June 10, 2019
South Burnett Regional Council chief executive officer Mark Pitt has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday national awards announced on Monday.
Mr Pitt was one of only three people in Queensland to be awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM).
His citation reads: “For outstanding public service to local government in Queensland”.
Mr Pitt told southburnett.com.au that receiving the honour after 20-odd years in Local Government felt “quite surreal”.
Originally from Laidley, Mr Pitt said he had been involved with community groups since he was young man, including Rotaract, Rural Youth, Jaycees, Toastmasters and was now with Rotary.
The Queen’s Birthday Honour had made him feel very humble.
Mr Pitt was appointed CEO at the SBRC in June last year.
Before that, he was CEO at the North Burnett Regional Council for eight years.
He has also worked at Northern Midlands Council in Tasmania (General Manager), Cook Shire Council (CEO), Bulloo Shire Council (Deputy CEO) and McKinlay Shire Council (Community Services Manager).
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Also honoured in the 2019 Queens Birthday awards was former Kilkivan resident, Lieutenant Commander Laurence (“Laurie”) Choate.
Now stationed in Darwin, LCDR Choate received the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for his service with the Royal Australian Navy at a posting in Cairns.
His citation reads: “For meritorious devotion to duty as the Regional Manager Fleet Support Unit – North East”.
LCDR Choate grew up in Kilkivan. His mother, Dawn, is a former Kilkivan Shire councillor.
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[UPDATED. Originally published as “CEO Honoured With PSM”]
