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Citizen of the Year ~ Mr John Lee.

Australia Day

Ringsfield House 2006

Speech Written & Presented By Liz Caffery

 John Lee is an exceptional citizen whose dedication to community service in many fields has set a standard which is rarely achieved by others. John is a lifetime resident of the Nanango Shire and his contribution to local community organisations and activities over many, many years includes:- the  Nanango Shire Council, Nanango Race Club, the Nanango Show Society, Rural Fire Brigade, the cattle industry and other local farming organisations.

In the sphere of local Government, John served as councillor of the Nanango Shire for 35 years. During this time he was Finance Committee chairman for 13 years as well as deputy shire mayor from 2000 - 2004. He was involved in many community committees through his association with the Shire Council such as the Nanango/Yarraman Fire Brigade Board for 14 years, the police consultative committee, rural watch coordinator and treasurer of the sesquicentennial committee in 1998.

A personal highlight for John during his long term as councillor occurred in 1985. As chairman of the Town Planning committee during the 1980s at the height of the busy urban and rural development that accompanied the construction of a power station in the shire, John was invited to present a paper at a University of Queensland Planning workshop on the topic of rural residential development.

During this busy time period also, John was involved in fund raising committees for the establishment of Karinya Retirement Hostel, now a vital part of the life of our Nanango Shire community.

John Lee’s contribution to the establishment and continuing success of the Nanango Race Club, as well as to country racing generally, has indeed been noteworthy. John has been president of the Nanango Race Club for 30 years, receiving an honorary life membership in 1982. At a time when country racing is diminishing in many centres, the Nanango Race Club remains a vibrant organisation under John’s leadership. It has excellent facilities and training stables, hosts 6 race meetings a year and generates a significant industry for shire and district. John’s involvement in wider racing organisations such as Queensland Racing was recognised by the Queensland Turf Club in 1992 when he was awarded an administration award for country racing, one of only three such awards ever given.

John Lee’s service to local rural affairs is wide ranging. He is a well known and respected cattleman, breeder of Santa Gertrudis cattle and cattle judge at shows.  He began voluntary work for the Nanango Show Society as a youngster and organised ring events for 18 years. He is a Life member of the Show society from whom he has received a certificate of appreciation for the continuous showing of prime beef cattle for 50 years.

John is currently the Fire warden for the district of ‘Broadmere’. He was an original member of the Sandy Ridges rural fire brigade formed in the early 1950s and has remained an active member ever since. In 1999, he received a merit award for 30 years dedicated service  to the ‘Broadmere’ fire district.

He is also an honorary fauna officer for his district.

While the sheer volume of John’s Lee’s contribution to his local community over a long period of time is extraordinary in itself, the quality of his commitment to community service is beyond reproach. John has a well defined sense of duty and each community responsibility is carried out with the utmost reliability and dedication by a man who gives unstintingly of his time and energy. Obstacles are met with tenacity and dogged determination ~ the job is always done! John Lee has been, and still is, a pillar of strength in our Nanango Shire community.

We congratulate John on his well-deserved award as Australia Day Citizen of the Year 2006.