Victoria Point park named after philanthropist Dan Holzapfel

Formerly known as Sandy Drive Park, the ecological corridor is adjacent to Sandy Drive and stretches toward Creekwood Street.

Mr Holzapfel, 95, attended Mount Cotton State School leaving at the age of 11 to work on his family’s tomato farm.

They switched to growing strawberries after the family bought 84 acres at Capalaba in the 1960s.

The city’s Citizen of the Year, announced in January, and a Redland Shire councillor from 1964 to 1973, Mr Holzapfel was a significant contributor to the Rotary International program for polio eradication.

Mr Holzapfel was the most significant private donor to the expansion of the Redland Museum.

Last year he donated $100,000 via mayor Karen Williams’ Diner en Rouge fundraising dinner to the Redland Foundation for transitional housing for families impacted by domestic violence.

Cr Williams supported a park naming application from Ray McAllister, saying Mr Holzapfel was an inspiration and stalwart of the Redlands community.

“He is one of our city’s best known residents and has devoted himself to the community over many decades, particularly through Rotary and the Redlands Foundation,” Cr Williams said.

“He is a true humanitarian and his philanthropic spirit and support have made a difference here in the Redlands and further abroad.”

Cr Williams said that on being named Citizen of the Year, Mr Holzapfel had said he was only an average resident.

“His friends are the ones who speak for him and say he is an achiever and a very reliable person…”

Deputy mayor Lance Hewlett said Mr Holzapfel was a former Cleveland Rotary Club president and served on Redland Ambulance, Birkdale National Seniors and Shoreline Probus Club committees.

Unaware of the nomination until the day before it was decided, Mr Holzapfel attended the meeting where all councillors voted for the name change.

Mr Holzapfel lives at Renaissance Retirement Village, located beside the park that will bear his name.

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