John Attwood steps down at the end of this month after 46 years’ service with the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, including 27 years as the chief executive.
Attwood’s first role as junior clerical officer encompassed customer service, rates, payroll, finance, vehicle licensing and “anything else that needed doing”.
The Donnybrook and Balingup Road Boards were amalgamated in 1971, forming the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, with a population between 3500 to 4000.
“The population remained fairly static for many years, and in Balingup it actually decreased as farmland was sold for plantations.
“It’s only in the last 15 years that it’s really started to pick up and it’s now up to about 6000.”
In 1989, he was appointed chief executive.
Among the highlights of the past 27 years, Attwood lists the development of the Donnybrook Central Business District.
Someone’s comment that Donnybrook was the “ugliest town in the state” was pounced upon by the media and broadcast throughout the country.
“But that wasn’t the catalyst. Council was well on the way to improving the town through the development of the Main Street Committee [now the Townscape Committee]. It was a good project which got a lot of funding.”
Underground power was installed, the town centre re-landscaped, and Clifford Rd constructed to take delivery vehicles away from the main street. The amphitheatre and pedestrian bridge were installed.
The shire took over the land along the railway line and, working with the South West Development Commission, transformed the old station from a derelict building to the Visitor Centre, and repaired the Station Master’s House which became home to the Community Resource Centre.
Other highlights include the development of a joint library facility with the Department of Education, relocating the Shire Depot to Sandhills Rd, building the Recreation Centre Stadium, the development of VC Mitchell Park, the new Medical Centre and Preston Village.
The main street of Balingup has been revitalised, along with the town’s oval and a new works depot.
Attwood and his wife Sue have three children and 10 grandchildren, and plans to keep an eye out for new challenges while fishing and travelling.
