Mayor Ruth McRae Receives Order Of Australia Medal

Murrumbidgee Mayor, Ruth McRae has been recognised for her long-standing commitment to local government and the Murrumbidgee community with an Order of Australia Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Mayor McRae was deeply honoured to receive the award.

“It is an unexpected honour and very humbling,” Ms McRae said. “I have been privileged to be a councillor for 19-and-a-half years, firstly with the former Jerilderie Shire Council from 2004 to 2016, and with the amalgamated Murrumdgee Council since then.”

Mayor McRae e0ntered public office when she saw a local government as a credible vehicle to represent the Jerilderie community and the region.

This stemmed from her diverse interests in education, early education, health, disability access and services, aged care, sporting clubs and water.

Ms McRae does not see herself as politically motivated. “I am happy to work with whomever can best assist our communities with the many and varied advocacy briefs we have on the table,” she said.

Mayor McRae said the third tier of government was a challenging role, but, in her opinion, was the grassroots opportunity to see democracy at work on a daily basis.

“It is a balancing act delivering our core services and managing community expectations,” she said.

Ms McRae also paid tribute to her family who had made it possible for her extended tenure in local government.

“To have been able to be engaged for as long as I have has only been possible because I have been wholeheartedly supported by my family,” she said.

“And, without sounding trite, if you love where you live and your community works with and supports you, the very real challenges are just that,” Ms McRae said.

“To be nominated by someone from the community I love is probably the most thrilling aspect of this honour.”

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