March 13, 2025
Former Nanango Deputy Mayor – and community champion – Ros Gregor died this week after a long illness, aged 83.
The 2011 South Burnett Citizen Of The Year was the mover-and-shaker behind many projects in Nanango, including the formation of the Nanango Historical Society, the transformation of Ringsfield House into a museum, the purchase of the former Nanango Masonic Lodge building for community use, and the relocation of two historic Nanango Hospital buildings to the Nanango Showgrounds.
Ms Gregor was first elected to Nanango Shire Council in 1991, serving as Deputy Mayor from 1994 to 1997.
In addition to her Council workload, she also served as president of the Nanango Historical Society and was a committee member on the South Burnett Health Council.
At the 1997 Council election, she challenged sitting Mayor Reg McCallum but lost, leaving her out of Council for the next three years.
However, she was re-elected to Division 3 at the March 2000 election, serving again as Deputy Mayor from 2004 until amalgamation.
Ms Gregor was part of the transition committee formed to guide the amalgamation of the Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon councils ahead of the initial South Burnett Regional Council election in 2008.
At that election, she stood for the newly created Division 2 but was defeated by Blackbutt businesswoman Debra Palmer.
This election effectively ended Ms Gregor’s Council career but not her involvement in community activities, especially in the Nanango area.
Ms Gregor worked tirelessly alongside her partner of many years, Len Bochmann, on projects involving the Nanango Historical Society and Ringsfield House.
In 2015, Ms Gregor was honoured with the naming of the Ros Gregor Nature Walk at Tipperary Flat.
She was also a Life Member of the Nanango Show Society.
Current Division 1 Nanango councillor Jane Erkens said Ms Gregor had been a great advocate for Nanango.
“She also had a great knack of working with people, of encouraging volunteers. She knew how to treat them right,” Cr Erkens said.
Ms Gregor, who died on Tuesday, is survived by her three children, Andrew, Genevieve and Meredith, and their families.
Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.
[UPDATED]
