KEVIN DAVIES Kevin Davies is a long time resident living in Mareeba Shire for over 40 years. He has been involved in the local community his entire life in various committees, organisations’ and sporting clubs. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Mareeba since 2009, holding positions of Secretary, Vice President and President in that time. He is also a member of the 2015 Rotary FNQ Field Days committee; he has been a committee member of the Mareeba Swimming Club since 2008, holding the position of President for four of those years. He secured the shade shelter, lane ropes and starting blocks for the Mareeba pool; and Council obtained a grant to have the shade shelter installed. Mr Davies said he has been involved in one way or another in most sporting clubs in Mareeba - from playing in his younger days rugby league, cricket, swimming, basketball and golf - to the involvement he now has with the committees he is on. Mr Davies has over 25 years experience working within local government, from maintenance of rural and urban roads and drainage to major capital works projects and waste management experience. When asked why Mr Davies decided to run for council, he stated that he has been
contemplating running for some time now, prior to de amalgamation; but the time was not right with family and work commitments. Now with the support of his family, it is time to stand for council; to make a difference, to step forward and contribute more to the community and help shape the future of this great shire, by encouraging families and business into the shire; and the already approved upgrading of the Mareeba Aerodrome is a great way for this to start. My late father - Cedric Davies - who was a long serving councillor for a total of 21 years, always said: “Mareeba Shire is the best Shire in Australia.” This is such a true statement, with the diversity we have in the Shire, the grazing and agricultural area of Molloy/ Julatten to the north, the pristine rainforest of Kuranda to the east and farming, cattle and mining industries of Dimbulah and Chillagoe to the west. I am running in the Mareeba Shire First Team - a team of experienced councillors that have, in the last two years with Mayor Tom Gilmore and councillor Jenny Jensen, helped forge Mareeba Shire Council ahead since deamalgamation. If I am lucky enough to be elected to Council, I hope to make a positive contribution to the future of this Shire - with my knowledge and experience from working on Council and within the private sector.
Mary Graham i was born in Mareeba in 1955. I am the daughter of Italian immigrants and I grew up on a tobacco farm on the Walsh River between Mareeba and Dimbulah. Typical of the era, I spent most of my school holidays helping the family on the farm where I developed a strong and long lasting work ethic. My first four years of school was spent at Mutchilba State School – later attending Mt St Bernard College in Herberton, before commencing employment at a local solicitor's office. Settling down to married life with my husband Peter, (who at the time was working for the family lime business at Ootann, near Almaden) it was during that time that our two daughters were born. Our young family moved to Mareeba in the early 1970's purchasing the former Pedro's Cafe which we operated for five years. With my husband returning to mining and our two daughters attending school, I became involved with children's activities including basketball, softball and indoor cricket. At the same time, I gained a wealth of business experience in a number of departmental managerial positions working my way through to 2IC at Coles Supermarket in Mareeba. ADVERTISEMENT
• VOTE 1 •
Katrina SpieS Division 5
Tableland Regional Council Meet me for morning tea at the CWA Rooms Jack Street, Atherton, Thursday 25th February from 9.00am - 11.00am and have a chat! Authorised by: K. Spies, 125 Pinnacle Pocket Road, East Barron Q. 4883
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After 26 years, it was time to move on and our family purchased Mareeba News which we still operate to date. The managerial experience gained from working for a national retailer combined with the skills and knowledge derived from developing my own small business have equipped me well in my quest to rise above any challenges in a productive and positive manner. During my time as councillor I have been heavily involved with the Mareeba Multicultural Festival, the Mareeba Heritage Centre, Relay for Life, and the Safer Communities’ committees. Through this involvement I have been able to develop strong relationships with the broader Mareeba community and this in turn has helped me perform my duties as a councillor with real knowledge at a grass roots level. As a councillor who maintains a strong and productive relationship with you – the people of the Mareeba Shire community – I will endeavour to continue to put your needs and aspirations first. On a professional level, I have been part of a progressive council who have delivered balanced budgets in both 2013/14 and 2014/15; and there have been limited general rates increases despite the scare mongering before de-amalgamation. As such, I seek re-election to the Council on March 19 so that we can keep the good work going to ensure a strong and vibrant future for Mareeba Shire and its people.
Council Elections ARE ON MARCH 19
YOU WILL HAVE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO: • Hear what the candidates have to say... • Ask questions that concern you & your Tablelands...
Listen carefully, then make your decision!
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Monday Night 29th February, 2016
Atherton High School Auditorium From 5.30pm This is a Joint Partnership Event, brought to you by:
athertonchamber
4091 3500 www.athertonchamber.com.au
info@athertonchamber.com.au
The Express, Wednesday, February 24, 2016 PAGE 11