Shelley Curtis chosen to replace Cameron Caldwell as Division 4 councillor

An army captain chosen to fill the vacancy left by Cameron Caldwell at council has revealed her priorities, saying she is ‘honoured’ to have been given the role. Here’s what she said.

A captain in the army education corps has been chosen to replace Cameron Caldwell as Division 4 councillor until elections are held next year.

At a meeting on Friday morning councillors voted by 12-1 to appoint Paradise Point woman Shelley Curtis to the role.

Ms Curtis, who has been with the army for almost 20 years as a medic and in the education corps, is also P&C president at Coombabah State School, where her three children are students and she is herself a past pupil.

She said she was “honoured” to be chosen from the 17 candidates who nominated for the position and looked forward to serving the community.

“I’m coming from a position where I love living here, I’ve lived here my whole life, I had a wonderful childhood growing up here and my kids have got the same,” she said.

“I just look forward to providing the same quality lifestyle that I have been afforded and they have so far.”

Shelley Curtis has been selected by councillors to replace Cameron Caldwell in Division 4.

Ms Curtis said she would “absolutely” be running to remain the Division 4 councillor in the March 16 elections, identifying youth crime as the issued about which she was most concerned.

“I’m really honoured to have gained the trust of the councillors,” she said. “But now my attention is pivoting to making sure the local community thinks I’m worthy of that trust, so that’s going to be my focus going forward.”

Mayor Tom Tate said Ms Curtis’s track record of community work had impressed councillors.

“Shelley (was) a stand-out candidate, particularly in her service to community,” Mayor Tate said.

“…. (Also) a bit of what you could call her disciplined background.

“I think we can work together. One thing with democracy, you get all sorts of different people, and I think it’s a wonderful fit to the chemistry that we have in there.”

Ms Curtis will formally take up the role after being sworn in at 10am on Monday.

PREVIOUSLY: THE CANDIDATES WHO PUT THEIR HANDS UP

The City has received nominations from 17 candidates for a vacant councillor position with retired councillors, top business operators and community workers putting their hands up.

Councillors will begin assessing the applicants at special council meeting starting at 10am on Friday, building a short list for the replacement for Cameron Caldwell.

The former City planning chair vacated the northern division after winning the Fadden by-election, sparking a unique process where a replacement will continue in the role until the local government poll next March.

A report reveals the candidates include former councillor Margaret Grummit, who was invited to consider the role.

The field includes some familiar names including Kirsten Jackson who ran a strong campaign against Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon in the 2020 State election campaign.

Renowned community worker Fran Ward has nominated for the vacant councillor position. Picture Mike Batterham

Renowned community worker Fran Ward, who ran for LNP preselection against Mr Caldwell, has nominated. Owen Caterer, also in that LNP battle, is also seeking the councillor role.

Others include Stewart Brooker, who ran as an independent in the Fadden poll.

Courier driver and business owner Ron Nightingale, who ran as an independent in Bonney in 2017, is on the list but a report indicates he did not provide a resume.

Hospitality leader Pushpinder Singh Oberoi, renowned for his award-winning restaurants, is in the mix.

Hospitality leader Pushpinder Singh Oberoi, renowned for his award-winning restaurants, is in the mix.

Shelley Curtis, who has an impressive CV with a 20-year stint in the army, is a nominee and recently attended council chambers.

Another candidate who has impressed community groups is marine industry leader Andrew Fielding.

Other candidates include Colin Baker, Jonathan Clare, Jim Nicholls, Sandra Roach, Bradley Smoling and Diane Woods.

A report to council says a nonconforming nomination was received after the stipulated nomination period from Josephine Dewe.

A public notification asked candidates to provide a statement of up to 1000 words and a resume.

Business owner Ron Nightingale, who ran as an independent in Bonney in 2017, is on the list. Picture: Richard Gosling

Councillors at Friday’s special council meeting will consider the 17 names. Another meeting is arranged for Monday where a final recommendation is likely to be made.

The way forward is uncertain with one option being each councillor provides a list of their top three candidates.

A final short list of the top three or four candidates favoured by the majority of councillors could be determined.

Those successful candidates may then be asked to give a five-minute presentation at Monday’s meeting before a vote by councillors.

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