Dubbo council elections 2021: Meet the candidates
Voters in Dubbo and Wellington will soon elect a new council, with 35 candidates vying for votes. Read our ultimate guide to the candidates contesting the election.
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Voters in the Dubbo region will decide their new council on December 4, with 35 candidates vying to represent them.
At the election voters will be able to choose two representatives to represent the ward, or part of the community, they live in.
There are five wards and 10 spots up for grabs on the council.
While at the ballot box, voters will also be asked if they want to abolish the ward system of voting and instead have 11 councillors.
A council tool has made it easy for voters to see which ward they live in and where polling places will be on the day.
Below are a list of lead group candidates and ungrouped candidates contesting the election.
The Dubbo News asked all lead candidates and ungrouped candidates to submit a 100-word bio about why they are contesting election, their backgrounds and priorities.
Not all candidates who were contacted responded and some responses have been edited for style and size reasons.
Meet your candidates below.
NORTH WARD
Group B lead candidate: Grahame Miller
Born in Dubbo, Grahame Miller’s formative years were spent on the sporting field. He learnt discipline, accountability and how to be part of a team.
Mr Miller worked for Samuels Real Estate, Rawson Homes and Sainsbury Automotive where he was twice awarded National Sales Manager of the Year. Now he works for Picton Bro’s Panelspan as a design assessor.
He has qualifications in real estate, contract law, business management, sales, WHS, finance and insurance.
Mr Miller believes the council should proactively engage with the community by asking for their thoughts via a CBD shopfront instead of telling them what’s happening and waiting for complaints.
*Karina McLachlain is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Group C lead candidate: Mick Catelotti, The Ben Shields Team
Mick Catelotti is a long-time supporter of a Newell Highway ring road to reduce traffic congestion in West Dubbo.
He grew up in Dubbo and is married to Nikki, and has two children attending local schools. Owning and operating a successful auto electrical business for more than 15 years has given Mr Catelotti a practical understanding of Dubbo and its residents needs.
He has been critical of delays in projects being finished in Dubbo. Mr Catelotti recently criticised the NSW government by saying the West Dubbo traffic lights would have been constructed in a matter of weeks if they were in Sydney.
*Ann Barnard is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Ungrouped candidate: Matt Wright
Matt Wright is a local finance broker who has operated his own business in Dubbo for around 18 years.
He has been the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce president for six years and proved he can work cohesively and with integrity in a board environment.
Mr Wright takes an active interest in the issues faced by businesses in the city. He is passionate about having a thriving business community and CBD.
He believes some new faces among councillors will provide the chance to press the “reset” button on what has been a pretty tumultuous period for the current council.
Ungrouped candidate: Mat Smith, independent
Mat Smith has lived in Dubbo for 14 years and proudly calls it home.
He was born and bred in the Northern Territory on a family cattle station. After selling the station Mr Smith moved to Dubbo and continued farming.
With his wife, he operates several businesses and is grateful for the community’s support.
He has experience in politics, on government and research boards, as well as being a delegate on the Nation Farmers Federation board.
Mr Wright is used to high pressure, big budgets and big personalities. He prefers to focus on achieving results, finding solutions and making tough but necessary decisions.
Ungrouped candidate: Greg Matthews
Greg Matthews is a former mayor who had four terms on Dubbo City Council.
He was a board member of Local Government NSW and served as vice president.
Mr Matthews was also on the Australian Local Government Association board and a councillor mentor for councils throughout NSW.
He is contesting the election to return knowledge and experience back to council.
Mr Matthews despairs at the plight of the current council. He says the current financial position of this council is $11 million in debt partially brought about by Covid but also through a great deal of mismanagement and profligate spending.
*Labor is running in North Ward as Group A. Lead candidate Pam Wells did not respond to a request to contribute to this story. Peter Allen is the other Labor candidate.
SOUTH WARD
Group A lead candidate: Josh Black, Labor
Josh Black has lived in Dubbo since 1985 and spent the past 20 years working as a high school teacher. He previously worked at the abattoirs and ran a lawn mowing business.
Mr Black says council needs cleaning out and new leadership.
He wants a unified council which gets back to the basics of providing better bang for the ratepayers buck, genuinely consulting the community on decisions and increasing liveability for residents already here while making Dubbo attractive to new residents.
Mr Black wants to increase outdoor staff numbers to fix roads and mow grass, and provide action around housing affordability and supply.
*Greg Hough is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Group B lead candidate: Greg Mohr, The Ben Shields Team
Greg Mohr was first elected to council in 2012. He is known as a champion of the roads as there is never a week that goes by that he isn’t pushing for road upgrades.
