Max Goward holds his award noting his 50 years of service with Bega Valley Shire Council. Photo: BVSC.
Over the past 50 years, a council employee has clocked up an incredible 40,000 kilometres grading unsealed roads – which is about the same distance as the Earth’s circumference!
Earlier this month, Bega Valley Shire Council celebrated the half-century of work grader operator Max Goward has done to repair its roads, thereby helping to ensure its residents arrive where they want to go.
The council’s CEO Anthony McMahon said Mr Goward had been presented with a service award in recognition of a phenomenal effort for his community.
“We had a great turnout of staff wanting to congratulate and recognise Max’s incredible contribution to the shire, demonstrating just how much he is respected as a leader within our workforce,” Mr McMahon said.
“It takes a special type of person to serve the community you live in for so long and to do it because it is something you love without any expectation or gratitude.”
Mr Goward began his career with the council as a labourer in August 1972, working for the old Imlay Shire in Eden.
The former shires of Imlay and Mumbulla were amalgamated with the Municipality of Bega in 1981 to form the Bega Valley Shire.
Mr Goward also learned to use a backhoe, which he operated until 1977 before moving on to driving graders, where he has been using his skills on the shire’s unsealed road network ever since.
“Not everyone drives our unsealed roads regularly but for those that rely on them for access they know how important it is to keep them well maintained, and Max has helped us achieve that for such a long period,” Mr McMahon said.
According to the council, its 1420km road network is its major physical asset and costs $5.2 million each year to operate, excluding bridge costs. This amounts to 14 per cent of its annual rates revenue.
Its 705km of sealed roads is also surpassed by its 715km of unsealed roads.
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