Sadly long serving NRA member and past NRA president Robert Dunn unexpectedly passed away on the 17th September 2020. Robert was a great inspiration and contributor to the betterment of Newport.

Robert served as inaugural elected Mayor of Pittwater Council from 1992 to 1994, following a number of years as a councillor on Warringah Council (Eric Green was the interim Mayor of Pittwater Council until elections could be held). In 2004 Robert ran against Bronwyn Bishop for the Federal seat of Mackellar and in 2005 he ran as an Independent in the Pittwater state by-election.

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Robert had a long and distinguished career as a solicitor, business owner, local mayor and councillor. In 1973, following his time as a solicitor, Robert founded Dunn Legal, a law firm in Mona Vale that has become a trustworthy alternative to CBD law firms for Pittwater residents. Dunn Legal’s practice areas include wills, estate planning, business sales and intellectual property protection. Robert’s legal career has seen him protect the legal rights of many Australians, often at trying times in their lives, with Dunn Legal maintaining a reputation of client focused respect and diligence. Dunn Legal’s success and longevity are a reflection of the hard work that Robert has put in and the poise with which he managed the firm. His son R. Simon Dunn has carried this tradition forward.

In recent years Robert split his time between his love of Pittwater and his passion for Narooma, serving as the President of theĀ Tilba Tilba and South Narooma Landcare group and was resolute in the pursuit of eradicating fireweed from the Eurobodella LGA. He applied the same straight-up straight talking there that won him so many supporters in Pittwater. He stood down in 2018 but remained part of the committee.

In 2013 Robert releasedĀ Pittwater Uprising!: A Secessionist’s View, his personal memoir about the formation of Pittwater Council. The memoir goes into great detail regarding the events and dramas that went on leading up to Pittwater becoming a local government area. It serves as a great reminder of Robert’s involvement in Pittwater and his fearless defence of its spirit, environment and autonomy. Today Mona Vale is home to Robert Dunn Reserve, a park alongside Mona Vale Beach that stands as a tribute to Robert’s work for the local community. It is a spot of great beauty, overlooking the vast ocean, and it encapsulates the great natural beauty that draws so many people to Pittwater

Robert’s achievements in law, politics and community work made him an incredible role model, and he will be greatly missed by all.