Recently, Cr Mohr won a battle against Transport for NSW by successfully arguing for the installation of pedestrian traffic lights at Orana Gardens/Orana Mall.
Cr Mohr is running on an anti-bullying platform, pushing for all councillors to work together and follow proper process. He also wants a significant increase in roads and street funding as he believes maintenance work has come to a standstill recently.
*Merrilyn Mulcahy is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Ungrouped candidate: Shibli Chowdhury, independent
Shibli Chowdhury believes he is the first multicultural candidate to stand for council.
He has lived in Dubbo for 10 years.
Mr Chowdhury and his wife are both accountants.
The couple have three children who attend local schools.
He promises to fairly represent all ratepayers and promote multiculturalism.
Mr Chowdhury wants to be a community-minded councillor who works side-by-side with the community.
He is putting Dubbo first because council needs a positive attitude and dynamism.
Ungrouped candidate: Kevin Parker, independent
Born in Nyngan, Kevin Parker has lived and worked in various different locations around NSW.
He has lived in Dubbo since 1990 and works as a bank manager.
First elected to council in 2012, Cr Parker has been a volunteer driver for cancer patients and member of the Macquarie Conservatorium board.
Cr Parker is a member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie and he volunteers with the Rural Fire Service.
Looking forward, he wants to promote stability and greater confidence between councillors and council staff. Housing, transport, parking, social services and promoting Dubbo are also priorities for Cr Parker.
EAST WARD
Group A lead candidate: Jeremy Ellis, The Ben Shields Team
Jeremy Ellis grew up in Wellington before moving to Dubbo after he finished high school.
His understanding of both Wellington and Dubbo puts him in an ideal place to genuinely represent all residents of the region.
Mr Ellis works in the financial sector and has daily interactions with many businesses, so he brings a modern sense of financial management to the campaign.
He is a former long serving secretary of the Dubbo Ratepayers and Residents Association and a long term Liberal Party member.
He pledges to always push for rates to be as low as possible.
* Trina Thornbury is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Group B lead candidate: Lewis Burns
Lewis Burns is a visual and performance artist, businessman, art teacher and mentor. His artwork is displayed around Dubbo.
Mr Burns has a Cert IV in Business Governance and a Graduate Certificate in Governance.
He has been a member of council’s Aboriginal Working Party, Aboriginal Advisory Panel and not-for-profit community groups where he fosters understanding and unity.
Mr Burns regularly performs at local events and has travelled to Japan, the USA and Europe to promote Dubbo and Aboriginal culture.
He has brought and welcomed international visitors to Dubbo with the Spirit of Planet Festival and in association with the Dubbo-Minokamo sister city relationship.
* Della Burns is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Ungrouped candidate: Tatum Moore, Labor
Tatum wants to be the first female Aboriginal councillor in Dubbo.
Born in Dubbo and raised in public housing, Ms Moore is a well educated, married mother-of-three working in economics, employment and training.
Challenges she wants to tackle include bridges, roads, trees, water security, health, youth/family services, affordable housing and transport.
Ms Moore will challenge those in control of these services, to make them more efficient and effective.
Dubbo is her home, Ms Moore wants it to be a great place for her children and everyone else’s.
She says this is our town, let’s make it the best we can.
Ungrouped candidate: Damien Mahon, independent
A Dubbo resident for 32 years and Midwest Foods and Liquor director, Damien Mahon is experienced in all facets of business including strong financial management and strategic focus.
His experience and knowledge allow him to work with commitment, integrity and vision.
Mr Mahon will represent the community with appropriate consultation and consideration on all issues, work with councillors with mutual respect and provide encouragement, support and governance to the CEO and staff.
Mr Mahon believes councillors are elected as caretakers of the community - fostering and developing opportunity, not for personal/professional gain.
He wants Dubbo to achieve its potential by maximising every opportunity.
Ungrouped candidate: Rod Fardell, independent
As a Dubbo-born local, Rod Fardell has been part of this community for a long time.
Schooled at West Dubbo Primary/St Pius and Delroy High School, Mr Fardell was also heavily involved in local sports including soccer, rugby league, squash, triathlon and many others.
He has policed in the community, ran a business in the community and brought up his children in this community.
He has also worked in charity organisations and welfare in this community.
Mr Fardell is all about community.and wants people to vote 1 for community.
Ungrouped candidate: Ana Pateman, independent
Born and raised in Dubbo, Ana Pateman left and came back 20 years ago.
