Kesa Strieby, Cairns Woman of the Year 2022, to run for Division 2 at 2024 council elections
Kesa Strieby, the president of the Cairns and Regional Multicultural Association, has chosen to run for council in 2024 as part of a team. See which division she’s running for.
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Former Cairns Woman of the Year Kesa Strieby has confirmed she will run as a Division 2 council candidate in 2024 and has sided with mayoral candidate Amy Eden.
Ms Strieby, the president of Cairns and Regional Multicultural Association, said she will focus on improving community safety and increasing the number of community-focused projects should she win a council seat.
She has a professional background in the tourism, hospitality and social work sectors, which she said would bring a “unique perspective and diverse skill set” to the council.
“Division 2 is the growth corridor for Cairns with many young families, multicultural communities, and social and cultural needs. I want to work collaboratively with everyone to elevate the area further,” Ms Strieby said.
“I am so excited for this new challenge.”
Ms Strieby, who has resided in Cairns for 16 years, won the Cairns Regional Council’s 2022 Woman of the Year award.
For a short period she was a member of Queensland Labor but she said she has no current political affiliations.
Ms Strieby has also been a driving force behind the establishment of a Cairns multicultural community facility, which is currently under construction in White Rock.
“This project is close to my heart and I am excited to be part of a council that brings this valuable asset to our community,” she said.
Although Ms Strieby resides within Division 5, she said she had chosen to run for Division 2 – which represents Edmonton, Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan – because the community in Cairns’ southern Corridor had been the focus of much of her work.
Ms Eden – who is yet to unveil the remainder of her team, although restaurateur Sam Byrd is listed on the Electoral Commission of Queensland’s website as Ms Eden’s Division 7 candidate – said Ms Strieby‘s decision to run for Division 2 was “a testament to her genuine desire to make a difference”.
“Many residents have witnessed Kesa’s commitment to community service first-hand,” Ms Eden said.
“Her proven track record as president of Cairns and Region Multicultural Association, Vice President of Edge Hill Tennis Club and Cairns International Tennis Courts and committee member of Community Radio FM 89.1 exemplifies her dedication to creating positive change.”
Ms Strieby joins a stacked list of Division 2 candidates.
Vice president of Cairns Chamber of Commerce Matthew Tickner, Trinity Bay State High School teacher Steve Lippingwell and former Division 2 councillor John Schilling have all stated they will contest in 2024 independent of team affiliation.
Both Mr Tickner and Mr Lippingwell are running on three-pronged platforms that focus on community safety, cost of living and improved service delivery.
Mr Schilling said he was mostly focused on returning solid service delivery should he be elected.
Current Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne has said he will vacate the seat in 2024 so he can run as a Division 5 candidate.
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Originally published as Kesa Strieby, Cairns Woman of the Year 2022, to run for Division 2 at 2024 council elections
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