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Meet the candidates - Page 2

September 5, 2024

This is the second part of the presentations given by candidates for election to Oberon Council. Page 1 can be found here.

Current Councillors seeking reelection

Katie Graham

Introduction
I am really pleased to be standing in front of you here tonight to tell you about who I am and why I am interested in continuing to be a councillor on Oberon Council

Lived in the Oberon community for 37 years, my family has grown up here and some have now moved back here to raise their families
I've always been an active contributor to the local community - golf club, tennis club, U3A, working at the local pool etc etc and as a high school teacher at Oberon High for more than 20 years in the past

I've brought a lot of energy, enthusiasm and dedication to all of these community roles and having served on Council for 1 term I am aware of the commitment that being a councillor requires in terms of time and energy. I am a strong believer in giving back and being an active contributor to make sure that we all benefit from a strong, resilient and vibrant community.

My vision for Council

  • I see local Government as a very important layer of Government in Australia - it's the level that affects people's lives very directly, and that responsibility is not one I take lightly. Also, decisions made by local government affect our quality of life, how connected we are to each other and shape how our community will develop, grow and change over time.
  • These decisions will affect everyone, so I think it's very important that Council makes decisions that are responsive to the needs of the community, and that these are made in an open and transparent way, with strong community consultation. Last year everyone had the opportunity to participate in the Council's Community survey where community members were asked their opinion on a wide variety of local issues. Council has changed its communication strategies in response to this survey. One example of this is the on-line "Have your Say" platform.
  • The views of young people are especially important - they are the lifeblood of the town and involving them more in decisions around the future of Oberon is something that I prioritise.
  • I will also ensure the views of Oberon's rural community are heard within Council. Oberon has a long history of strong rural industries, and its rural character attracts many people to the area. It is important to consider this perspective in the way Council plans for future development.
  • I think local infrastructure is very important to improve community amenity, particularly as the Oberon community continues to grow but this must be provided within the Council's means.
  • We need to ensure the Council maintains a strong financial position as it will enable us to continue to serve the community in years to come. We've all seen what has happened in other LGAs where this long-term view has not been prioritised.
  • As leader of the Council's Community Services Committee, over the last Council term we have seen the introduction of the very successful End of year Festival where we've had a large street party with market stalls and entertainment in the main street. This Committee also organised the recent Community Services Expo where service providers showed the multitude of services available to the Oberon Community

Achievements made by the Council in the last term

  • Maintained balanced budgets, avoiding the need for a Special Rate Variation
  • A great library and Community Centre built within the approved budget and on schedule
  • A unique public/private partnership for the construction of Oberon's new Sports Complex
  • The new Sewerage Treatment Plant has progressed to the design phase
  • Implemented the first rates reform in many decades improving the equity of rates across the LGA
  • Transferred management of the Gym and Pool from the Y to Council providing many employment opportunities whilst improving service levels within current operating costs
  • Record capital expenditure on roads

  • A Streetscape masterplan for Oberon

Goals

  • Continued Financial stability - living within our means
  • Continued emphasis on improving and maintaining our roads
  • Construction of Oberon Sewerage Treatment Plant in a staged approach that Oberon can afford
  • Continue to invigorate cultural and recreation amenities
  • Continue to promote a vibrant economy with agriculture, forestry, industry and tourism

Conclusion

I hope I have been able to give you a taste of why I'm interested in continuing to contribute to the Oberon Council and my background, experience and approach and how that would benefit the local community. More than happy to talk to anyone anytime.

Independent candidates

Anthony Alevras

Hello everyone. My name is Anthony Alevras.

My wife Julia and I have owned our property in Oberon for over 27yrs and absolutely love this town. We recently built a 5-star Boutique Venue which has hosted many weddings, corporate events, symposiums, seminars and accommodation bringing in additional revenue and tourism into our local community. Furthermore, we only use local contractors to service our venue.

