Wayne, a manager in developments assessments at MidCoast Council, worked for council in Taree for 30 years and in the Great Lakes for 14 years. 

When Wayne was six-years-old his family moved from Newcastle to Cundletown, where he attended Cundletown Public School and later Chatham High School. 

His father was professional boxer and trainer Kevin Rose, who was the main support for two world title fights.

Wayne followed in his father’s footsteps with a few amateur bouts, before hanging the gloves up at age 18. 

“I thought to myself it’s a hard game,” he said. 

Wayne instead set his sights on rugby league (Taree Old Bar, Taree United) and union (Taree Bulldogs) and squash. 

Wayne’s career started at Taree Municipal Council, where he was employed as the first person in the town planning department on March 26, 1973. 

He was the sole person employed in the department for 12 months, before a qualified planner was employed.  

He also went through the council merger in 1981. 

Some of the larger projects Wayne worked on include Harrington Waters, Possum Brush quarry and a report on Gloucester’s Rocky Hill Coal Mine. 

“I worked on the report full time for six weeks,” Wayne said on the report which recommended the coal mine not go ahead.

“It was far too close to residential areas to be safe.” 

Wayne’s job has taken him to the land and environment court, when development applications have been both approved or rejected.

“I’ve been questioned in the witness box for over an hour!” 

Wayne has enjoyed contributing to the growth and future of towns in the Great Lakes and Manning and will miss his co-workers. 

Wayne plans to spend more time playing golf, tennis and visiting his three grandchildren. He and wife Di plan on going to Europe later this year to kick off Wayne’s retirement.