Australia Day gongs for public servants

Former three-term Lord Mayor of Glen Eira Council Jim Magee is among the many public servants to receive an Australia Day honour.

Magee – who served as lord mayor of Glen Eira City Council from 2014 to 2023, and deputy mayor for two terms (2015-2016 and 2020-2021) – has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) “for service to local government, and to the community of Glen Eira”, an LGA in Victoria.

“I’m still speechless,” Magee told Government News. Asked for further reaction, Magee said there were far more people deserving of the honour. “I look around me and I can see so many more people more worthy than me.”

Whilst Magee has been Glen Eira mayor three times on the trot, he told GN it’s not his proudest milestone. “More importantly, I had 14 years on the local school council. To me that’s probably my most biggest achievement,” he said.

Asked how he was going to mark the occasion, Magee replied: “With my boys, my family, a big barbecue – just celebrating the day.”

Jennifer Anderson (supplied)

Former mayor of Ku-ring-gai Jennifer Anderson has also been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to the community of Ku-ring-gai”, a local government area in Northern Sydney.

Anderson served as lord mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council for eight years – council’s longest serving mayor in its 119-year history. Also deputy mayor for three terms, Anderson joined council in 2006 before retiring in 2021. In the same year, Anderson received the Excellence Award from Local Government New South Wales. In 2017, Anderson received the NSW Ministers’ Award for Women in Local Government.

Neville Kschenka (narrandera.nsw.gov.au)

Current lord mayor of Narrandera Shire Council Neville Kschenka received an OAM “for service to local government, and to the community of Narrandera”, an LGA in the Riverina region of south-western NSW. Kschenka first joined council in 1998-1991; and since 2021.

Former lord mayor of Campbell Town Council (now Northern Midlands Council) David Downie is another OAM recepient. Downie was mayor of the local government body in Tasmania from 2014-2018, and deputy mayor from 2017-2014. He joined council in 1986.

Dianna Baker (algwa.org.au)

Dianna Baker received an OAM “for service to local government, and the community of Inverell”, in northern NSW. A councillor from 1999-2024, Baker served as deputy mayor of Inverell Shire Council in 2010, 2012 and 2013. She also served as president of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (NSW branch) from 2022-2024.

Also receiving an OAM, Rodney Glenn who served on Dubbo City Council in NSW from 2004-2016. Glenn also served as president of the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network.

The late Peter Smith received an OAM “for service to the community of Inner West Sydney”. Smith served as Lord Mayor of Strathfield Council in 1997 and deputy mayor from 1996-1997.

Public Service Medal recipients

Other figures in the public service sector were recognised with meritorious awards.

Among them, Emma Gleeson who received a public service medal “for outstanding public service in the development and implementation of the Aged Care Work Value Case”.  

Also picking up a PSM, Cassandra Ireland “for outstanding public service in the delivery of significant legislative reform and legal services within the Australian government”.

Tracie-Ann Maher received a PSM “for outstanding public service in risk management across the Australian public service”.

William Birch received a PSM “for outstanding public service to local government and economic development in the Narrabri Shire”, in NSW. A public servant with over 19 years of service to Narrabri Shire Council, Birch contributed significantly to the region’s economic vitality.

Lindy Deitz received a PSM “for outstanding public service to NSW local government in the city of Campbelltown and the surrounding region” – one of the largest metropolitan councils in NSW.

And Peter Gainsford received a PSM “for outstanding public service for local government in Sydney’s Inner West”. Under his leadership, Inner West Council became the first council in Australia to be powered by 100% renewable electricity.

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