Two Upper Lachlan Shire Councillors have been recognised for their years of service to the community after receiving Order of Australia Medals on Australia Day.

Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor John Shaw and former Mayor Brian McCormack received nominations for their service to the Upper Lachlan area.

Cr John Shaw

Cr Shaw has been involved in local government for more than 27 years, and was first elected to Gunning Shire Council in 1987. He served as deputy mayor in 1994-95, and again in 1997-98. Cr Shaw was elected Mayor of Gunning Shire in 1998, a position he held until the 2004 amalgamation with Crookwell Shire and parts of Mulwaree Shire.

Cr Shaw was elected to Upper Lachlan Shire Council in 2004, serving as Deputy Mayor before being elected as Mayor in 2007.

In the community, Cr Shaw has been a member of the Merrill Bushfire Brigade since 1969, acting as Brigade Captain until 1998, when he became Mayor of Gunning Shire.

Cr Shaw is a member of Gunning Pastoral, Agricultural and Industrial (PA&I) Society Inc, which he joined in 1970. He held the role of Steward and Chief of Stewards for 10 years.

He is currently a member of the Country Mayors Association, has served as chairman of the Board of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CBRJO) and was recognised with an Emeritus Mayor award from the Local Government and Shires Association in 2012.

Cr Shaw’s achievements include:

· Tablelands Way – Oberon to Taralga Road (MR256) construct and seal $1.5m project with special grant funding of $750,000 from the NSW State Government.

· Replace Burwood Creek, Collector Creek and Wowagin Creek bridges at a cost of $2.8m.

· Taralga Water Supply augmentation project $1.5m securing $750,000 in NSW Government Grant funding.

· Breadalbane Hall construction paid for by Wind Energy developers at no cost to the Community.

· Gunning/Dalton Water Supply improvement program, funded by the Australian Government ($5.4m), NSW Government ($4.3m) and Council ($1.1m).

· 2010 Natural Disaster Area $6m - roads and bridges washed away, successfully lobbied for funds.

· 2012 Natural Disaster Area - $2m – roads and bridges washed away, successfully lobbied for funds.

· Domestic Waste Management and recycling services provision across all shire towns and villages.

· State Road 54 Crookwell to Bathurst secured $5m NSW Government funding to construct and seal remaining 10km of unsealed road.

· Secured a $1.08m special grant from NSW Roads Minister for completion of construction and sealing of MR248E Crookwell to Taralga Road

Cr Brian McCormack

Cr McCormack was first elected to Crookwell Shire Council in 1987, and was elected Mayor in 1999, a role he held until the 2004 local government amalgamations. He was appointed administrator of the newly formed Upper Lachlan Shire Council, and was duly elected to the new council in 2004. Cr McCormack served as Mayor from 2004 to 2007, before stepping back and deciding to serve as a Councillor.

Cr McCormack has also been a member of the Rural Fire Service for more than 50 years, serving as Captain of both the Williamsdale and Laggan Bush Fire Brigades. He has also served as Chairman of the St Mary’s Catholic School Board and was a member of the Laggan Progress Association while it was active.

Cr McCormack was recognised with an Emeritus Mayor award from the Local Government and Shires Association in 2012.

Cr McCormack’s achievements include:

· MR256 Tablelands Way, Oberon Road previously unsealed – final 5km construction and sealing. $1.5m.

· MR52 Gunning to Crookwell Road – construction and sealing of several kilometres being a $1.85m project – achieved special grant funding from NSW Roads Minister.

· MR248West – Crookwell to Boorowa Road: construct and seal 18km at $4.9m partnering with the Federal Government under the Auslink Strategic Program.

· MR248East – Crookwell to Taralga Road – ongoing construction and sealing of 10km at $4.8m.

· Gunning Court House refurbishment.

· Purchase of Taralga Post Office to develop into the Taralga Community Service Centre and Post Office securing grant funding from the Federal Government.

· Demolition of the saleyards at Crookwell to provide a site for the $6.5m Viewhaven lodge frail aged complex.

· Taralga Sewerage Scheme construction which provided for servicing all the existing Taralga village dwellings with a fully reticulated sewerage and treatment facility successfully lobbying for NSW State Government funding of $7m.

· Council achieved the 2006 Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Award.