Plenty of laughs, and a few tears, were shared at last week's Muswellbrook Shire Council meeting - which was the final for this term for mayor Steve Reynolds, and for the shire's longest-serving councillor, Cr Brett Woodruff, who has clocked 28 years as an elected representative.
The meeting finished with tributes and stories about Cr Woodruff, which spoke of trust, honesty, and outstanding leadership.
Cr Woodruff expressed how heartwarming it had been to be the person people reached out to, and affirmed that the greatest gift a person could receive was trust.
Having started with council as a staff member, before becoming a committee-member and finally a councillor, his time with council has spanned about 37 years in total, and included a period working with general manager Derek Finnigan.
"We started 40 years ago, 42 years ago it may even be, as the infamous 'gutter patrol'," he said.
"We had an old '68 dual-cab Bedford with 'gutter patrol' written on the side, a couple of brooms and shovels"
Mr Finnigan praised Cr Woodruff's dedication to his community, the steadfast way he served and, his heart of gold and integrity.
"You've served your community, the community you love, with faithfulness and with honesty, giving your town and your shire everything you have, always thinking of those who need help," Mr Finnigan said.
Exiting mayor Steve Reynolds, who could not attend due to illness, was also praised for his endless effort and passion in serving his community.
