It’s quickly apparent why Buninyong resident Ian Rossiter was awarded a Public Service Medal, though his younger self would never have anticipated the 25-year local government career leading to it.
“I was never aiming to work in local government when I graduated from Burnley Horticultural College in 1982,” he said.
“But a fellow graduate kept pestering me to give it a shot. Once I started, I absolutely loved it – it’s an area you can really make a difference in, and fundamentally leave lasting legacies.”
Mr Rossiter counts the Lake Blitz and Harnessing Ballarat’s Stormwater project as two of his lasting legacies, along with his work for the Ballarat Begonia Festival in the late 1990s.
The 57-year-old is one of 41 Australians who were awarded a Public Service Medal yesterday, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for this year. The medals are awarded by the Governor-General for “outstanding service” in Australian government, at federal, state and local levels.
Chair of the Council of the Order, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (Retd), said the awards recognise the “quiet achievers”.
“They are people who serve the community, but do not seek accolades,” Air Chief Marshal Houston (Retd) said.
The Lake Blitz and Harnessing Ballarat’s Stormwater projects stemmed from Mr Rossiter’s focus on improving the natural environment, and creating sustainable systems for managing open space, waste and water resources.
“Harnessing Ballarat’s Stormwater was a fairly large project, involving getting water from various wetlands around stormwater catchments, transferring it to Lake Wendouree, and using the lake as a source to draw irrigation for parks, gardens and sporting venues.
“I’ve always involved the community in all of the projects that I’ve taken on. That’s the important thing, community ownership in everything we do.”
Mr Rossiter is currently on long-service leave before he retires from Ballarat Council, but still serves on the Ballarat Renewable Energy And Zero Emission (BREAZE) board.
