Jim Webber

James Richard Webber (28 August 1940 – 4 November 2024) was an Australian politician.

Webber is perhaps best known for ending Rex Pilbeam's record 30-year reign as the mayor of the Queensland city of Rockhampton.

He was also known for helping coordinate an unorthodox rescue mission in 1986 to prevent two male chimpanzees from being euthanised.

Life and career Early life Webber was born on 28 August 1940 in Leonora, Western Australia, and relocated to Queensland with his family as a young boy.

At the age of 17, Webber moved north to Mackay where he worked at a Goodyear outlet retreading tyres.

Political career At the age of 29, Webber was elected as an alderman to Rockhampton City Council in 1970.

Through his time at Rockhampton City Council, Webber is credited with overseeing the development of Kershaw Gardens, the Rockhampton Music Bowl and for being instrumental in having Rockhampton City Council acquire the Rockhampton Airport.

Along with Tom Wyatt, Webber is also credited with devising a plan to save two male chimpanzees called Cassius and Octavius from being euthanised at Tweed Heads in 1986, circumventing the Queensland and New South Wales state government's refusal to sign permits to allow the chimpanzees to cross the border.

Death Webber died on 4 November 2024, at the age of 84.

After his death, Rockhampton mayor Tony Williams praised Webber as "someone who cared, led and delivered for Rockhampton in what was a critical time in the city's history". Former mayor Margaret Strelow and Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland also paid tribute to Webber.

Legacy In 2019, the Reception Room at Rockhampton's City Hall which had recently been restored was named the "Jim Webber Reception Room" in Webber's honour. An official opening was held at City Hall on 10 April 2019.