Media notes - Meritorious

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Mr Ross Henry O'SHEA, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
For outstanding public service, particularly to the communities of western New South
Wales.
For more than 35 years, Mr O'Shea has been involved in service delivery and strategic
leadership through various NSW Government agencies, contributing to the betterment of
NSW communities. Over the last 16 years, Mr O'Shea has had a particular focus on western
NSW with roles as Manager Far West, Department of Land and Water Conservation and,
most recently, as Senior Regional Coordinator Western NSW, Department of Premier and
Cabinet. Mr O'Shea has repeatedly demonstrated effective senior leadership, and has
maintained essential working relationships over vast distances and a high level of community
confidence in the importance of his role and the approach of the NSW Government. His work
in the management of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area has been outstanding and
has involved significant facilitation and negotiation between the landholders, the Indigenous
community, and State and Commonwealth Governments. Mr O'Shea is committed to
protecting the Willandra Lakes and his tireless work on resolving conflict, building
partnerships and developing appropriate policy to empower traditional landowners is evident.
On several occasions, Mr O'Shea has coordinated the NSW Government's recovery
response to natural disasters such as flooding. His coordination of state agencies, community
service organisations and local governments has enabled effective and timely recovery
responses for those communities affected. A champion of rural and regional Australia,
Mr O'Shea is a respected adviser to government, a trusted colleague to many stakeholders
and a driving force in the improvement of the quality of services delivered in western New
South Wales.
12