Councillor McRae has represented Murrumbidgee Council as Mayor since its inception in 2017. Before then, she was a councillor on Jerilderie Shire Council from 2004 to 2016. This included a stint as Mayor from 2014 to 2016 and Deputy Mayor from 2007 to 2014.
Councillor Ruth McRae was honoured with an Order of Australia medal in 2023 in recognition of her services to local government. This recognised her dedication to the community, including Mayor of Murrumbidgee Council from its inception in September 2017 until present.
Councillor McRae was elected to the former Jerilderie Shire Council in 2004 and was elected Mayor of Jerilderie Shire Council in September 2014. She held the position of Deputy Mayor from September 2007 until September 2014. Councillor McRae was the Local Representation Committee (LRC) Chair following the merger of Jerilderie Shire and Murrumbidgee Shire Councils in May 2016 until August 2017.
Committee membership: General Manager’s Review Committee, Darlington Point Caravan Park Committee, Local Emergency Management Committee, Jerilderie Australia Day Committee, Heritage Darlington Point, Central Coree Sports Complex Management Committee, Jerilderie Tidy Towns Committee, Murrumbidgee Business Chamber, Monash Park Users, Darlington Point Master Landuse Plan Advisory Committee, CICL/Coleambally Environmental and Reference Committee (CERC), Kidman Way Promotional Committee, Newell Highway Promotional Committee, Newell Highway Taskforce, Murray Darling Association, Thrive Riverina, Roads and Maritime Services Consultative Committee, RAMJO, Western Region Joint Planning Panel, Berrigan Jerilderie Community Network, Scholarship Committee, Community Grants Committee.