After a long tenure as Junee Shire Council General Manager, James Davis has retired, with a big send-off on April 29 at the Athenium. James has spent many years in the role, showing a passion and love for the community.
Mayor Bob Callow spoke highly of James Davis, attending the send-off among many others.
“Michael McCormick attended as well and spoke very warmly of the way in which James has worked with the Junee community and the mountain of things that have been achieved whilst he’s been here. It has been enormous,” he said.
“The fact that he’s been here for so long and chooses to retire here in Junee says a lot about how he felt about the place. We are sad to see him go, but we’re happy that he’s embarked on a new adventure in life.
“Our new general manager seems to be working very, very well. And so James was instrumental in making sure he was fully aware of what the circumstances here were and worked with him up until he departed.
“The Community spoke very highly of his work with them, with Junee Business and Trades, with volunteer organisations. He was involved in a lot of things. I expect he probably will still be involved when he finishes trekking about the countryside.
“REROC gave him a marvellous sendoff in Wagga, and all the mayors and general managers that have worked with him were there and spoke very highly of his service.
“We just hope that he and his lovely wife can enjoy a happy retirement. What do you think were some of the highlights of his time in Junee, the Commonwealth Bank and his support of the community to get that back come to mind?
“I’ll go right back to when he started here at Junee, and he was just a health and building inspector. He worked then in that space and got the Junee Pool renovations done, and now what we have is Junee Recreation Centre. That pretty much happened under his watch, and it certainly came in under budget. It is a facility that is still looked at by other councils as a way forward for them in renovating their pool complexes. The Athenium Theatre, the council have eventually put in quite a lot of work there.”
Under James, the following achievements were made (always with his dedicated teams)”
Worked with the previous Engineer, Col Macaulay, to rebuild the ageing pool into the current JJRAC. A pool and recreation centre still admired by other Councils.
Skate Park construction.
Library relocation and renovation.
Laurie Daley Oval refurbishments.
Local street upgrades and beautification.
Athenium Theatre upgrades.
Dog Park.
Bethungra Dam and Sandy Beach upgrades.
Viewing platform at the Spiral.
Memorial Park playground upgrades.
Commonwealth Bank retention, including having a session of the Banking inquiry here in Junee with Matt Canavan.
Formed many strong bonds with State and Federal Politicians whilst always keeping an eye on the Council’s 3 big R’s. Rates, Roads and rubbish.
He built a solid team of people who have achieved a great deal with the little money we get.
Very much respected within the REROC Community.
Jack Murray
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