Ruth McRae’s entry into community service started thanks to her children.
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Her initial community roles were on school committees, and continued when she took on greater roles within the Jerilderie Football Netball Club.
Eventually, Ruth was drawn to local government.
She was initially elected to Jerilderie Shire Council, and was then installed as the mayor of the newly merged Murrumbidgee Council in 2016.
She still holds this position today.
For her service to local government and the Murrumbidgee community, Ruth was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours on Monday.
“Like every recipient who has had the great honour of being recognised, I was surprised, humbled and overwhelmed,” she said.
Ruth was born in Finley and grew up in Berrigan.
She received her early education at Savernake Public School and attended Mt Erin Boarding School in Wagga Wagga for her secondary education.
For five years Ruth lived and worked for the public service in Sydney and Melbourne.
It was in 1982 that she and her husband Des chose to settle down in Jerilderie.
While raising four children and running a veterinary practise, Ruth had the time to become actively involved in the local community.
“Having a small business, we became very involved in this welcoming community very quickly,” she said.
Ruth began engaging in preschool, early intervention and St Joseph’s School committees, where she advocated for educational opportunities for children with special needs.
She continues to advocate for the disability sector to this day.
Along the way she also found time to be a player and coach at the Jerilderie Netball Club.
She joined as a member in 1983 and became a life member in 2018.
The threatening demise of the Jerilderie Hospital saw Ruth get involved in the health sphere, and from that community push the Jerilderie Multi Purpose Service Centre was developed.
In 2004 her interests in education, health, disability access and service, age care and sporting clubs prompted Ruth to stand for local government.
“I had a keen interest in representing my Jerilderie community, and I saw the local government as a credible vehicle to make this happen,” she said.
“This was a huge change to life as I knew it.
“It was difficult and, at times, soul destroying, but our job as civic leaders is to make it work.
“It has been a privileged to serve as a councillor for almost 20 years.”
Ruth served as a councillor and deputy mayor on Jerilderie Shire Council right up until the NSW local government mergers in 2016, which saw the council amalgamated with Murrumbidgee Shire Council.
She was bestowed the honour of being elected the merged entity’s inaugural mayor.
Her fellow councillors have not seen a reason to change the leadership since then.
“To transition from a single community council to a council with three very unique communities (Jerilderie, Darlington Point and Coleambally) has required a steely resolve and open mind,” Ruth said.
“It is a balancing act, delivering our core services and managing community expectation.
“But in my opinion, community engagement and regular, transparent communication will define the longevity of a sustainable local government.
“To have been able to be engaged in the community for as long as I have has only been possible because I have been wholeheartedly supported by my family.
“Now after nearly 20 years it’s only Des and I at home most of the time, and between his work and my council commitments, we are often likes ships passing in the night.
“We see keeping in touch with our kids and our grandchildren as a priority, but they also have been very generous in supporting my public obligations.
“And without sounding trite, I believe if you love where you live and your community works with and supports you, the very real challenges are just that, challenges.
“To be awarded an OAM is an unexpected honour and is extremely humbling. And to be nominated by someone from the community I love is probably the most thrilling aspect of it all.”