VICROADS has named Bryan Sherritt as its replacement regional director based at Benalla.
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Mr Sherritt takes over from Graham Freestone, who spent has last day in the role yesterday after more than four decades with VicRoads.
Mr Freestone has been based at Benalla since 2007 and confronted some of the worst natural disasters in the region in recent memory.
They include the 2009 bushfires and major floods in 2010 and 2012.
Mr Freestone and his partner, Dina Jones, the VicRoads regional communications officer, are relocating to the Mornington Peninsula.
He began working for VicRoads in Melbourne in 1972 before stints at Ballarat, Horsham and Mildura.
Aside from response to natural disasters, Mr Freestone credited the introduction of the maintenance alliance to VicRoads which has been operating for three years, as one of his proudest accomplishments.
It is made up of a 50-50 mix of contractors and VicRoads staff.
Among the major projects he has been involved in the North East include the re-opening of the Yackandandah Creek bridge in late 2011 after being badly damaged by floods a year earlier.
The loss of the bridge on the Kiewa Valley Highway cost the dairy industry, chiefly Murray Goulburn and its employees, about $1 million in extra costs due to lengthy detours.
The replacement bridge was finished six months ahead of time.
More recently, VicRoads had to close the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and the Dargo High Plains Road turn-off due to bushfires.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said he had the highest respect for Mr Freestone.
“I remember he fronted up at a public meeting at Kiewa over the bridge and got an absolute belting,” Mr Tilley said.
“He took it all in his stride, kept working and had it opened well before the worst case scenario.
“He has had strong commitment to this part of the world and always been consultative and always taken my calls and provided good, strong advice.”
Mr Tilley said he plans to invite Mr Freestone back for the opening of the final stage of re-sealing works on the Omeo Highway near Mitta.
Mr Sherritt begins in the position on Monday after working at Geelong and Ballarat.