She has worked as a teacher in Sydney, Forbes, Tweed Heads and Kempsey.
Ms Pateman was a head teacher and consultant in Dubbo, and deputy principal in Wellington.
Now the CEO of Western Student Connections, she has three adult children and believes council needs new independent-minded representatives.
Ms Pateman believes confidence in council needs to be restored.
She will also push net zero emissions, a boost in affordable housing, greater consultation, more business investment in Dubbo and more events to showcase local artists and performers.
CENTRAL WARD
Group B lead candidate: Ben Shields, The Ben Shields Team
Ben Shields was first elected to Dubbo City Council in 1999 as an 18-year-old high school student.
He held the position of longest-serving board member of the Local Government Association/LGNSW from 2006 to 2021
Along with being the first mayor of the new Dubbo Regional Council, serving nearly four years, makes Mr Shields is the most experienced candidate for the 2021 elections.
Mr Shields and his team are standing on a platform of ‘Gets Things Done’ by highlighting the record commonwealth and state government funding that was granted to the council when he was mayor.
*Nathan Ellis is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Ungrouped candidate: Mathew Dickerson, independent
Mathew Dickerson spent his working career building businesses, with six successful businesses created since 1989.
The experience gained building and running those businesses was put to excellent use when Mr Dickerson was elected to council in 2004 and then as mayor from 2011 to 2016.
During that time, council gained an exceptional reputation for open communications and transparency. The last community needs survey showed a councillor approval rating of 70 per cent with Mathew in charge.
Mr Dickerson wants to be elected to use his experience, integrity and leadership skills to restore community confidence in council and create a vibrant community.
*Labor is running in Central Ward as Group A. Lead candidate Vicki Etheridge did not respond to a request to contribute to this story. Joe Knagge is the other Labor candidate.
WELLINGTON WARD
Group A candidate: Helen Swan, Labor
Helen Swan wants real change for Wellington including greater participation in decision making for the marginalised and excluded.
Her experience in social justice environments, including social housing, family violence, legal centres and at WINS Community Centre, has given her an understanding of complex and interconnected issues and the fundamental changes needed to address these issues.
Ms Swan says council decisions should be assessed against certain criteria, such as what are the health impacts? Will it create jobs? Could decisions be tweaked to improve outcomes? Will benefits be shared for the greater good? What is the long term environmental impact?
* Christopher Bailey is the other candidate who is a member of this group.
Group B lead candidate: Jess Gough, The Ben Shields Team
Jess Gough lives and breathes Wellington. As a young mum, Wellington Business Chamber president and business owner, Ms Gough has a real understanding of the problems that face Wellington.
She is highly critical of low-energy councillors who get elected and then do nothing and says Wellington desperately needs representation by councillors who won’t sit on their hands.
She will actively and persistently push the NSW government for a 24-hour police station and extra doctors at Wellington Hospital and not let up until it happens.
Ungrouped candidate: Anne Jones, independent
Councillor Anne Jones has been serving the community since 1995 when she was first elected to Wellington council.
The former mayor says her priorities if re-elected include ensuring greater accountability and transparency, encouraging improved communications between council and residents and planning for more affordable housing.
Cr Jones wants to ensure long-term financial sustainability through strategic planning and spending, while recognising that council’s residents come from a range of backgrounds and have varying expectations and needs.
Working with businesses to increase job opportunities and ensuring close attention is paid to maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure are among Cr Jones’s other priorities.
Ungrouped candidate: Richard Ivey, independent
Richard Ivey’s chartered accounting and business skills and experience could assist in the efficient and cohesive operation of Dubbo Regional Council, to the benefit of the whole council area and Wellington region in particular.
The long-term Wellington resident will work to improve and expand on the synergies between the former Dubbo and Wellington local government areas, again to benefit all residents.
Mr Ivey offers true independence and no party alignment, a clear vision for the future, a professional business background, experience as a community volunteer and the ability to work with and influence whatever council is elected for the betterment of the region.
Ungrouped candidate: Lizzy George, independent
Lizzy George is a born-and-bred Wellington local, with experience in local government as a former Wellington and Dubbo council employee of over 12 and a half years.
She is committed to work from the grassroots and ensure things are done right locally.
Ms George wants to ensure rates are being effectively utilised to maintain infrastructure and assets to ensure our facilities are servicing our communities needs.
She will proactively promote local features and attractions to help drive tourism and future developments.
Ms George cares deeply about this region, as a mother, a business owner and a ratepayer. She is with you, for us.
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