‘I treated this as a 300-day job interview’
Candidates are suddenly signing up to be mayor or councillor. As ratepayers, we pay their salaries - between $166,000 to $279,000. Is a few weeks long enough to assess them? Pre-polling starts in less than a month. You will face dozens of placards and volunteers.
Some candidates have treated this as a year-long job application.
Others are just now putting up Facebook pages. Or they are standing under tents with makeshift branding.
Look at the campaign by Naomi Fowler, in Division 2, the first to put her hand up.
Councillor William Owen-Jones in early February last year announced he would retire, allowing candidates time to engage with community. Ms Fowler was grateful.
“I completely stepped away from my business, put $20,000 of my own money in a dedicated bank account and officially announced my candidacy in late May. I’ve not earned a wage since I embarked on my 300day job interview,” she says..
Pounding the pavement at Hope Island, Oxenford, Studio Village, and Helensvale, her plan was to visit most residents twice, to knock on more than 10,000 doors.
What does real community engagement mean?
It means attending more than 85 community and sporting group meetings and events, hosting several pop-ups and organising multiple ‘Meet the Candidate’ coffee sessions.
Then developing a comprehensive Division 2 Local Action Plan.
“I’ve been listening,” Ms Fowler says.
In October last year, Cr OwenJones, challenged his neighbouring community.
Some residents fighting two development applications were concerned about the lack of representation with suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden facing a murder charge after the death of his stepfather. Mr BayldonLumsden’s legal team have entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge.
Jenna Schroeder admits she was not quite ready to start campaigning. But when Cr Owen-Jones urged residents to “get their skates on and have a crack” she started earlier than planned.
“There’s so much I’ve learned over the last few months. When you speak to someone, it can strengthen or change your opinion,” she says.
Ms Schroeder estimates she has met hundreds of residents, leading her to prioritise some issues above those passion projects she had earlier pitched as important.
“My original vision, which was formed from my previous involvement in the community, has evolved and strengthened the more I’ve spoken to people,” she says.
“That’s exactly how I envision becoming a councillor — always engaging, listening and evolving.”
Joe Wilkinson, also campaigning early in Division 7 and again a taking leave from work with a young family, has walked the similar concrete path in the summer heat.
He has represented the Arundel Hills community and celebrated with them at the local tavern after their successful fight against the golf club residential development.
He has also “actioned” many council issues raised after doorknocking.
Others like Sam Delmege in Southport, Dan Doran and Nic Rone in Robina, Josh Martin in Palm Beach along with Joel McInnes and Edward Sarroff again in Division 7 have either aimed to profile themselves or reach out to media on issues.
On slimmer budgets at this election, those wearing out the shoe leather are serious about getting your vote. We now need to be serious about the scrutiny we give to our vote.
TEAM SARROFF
It’s very much Team Sarroff in the battle for Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden’s Division Seven.
Edward Sarroff when he announced last October his decision to stand for council indicated his father, Eddy, would be in the background only offering advice. He broke bread with the Mayor Tom Tate saying he would run.
But a rival campaigner notes their signage says “Our city needs another Sarroff”. “He’s rolled dad out everywhere,” the campaigner says, adding the poll result will be telling.
JPL - SO MUCH TO GIVE
John-Paul Langbroek took a shot of himself this week with former Premier Rob Borbidge.
He then posted it with a black and white photograph, both having darker locks, cheekily adding it was “a few moments later”. Quite remarkable because 20 years separate the pics.
Sam O’Connor, probably the pollie closest to the Surfers MP, remains struck by his passion.
“It’s admiral. He’s got a lot more to give. He never gets jaded. He gives more parliamentary tours than another member - he loves showing people around,” the Bonney MP said.
HUMOUR CENTRAL
Fans on the Gold Coast Music Scene Facebook site in a post are asking “where does one go for live music” sparking debate about recent lost venues. Steve Kilbey gave one of the funniest and most engaging solo performances before Christmas at The Wallaby — yes, way out west at Mudgeeraba, for the Church frontman.
The short answer for good venues is Brisbane, where your columnist is booked for Jose Gonzalez and John Craigie in the next month at a range of mid-size to boutique venues.
Gregory Alan Isakov at a sellout show a fortnight ago at The Tivoli attracted Coast and Byron fans who drove the M1 and waited outside for an hour in the 35 degrees heat.
Picking up on the local dialect, the Colorado singer-songwriter and organic farmer jokingly told them: “We should all put our togs on and get munted.”
TOP EIGHT GRIT
My Titans spy says new coach Des Hasler at a recent hot contact session reluctantly offered the players 30 seconds to a minute off. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui intervened. The captain told his players to return to the field. Is this the sort of grit to get to the top eight?
Pre-polling starts in less than a month. You will face dozens of placards and volunteers. Some candidates have treated this as a year-long job application.