A Figtree man recognised for his decades of work with NSW Health hopes his experiences will show young people that a career in the public service is valuable and worthwhile.
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Among the honourees this Australia Day is Terry Clout, who receives the Public Service Medal.
"I'm very honoured," he said.
Mr Clout entered the public service in the 1980s as a senior industrial relations officer with the health department, and has since filled numerous other roles, most notably as chief executive officer of health services in the Illawarra, Sydney, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast.
During his time in the public service, he said, he made it his job to advocate for areas of health that did not enjoy strong representation, such as mental health, Aboriginal health, family violence, and drug and alcohol services.
Mr Clout pushed for the fluoridation of the water supply in certain areas, an achievement he believed would have the longest impact on the health of communities of anything he did.
He also advocated for renal and cancer care services in rural and regional areas, and worked with Professor Gerard Sutton to establish the University of Wollongong's medical school.
But Mr Clout said teams of people made those accomplishments happen.
When the bushfires hit last summer, Mr Clout was asked to come out of retirement and fill in as CEO of the Southern NSW Local Health District, while it awaited its new head.
He had extensive experience in crisis management, having headed up health services during floods in Wollongong, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast.
Then, he was asked to lead NSW Health's response to the bushfires, working with other agencies to ensure health services were operational in affected areas and residents had access to the necessary supports.
Mr Clout said working in the public health sector was "incredibly rewarding" and something he never regretted.
The past 18 months had demonstrated the importance of the health service, he said, first with the bushfires, then the pandemic.
Mr Clout said it was "a real honour" to be involved in that work.
"For people who have the ability and talent, to make a conscious choice to work in the public sector and serve the public is a really valid and important step to take," he said.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
