One of Canberra's best-known identities, Val Jeffery, has died aged 82.
The unofficial mayor of Tharwa, and owner of the local store there, was an active member of the Rural Fire Service and for two months last year became the ACT's oldest member of the Legislative Assembly for the Canberra Liberals.
Liberals leader Alistair Coe has paid tribute to Mr Jeffery, saying he touched many lives in the territory.
"Val was of course such a unique person," he said.
"He was someone that didn't pull any punches, he was direct, he was honest, he stood up for what he believed in and that's what I think made him so influential in Canberra."
Mr Jeffery had been a member of the Canberra Liberals for half a century and operated the Tharwa store since 1948.
Over the decades, Mr Jeffery has led Tharwa's charge in the 2003 Canberra bushfires recovery effort, the fight against the closure of the Tharwa Primary School and the campaign to reopen the town's bridge.
"It's impossible to compare Val's contribution to the community to anyone else," Mr Coe said.
"He really was the high watermark about how to get involved in your community and how to make a positive difference."
The Canberra Liberals have extended their thoughts and sympathies to Mr Jeffery's wife Dorothy and his family.
A condolence motion will take place in the Legislative Assembly on the first sitting day in August.
