LONG-serving former Gunnedah Shire councillor and much-loved mayor Gae Swain is making a tilt at returning to local government, nominating for election to the North West town’s council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Swain retired in 2008 after 17 years of representation on the council.
She will be seen as a worthy replacement for the current mayor, Adam Marshall, who is not seeking re-election.
Cr Marshall is retiring from local government to concentrate on studies at the University of New England where he is to undertake an economics/law degree.
When nominations closed for Gunnedah Shire Council yesterday, 50 per cent of the candidates seeking election were women.
A total of 16 people will contest the nine available seats on the shire’s council on Saturday, September 8.
There’s a mixture of old and new nominations too.
Of the 16 nominations only five are from current serving councillors.
In addition to Cr Marshall, other current Gunnedah Shire councillors choosing not to seek re-election were Stephen Benham, Kevin Martin and Leon Mills.
Existing councillors seeking re-election are deputy mayor Colleen Fuller, Hans Allagyer, Tim Duddy, Gwen Griffen and Steve Smith.
Fresh nominees are Alan Hillier, Trish Conway, Sharon Tailby, John Molloy, Owen Hasler, Fiona Hoddle, Rebecca Ryan, David Quince, Wayne Griffiths and Angela Martin.
Owen Hasler has served on the council previously.
Cr Marshall said it was good to see a healthy number of candidates.
“That will give the community choice,” he said.
Cr Marshall said it was interesting to see half of the candidates were female.
“That’s the first time I have seen anything like that for Gunnedah and it’s fantastic,” he said.
“It will bring a lot of diversity to council and that’s something we always try to encourage.”
