Meet the Goulburn Mulwaree Council candidates
Goulburn Mulwaree voters will soon elect a new council, with 17 candidates vying for votes, including six current councillors. Read our ultimate guide for the December 4 election.
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With the NSW election around the corner, the Goulburn Mulwaree local government area is preparing for Saturday where 17 candidates will raised their hands for the nine seats up for grabs.
The community will see six familiar names on the ballot, including incumbent councillors Mayor Bob Kirk, Deputy Mayor Peter Walker, Margaret O‘Neill, Carol James, Leah Ferrara and Andrew Banfield.
The rest however are fresh faces ready to show their worth.
We have compiled an ultimate guide to the candidates running for council.
All candidates were approached for a photo and bio of themselves.
Pre-polling for the election opened on Monday at the returning office at 133 Bourke St and finishes on Friday.
You can also find the nearest polling place here.
GROUP A: Labor Party
Lead Candidate, Jason Shepherd
Jason Shepherd was born in Crookwell, raised in Binda and currently lives in Goulburn.
“This region means a lot to me. Growing up and working on a sheep farm, I get the hard work and passion of the towns and villages,” Mr Shepherd said.
Mr Shepherd is a partner, dad and professional engineer, having worked on major projects around the world including Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia.
He has also worked on notable local projecta including the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre and the Goulburn Hospital Redevelopment.
Mr Shepherd said his mission was to give “our kids a local future.”
“I want a future for my kids and others to get educated, work locally in good paying sustainable jobs and raise families of their own,” he said.
“People need to be able to succeed without the need to leave our historic and beautiful region. “We need to attract sustainable businesses and support farmers in their move to sustainability.
“We need to ensure council apprenticeships and the use of local workers and companies.”
Mr Shepherd volunteers at a number of organisations including Goulburn NSW State Emergency Services (SES) and Meals on Wheels.
He is also a member of Goulburn District Unions and campaigned to stop the closure of Bourke Street Health Service and the privatisation of Goulburn Base Hospital.
Mr Shepherd also actively worked towards marriage equality and re-establishment of free to air TV in Eastgrove.
“Being a councillor is more than rates and rubbish, it’s about advocacy at all levels of government,” he said.
Anna Wurth-Crawford
Anna Wurth-Crawford was born in Sydney and came to Goulburn 46 years ago to train as a nurse at Kenmore Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.
Afterwards, she worked at the Chisholm Ross Centre for 15 years and is now retired.
Ms Wurth-Crawford is married with two sons.
She is an active member for the Goulburn mental health branch of The Nurses and Midwives’ Union (NSWNMA) and Goulburn District Unions, and used to be the president of both.
“Together with the union and community, we stopped the closure of Bourke St Health before the new hospital was built and stopped the privatisation of the Base Hospital,” Ms Wurth-Crawford said.
Some of the issues she wants to continue to campaign for include greater health service for the community and better parking at the Goulburn Base Hospital.
She is also fighting for more recognition of climate change in the Goulburn Mulwaree local area.
“Climate change is a serious issue and council has a responsibility to reduce their emissions,” Ms Wurth-Crawford said.
“There are many projects that other councils are adopting.”
She is also vying for greater gender equality, as currently only three out of nine councillors are women.
“We (Labor) believe in a fairer equal community. We need gender balance in our council, as currently mainly men are nominated,” Ms Wurth-Crawford said.
She said she also wants greater council investment in local businesses and issues.
“Our heritage is so important to Goulburn and we have so much potential with tourism. I encourage new business and support local jobs,” she said.
Danielle Marsden-Ballard
Danielle Marsden-Ballard is an educator, environmental scientist and permaculture designer, with a background in electronics and telecommunications.
She has lived in the Goulburn district since 1984, taught at TAFE and worked for Sydney Catchment Authority.
Ms Marsden-Ballard is currently appointed to the council’s Sustainability Working Party.
She is also a co-founder and spokesperson for Bungonia Action for Clean Air, having fought the Bungonia incinerator proposal.
She is now backing the Tarago residents in their right for a clean, safe environment.
Ms Marsden-Ballard is neurodiverse, being on the autism spectrum, and is the founder of Diversity Goulburn for LGBTQIA people, and has previously been on working groups, including the Goulburn Wetlands Restoration Project, and for New Business Attraction Politics.
Warren Murray
Warren Murray has lived in many cities, travelled across Australia for a variety of work, and is a proud husband, father and grandfather.
He recalls going to 14 schools, yet leaving school at just 14.
“When leaving school, this was when I truly started to learn, and probably read thousands of books since then,” Mr Murray said.
He’s currently employed as a disability support worker.
“I love this job, if you can call it a job because it is so rewarding,” Mr Murray said.
In the past he has been a licenced plumber, gas fitter, roof plumber, entrepreneur, real estate agent, and business owner.
If elected, he would like to continue to serve the community.
“I’m not standing for council so I can tell people what is best for this wonderful city,” Mr Murray said.
“I am a good listener, compassionate and have lived experience, and will use those attributes to work for all who live in the Goulburn Mulwarree Council.”