I am a former Royal Australian Air Force Avionics and Electronics Engineer plus a successful retired businessman who founded an award-winning leading Australian Educational Software development company. Therefore, I believe I have the necessary blend of skills, and community passion, to serve the people of Oberon and shire as your councilor.

Just like a sporting team that needs to bring in fresh reserves off the bench to enhance its performance, we also need fresh legs from time to time in the form of new councilors to serve and enhance our council. I believe in greater council transparency - no closed-door sessions with third parties of any kind.

I also advocate for a community advisory board selected by the council or the community that will present the concerns of the community to council meetings. This may be in the form of polling major key decisions that will affect our community. It could also convey ideas for events that will bring additional tourism into our local community to help small business, which is the engine room of our local economy. I also understand people may not have the time to attend council meetings or may be reluctant to speak. So, this can be a platform for them to have their voices heard.

It is my strong view that the councilors representing "we the people" do so without any self-interest or undue external influence and be completely independent. I cannot stress this enough.

Lastly, the great Greek philosopher Plato believed for a democracy to properly work, the people need to be properly informed, otherwise they will be subject to being misled. We need to be aware when we are being scare mongered and gaslit, into making the wrong decision in selecting a candidate for council.

If I was asked six months ago whether I would be standing here today  I would have said NO. The fact that some councilors would not stand for reelection and the current windfarm concerns and associated gaslighting made me reassess.

We must have a truly democratic and independent council, that's why I voted against Oberon amalgamating with Bathurst council.

I have faith in the people in this room to make the right choices.

With that - thank you all.

Irene Bishop

My name is Irene Bishop, and I would like to thank you for taking the time to listen to my vision for our community, what I believe is possible for council members to achieve, and my request to represent you for the next 4 years.

My History in Oberon:
I have been a member of the Oberon community for over 25 years and in that time, I have:

  •  Worked at JELD-WEN for 10 years,
  • Been an active board member of the Oberon Golf Club for 7 years,
  • Run my own successful Bed and Breakfast for 5 years and
  • Been a supportive member of OBTA and Rotary

These experiences have given me a deep understanding and appreciation of the wider Oberon community and the unique challenges we face.

Successful councillors

  • Are active in the Oberon community. Including villages communities throughout the LGA, discussing and actively listening to ideas, concerns and needs into the future.
  • Have positive relationships with a diverse range of people. Councillors should never be solely influenced by any group, be that a political party, religious group or private organisation. We are a diverse community, and as such, councillors should be actively engaging with all.
  • Have sound business and management skills. The Oberon community has benefited from infrastructure projects such as The Common and Skate Park projects, the new Library and Community Centre and the development and upgrade of The Reef adjoining Oberon Lake. All these projects require a firm understanding of finances, planning, negotiation and communication.

My commitment to you is to bring these qualities to the role of councillor.

My vision for Oberon
Over the last 25 years I have seen our community grow from strength to strength,overcoming many challenges. I see a bright future where:

  •  Councillors are held accountable for consulting and communicating decisions made to community.
  • All community members are made welcome and are encouraged to communicate their ideas and concerns about the LGA of Oberon te..tba aowAGil based on factual information and importantly, be listened to.
  • We maintain our independence as a Regional Council and continue to build upon the positive development projects benefiting our wider community.

I am committed to realising this vision and I invite you to vote for me.

William Memory

Hi, I'm Bill Memory, or William when I used to get in strife off mum.

I'm a family man with three children and one granddaughter. I first came to Oberon in 1991 when I was posted here at the afforestation camp with corrective services at Shooters Hill. I was 21 at the time and although I thought it was a lovely town it was a little bit quiet for me, and I moved back to the big smoke, however I'd always had it in the back of my mind that it would be a nice town to retire to and plant my roots. A couple of years ago myself and the family came out here so that I could see if they would like to move here and they fell in love with the place. We had a tree change from the rat race of Sydney and have been here a couple of years.

