Mayor 1969 - 1972
John Failes arrived in Armidale as a medical practitioner in 1957. He was elected an alderman in September 1969 and served on council until 1980. In 1973 to 1974 he was deputy mayor and mayor from 1969 to 1971. He was mayor during the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1970 and the John Failes Cycleway along the Dumaresq Creek, named in his honour was opened on 3 July 1983.