REVEALED: Which Fraser Coast councillors have positions outside council?

We asked Fraser Coast councillors about their roles outside their ratepayer-funded jobs. Here’s how they answered.

Some have volunteer roles, others have consultancy positions and others have part-time work.

But all the Fraser Coast councillors who responded to the Chronicle’s questions about their jobs agreed their work with council is their number one priority.

Questions were sent this week to every councillor, asking if they had work other than their positions at council and if so, to provide a description.

All but one - Councillor James Hansen, who runs a successful dairy farm at Boompa but wouldn’t say what that entailed – responded.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour was first to respond.

He said he had not held another job since he was elected to council in 2012.

Council budget – Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour after the council budget meeting. Photo: Cody Fox

Councillor Phil Truscott said he did not have time for a second position.

“My division particularly, has many community groups so unless I wanted to have no personal time with my family or be able to do my own home jobs, it would be very difficult, even though quite legal, to hold down another job,” he said.

Councillor Phil Truscott.

Councillor Jade Wellings said she held a number of roles and had multiple income streams.

“I don’t think I’m the kind of person who can ever just do one thing – I like to be busy,” she said.

“I spend a little bit of time assisting my family with the family businesses when needed, and have a small hire fleet of caravans.

“I am also one of the organisers of the annual Mother’s Day Classic, which is coming up soon and raises money for breast cancer research and enjoy volunteering my time here.

“To be a good and effective councillor, it is a full time role, the hours and demands will vary from week to week but I find myself putting in well over 40 hours most weeks.

“However, the hours are not your regular 9 – 5, they can be early mornings, late nights and weekends, and then randomly you might have a Tuesday off.

Councillor Jade Wellings. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Outside of my role as a councillor, my most time consuming and challenging role to balance is the role of being a mum.

“Being a mum is probably my most important role, and I try my best to prioritise my kids and their needs.

“On days where I take them to after school sports, I will then find myself up until late at night doing my councillor role – agenda reading, research and emails.

“I personally like the flexibility of the councillor role.

“The ability to control your own calendar for the most part.

“And that whether you are officially on the clock or off the clock, no matter where you go in the community or what you are doing, you are still a councillor and even in your private time, still connecting with the community.

“It’s a great role and you can balance it around other things, as long as you remain focused, organised and prioritise properly.

Councillors social distancing at a Fraser Coast Regional Council meeting.

“If anyone out there were to be thinking of putting their hand up to run for council in the future and wanted to understand more about the role and what the demands on your time are like, I‘d be happy to help and chat about it.

“I think this is particularly important for women, who are often the primary caregivers of children and are maybe worried they may not have the time to be a councillor. It is possible.”

Cr David Lewis told, the Chronicle he did a “very small” amount of legal consultancy.

“It currently averages less than two hours per month and the amount of time involved is irrelevant to my council work,” he said.

FCRC: Councillor David Lewis. Photo: Stuart Fast

Cr Darren Everard had also done some consultancy work during his time on council.

“I have never held a part-time or casual (job) since dedicating my time as a councillor,” he said.

“I have been on a small number of occasions been paid for consulting work, nationally and internationally, on non-council related business.”

Cr Everard said as a councillor, that role should be the priority at all times and he averaged working about 70 hours a week.

“We are elected to serve the community and that should remain the priority at all times.”

FCRC: Deputy Mayor Darren Everard. Photo: Stuart Fast

Cr Denis Chapman said he volunteered in various roles, but was a full-time councillor with no other jobs.

Councillor Denis Chapman has shared his concerns for his hometown of Bauple.

Cr David Lee said he had campaigned for the role of Division 9 councillor on the basis that he would be “visible, vocal and active in our community”.

“I have been granted the privilege of serving our community,” he said.

“For me, this is a full time job.

“The only other position I have is as a volunteer director of Bayside Christian College.”

Cr Lee said the decision to engage in paid employment above and beyond one’s role as a councillor was a personal choice and depended on one’s personal circumstances.

“I am unable to sufficiently engage with the community and fulfil numerous committee and councillor responsibilities without working at it full time.”

Councillor David Lee.

Cr Zane O’Keefe said he was a full-time councillor.

“I was elected in a by-election in 2018 and I was running a furniture delivery and assembly business at the time.

“I decided within the first six months of my term to invest all of my energy into my family and my new job on council and so ceased trading.

“I love my job and live the role, it’s not a part-time job.”

Councillor for Division 10 Zane O'Keefe

Cr Paul Truscott said he did not have another job outside of being a councillor, but one of his hobbies was being a marriage celebrant.

“I have been officiating marriage services for much longer than I have been a councillor,” he said.

“It’s a role that I thoroughly enjoy, meeting new people and being involved in such a special moment of people’s lives.

“I’ve only ever done that role as a hobby as it’s usually on weekends and doesn’t require much of my time.

“I like to be involved and help community groups and members and be involved in extra activities with my family and through my church.

“It’s great to stay connected to the community and give back.”

Cr Truscott said that was why he had decided to nominate for deputy mayor.

FCRC: Councillor Paul Truscott. Photo: Stuart Fast

Cr Daniel Sanderson said he didn’t hold another job, trying to ensure he gave “110 per cent focus to my responsibilities and duties held in my position as councillor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council”.

“I also stay connected to my community through my involvement in the local chambers of commerce, local progress associations, social sporting commitments, (being a) board member of our local church, visiting residents, businesses, clubs, schools and more.

Councillor for Division 4 Daniel Sanderson

“To understand the sentiment of our community is incredibly important to me to ensure I am representing the people I serve the best possible way I can.”

Originally published as REVEALED: Which Fraser Coast councillors have positions outside council?