FROM having the support of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard on renewable energy to meeting Lady Gaga, Ray Brown has seen a lot in his three decades in council.

“It has been a magnificent journey,” Cr Brown said.

The former mayor began his career in council nearly 30 years ago in1990, a decision sparked from someone polluting the river on his cattle property.

“I kept ringing the council asking them what they were going to do about it because my cattle wouldn’t drink the water,” Cr Brown said.

“We found out who were polluting it and it took us seven years to shut them down, the CEO at the time told me to get on-board and go annoy some people in Brisbane and that’s what I did.”

Cr Brown was first voted in to the Tara Shire Council in March, 1990 where he served until the shire councils were amalgamated in 2008.

That’s when Cr Brown put his hand up for the mayoral position of the newly formed Western Downs Regional Council and was the leader between 2008-2016.

In those eight years, Cr Brown has overseen some of the region’s biggest changes including the 2010 and 2011 floods, the $880 million dollar Warrego Highway upgrade and the amalgamation of the councils.

“The floods of 2010-2011 were huge, they affected so many people.

“I didn’t go home for three weeks, I had to spend those weeks in a motel in Dalby.”

Having seen the devastation of the floods first hand, it is something that will stay with Cr Brown forever.

“I remember being with Anna Bligh in the crux of the floods and the loss of life that occurred, just watching her lead from the front, I will always hold her up in high esteem,” he said.

Cr Brown and the council also worked tirelessly to upgrade the Warrego Highway, taking plans back and forth from Canberra.

“When I started, that road was a death trap,” he said.

“The amount of fatality statistics just didn’t sit right with me and I just kept saying those statistics should be the amount of money spent on it.”

Working as mayor also opened many doors for Cr Brown including meeting the last five Prime Ministers as well as the Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga.

“I was a part of the very first to turn to solar power and I was able to see that come right through to fruition,” he said.

“I have photos with Julia Gillard from when we announced it.”

Cr Brown is also proud of the fact that he has taken care of things at home rather than jetting off to enjoy all the perks that come with the job.

“I never once went overseas with local government, I always saw it as the ratepayer’s money is my money too, I looked after every cent as if it was mine.

“Some people didn’t always agree with that either, but I always respected the people’s money because I know how hard they worked for it.”

Hanging up his hat as a local politician, Cr Brown now has his sights set on mental health.

“It will be a volunteer role, I want to make sure that any funding that does make its way from federal and state gets to where it needs to go, so we can disperse them locally to make sure they count,” he said.

“Everyone has heart strings, there has been huge pressure on agriculture sector but also our business sector.

“People seem to forget about them and forget that every little town has a business sector that needs just as much support, through these droughts, floods and economical down terms too.”

Cr Brown said what makes the Western Downs said he is forever thankful for the support and the criticism he has experienced over the years.

“It’s not the coal, it’s not cotton, it’s not product, it’s the people in this region make it such a great place and I hope those running remember that,” he said.

With the election race heating up, Cr Brown is excited for not only those who are re-electing but also the new faces ready to give council their best shot.

“It will give council some great initiative and will hopefully bring life back into how to council will go about their business.

“Everyone I have seen so far who have put their hand up will give it a good go.

“My only advice is to keep the politics out of it.”