The Wimmera farewells Judy and Peter Fisher

Mr Fisher and his wife Judy moved to Buderim in Queensland last week and returned for the morning tea at the art gallery.

"We came back for it even though I think it's totally unnecessary," Mr Fisher said.

"It's unnecessary that we farewell people who are leaving; we should be giving morning teas to people arriving."

Mr Fisher was federal Member for Mallee from 1972 to 1993, Horsham Rural City chief commissioner from 1995 to 1997 following the amalgamation of four Wimmera muncipalities and a trustee of Horsham Regional Art Gallery for the past 11 years.

"We are sad. Horsham has been very good to us but we are leaving to get better access to our family," he said.

"My career has taken me away from my family, even my wife at times."

Mr Fisher said being chief commissioner for Horsham was one of the most exciting things he had done in his career.

"I said I would only accept the job if I could do it in my own town," he said.

"The Horsham restructuring worked very well.

"The four municipalities related and most of the people there saw Horsham as their regional centre anyway."

Mr Fisher said he would remember his time in the Wimmera fondly.

"We're leaving with a great many memories," he said.

His wife Judy was brought to tears during the farewell speeches at the gallery.

"It's a very emotional time," she said.

Horsham Mayor Bernard Gross said he was disappointed Mr and Mrs Fisher were leaving.

"Judy is a Horsham girl and Peter was from Rainbow; they've been part of this region all their lives," he said.

Cr Gross said Mr Fisher had made a significant contribution to the community.

"Peter in his position as Member for Mallee has represented us well, and then later after he had resigned he became a very active citizen in our municipality," he said.

"He had the privilege of being our chief commissioner at amalgamation time and he, together with the other two commissioners, set us up so very well. We are still seeing the results of his management during that 18-month period.

"He's been involved in lots of things in the community, including the art gallery, as president of Legacy and as a member of the saleyards committee.

Cr Gross presented a framed, three- page letter under seal to Mr Fisher, scribed by Horsham chief executive Kerryn Shade outlining the details of his career and contribution to the community.

"We owe a deep debt of gratitude for his contribution and a welcome mat will always be out," Cr Gross said.

Horsham Regional Art Gallery chairman Don Johns said the gallery was fortunate to have had Mr Fisher as a trustee.

"The Fishers are an example to us all," he said.

"He has a cooling effect on different people and he never got upset over anything.

"During his time at the art gallery he always made sure things got done right."

Mr Johns thanked Mr Fisher for his work at the gallery.

"I sincerely thank you for the work that you have done and the way you went about it," he said.

"I will miss you both but I'm also very happy that you are going to be with your family."