Tiley is 'doctor do a lot'

HE might be the most qualified person on the CVC but former Maclean and Clarence Valley mayor Ian Tiley insists he still just wants to be known as Ian.

Ian Tiley of Maclean, finished his Doctorate of Philosophy. Picture: Adam Hourigan

HE might be the most qualified person on the Clarence Valley Council and definitely the only one with a doctorate in philosophy, but former Maclean and Clarence Valley mayor Ian Tiley insists he still just wants to be known as Ian.

Mr Tiley received word this week his doctoral thesis had been assessed and approved, clearing the way for him to graduate in March next year.

His thesis, Australian Local Government Council Amalgamations - a case study of the Clarence Valley, marked the completion of a long period of learning since a life change in 1997 when his marriage broke up and he left the Maclean Hotel.

"I decided it was time to go to uni," he said.

In 2001 he completed a bachelor of arts in political science and French.

"I know, a strange combination," he said.

Then in 2003 he graduated with a master of arts in public policy before setting out on his doctorate.

"It is about life-long education," he said.

"And it was about repaying my parents.

"My mother picked peas and beans and worked in a dry cleaner's to pay my way through school.

"Once you get a thirst for learning it's hard to stop. The more you study the more you realise you don't know."

Mr Tiley said he expected there might be some reaction, but his thesis found there were economic benefits to the Clarence Valley through amalgamation.

"The greatest reason for that is that it allows for strategic planning," he said.

"We get a lot more grants now because we can plan strategically for the Clarence Valley.

"It's also easier to get a skilled workforce and to rationalise plant purchasing."

He said reducing the councillor numbers in the Clarence from 33 to nine brought some savings, but it also meant people were less-engaged with their council and its activities.

He said he recently attended a local government conference, Destination 2036, and there was ready acceptance for more structural reform of local government.

Originally published as Tiley is 'doctor do a lot'