I have a diploma in policing and a diploma in police intelligence practice and was ban intelligence specialist and acting crime manager at the end of of my police service.

As for my career, I moved on from corrective services to the railway and was there for five years. Then went to the sheriffs for eight years and then New South Wales police for 14 years. Unfortunately, my career plans took a detour and I was medically retired from the police. I'm a strong advocate of mental health and alcohol rehabilitation having had the lived experience of PTSD, depression and alcohol abuse. l have recently completed training with Outback Mind as a facilitator and I'm currently looking for a venue to provide mental health support to country men.

I'm very community minded and attend the LifeChurch at Oberon having been baptised in the fish river at O'Connell recently. So althougl1 I wasn't born here, I'm actually from Western Australia, I can definitely say that I was born again here. l volunteer at the LifeChurch opshop, l'rn a support officer with Oberon RFS, I am the southwest New South Wales Saint John emergency management officer, also volunteer with the Bathurst division and I'm a member of the Australian Institute of emergency services. I am a local JP and happy to provide those services, including out of hours, and I'm  currently studying a diploma of ministry with the intention of becoming a Christian pastor. My moral code and ethics are strongly influenced by my Christian faith, and I promise that as a councillor, I will be honest,with integrity and putting the needs of the community first. As part of my studies in religion, I read a book called "Lead like Jesus", and that is the example that I want to follow, the example of Jesus being as a servant when he was here.

My management style is one of collaborative democracy. My notion of a Councillor is that of a servant to the community.

In my spare time, I like to pray and meditate, ride my motorbike, and wet a line with my youngest daughter. We call it fishing, although the fish probably call it an all you can eat free bait buffet.

Thank you for your valuable time this evening and I'm inviting you to please consider supporting me on election day.

Oberon First group

Jill O'Grady

Hello, everyone. My name is Jill O'Grady and I am running as candidate number two on the Oberon First ticket.

My career started in Commercial Banking, working with Westpac across Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, but my heart was always drawn to the agricultural sector. This led me to AgriRisk Services, where I spent several years dedicated to the cotton farming sector before taking on a leadership role at CNH Capital, the finance arm of Case New Holland agricultural equipment.

A desire for a life closer to the land brought me to Oberon, where I began as the local weeds officer. Over time, I progressed to work at the State level of Biosecurity within the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Now, alongside my husband Neil, I focus on our truffle farm, RedGround, where we produce four varieties of truffles for the Sydney restaurant market and international exports. We also welcome domestic and international visitors to our farm, offering immersive truffle hunting experiences and manage a private guesthouse.

Some of you might have known my mother, Patricia McAllister, who moved here in 2000. And some of you might also know my husband, Neil, who works at Reliance Bank and has been a long-standing committee member of the Oberon Tigers Rugby League Club. Like them, I've grown deeply connected to this community and want to make a positive impact.

That's why I'm standing as a candidate in the upcoming local government elections. I believe we need to object to the proposed wind towers, which could destroy the economic, environmental, and social fabric of the Oberon community. I also want to hear your thoughts so that I can contribute to Council's key projects and upcoming challenges, including the Comprehensive Land Use Strategy and Local Environmental Plan, the development of a revised Community Strategic Plan, the development of the Oberon Sports Complex, and the upgrade of the Oberon Sewerage Treatment Plant.

I'm also committed to ensuring Council and its employees regard principles of ecologically sustainable development when carrying out their responsibilities. We deserve better quality town water, improved transportation, and roads that are safe and well maintained. Additionally, I believe we can enhance our recycling services and improve our biosecurity measures to keep our agricultural community safe from pest, weed and disease threats.

I'm passionate about Oberon and want to work together to preserve our community's values while also ensuring we have the infrastructure and services we need to thrive. I kindly ask for your vote on September 14th so that I can represent our community and work towards a better future for all of us. Thank you.

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