I acknowledge the sad passing of local environmentalist Sue Bishop, the founding member of Friends of Ewen Park.

For decades, Sue campaigned to preserve precious green spaces in the inner west. She loved the Cooks River and made an immeasurable contribution to improving its health and vitality.

Sue fought to save and upgrade picnic areas in Ewen Park, and in 2009, with funding from Canterbury Council, successfully established the Ewen Park Revegetation site.

Rain, hail or shine, Sue would be at monthly working bees, rolling up her sleeves, weeding, planting indigenous plants and pulling rubbish from the River, even during her cancer treatments.

Sue's countless Spring picnics brought environmental conscious inner westies of all ages together for a day of fun at the park.

Her fight to preserve green space in the inner west and protect the Cooks River lives on through her legacy – our river is slowly but surely returning to health.

All of us who enjoy the Cooks River owe Sue a debt of thanks.

Sue will be sorely missed and I send my deepest condolences to her beloved family, all those in the Cooks River community, and all those at Friends of Ewen Park.