By JIM MYNARD
HIGHLY respected Casey engineer, Ron Chidgey, was honoured with a mayoral reception and presented with a key to the City of Casey, to mark his retirement.
Mr Chidgey was recognised as an obliging officer, able and ready to help in the community, very often above the call of duty.
Former mayors, officers, and community workers attended the function held in the civic centre on Friday 17 April.
Casey Mayor Mick Morland presented Ron with the key and said he had been involved in some way with almost all projects in the Cities of Berwick and Casey during his 45-year local government career.
“He is respected by councillors, staff, and the community, especially the volunteer groups,” Cr Morland said.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said Ron began his career with the City of Doncaster and Templestowe in January 1970.
“This was before I started secondary school.
“In 1973 he obtained his Diploma of Civil Engineering from Caulfield Institute of Technology, and on Monday 5 August 1974 began work as an engineer with the City of Berwick.
“In 1980 he obtained what was then the ‘Holy Grail’ for council engineers, his municipal engineers qualification, and was appointed senior design engineer at Berwick, a senior staff appointment.
“Following local government amalgamations, in July 1995 Ron was appointed manager technical services at Casey.
“He was appointed community projects officer in the Community Services Division in July 1998.”
Mr Tyler said Ron returned to large project roots in September 2009 and took on a role in the Capital Works Programming Department.
He said the hallmark of Ron’s career is that he was a growth municipality engineer.
“This was in three growth councils, Doncaster and Templestowe, Berwick, and Casey.
“He was employed on key engineering projects associated with the rapid development of new municipalities, involving roads, bridges, sports grounds, and municipal buildings.
“While there were many projects, he was a great advocate and supporter of Wilson Botanic Park in its early stages, and was very popular with fellow staff and councillors.
“He was always willing to assist people across the organisation and had great empathy with community groups and clubs.
“This was reflected in his personal involvement with community groups and sporting clubs,” Mr Tyler said.
Cr Morland said an integral part of Ron’s involvement with the Cities of Berwick and Casey was his support and involvement with the staff Social Club.
“He is a life member of the club.
“He also served on the Casey Cardinia Library Corporation,” Cr Morland said.
