Former Rockhampton Deputy Mayor honoured with King’s Birthday award

No one would argue there is a Central Qlder more deserving than the man posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service, with his wife joking that he’d be “loving all the fuss” right now.

Neil Fisher would be “loving all the fuss”, his wife Sherie said after her late husband was awarded an OAM in the King’s Birthday Honours.

The former Rockhampton Deputy Mayor, who died in July last year, was awarded a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community of Rockhampton.

His family will accept the award at Government House in Brisbane in September.

“He’d be laughing himself silly right now because I’ve had to step up and do all this stuff,” Mrs Fisher said today, Tuesday June 10, as congratulations came in recognising an honour that has been widely applauded.

“I tended to try and keep away from the public stuff, that was Neil’s department. You know Neil is front stage, I’m more like backstage, so he would be loving me having to do all of this stuff right now.”

Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher and Mayor Tony Williams hand down the 2022/2023 Budget

She said she was informed about the award a couple of months ago but had to keep it confidential.

“It’s lovely but also sad that it happens afterwards,” Sherie said about the late honour.

“He lived and breathed his job and that’s really what kept him going. That’s what they say, when it’s something you love, it’s not work.”

She said Neil had been actually working on the morning of his stroke in late April before passing away on July 1.

“He downplayed it a lot (his long battle with cancer). He was tough.”

Tony Williams and Neil Fisher at the 2019 National Tree Day planting in Frenchville Road.

As they approach the anniversary of his passing there will also be a ceremony on Mount Archer, with Rockhampton Regional Council honouring Neil.

“He loved Mount Archer so much,” she said.

“He could see so much potential there.”

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said Neil’s OAM award was “truly deserved”.

“Neil was a beloved member of the community who gave so much to the Rockhampton region,” he said.

“Neil was known for his passion which showed in every conversation and discussion. He was passionate about our airport, our region and, especially, for gardening and the environment.

“He lived every day for Rockhampton, our region and our community and there are so many parks, gardens and places across Rockhampton which are there because of him.

“This recognition is truly deserved and I am so pleased to see it bestowed.”

Acting Mayor Neil Fisher with the two chairs used by the Queen and Prince Philip during their visit to Rockhampton in 1954.

Neil was one of Rockhampton’s long-serving councillors, serving across many portfolios and roles during his career.

Neil was first elected to the former Rockhampton City Council in 2000 and served until 2004.

He was then elected to the amalgamated Rockhampton Regional Council in 2012 and re-elected in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Neil served as Deputy Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council for four years from 2020 and held a number of key councillor portfolios throughout his career, including waste, water and Rockhampton Airport.

Neil was also active in many local government groups and organisations, including serving as President of the Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee (LAWMAC) and held close friendships with many councillors across the sector.

Neil advocated for and secured many projects during his time on council. His major passion and advocacy was around the Rockhampton Airport and its continued development and improvement.

He was also dedicated to increasing and delivering environmental initiatives across the region including improving the health and biodiversity of Rockhampton’s creeks and waterways, and the establishment of new walking tracks and recreation areas.

Outside council, Neil was a father of four and was involved in his family’s plant nursery business for over 45 years.