NSW Country Mayors mourn Ray Donald OAM

Published on 18 March 2026

“Through Local Government and community organisations, Emeritus Mayor Ray Donald OAM gave so much to his community and rural, remote and regional NSW in general. His contributions, his life deserves to be celebrated and will be remembered,” said Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) said. “Mr Donald’s family have described local government as his calling and I believe that sums it up, and for many of our country Mayors.”

The long-serving former Bogan Shire Mayor, Ray Donald OAM passed away this week following a brief illness. He served as a Bogan Shire Councillor for 30 years. “Mr Donald was a true Champion for our rural, remote and regional NSW communities, not just his own,” Mayor Firman said.

Mr Donald was Deputy Mayor in 1991 – 1997, then Mayor from 1997 until his retirement in 2021. He was elected to the Shires Association Executive in 2004, Vice-President in 2008 and elected President in 2011, serving in that role until March 2013. He also managed to run his family farm near Nyngan.

Mr Donald received the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Local Government. In 2021 he was recognised for his 30 years of service to Local Government, receiving the honorary title as a Patron of LGNSW and was awarded the LGNSW Lifetime Service Award.

CMA Board Member, Immediate past-President of LGNSW and Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM has joined fellow Local Government leaders in paying tribute to Mr Donald.

“Ray’s commitment to his community was unwavering. He dedicated decades to ensuring rural and remote voices were heard at every level of government,” she said. “His passing is deeply felt but his impact will continue for generations.”

“The prayers and thoughts of the CMA Board, our Members and Staff remain with Mrs Donald and her family.  Mr Donald will always remain a highly respected member of our CMA Family”, Mayor Firman concluded.