Temora Shire Councillor Nigel Judd OAM, the longest serving councillor in NSW, has been honoured at the Local Government NSW conference with the Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledging his exceptional contribution to our community.
This award comes, quite literally, after a lifetime of 46 years of service.
Cr Judd was first elected to Narraburra Shire Council in 1977 before it amalgamated with Temora Shire in 1981. He served as Mayor from 2000 – 2006 after two years as Deputy Mayor (1998 – 2000). At 46 years of service, and counting, Cr Judd is the longest-serving Councillor in NSW.
When Nigel was asked what Council’s greatest achievements during his time as a Councillor were, Clr Judd answered “1981 was the first year of the new Temora Shire Council and Council won its first Bluett Award with two major projects, Lake Centenary and the Effluent Recycling Scheme, and our community are still reaping the benefits of these two innovative projects today”.
In 46 years Cr Judd has contributed to major projects that have contributed to an active and vibrant community and visitor economy in Temora Shire, such as supporting the development of the Temora Aviation Museum, the establishment of Lake Centenary, the desilting of the Lake Centenary in 2003 and the establishment of a Lake loop walking track, the Temora Arts Centre, the Bundawarrah Centre upgrade, the Temora Memorial Town Hall upgrade (included a new 86-seat theatre), the Temora Recreation Centre and Temora Pool upgrade, construction of the heated pool and the development of the railway precinct as a free RV camping site. He has also continued to support young people in the shire through the development of the Youth program and creation of the unique Platform youth space at the railway precinct, along with saving and upgrading the Youth Hall at Ariah Park.
Temora Shire has also been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to environmental initiatives including the implementation of a recycled effluent water scheme in 1981, forming a partnership with the Temora Lions Club to deliver glass and paper/cardboard recycling services and adopting solar and LED lighting and utilising solar to power many Council-owned buildings throughout the Shire.
In 2019, Cr Judd received his Masters of Local Government from the University of Technology, Sydney – his first university experience since leaving Ariah Park Central School and the Temora High School.
He is a past President and present Patron of the Temora Business Enterprise Group (TBEG), and was a foundation member of the Rotaract Club of Temora in 1971, and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Temora for 17 years. He has served two terms as President and was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 2021.
