Roderick Gilmour began with Murilla Shire Council as a Councillor from 1979 and became Mayor of Murilla Shire Council in 1991. He was the first Mayor of Murilla Shire Council, with the title of the position changing from Chairman in the early 1990s.
During Roderick Gilmour's tenure, Gil Weir was raised, and the Leichhardt Centre, the Dogwood Crossing @ Miles Centre, and the Miles Skate Park were constructed.
In 2008 the Murilla Shire amalgamated with surrounding shires to form the Western Downs Regional Council, therefore Roderick Gilmour was to be the first and last Mayor of the Murilla Shire Council.