The 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list has recognised 110 Queenslanders for remarkable contributions to nation and state.
Included in the list were some prominent advocates for local government including:
Past Brisbane City councillor and chairman of council Margaret De Wit received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community of Brisbane. She was the Brisbane City (BCC) councillor for the Ward of Pullenvale from 1997 - 2016, and held senior portfolios in BCC ranging from leader of the opposition (prior to the election of Campbell Newman in 2004) to chairman of infrastructure when Cr Graham Quirk became Lord Mayor. Ms De Wit was the first woman elected as president of the Local Government Association of Queensland in its 116-year history.
Aurukun chief executive officer Bernie McCarthy received a Public Service Medal for 47 years of work in local government. In addition to his current position Mr. McCarthy has also worked in the local government sector in Victoria and the Northern Territory serving communities disadvantaged by remoteness and lack of infrastructure. Mr McCarthy managed the $10 million reconstruction of the airport and the waterfront beautification of Thursday Islands as CEO and Director of Corporate Services at the Torres Shire Council.
Mareeba Shire Council CEO Peter Franks was awarded the Public Service Medal for his innovative and courageous approach to local government, and for a focus on both economic and social sustainability. Mr Franks has been a leader of change for a number of councils throughout Australia since his employment within the local government industry in November 2000.
Barcoo Shire Council Mayor Bruce Scott received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mayor Scott was instrumental in driving the high-speed internet to the region after a decade-long campaign.
Former Tablelands councillor Shaaron Linwood received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community of the Atherton Tablelands. Ms Linwood worked for more than 16 years in local government. [Photo: Cairns Post]