FORMER Moree Plains Shire mayor, Katrina Humphries, has been made a patron of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW.

Also honoured was former mayor of Gunnedah Shire, Jamie Chaffey, and Ken Keith, a long-serving Parkes Shire mayor.

Mrs Humphries was Moree Plains Shire mayor from 2008 to 2021, and did not seek re-election in 2021.

Mr Chaffey served as the mayor of Gunnedah Shire for eight years, from 2016 until 2024, and was honoured with the Local Government NSW Emeritus Mayor Service Award for his eight years of service. He replaced Mark Coulton as the Federal Member of Parkes early last year.

After 40 years as a Parkes Shire councillor, Mr Keith announced his retirement from local government in August, 2023. During his term, Mr Keith served 17 years as Parkes deputy mayor and 17 years as mayor, and was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Local Government Annual Conference in 2023.

All three former mayors sat as chairs of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW during their terms in local government.

Mrs Humphries said she is honoured to be selected as patron.

“I am absolutely honoured and flattered to be named alongside Jamie and Ken as the first patrons of this functional organisation,” Mrs Humphries said.

“The Country Mayors’ Association of NSW has always been a favourite organisation of mine.

“There are always meaningful meetings. These meetings enable members to partake in constructive talks and discussions about shared problems, and I look forward to being part of a strong bipartisan group,” she said.

Katrina and Gregg Humphries at home at the weekend. Mrs Humphries was made a patron of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW.

Mrs Humphries guided the Moree Plains through some tumultuous times.

“I started with the global financial crisis and ended with a pandemic,” she laughed.

Known as Moree’s no-nonsense, down-to-earth mayor, Mrs Humphries served as chair of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW for four terms.

“My years as a councillor and mayor of Moree Plains was largely to the support I had at home from my husband Gregg, and at Council from former general manager, Lester Rodgers,” she said.

“Taking on extra positions during my time on council always required a team effort.”