Introduction
I am 49 years old and live at Lilydale on Flagstone Creek Road at Helidon with my wife of 22 years Bronwyn and our five children, David 20, Brenton 18, Ellen 16, Christopher 14 and Melanie 11.
I have lived on our 3rd Generation family farm all but a few years of my life when I ventured out into the world to try life off the farm as most farming lads do. I soon learnt I had a strong desire to build our farming business and am now the Director of our business 'Lilydale Lucerne Pty Ltd' of which I am partners with two of my brothers and parents.
Drought
impacted our farming business harshly 15 years ago and as many
farmers have had to do, we diversified our business. We now operate
a very successful interstate transport business and school bus runs
whilst still farming our land. We currently employ 25 people.
Managing a business that is so diversified and having endured drought for 15 years has given me many skills and great insight which have benefited me when I became a councillor of the Gatton Shire eight years ago. I have learnt that family is No 1 and have strong morals and Christian values. The support of my wife and brothers has been crucial in my role as councillor as without them it would be extremely difficult to give my best to both council and business.
My time in council has shown me that a strong community is what ties us all together. And a strong community is the secret to a strong council.
The last eight years that I have served as a councillor have been very rewarding for me and I enjoy the 'grass roots' of local government, working closely with the people of our shire. I have found that I can identify with most issues that are bought to me through community and council and I deal with these issues with a responsible and common sense approach.
My portfolio in council is planning and I believe that this is a very important part of a communities growth. I am also past president of Lockyer Catchment Association and have a keen interest in the environment we live in. I have been on the task force of Greening Lockyer from its inception six years ago and have an active role in Greening Lockyer projects throughout Gatton and Laidley. I am one of councils representatives for the Lockyer Valley Tourism Development Association and I believe we have much to offer in this scenic valley of ours.
I believe that I am well qualified to continue on as a councillor in the new Lockyer Valley Regional Council and I look forward to the two shires coming together and am excited by the prospect of being involved in ensuring our shire's prosperous future.
