Quarter century service
Originally published in The Nyngan Weekly
After 25 years as Bogan shire mayor, Ray Donald has retired from local government. Cr Donald has served the Bogan community since first running for council after the 1990 floods.
Cr Donald said that he first ran for council as he wanted to represent farmers and people living on the land. It didn’t take long for him to become mayor, and before he knew it, he’d been there for 25 years.
Across NSW, Cr Donald is well respected in local government for his continued commitment to not only his constituents but the improved running of all local governments. A lot has changed over the 30 years Cr Donald has been at Bogan shire, but he is proud of the impact he’s had.
Though he has spent “a big slice” of his lifetime on council, Cr Donald is pleased to have served his community. When he first began his local government career, Cr Donald said the council was volatile, as the community rebuilt following the floods.
“Everybody was still recovering, as is natural after a massive natural disaster. People were still remembering what happened and questioning whether or not it should have happened.
“Some people thought the council may have been responsible for the flood. So, when I came onto that, things were pretty volatile.
“That didn’t last for terribly long, people around Nyngan rolled up their sleeves and recovered,” said Cr Donald.
The local government landscape has changed immensely during his tenure, and Cr Donald feels that it has changed for the better.
“There has been a change in the culture of local government. We in Bogan have become far more of a service organisation.”
Cr Donald said that one of the best changes he’s seen implemented over the past three decades is changes to mayor elections.
“It’s better now that mayors are elected for two years and not annually anymore. Now you don’t have to face election every year, you have time to get some credibility behind you before the next election now.”
Of the three forms of government in Australia, federal, state, and local, Cr Donald said it’s local that is the most trusted.
“It’s the government that is closest to the people. Being close to the people, you’ve got those you answer to right at your doorstep, on the same day that decisions happen.” Cr Donald said it was hard to pinpoint moments in his career that stood out, but that he was immensely proud of the councils he’s served with and the community he lives in.
“I look back on my time as mayor as being one where there has been an improvement to the amenities and infrastructure to the people who live in Nyngan and reside in the Bogan shire.”
One thing that he maintains the Bogan residents have maintained over the past 30 years is their sense of community.
“Being one community is important for a small rural centre. We’ve got a lot of respect for the diversity in Nyngan, but we all consider ourselves to be part of the Bogan shire community, without any major divide. Very seldom has there been a situation where because of any neglect by council, people have been found wanting.”
Outgoing councillors thanked Cr Donald for his years of service in a joint statement.
“As mayor, Ray has been an efficient and effective leader and meetings are run expertly. His dedication to lobbying governments at all levels for better outcomes for the Bogan shire was inspirational.
“He has always been approachable to councillors, as well as community members and has led the shire through a great many changes. Ray has always been a strong advocate for the rural ratepayers on our shire and has ensured their concerns, such as the upkeep of roads and the access to emergency services, are always given due attention.”
Cr Donald retirement was celebrated last Thursday with family members and fellow Bogan shire staff, at a surprise luncheon. Though retirement will take a bit of getting used to, Cr Donald certainly won’t be doing nothing.
Still running his farm, he hopes that he will have more time to see family outside of Nyngan. A bittersweet moment, Cr Donald is pleased with his decision, with COVID-19 giving him an extra year to feel secure in his choice.
“I want to stay involved in the community and events and help some of the committees to put on those events. I’ll still be around and available at any time to help with new councillors who want to ask me anything. But I’m certainly not going to be looking through the doors to see how they’re going at every meeting.”
Also celebrating his retirement is long-standing councillor Kevin Ryan. Cr Ryan was thanked for his ongoing services to not only the Bogan shire, but local councils across NSW.
His particularly sharp finance skills have been imperative to the ongoing financial success of the council.
"Kevin’s knowledge of the workings of local government has been invaluable. His career working for and managing councils across western NSW, followed by his long stint as a councillor gave him a solid understanding of issues and processes.
“As councillors we have valued his guidance on some tough matters. Kevin also understood the concerns of small business people and those who live in our towns, which was important.”
Councillors praised the pair for their successful careers and the mark they have left on council.
“The fact Bogan Shire Council has remained in a sound financial position through the many floods, droughts, and economic fluctuations, is largely due to their experience and sound management.
“There is no doubt the Bogan Shire Council chambers will be a different place without Ray and Kevin at the table but we hope the legacy of their experience and dedication will carry on following the upcoming election.”