Former Pittsworth Shire Mayor Ros Scotney was honoured for her service to local government and to the communities of Toowoomba and Pittsworth, being made a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division on Monday 11 June.

Ros began her 22-year local government career with a successful election to Pittsworth Shire Council in 1994, later becoming Mayor in December 1998. After the dissolution of the Pittsworth Shire, Ros served two terms from 2008 to 2016 as a Toowoomba Regional Council councillor. Despite since retiring from the council, Ros has not given up her tireless advocacy for, and involvement in, Pittsworth and surrounding communities. She is currently serving as Chair of various organisations, including the Beauaraba Living Foundation since 2011, Gardens of the Downs since 2016, Pittsworth’s Anzac Day and Pioneer Village Advisory Committees, and DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum since 2005. She is also President of the Pittsworth Rotary Club having been a member since 2005, and patron of Pittsworth Art Gallery and Pittsworth Men’s Shed. Among her various commitments, her longest serving roles include local Leukaemia Foundation branch Vice President since 1994 and Pittsworth Springs committee member since 1997.

Ros grew up on a grain and cattle farm at Kincora, attending Kincora State School before three years boarding at Ipswich Girls Grammar School. Her first job was as a clerk typist at age 17 in the Pittsworth Shire Council, before becoming a dental nurse for 23 years, and life partner of dentist Frank Ciantar. After 17 years away, the couple returned to Pittsworth in 1991, with Ros nursing her terminally ill partner until his death in 1992. Of her family and late partner, Ros says “they made me the person I’ve become. I’ve derived a lot of pleasure from being able to help people. This is a great honour and I’m very humbled.”

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