Eric Wilksch (1918 – 2002)
Historian & Conservationist

When the 85 year old Eric Wilksch passed away a chapter in Naremburn’s, and indeed Willoughby’s, history was completed.

Born and educated in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, Eric served with the RAAF during WWII and then worked until his retirement with the NSW Department of Agriculture, also being seconded to the Commonwealth Departments of Primary Industry and Plant Quarantine.

In 1950 Eric and his wife Violet, settled in Market Street, Naremburn. He became involved in many community activities. Eric was the longest serving President of the Naremburn Progress Association (NPA) - 1960 to 1990. Through the Naremburn Amenities Development Association (NADA) he worked to establish a Hall, a Children’s Library, Public Gymnasium and Baby Health Centre.

He was founding President of the Crows Nest Gardening Club, serving 30 years in that position, and, a founding President of the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA) as well as a member of the Flat Rock Area Conservation Action Society. Eric worked strenuously to preserve bushland in the Flat Rock Creek area, recorded its flora and helped build what is called Wilksch Walk from Brook Street end of the Gully to Tunks Park.

Eric was a foundation member of the Willoughby District Historical Society and Museum and a member of the Willoughby Bicentennial Community Committee. His book The Naremburn Story was published as part of the Bicentenary and is available at our Naremburn Library. Eric also completed a history of St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church.

In 1984 Eric Wilksch received the Willoughby Municipal Council Citizen of the Year Award for services to the community.

A heart attack and triple bypass in 1996 slowed him down. At his passing in 2002, Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly said:

“Eric’s passing is a very sad day for Willoughby. He made a great contribution to the area not only in the historical recognition of places of interest; but his heavy involvement in environmental issues, especially around Naremburn”.

In addition to Wilksch Walk in Flat Rock Gully, a lane in west Naremburn honours his name.