Council election day is Saturday, September 9.
AFTER a momentous wait for a democratic election of the Dubbo Regional Council the day has finally come.
If you haven’t heard, the amalgamated local government area is now divided into five wards: • Central Ward • South Dubbo Ward • North Dubbo Ward • East Dubbo Ward • Wellington Ward HOW DO I FIND MY WARD?
To find your ward, visit, map.elections. nsw.gov.au, the Macquarie Regional Library has free computers if you need internet access. WHO CAN I VOTE FOR?
Only for people standing for your ward. WHAT AM I VOTING FOR?
Ten councillors who will work hard to better the local government area, Dubbo Regional Council. WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
CENTRAL WARD
Above the Line Group A: • Vicki Etheridge (Support worker at Westhaven, no political party affiliation, on Team Shield’s team) • & Nicki Catelotti (self-employed, registered Liberal Party member) Group B: • John Ryan (journalist) • & Joshua Black Below the line
Greg Matthews (Self-employed, nominated by radio station DCFM88.9, Member of the National Party)
Kris Stevens (Member of the Greens)
EAST WARD
Above the Line Group A: • Dayne Gumley (Member of the Liberal
Party, on Team Shields) • & Lisa James (no party affiliation) Group B:
• Stephen Lawrence (County Labor Party member, Barrister for NSW Bar Association) • & Cody Jones (Country Labor Party member, Diploma of Community Services Work) Below the Line
• Ana Patemen (CEO, Western Student
Connections, no party affiliations) • Chris Edwards (Chairman Harness Racing NSW, Eumungerie Coboco RSL, Dubbo Show Society)
NORTH WARDS
Above the Line Group A: • Ben Shields (radio producer, councillor 17 years, deputy mayor 2012-2016, self employed, Liberal party member) • & Tyler Przerada (No political party,
self-employed) Group B: • Merrilyn Mulcahy (No political party,
retired) • & Nathan Ellis (Liberal party member, related to Shields partner) Below the Line
• Jane Diffey (No political party, real estate agent, Dubbo Show Society, D&D Preschool, Clare’s Angels, Orana Early Childhood Centre)
SOUTH WARD
Above the Line Group A: • Greg Mohr, Wongarbon (Liberal party
members, former Dubbo City Councillor) • Shayne Stiff (no political party,
bookmaker) Below the Line
• Manny Portelli (no political party,
self-employed practicing accountant) • Doug Prior (no political party, piano
technician) • Kevin Parker (National Party, banker)
WELLINGTON WARD
• Anne Jones (No political party, self employed accountant) • Mark Griggs (No political party, photo
journalist) • Michael Augee (Country Labor, Wellington Deputy Mayor 2004-2012) • Adam Ryan (no political party, teacher) • Jacob Perry (NSW Nationals, tradesman) • David Grant (no political party, insurance agent)
HOW TO VOTE
When you arrive at your polling booth, you will be advised which ward you are in. You will then be given a ballot paper relating to your ward.
In most wards you will have group of candidates above the line, and independent candidates below the line.
You can only vote for a maximum of two people. Above the line
If you cast your vote above the line, all you need to do is put the number ‘1’ inside one ‘group’ box you prefer. This makes your vote formal. In reality you have used both your preferences in the one vote by selecting the group (ie two people).
You must: • Use the number ‘1’ only once • Use the number ‘1’, not the word • Put the number in the box provided, not
beside a candidate’s name at the end • A tick (✓) or cross (x) on its own is counted as 1, Above the Line. Below the Line
If you cast your number ‘1’ vote below the line, and you wish to use your second vote, then your number ‘2’ vote must also be below the line.
However, it is not compulsory to show a second preference. Where there are just two councillors to be elected (as for each ward) a vote will still be formal if just one below the line candidate has been voted for with the number ‘1’.