One of the region’s well known civic leaders has been recognised by Local Government NSW for his service to the people of Newcastle.
Cr/Dr John McNaughton AM has been awarded the title of Emeritus Lord Mayor by the NSW Government for his work during his term as Lord Mayor of Newcastle between 1986 and 1995.
During his term as Lord Mayor he led Council to consider new approaches to heritage, development and the support of strategies to improve hospitality and tourism in the wider region.
It was however his leadership during the recovery of Newcastle post the 1989 earthquake that has had enduring impact upon the City and the Hunter region. With a damage bill of more than $1.2 billion the 28 December earthquake surpassed any national disaster and for the first time in Australian history the post-event recovery was managed by Local Government. For this work and his ongoing commitment to his community he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in 1993.
He is also highly regarded for his work to clean-up industry air pollution and his commitment to creating traffic calming strategies for suburban areas of the City. This work included the integration of traffic devices into the areas borded by Darby Street, Stewart Avenue, Glebe Road and King Street in 1986 that resulted in a reduction of road fatalities from two per year to zero.
A surveyor and retired Managing Partner of specialist surveying firm Palmer Bruyn, John was also awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering by the University of Newcastle. He and his wife Margaret were also awarded the honour of becoming ‘Freeman of the City’ in 2011.
He has contributed widely to the community. He has been involved with more than 100 community organisations, was heavily involved with the Scouting Association, Red Shield Appeal, Newcastle Regional Chamber of Commerce, the University of Newcastle, Hunter Research Foundation and the Australian Conversation Foundation to name a few.
Cr/Dr McNaughton remains actively involved in the strategic direction of Palmer Bruyn and with his wife Margaret they donate their time and skills to a number of not-for-profit organisations including Ronald McDonald House, Hunter Carers and a number of aged-care facilities.
Image | Cr/Dr McNaughton at left with the then Premier of NSW The Hon Nick Greiner MP, after the 1989 earthquake. Photo courtesy of Newcastle Herald
