According to Ian, Yass was a very different place in those days. “Canberra was a very small place. No one would think about driving to Canberra to work. Everyone who lived in Yass, worked in Yass,” he said.

“We had about five fruit and veggies shops. As a town, we were self sufficient and didn’t rely on anyone else.”

From 1980 through to 1993, Ian held the post of Yass Shire Clerk. He was at the top of the staff tree. The structure of the Shire was very similar to the makeup of council today.

While all employees answered to Ian, he didn’t yield the most power. “In my day, the mayor made all the decisions. I was in charge of all the staff, but that was it. The mayor was the man,” he said.

In 1993, local shires adopted the New Local Government Act, thus giving most of the responsibility back to the shire’s employees.

Ian’s title changed from Shire clerk to General Manager. While his title bore more brunt, he’s job remained ever the same.

From 1993 through to his retirement in 1998, Ian possessed a frightening work ethic.

In the months leading up to the 1994 bypass, the GM often put in 15 hour days. All this while keeping a strong relationship with his three sons and trying to keep on top of his erratic diabetes, a condition thrust upon him in his early 20s.

In the days before the Hume Highway bypass of Yass, cars had been known to be backed up as far north as Bowning, waiting for the traffic lights to turn green so they could inch their way forward.

Ian believes the bypass has given the town a new lease of life. “It’s made the town a great place to live,” he said. “Initially the businesses thought they would suffer, but they’ve adapted and in many ways, thrived.”

Ian is proud of what he has achieved.

Today he remains active, enjoys a round of golf, a coffee at his favourite local cafe and takes pride in organising the annual Australia Day breakfast.

Above all, he enjoys ‘relaxing’. And after 36 stressful years at the helm of the Shire, who could blame him?