Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt and Cairns Regional Councillor for Division Three, Rob Pyne, have acknowledged two local achievers in the naming of streets associated with the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade.
[singlepic id=459 w=320 h=240 float=left] Mr Pitt said two streets will be named after respected community members Kevin Murgatroyd and Des Chalmers.
“Murgatroyd Road honours the retired Gordonvale State High School teacher who has been recognised as an educator of excellence and is highly regarded in the community and by those individuals fortunate to have been a student of his,” Mr Pitt said.
“On his retirement from teaching, Kevin served with distinction on the Secondary Schools Board of Studies, overseeing curricula and assessment development.
“Kevin Murgatroyd was very much in demand by the community as an accomplished facilitator because of his people skills and impartiality. He was frequently called upon to chair public meetings when issues of general concern arose in the community.
“He was also a formidable public speaker in his own right and established a forum to allow aspiring public speakers to hone their craft.
“This opportunity and his advice and guidance have contributed to the skills of many people whom have taken on a public profile within the community.
“In the area of sport and recreation, Kevin has taken part in a number of endurance activities to raise funds for charity, setting a challenge to many who are his junior in age.
“Kevin Murgatroyd is universally regarded as a person who has made a valuable contribution to his community and the naming of this road is due recognition of that legacy.”
Cr Pyne said it was great acknowledgment of two local achievers who made outstanding contributions to our region.
“While Kevin’s contribution was a life-long investment in our future human capital – our children – Des Chalmers oversaw massive investment in local infrastructure,” Cr Pyne said.
“Des Chalmers Drive will honour the late engineer who worked for the council and Department of Main Roads.
“Des Chalmers entered local government at Grafton in northern New South Wales and came to Mulgrave Shire in 1964 as Deputy Shire Engineer. He was promoted to Shire Engineer in 1967 upon the retirement of Reg Rudge.
“He was a walking encyclopedia on the Shire and supervised most of the major infrastructure jobs of the day. Des spent a lot of time at the coalface where he commanded great respect from the work crews.
“Shortly after the 1995 amalgamation of Cairns City and Mulgrave Shire councils, Des left the new Council to work with Main Roads as a Planning and Development Officer.
“His local knowledge proved invaluable, and he remained a dedicated public servant until his retirement in 2003.”
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