The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has appointed three former chairmen as patrons.
Emeritus mayors Katrina Humphries (Moree Plains Shire), Ken Keith OAM (Parkes Shire) and Jamie Chaffey MP (Gunnedah Shire) were nominated by the CMA board and unanimously endorsed by its 89 rural, remote and regional member councils.
Mrs Humphries is the longest-serving former CMA chairman, holding the role from 2016 to 2020. Mr Keith led the association from 2020 to 2022, while Mr Chaffey served from 2022 until his retirement in 2024.
“The CMA Board, Members and Staff are very proud to bestow such an honour on three outstanding leaders of NSW Local Government,” said CMA chairman, Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM.
“The time, vision, dedication and effort that goes into the role of Mayor is large enough, however, to be elected by your peers across rural, remote and regional NSW to lead a state organisation is a significant commitment,” he said.
Humphries served as mayor of Moree Plains Shire from 2008 to 2021 and did not seek re-election. Keith was mayor for 17 years before standing down at the 2024 election. Chaffey served eight years as mayor before retiring from local government at the 2024 general elections and later being elected federal member for Parkes.
“The CMA has evolved and grown to 89 full Member Councils and five Associate Members. This has occurred – toa large extent – due to the tremendous leadership these three provided us. Their contributions are highly valued and we are very pleased to honour them as our inaugural patrons of the CMA,” Firman added.
A presentation will be made to the three former mayors at a CMA members’ meeting or function later this year.
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