The Honourable Councillor Lawrence Springborg Mayor Goondiwindi Regional Council profile picture

Goondiwindi region Mayor Lawrence Springborg awarded Order of Australia.

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The Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Lawrence Springborg has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to the Parliament of Queensland and the Southern Downs community.

The Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) awarded Cr Springborg the Order this morning in the Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours List.

The Order recognises Cr Springborg’s significant contribution to Australian life since becoming the youngest person elected to the Parliament of Queensland in 1989, at the age of 21.

Since retiring from State politics in 2017, Cr Springborg has continued to advocate for regional communities – particularly in times of severe drought and hardship – and began his new role in local government as the Mayor of the Goondiwindi region earlier in the year.

Goondiwindi Regional Council’s Chief Executive Officer Carl Manton said Cr Springborg, from Yelarbon, continues to provide inspiration to those in rural and regional Queensland.

“Many locals have watched on with the rest of Queensland as he went on to achieve inspirational levels of political accomplishment,” Mr Manton said.

“There would be few parliamentarians who could match Lawrence's record and breadth of experience. He’s shown many regional Australians what is possible - no matter where you come from.”

Cr Springborg reacted to the news of his award this morning with the following statement:

“The Order of Australia is truly a great privilege, and I am extremely honoured to be able to accept it this morning. Needless to say, it is incredibly humbling.

“It is a reward in itself to be able to serve, and it is certainly special and reinvigorating to now be able to do so as Mayor of a community where my family have been based for five generations.

“I must express my sincere thanks to the Governor-General David Hurley and the Council of the Order of Australia for this recognition.”

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. The order is awarded each year on Australia Day and on the Queen's birthday holiday in June.

8th June 2020 at 12:00 AM