Posted on Thursday, 7 July 2005 @ 7:58:27 AM
This month marks the end of an era for two long-serving Mackay Port Authority board members John Stuart and chairman John Taylor.
Mary and John Stuart and John and Sharon Taylor attended a special farewell dinner at the Souths Leagues Club.
Nebo grazier Mr Stuart has decided to call it a day, after serving on the board for just over 26 years. Mr Taylor, a local solicitor, has chalked up 15 years on the board, including three years as chairman. He took over the helm of the MPA after the retirement of Ed Casey in 2002. Both men have overseen extensive changes involving the sea and air ports. These included the development and expansion of Mackay’s award-winning airport, forging a ground breaking partnership with Mackay Sugar Co-operative involving new refined sugar export facilities and the raw sugar export wharf and direct involvement in the successful public private partnership marina project with Port Binnli. Mr Stuart joined the MPA as Nebo Shire’s representative on the board on June 22, 1979. “You sometimes wonder where the past 26 years have gone,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous experience. I reckon I’m one of the privileged few who have been able to serve on the board – and I thoroughly enjoyed it right to the last day I might add. “I think if you are going to retire from an organisation such as the port authority, it’s important you leave while you are on top. While the decision was extremely hard, I think it was the right decision.” Mr Stuart -- the MPA’s longest serving board member -- rates the development of the small craft harbour and the expansion of the airport as the highlights of his term. “These are the bells and whistles of the place and attract all of the attention, but my thanks must go to our hard working staff,” he said. “Without their efforts there wouldn’t be a port.”
 Retiring MPA board members chairman John Taylor and long-serving director John Stuart inspect the sugar wharf at Mackay Harbour. |
