Larine Statham-Blair to run for Division 5 of Bundaberg council

One of the Bundaberg region’s longest-standing councillors will compete with a small business owner and journalist who is making a run for the seat this election.

Larine Statham-Blair will contest the decades long held seat of Division 5 of Bundaberg council. Image credit: Paul Beutel.

A small business owner and advocate for the Bundaberg region has announced her run for the Division 5 seat of the Bundaberg Regional Council, currently held by one of the longest-serving councillors in the region.

Larine Statham-Blair will go head to head with Greg Barnes at the upcoming local government election, bringing her own impressive resume of credentials to the candidacy.

Locals may recognise Mrs Statham-Blair from her tenure as a journalist for the popular Crush Magazine, or as co-founder of Bundaberg South’s Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic.

The Kepnock State High School alumni also owns and operates a small communications and marketing consultancy, a business backed by her years as a policy and media adviser for the state and federal governments.

“I worked collaboratively across all three levels of government and with the private sector to successfully advocate for local projects like the HMAS Tobruk Dive Wreck and the gas pipeline to the port,” she said.

Larine Statham-Blair to run for Division 5 of Bundaberg council. Image credit: Paul Beutel.

Her involvement with local community organisations and events stems from her position on several boards and committees.

“As a board director of Bundaberg Tourism, the community representative on council’s iconic events advisory committee and a previous sponsor of the Bundaberg and District Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards and Bundaberg Art Prize, I have a proven track record of standing up for our community,” she said.

The council candidate spoke on her campaign towards one of the longest held seats in the council chambers.

“Bargara and Innes Park North are booming and the community make-up has changed in recent years,” Mrs Statham-Blair said.

“The division has had the same councillor for 24 years.

“It’s time for some new blood and fresh thinking.”