ONE of the region’s longest serving councillors has been recognised for his extensive and ongoing service at a NSW councils’ conference.
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Liverpool Plains Shire councillor Ian Lobsey was presented the outstanding service award at the 2018 Local Government NSW conference in Albury on Monday evening.
The award was in recognition of Cr Lobsey’s contribution to two councils across four decades.
Cr Lobsey was first elected to Nundle Shire Council in 1984 where he served until 2000, including a stint as mayor.
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He said most councillors, in those days, were landholders and he was prompted to run to provide a different perspective from his role as the school principal.
Cr Lobsey was in his early forties then, which made him one of the youngest in the chambers.
He hoped more younger people would consider roles with council.
“It’s getting worse, because the young people are busier and busier, and the pace of life is not slowing down,” he said.
“It’d be great if more put up their hand in our shire, there are no young ones on council now.”
Cr Lobsey became the first mayor of Liverpool Plains Shire following its creation in 2004.
He contested for the role last month at a council meeting, but he was beaten by incumbent Andrew Hope. Cr Lobsey said it “remained to be seen” if he would run for council again in 2020.
He listed his proudest moments on council as chasing politicians for funding for the Nundle to Quirindi log haul route and revamping Quipolly Dam.
Narrabri Shire Council also won the AR Bluett Award for excellence in Local Government.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
