Who are you and where do you come from?

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

I moved to Port Stephens ten years ago with my wife Kaila, to be closer to her family and to raise our daughter. Since then, we have been involved in the community through our local RFS brigade and Kaila through the PTF at St Philip’s Christian College.

I have had 20 years experience in the hospitality industry. My last port of call in the kitchen was at The Deck in Soldiers Point for seven years. But I have long given up the chef’s knives and am currently working at Good Food Distributors.

Was there a particular impetus for your involvement in local government? Has it been a natural extension of your career and other community involvement?

Doing right for the community is important. Many people were raising issues with me, which encouraged me to take action.

Working in the hospitality sector and then in the supply chain [side of the industry] really put me in a position [of] dealing with a lot of businesses that are struggling, or people who had concerns that were falling on deaf ears.

What do you believe is the key to an effective Local Council?

Hard work and dedication but importantly, communication.

So far, this council term, I believe, is off to a good start.

There will always be differences, and we will not always see eye to eye, but so far, we are able to communicate and deliver effective outcomes, which is beneficial for wider parts of the community.

The staff have been brilliant and very supportive of the elected body.

What unique qualities and/or perspective do you bring to Port Stephens Council?

Through my years of work, it provided me the ability of working under pressure and being a leader.

I will not be afraid to ask the challenging questions given the opportunity. We have a very important role to deliver the best outcomes, not only in East Ward but all of Port Stephens.

Do you feel there have been any particular demographics of the Port Stephens community that have been under-represented, or issues that have gone unaddressed, to which you would like to draw attention?

The reality is there is always room for improvement. Through community engagement and consultation this term of council plans to reach wider and further than before.

It’s important we get a variety of feedback from all parts of our community to help shape future decisions.

My saying around this circle is “How can we do better?” and this is the approach I will be taking forward.

What feeds your soul, or fuels your passion?

I would like to see a community that my daughter plus the young families of Port Stephens can grow up in and thrive; this fuels my passion.

Is there anything you would like the wider community to better understand about their Council?

I think there is a good mix of councillors elected with intentions of working hard for their community.

We have a lot of work to do on many levels, but rest assured we are backed by many hard-working staff.

We won’t always get it right and your respectful input would be appreciated moving forward to find ways to do better. An engaged community providing input from many aspects will help shape a clear path forward benefiting the wider community.

By Lindsay HALL