A THORNESIDE man’s dying wish to leave his mark on Redland City is closer to becoming a reality after the council unveiled plans to use his $700,000 bequest to build a synchronised musical water fountain in his honour at Raby Bay Harbour.
When Princess Alexandra Hospital wardsman ,85-year-old Ian McDougall died in December, he had no family and left his estate to his executors.
They donated some of his wealth to the Redland Foundation Open Trust, a charity public trust, for council to build a fountain with a tribute plaque to Mr McDougall.
Other funds from the estate went to the Mater Children's Hospital.
On Wednesday, Redland City Council decided to investigate construction options for Mr McDougall’s commemorative fountain.
Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams told the meeting the trust would extend a further $50,000 if the 80m fountain also included synchronised lighting and music.
Before the meeting, she paid tribute to Mr McDougall, who she said was a humble and frugal man who worked hard all his life and saved his money.
“He lived in Thorneside and had one plate, one fork, one bed, one chair,” Cr Williams said.
“He bought a couple of properties and put his money away and earned interest on it and appointed executors.
“The water feature opens up potential to attract tourists to Redland City and to revitalise the Cleveland CBD,” she said.
Cr William also said she believed the structure would be similar to the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas.
Estate executer Ken McDonald also paid tribute to Mr McDougall and said the fountain was a fitting way to honour the humble former hospital wardsman who spent his later years mowing lawns.
The other executor of Mr McDougall's will is Cleveland solicitor Nathan Hardman, husband of Division 3 councillor Kim Hardman.
