John Shaw

John Alexander Lachlan Shaw, (26 August 1902 – 20 April 1983) was an Australian civil engineer, soldier and New South Wales public servant, who served as the NSW Commissioner for Main Roads from 1962 to 1967.

Early life and education Shaw was born on 26 August 1902 in Marrickville, New South Wales, the son of John and Alice Shaw. He attended Sydney Technical High School and thereafter studied civil engineering at the University of Sydney. In 1928 he was included amongst the first six divisional engineer appointments made by the Board, taking up the position of Divisional Engineer of the Lower Northern Division at Tamworth in August 1928. A second son, David Lachlan Shaw, was born in Newcastle on 28 October 1932.

Military service When the Second World War broke out, Shaw took a leave of absence from the department and enlisted on 8 July 1940 in the 2/12th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. As part of the 8th Division in the Second Australian Imperial Force, Shaw was sent over in February 1941 to Malaya to assist in the defence of Singapore. He surrendered along with all Allied forces in Malaya on 31 January 1942 and was taken prisoner, being held in Changi Prison. Liberated at the end of the war, he was discharged on 24 January 1946 with the rank of major. He was presented with his award by the Governor-General of Australia, Sir William McKell, on 24 January 1949 at Admiralty House, Sydney. His award citation reads: During operations in Malaya in 1942, Major Shaw, the Officer Commanding 2/12 Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, was responsible for the demolitions between Segamat and Johore Bahru, and, when on Singapore Island, for the destruction of oil stores and the wireless mast at Kranji. During the withdrawal of the 27th Australian Infantry Brigade from Gemas to Singapore he personally supervised all demolitions and remained behind with his detachments when the Infantry had withdrawn to ensure that they were successfully carried out. On most occasions this work had to be carried out under heavy fire. His organisation, courage and coolness under enemy fire were largely responsible for the great success of this work which proved very valuable on many occasions. He was at all times an inspiration and example to his men. In 1950 he visited the United Kingdom and North America on an official mission to study highway engineering. Rising to be Assistant Commissioner from 23 September 1953, Shaw oversaw various major projects such as the Warringah Freeway, the Gladesville Bridge, and the Roseville Bridge, at a time of major public investment in road projects.

After eight years as assistant commissioner, when commissioner Sherrard retired at the statutory retirement age of 65, Shaw rose to the office of Commissioner for Main Roads from 20 April 1962. As commissioner, in the 1966 New Year Honours he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953. Shaw retired as Commissioner on 25 August 1967. Shaw also served as the National President of the Australian Road Federation from 1968 to 1979. He is the only Australian ever to have been honoured by the International Road Federation as "Man of the Year" in 1968. Shaw was then elected at the 6 February 1969 Election for the 1st Constituency of the Sydney County Council, which was responsible for the electricity network and utility services throughout much of Sydney. In January 1971, he was elected as chairman of the council, expressing his interest in the beautification of street electricity infrastructure: "I think that if undergrounding cannot be done then the poles should be made more attractive and erected straighter."

A long term resident of Manly and Balgowlah on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Shaw died at Manly Hospital on 20 April 1983 at the ago of 80. Shaw's funeral was held on 26 April 1983 at St Matthew's Anglican Church, Manly, and he was buried at Frenchs Forest Cemetery.

In his memory, the "John Shaw Award" was initiated in the Queensland Region of the Australian Road Federation (now known as Roads Australia) in acknowledgment of "his outstanding contribution to roads".