Long serving Forbes councillor and former mayor Alister Lockhart has been recognised for his almost 30 years of service to the community following his listing on the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Councillor Lockhart will receive an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the General Division and joins almost 600 Australians who have been honoured for their contribution.
The Order of Australia Medal confers recognition for outstanding service or achievement and Councillor Lockhart has been recognised for his “service to local government and the Forbes community.”
Still a serving member of Forbes Shire Council, Cr Lockhart has been a strong and articulate voice in Forbes Shire Council since first elected in 1990.
He was Deputy Shire President from 1991 until 1993, Deputy Mayor from 1997 until 1999 and Mayor from 1999 until 2006.
He has been a strong voice for rural and irrigators issues, both internally within council and externally in his numerous roles with organisations such as the Lachlan River Advisory Committee, the Upper Lachlan Water Users, the Saleyard Operators Association of NSW and in the founding stages of Lachlan Valley Water.
Cr Lockhart, also a board member of Jemalong Retirement Village, said he was honoured if slightly embarrassed to receive such a high award.
He said there were many within council and the community who could share the thanks.
Cr Lockhart first became interested in local government in 1987.
“I felt I could make a difference and felt I had something to offer,” he said.
“I am very proud to have been mayor of Forbes Shire Council, I think it’s a fantastic town and there’s always volunteers there for projects put forward. That’s one reason I feel embarrassed to get such a high honour,” he said.
Councillor Lockhart lists the initiation of a greater degree of asset management planning, the beginning of planning for stage I of the Central West Livestock Exchange, a Lake Forbes Management Plan which saw the walk way constructed around the Lake, the establishment of an Environment Committee which has facilitated co-operation between local environmental groups and council, the initiation of a Heritage Committee to increase cooperation between heritage aware residents and council as just some of the notable issues and achievements during his time with Forbes Shire Council.
“We as a council have initiated industrial and residential development,” he said.
Cr Lockhart said during his time as mayor he endeavoured to create “a more proactive rather than reactive council”, an organisation which looked forward and planned for the future.
Cr Lockhart emigrated from Scotland in 1980 and said his involvement in rural issues had its genesis in his profession as a dairy farmer and a desire to understand rural issues in a new environment.
He said he has enjoyed his time on Forbes Shire Council “tremendously” and thanked those who have lent their assistance during his tenure.
“Everything that was achieved was a team effort…”
“I enjoy being on council and you become attached to it, it becomes a part of your life.”
He said he would be accepting the award on behalf of council staff and the town’s many volunteers and residents who have lent a hand to his efforts over the years.
“I’d also like to mention my wife and her support of all my endeavours, whether they be council or the many river committees I’ve been on over the years,” he said.
Cr Lockhart’s current term on Forbes Shire Council expires in September 2012.
He lists stage II of the Central West Livestock Exchange as an issue of importance looking forward.
“Hopefully that will start this year,” he said.
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