During my working life I have gained extensive experience in management in both the public and private sectors.  I am also a very practical person with the ability to think laterally and with good problem solving skills. Like most people we know, we love living in this area and are committed to staying here in the long term.

What I stand for: We need to build a Council that works for everyone. I will work on behalf of all and as an advocate for those who need one. I see my role as listening, hearing and understanding the needs and concerns of residents particularly those in rural and outlying areas.

I believe our future is in improving our local economy and in the revitalisation and growth of our rural and village industries.                              

I was born in Ireland in 1961 and educated in Dublin where I graduated with an Honours Degree in Fine Art/Art History. I landed in Sydney in 1988. In January 1989 I met David at the Narrawa Hall. We were married in 1990 and our son Simon was born in 1991, with Pippa following in 1994. Having made the commitment to live in Australia, I have now invested my life in this region.

In 1999 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The wonderful care in the Crookwell hospital, and the general community support at that time are among the reasons I intend to run for council. After one of my hospital stays a local lady saw me in the street. I must have looked down because the next day a parcel arrived in our mailbox full of goodies from bright coloured socks to lollies! This exemplifies what a caring population we have. These are the people I want to advocate for so we can take full advantage of our potential. The prospects of this district depend greatly on our youth, whereas some people feel this is only a place for aged. However, I ask, where is a future without the youth.

Furthermore, without the young, who is going to care for the old? Divested of our youth to grow old, we are lost. We need to provide the facilities for the young people so that they choose to remain in the Upper Lachlan Shire. The skate park is an example. I see the need for diversification of activities to encourage tourism with a focus on sharing our unique rural culture, including all our seven villages, as critical for sustainability.

I respect our distinctive culture. By culture I refer to our sporting activities, our gardens, churches, art galleries, dramatic performances, festivals and our rich rural history. I have a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Diploma in Counseling. I am privileged to work with ‘Youth off the Street’, to initiate community projects involving disengaged youth and to work with the rural resilience officer for this region. I continue to work in these areas.

Last year I swore allegiance to Australia, which allowed me to be nominated for this election. My aim is to make the best contribution I can by running for the Upper Lachlan Shire Council to enhance this community’s future in a sustainable way – nurturing what we have, sharing ideas and encouraging diversification.                                                                              

I am a retired High School principal and Inspector and being country-reared Barbara and I moved to Crookwell in 1997 where we established “Lachlands” as a cattle fattening property. I have been a councillor for eight years, am semi-retired and so have both the experience and time to handle this demanding job.

If re-elected like any sensible candidate of course, I will argue to improve our road network, our many services, our infrastructure needs our tourist attractions, our self-help community groups and so on and so on. Nevertheless, I do have some individual priorities and basic positions.

First, Council’s first priority must be to accelerate the upgrade of our 2300 km road network.

Second, as before, I will continue to oppose the proliferation of ever bigger industrial wind turbines across closely settled and scenic parts of the Shire.

Third, for many reasons, I oppose the open-cut mining for bauxite across 1000’s of acres of farmland in the north east of our Shire.

Fourth, small self-help community groups should receive encouraging support from Council.

Fifth, in Crookwell I will seek to develop Pat Cullen Reserve into a major passive recreation area, in Collector our current four-year plan aims for a water supply scheme there by 2018-19: and elsewhere we need to address measures to handle some of the negative impacts that are occurring in some of our rural subdivisions.

Finally, in issues that come before Council I am guided by two basic principles that I hold dear. I want to keep Upper Lachlan rural, scenic and inviting. Developments that ruin our farming economy, destroy the beauty of our countryside and deter visitors and tree changers generally will find me unsupportive. More fundamentally, in a peacetime democracy, it is rather communistic for the rights and amenity of individuals to be over-ridden by the government for the so-called “greater good”.  Some major projects of national or state importance do require property acquisition but just (even generous) compensation must be given. Unfortunately, this has not happened in our shire for those unfortunate near neighbours of giant wind turbines. As an experienced and conscientious councillor, I again ask for your No 1 vote. 

Congratulations to John Shaw and his team. You did a great job with the Bathurst and Laggan, Taralga roads.

Now, the real challenge for Council is what next to focus on and how to get the best outcomes. We have a wonderful opportunity with this election for fresh people, fresh ideas, and fresh solutions.

My family and I live in Crookwell. We farm at Roslyn. My business background has been to build a solid financial base for my family. Now I have the time, energy and commitment to stand for Council.

My key focus in council will centre on: Safer and better rural roads with a higher priority by Council. A Council more open to listening to and working with all people and businesses in the whole shire. Making sure tourism benefits are developed and deliver more jobs especially for the young. Every shire village main-street must be beautified. Making sure the shire maximizes its access to grants funding.

We chose to live here because of the unique blend of heritage and rural character. I am determined to protect and enhance our way of life, our shire heritage and rural opportunities.      

Aged 51, with a young family, working farm and as a local businessman, I am proud of our district and believe I am well placed to understand what matters and to contribute to our shire’s future success. Having been brought up in our rural community I know the challenges that face a council like the Upper Lachlan in providing adequate services to its residents.

In my view the current council has much to be proud of in terms of attracting grant funding which coupled with our own funding have made a real difference in improvements to the likes of water and sewer plant, roads, telecommunications and even television reception.

As a qualified accountant I understand the need for prudent control of our overhead costs so that we can spend when required on projects that matter. I also feel strongly that we need to do what we can to encourage job creating industries in our shire as we lose many of our young people around the ages of 18 to 30 due to lack of opportunity. This impacts on our schools, sporting associations and the very fabric of our community. 

To that end, I am on the economic development committee and will lend an ear to anyone who has an idea that might lead to improving the prospects of our younger generation.

I am a supporter of the Rail Trail Project and also extending natural gas to the shire which would both provide significant economic benefits to our area. Our success in grant funding has helped with major projects.

The Upper Lachlan Shire successfully held off the recent shire amalgamation process through demonstrating strong financial performance and service delivery. I want to be part of a team that can now move on and focus on real improvements to our area without such distractions.

The final two candidates will be published in Tuesday’s Gazette