“Getting the job done with grace and leadership“

 

A bit about me…

I am a proud Ballarat local. We have lived in Ballarat for 30 years, raised our family here and have seen the city grow and prosper. was first elected as a councillor in 2008, Deputy Mayor in 2012 and Mayor 2016, 2017 & again in 2018-19. In 2019 it was my great honour to accept an Emeritus Mayor award from Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), recognising 3 consecutive elected Mayoral terms.


I was elected in 2018 as Chair of Regional Capitals Australia (RCA), a body representing the 51 Australian Regional Capitals & around 8 million people living in those surrounding regions. In 2020 I was elected to continue working with membership relationships.

As a visionary leader, a mother of 4 & numerous community and worldwide projects and boards, I invest significant time remaining at the forefront of rural & regional issues. I have been a long standing advocate for Ballarat and our broader regions and I am passionate about protecting, enhancing and promoting built and cultural heritage.

I was honoured to deliver a world address as a key note speaker in 2013 highlighting Ballarat’s involvement in UNESCO’s Historic Urban landscape (HUL) guidelines to heritage management & the launch of the first print of HUL in Bad Ischl in 2015. I am also one of 7 current Board members of the World League of Historic Cities (WLHC) and hold this role for the fourth consecutive year.

As Chair of Ballarat Airport Advisory Committee since its inception in 2009, we’ve led significant developments and progress including Ballarat West Employment Zone. Over $200 million dollars of private and public investment & associated businesses growth is paving the way for significant future opportunity. More recently, we secured $5M toward the longer, stronger broader runway project and look forward to seeing further airport development as a result of this catalyst.

My key areas of interest include:

Regional responsibility, consideration for health and connectivity, economic prosperity & also appropriate growth. I am passionate and committed to ensuring key infrastructure projects enhance our vibrant communities and support local organisations to build sustainable, connected and responsive regions.

Some of my successes include:

Successful negotiating and project start for Ballarat $147M Gov Hub (providing a potential 1000 jobs), lobbying for and unveiling Link Road, protecting refurbishing and opening of Civic Hall, securing funding for the Botanical Gardens Fernery ‘Gothic reconstruction’ & Gatekeepers cottage repositioning, Floral Clock restoration, securing funding partners and delivery of Light & Hope Lake fountain along with many others. 

Accolades:

  • Master of Leadership Deakin University, 2023

  • Emeritus Mayor, 2019 (MAV)

  • Dame of Honor, Order of St John of Jerusalem

  • Honorée member George Devine Treloar committee

  • Patron Ballarat Paddle Steamer Museum committee, 2024

  • President of the Ballarat Rotary Club, 2024

  • Elected as a City of Ballarat Councillor in 2008 - 2038, Deputy Mayor 2012, Mayor 2016, 2017 & again in 2018-19

  • Chair of Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) 2018, representing the 51 Australian Regional Capitals around 8 million people living in those surrounding regions


Ambassadorships: