Draws for Clarence and Richmond Valley

ordered for the ballot and the results are below.

Clarence Valley

1. Cristie Yager

2. Peter Johnstone

3. Greg Clancy

4. James Allan 5. Allison Whaites

6. Justin James

7. Ray Smith

8. Andrew Baker

9. Phillip Provest

10. Lynne Cairns

11. Karen Toms

12. Melissa Hellwig

13. Steve Pickering

14. Shane Causley

15. Des Schroder

16. Debrah Novak

17. Amanda Brien

Richmond Valley Mayoral vote

1. Robert Hayes

2. Lyndall Murray

3. John Walker

4. Robert Mustow

Richmond Valley Councillor vote

Group A John Walker + fve candidates

Group B Robert Hayes + six candidates

Group C Lyndal Murray + seven candidates

Group D Robert Mustow + four candidates

Both Roberts, Mustow and Hayes, were at the ballot draw and both seemed pleased with the order in which their mayoral and councillor order appeared.

“I am happy with the number one position for mayor,” laughed Robert Hayes.

“I’d rather be frst or last, not in the middle,” said Robert Mustow, who was placed last in both ballot draws.

A ffth-generation Maclean local – I lived here until the age of 20 – spending the last 35 years away, living interstate and overseas.

I’m both an old local and very new resident.

I’m 55. My lifestyle is courtesy of the land, which was once native vegetation supporting Yaegl families. It’s crucial we remember who came before us, all our ancestors.

Cameron’s fed Scotland and arrived on the Clarence in 1863 and have farmed continuously since then.

I’m a farmer, resident and small business person – returning here to be with family and this incredibly supportive community.

My husband is a winemaker/agricultural consultant, and we have raised two children.

I was educated locally and at the University of New England, Armidale and have a Science degree and Environmental Master’s degree.

I’ve worked in events, environmental management, local government, mining and wellbeing sectors. I have some health sensitivities, so my work as facilitator is on pause.

I’m grateful to be able to afford to live here –recognising the rapid growth that’s occurred in only a few decades.

I’ve been involved in sporting groups, festivals, community organisations and much more in the valley.

I feel humbled to be able to have the time to commit to this role. I’m an optimistic, curious and creative person. When it comes to supporting those in need – I am strong and persistent.

My vision for the Clarence region is to shift rapidly to being the most unique, regenerative, equitable and satisfying place to live.

· I admire those who work for equity and justice for the disadvantaged.

· I’m inspired by those who are brave, innovative and compassionate.

· I would love to eradicate entitlement, aggression and greed.

· I’m happiest most in calm, social outdoor settings.

I want to invest my time in activities that can turn a good council into a great council.

I enjoy listening carefully to what people are really saying behind their words.

I long to help repair our community - in recent years we have faced a major rupture of trust and safety with natural disasters.

You can fnd me easily on Facebook – Melissa Hellwig

Ray Smith

governance and the challenges faced by local communities. My strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills have helped me to develop effective strategies for improving public services and promoting community development. Additionally, my ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, including elected offcials, community leaders, state and federal government representatives and residents, has allowed me to create consensus and drive positive change.

I was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2020 Australia Day Awards for service to local government in NSW.

families, businesses and ratepayers to try and better achieve better outcomes for our community.

I believe in family values and standing by those working hard for our community to become a better place.

Times are tough right now and I want to advocate for a council that stands for jobs, community development and cost of living relief for local families.

I am a hard-working business owner and ready to put in put in the fght to achieve a better council for our community, and work to keep the Clarence Valley the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.

MY PLAN FOR CVC

- Build the Aquatic Centre river-port village of Ulmarra, in 2017. and encouraging local businesses, farmers and all community members. I want to continue working for the residents of the Clarence Valley and have much more that I can bring to the role of councillor.

As an advocate for local artists and creatives I realise the importance of the creative arts and associated industries within the Northern Rivers.

As a small business owner and an active and engaged community member, I am also president of Ulmarra Village Inc, the local progress association and a member of the local Rural Fire Brigade.

I have worked with my community on various local initiatives and projects including fghting to retain the Ulmarra Pool, fghting to retain the Ulmarra Ferry, the Riverside Picnic in the Park, the Ulmarra Lantern Festival, and Ulmarra’s Magical Christmas.

I believe I have the skills, traits, knowledge and experience to continue in the role of councillor and to make decisions in the best interests of the Clarence Valley.

Vote 1 – Steve Pickering on September 14.

Lynne Cairns

I have been married to my wife Donna for over 40 years and we have four children, Jessica, Ben, Scott and Jake all of whom attended school in Grafton and we have fve grandchildren, Ayla, Pablo, Luedi, Reza and Idris.

I moved to Grafton in December 1992 to take up the position of general manager of Grafton City Council after just over 20 years working in major Sydney Councils.

I have been a Rotarian for over 30 years, a Justice of the Peace for more than 50 years, former Chairman of the Clarence Valley Life Education Unit for 10 years and I have been actively involved in many community events over the past thirty years. With over 50 years of experience as a local government leader, I bring a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table. Equipped with a strong academic background in political science and extensive experience working with local government agencies, I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of local

I believe that I have the local government knowledge and experience to be an effective councillor and to be able to make a positive contribution to the future of the Clarence Valley. If elected I will be aligning my actions and decisions with the Clarence Valley Community Strategic Plan focusing on the fve objectives of Economy, Leadership, Infrastructure, Society and Environment. My other emphasis will be on creating a teamwork approach to ensure that the best decisions are made for the beneft of the community.

Alison Whaites

Over the next term of council, I will fght to continue building the next stage of Grafton Olympic Pool. Slides....

- Fixing Roads & Local Services

Too often we see potholes and road repairs left without repair for too long. I will push for faster repairs.

- Sustainable housing Development Council has a key role in increasing housing availability, and I will advocate for a better housing strategy in our LGA.

- Fight for Local Industry Green and NIMBY councillors have attacked local projects including housing, timber and farming. If re-elected I will fght for common sense.

Vote 1 Allison Whaites for a safer and stronger Clarence Valley.

Steve Pickering

The Clarence Valley has been home to my family and I for more than 10 years. It has offered my family and I so many opportunities. Over the past term of council, I have stood up for local

I moved to Ulmarra with my partner in 2016 and opened the Coldstream Gallery in the historic

I am committed to preserving our Valleys’ heritage and promoting its unique character. I am dedicated to service, and our community’s well-being, and I will always work to make a positive impact.

Before moving to the Clarence Valley, I worked in the corporate IT world.

Always wanting to learn more, I spent the Covid lockdown gaining a postgraduate certifcate in Cyber Security.

Most of my working life was spent in Perth and Sydney within IT-related industries, starting off as a trainee and progressing into areas of team management, account management, and business analyst.

I was elected to Clarence Valley Council in 2021 and, as a frst-term councillor, have promoted and encouraged a focus on the arts, culture, heritage, environment, inclusiveness, and youth within the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers region.

I am committed to our Valley and its people. I am a strategic thinker, a listener, a doer, and a tireless advocate for the Clarence Valley.

I have a passion for preserving history, encouraging and supporting our youth, an inclusive, diverse community, clean water, transparency in decision making and supporting

I’m not a member of a political party and will continue advocating for the whole Clarence Valley community. My core values are honesty, integrity, commitment and compassion. My husband, Bob, and I have lived and worked in the Clarence Valley for more than 30 years. I worked in the departments of Planning and Natural Resources

Grafton (Geographical Information Systems, Water, Vegetation and Compliance Sections), Roads and Maritime Services

Grafton (Sanctions and Prosecutions) and Local Government.

Bob worked as County Engineer Flood Mitigation and Senior Project Manager Pacifc Highway upgrades.

I have supported our community by working tirelessly to preserve the character and lifestyle in the Clarence Valley by:

• Presenting in NSW Parliament House: Parliamentary Inquiry, “the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities.”

• Giving evidence

BY SAMANTHA ELLEY

For 20 years, Joel Taylor stayed out of the water after an horrifc bodyboarding accident that resulted in his paraplegia.

“I had my injury in 2001 at Pipeline, Hawaii,” the now 43-year-old man said.

“I was a professional body boarder.

“Now I’m a pro on a surf board and I have 20 year to make up.”

And that is exactly what the Lennox Head man is doing.

Joel is the Australian Para Surfng Champion, World Para Surfng Champion, Australian Para Surfer of the Year and Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year.

“I successfully defended my Australian Para Surfng Title at the 2024 Australian Surfng Championships, comboing the feld in the fnal with the highest heat total of the event,” he said.

Next step, defending his world title at the ISA World Para Surfng Championships in Huntington Beach, California in November.

“Before that, I will be at Oceanside, California in early September for the fourth and fnal event of the world adaptive surfng tour,” said Joel.

“I am in the running to win the tour championship in my rookie year.”

Not bad for someone who, at the beginning of the year, wasn’t sure he wanted to keep competing.

“I’d had a big year last year, so I was 50-50,” he said.

“Then I decided to go all in.

“My main goal has been winning Australian titles again.”

Joel’s regime includes exercising twice a day, six days a week, then surfng a few times a week.

This is a far cry from the man who refused to go in the water after his accident.

“There was fear, anger and just the unknown,” he said of giving up his surfng.

“There was only a handful of people who surfed with disabilities, and I didn’t know it was a possibility.

“I didn’t know there was a whole sport developing and once I found that out and I could access the beach, (I’m hoping) para surfng could be included in the Paralympics.”

While he uses a surfboard, rather than a bodyboard now, Joel said that it felt natural.

“It felt like I’d been in the water yesterday. All those years faded away.

I was supposed to be there. It felt like I was home,” he said.

“Once I am in the ocean, I am independent.

“I need help to get down to the water, but I catch waves by myself.

“I ride prone doing a combination of bodyboarding and surfng. Similar moves to stand up surfng in a prone position.

“It’s a hell of a lot of fun even if I get funny looks from people.”

Joel hopes that para surfng will be included in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“It was approved by the IOC and IPC, but unfortunately the organisation committee for LA knocked back the suggestion to put us in,” he said.

“We have a petition going around to get us included.

“Any additional signatures would be great.”

If you would like to sign the petition to get para surfng in the LA 2028 Paralympics, you can go to the link below: Petition · Save Paralympic Surfng LA 2028 - United States · Change.org