fletcher said her brother had a typically humble response after losing by 219 votes.
"We could have had a recount, but Stan being Stan said 'no, that's it'," she said.
Mr Neilly continued to live in Cessnock after his retirement from parliament in 1999, and was still heavily involved with many community organisations.
He became the primary carer for his mother Lola, who lived until the age of 94, passing away in 2012 (his father George died some 25 years earlier).
Mr Neilly had developed post-polio syndrome before his retirement, and was diagnosed with lung cancer about six years ago, having been a heavy smoker since a young age.
He had suffered a fall at home before Christmas, and died in hospital on Monday (January 17).
Current Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said Mr Neilly's passing was sad news for the community.
"Stan served this area his whole life - quietly, with dignity, and without asking for anything in return," Mr Barr said.
"Nearly everyone around here has a story about Stan doing them a favour, or helping them sort out a problem.
"Stan showed us what can be done through service, and kindness, and by giving something of yourself for the sake of others. Our area will miss him, and so will I.
"The best tribute is to follow his example."
Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon also paid tribute to Mr Neilly, saying the Labor Party has lost "one of its best".
"A smart, effective and hard working MP, Stan spent all of his time helping others and no time seeking thanks or credit," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"(He was) old school but good school."
Former Advertiser editor Bruce Wilson described Mr Neilly as "nature's gentleman".
He said Mr Neilly represented the electorate in a compassionate and dedicated role, giving freely of his time to organisations and individuals who needed help.
"He was highly respected both sides of the parliament and fought hard for the electorate in the vital areas of health, education and development," Mr Wilson said.
"He also helped out numerous local charitable organisations assisting them with auditing their books and the like."
Mr Wilson also recalled a visit to Cessnock by former premier Bob Carr, who said the government on occasions sought Mr Neilly's opinion on a variety of policy matters.
He said Mr Neilly will be sadly missed by all those he came in contact with.
At Mr Neilly's request, no funeral service will be held. He was privately cremated on Friday and his ashes placed in the family plot at Kurri Kurri cemetery.
Family, friends and associates are invited to attend a celebration of his life on what would have been his 80th birthday - Friday, March 11.
Anyone who would like to attend is asked to contact julie@luxinteriors.com.au or 0417 134 816 by February 9 for the time and venue details.