He is passionate about the disability sector, accessibility, the environment, affordable and social housing, education and tourism.
“One thing I do know, is that we need to be forward thinking. Forget the past, we can’t do anything about what has already happened, but we can change the future,” Mr Murray said.
Other candidates for Group A, Labor Party.
- Nathan Smith
UNGROUPED
Steven Ruddell, Independent
Steven Ruddell is a well-known singer and guitarist in the community, and is a fresh voice in the upcoming election.
His motto is “No place for politics in council elections.”
Mr Ruddell wants to apply his commonsense and financially sustainable approach to community infrastructure and facilities, particularly around entertainment and improving roads.
He is also working with Goulburn Mulwaree to come up with strategies to benefit the elderly and disabled communities.
Mr Ruddell would like to see the region grow by working to attract new jobs while supporting established ones, as well as by upgrading educational facilities for youth.
He also stated that the decisions he makes if elected will be sensitive to the communities’ heritage and indigenous culture.
Leah Ferrara, The Greens
Leah Ferrara is a current councillor for Goulburn Mulwaree and would like to continue representing the community.
During her time as councillor, she has supported major projects including the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, upgrades to the aquatic centre, replacing street lights to LED and the Wollondilly Walking Track continuation.
“If elected again I will continue and promote renewable energy within Goulburn Mulwaree, encourage the arts and assist in their development, beautify our green spaces and plan for future growth in our region,” Cr Ferrara said.
Bob Kirk, Independent
As current Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree since 2016, Bob Kirk is hoping to sustain his seat, having first been elected in 2008 and serving as deputy mayor.
“I’m very proud to be mayor and I want to continue to be that if that is the will of the people,” Cr Kirk said.
“I’ve got the time to dedicate to community service, which is what it’s all about.”
Cr Kirk was born and raised in Goulburn, and is married with two daughters and seven grandchildren.
In 1966, he joined the Commonwealth Bank and served in nine other countries before returning to Goulburn in 1991 as senior branch manager.
In 1998, he left the bank and held several local management positions before retiring in 2011 as secretary manager of the Goulburn Golf Club.
Cr Kirk is involved in a number of community organisations including West Goulburn Bushland Reserve Group as the president, Goulburn Country University Centre as director and the Goulburn-Crookwell Rail Trail as chairman.
He is a long-term rugby league enthusiast and a life member of the Goulburn District Rugby League Football Club.
If re-elected, he hoped to continue improving Goulburn Mulwaree for the benefit of the wider community and taking in people’s “priorities, requests and expectations.”
Peter Walker, Independent
Peter Walker is the current Deputy Mayor for Goulburn Mulwaree and has been on the council for five years.
He is proud to have supported several projects in his role including the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, aquatic centre, river walking paths, CBD enhancement, a hospital upgrad, new ambulance station and new police station which is on its way.
Cr Walker says he “still has a bit to do on (his) bucket list” at council, including overseeing Kenmore and the former St Johns Orphanage.
He is passionate about progressing a new community centre in Bourke St and a new facility for the Riding for the Disabled association in Goulburn.
Cr Walker is also a supporter of Wakefield Park and Pheasant Wood.
“My job is to represent the community and with the communities’ support I will do that,” Cr Walker said.
Daniel Strickland, Independent
Daniel Strickland is Goulburn-born and has worked in a senior leadership role in the not-for-profit sector for 20 years, which inspired him to run for council.
He was the winner of the Goulburn Mulwaree Citizen of the year 2020 award and wants to continue putting the community first.
He is a married father-of-five and is passionate about social justice issues, including the prevention of domestic and family violence, social disadvantage, child protection and suicide prevention.
Michael Prevedello, Independent
Michel Prevedello is a longstanding member of the Goulburn community and has been involved in organisations including Rotary, Apex, the local Catholic church and school associations.
“I love Goulburn and its people and want to see the very best for our city,” Mr Prevedello said.
He is married with kids, and he and his wife Jill have owned and operated two local businesses, and most recently, he managed the local Magnet Mart hardware store.
In 2017, Mr Prevedello returned to his first profession and has been working as a journalist at Radio 2GN.
If elected, he would like to see the region grow.
“As an elected councillor, I‘d commit to being an open ear for community concerns,” Mr Prevedello said.
“I’d like to see our region realise its potential for festivals and events and I’d also be a check on council fees and charges.
Andrew Wood, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Andy Wood is a school music teacher, family man and active member of the Goulburn community, having been a resident since 2003.
He is wanting to represent and support rural communities, as well as make the region more liveable for its residents.
“I have and will continue to fight the proposed incinerator at Tarago, have roads fixed throughout the LGA, improve the parking throughout Goulburn, especially the main street and hospital, and smooth the needlessly difficult path for businesses to set up and thrive by slashing red tape, creating services and jobs for our growing region
Other ungrouped candidates
- Margaret O’Neill, Independentt
- Adam Milani, Independent
- Carol James
- Andrew Banfield, Independent
- Timothy Dally, Independent
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