Mr Symons, who had moved to Rydal some 30 years ago, died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

His proudest creation was the bronze statue of Marjorie Jackson, commissioned by Council and unveiled by the great Olympian herself during the 2000 Olympics, which had pride of place in Cook Plaza.

Lithgow City Council mayor Stephen Lesslie paid tribute to the artist’s legacy for Lithgow.

"What a loss it is to our community,” he said. 

“It was unfortunate that his Marjorie Jackson statue was not yet back in place in Cook Plaza, but when it does return it will stand as a fitting tribute to him.” 

Another fine example of his recent talent is in the bronze plaques on the expanded memorial walls at the Queen Elizabeth Park cenotaph.

Over the years he had also completed numerous bronzes, mainly for government and local government organisations, from his studio and foundry at Rydal.

Mr Symons was also quite a talent with other fine arts and some of his paintings based on Lithgow scenes grace the external walls of Lithgow’s Court House Hotel.

He was a great lover of Chinese culture and this is reflected in the unique sculpture garden that he made open to the public at his rustic Rydal hideaway.

Truly a rare talent and friend and mentor to many aspiring artists, Mr Symons will be buried at Rydal later this week.