The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and Members recently resolved to bestow the honour of Patron on three of its’ former Chairmen.

 Emeritus Mayors in Katrina Humphries (Moree Plains Shire), Ken Keith OAM (Parkes Shire) and Jamie Chaffey MP (Gunnedah Shire) were proposed by the CMA Board, and unanimously endorsed by its 89 rural, remote and regional Member Councils.

Mrs Humphries is the longest serving past CMA Chairman, having served from 2016-2020.  Mr Keith was the leader from 2020-2022 with Mr Chaffey elected in 2022 and retired in 2024.

Current CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) said “the CMA Board, Members and Staff are very proud to bestow such an honour on three outstanding leaders of NSW Local Government”. 

“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. 

Former Mayor Humphries was Mayor of Moree Plains Shire from 2008-2021 and did not seek re-election in 2021. Former Mayor Keith held the Mayoral role for an impressive 17 years and stood down at the 2024 election. Former Mayor Chaffey was Mayor for eight years, retiring from local government at the 2024 general elections. Mr Chaffey went on to be elected as the Federal Member for Parkes.

“The CMA has evolved and grown to 89 full Member Councils and five Associate Members.  This has occurred – to a 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,’ Mayor Firman added.

An appropriate presentation will be made to the three Local Government luminaries at a CMA Members’ meeting or function, later in the year.