Congratulations. From left, the GovernorGeneral’s wife, Marlena Jeffery, Matthew Lucas, Margaret Lucas, the GovernorGeneral, Major General Michael Jeffery, and Christmas Island administrator Neil Lucas.By Jim Mynard
FORMER Casey mayor Neil Lucas has been appointed administrator of Christmas and Cocos Islands.
The GovernorGeneral, Major General Michael Jeffery, officially inducted Mr Lucas, of Berwick, to the position during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra last Thursday.
He will be the representative of Queen Elizabeth and the Australian Commonwealth, and will take up his appointment on Monday, 30 January.
The Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, announced the appointment, saying it was to administer the Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The minister said that while the appointment was at the GovernorGeneral’s pleasure, it was expected that Mr Lucas would fill the role for an initial term of two years.
“Formerly, the mayor of Casey and the State Member for Eumemmerring, Mr Lucas has considerable experience in local and state government, public administration and governance.”
Mr Lucas also served as the former City of Berwick chief executive.
Eumemmerring MP Gordon RichPhillips, who served alongside Mr Lucas, said the appointment was a fitting recognition of the contribution he made to the community.
Mr RichPhillips said he was pleased that Mr Lucas had been given the opportunity to provide an even greater service to the Australian people.
“I extend my personal congratulations to Neil and his wife Margaret, and would like to thank him on behalf of the people of Eumemmerring for his remarkable contribution.”
Mr Lloyd said Mr Lucas had held prominent roles as parliamentary secretary to the leader of the legislative council in the Victorian parliament and consultant to the Victorian Ministers for Local Government and Planning.
“Mr Lucas has substantial experience in public policy, planning and development, as well as in governance and accountability through his leadership and membership of various parliamentary committees, which includes chair of the Joint Parliamentary Economic Development Committee and chair of the inquiry into annual reporting in the Victorian public sector.
“In recognition of his significant contributions over the years Mr Lucas was awarded the Public Service Medal in 1995 for outstanding public service to local government.
“Mr Lucas’ career in public life has equipped him with the skills necessary to fulfil this role and I am confident that he will make a valuable contribution to the territory communities,” Mr Lloyd said.
Mr Lucas said he was excited about the challenge before him.
“I look forward to the positions and will carry them out to the best of my ability,” he said.
Mr and Mrs Lucas will live on Christmas Island. The island is 2600 kilometres northwest of Perth, with Java its closest neighbour.
It is an Australian territory and described as a tropical paradise.
Captain William Mynors, on board the East India Ship Company vessel Royal Mary, named the island when he arrived there on Christmas Day, 1643.
Cocos Island is about 900 kilometres west of Christmas Island, and was named after the Cocos coconut because it grew in profusion on the island.
