In recognition of the many ways people in Local Government are creatively responding to the needs of the communities they serve, the 1998 William Adams Boral Resources Local Government Awards for Excellence were presented at Tasmania’s Local Government Annual Conference. Twenty-three entries were received, with Awards presented in four categories plus an Overall Award.
Mayor Geoffrey Ashton-Jones from Central Highlands Council won the Community Development Category. With 37 years service to Local Government, Mayor Ashton-Jones’ Award recognises the strong linkages he has built between the community and Local Government, his vision and broad experience.
Lynda Jones, Marketing Manager with Launceston City Council, won the Communications/Consultation Category for her work in promoting more accessible Local Government through the development of creative communication strategies.
The Technical/Practice Innovation Category was won by Peter Maxwell from Waratah-Wynyard Council. Working in his own time, Peter developed a mobile hot mix bitumen drag spreader reducing labour intensity as well as the potential for work injuries.
Grant Atkins, General Manager of the Kentish/Latrobe Joint Authority took out the Award for Management Practice/Innovation. His model of Local Government joint administration has resulted in no loss of local accountability and is a first for Australia.
Lyn Burke from Central Highlands Council won a Special Award for outstanding work across all four categories. Commencing as a gardener with Council in 1988, Lyn moved on to become Supervisor and then Acting Works Manager. She helped secure over $1 million in grants and has assisted Central Highlands in winning a number of Tidy Towns Awards.
Described as an achiever showing exceptional innovation, Lyn said that it is all very well to come up with the ideas, but it is essential to have a cooperative team who will make things happen.
