Maranoa, Western Downs, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo local government elections: Who is running in 2024
Less than a month out from election day, get to know who is running for local council in the Maranoa, Western Downs, Balonne, Murweh and Paroo regions.
Roma
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Tyson Golder - Unity Maranoa
Mayoral candidates
Tyson Golder - Unity Maranoa
The mayor since 2016 and leader of the Unity Maranoa group, Tyson Golder is running again for mayor of the Maranoa region. If Mr Golder is successful in this campaign, he will serve three terms as mayor of the Maranoa region. Mr Golder is the leader of the Unity Maranoa group.
Geoff McMullen
Deputy mayor Geoff McMullen is running for the top job in the 2024 election.
Deputy mayor of the Maranoa region, Geoff McMullen, is running for the top job in the upcoming local government elections believing it is “time for a change”.
Mr McMullen has been the deputy mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council for eight years.
In this time, he said he has gained the experience to make a strong mayoral candidate, and has gained the insight that things need to change, citing rate capping as a particular cause for concern.
“During my time on council, I have connected with many of the residents, taken the time to listen to their concerns and have done my very best to assist them with their inquiries without over-promising an outcome,” he said.
Wendy Taylor
A councillor for the Maranoa region since 2020, Wendy Taylor has announced her campaign for mayor in 2024. If successful, Ms Taylor would be the Maranoa region’s first female mayor. Ms Taylor was elected to council for the first time in 2020, and is now running as an independent mayoral candidate. She is a prominent figure in the community, having run a family business in the region for 30 years.
David Schefe
David Schefe has previously run for Mayor of the Maranoa region in 2020, and has now officially nominated to run again as an independent candidate.
Sitting councillor candidates
Cameron O’Neil
Cameron O’Neil has been a councillor in Maranoa since 2012, and is running for re-election as a councillor in 2024.
Julie-Marie Guthrie - Unity Maranoa
With an extensive background in teaching an education, Julie-Marie Guthrie is again running as a councillor in Maranoa in 2024. Ms Guthrie is a member of the Unity Maranoa group.
George Ladbrook - Unity Maranoa
George Ladbrook is also running for reelection as a councillor as a member of the Unity Maranoa group. Mr Ladbrook operates a cattle property north of Roma with his wife, and also owns and operated a local butcher ‘Ladbrooks Butchery.’
Joh Hancock
Joh Hancock is again running for Maranoa local council as an independent candidate. Ms Hancock has a strong background in business, customer service and community as a former employee of the Maranoa regional council.
Mark Edwards - Unity Maranoa
Mark Edwards is running for local council re-election, as part of the Unity Maranoa group. Mr Edwards brings a wealth of knowledge, with a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting and agribusiness, and a Master of Financial Planning. Mr Edwards is also a founding member of the Roma Echidnas Rugby Union Club and Roma Historical Precincts Inc.
John Birkett - Unity Maranoa
John Birkett is also running for re-election as a councillor as part of the Unity Maranoa group. Mr Birkett is a Mitchell local through and through, where he now runs a plumbing business and operated the Amby/Forestvale school bus run.
New councillor candidates
Meryl Brumpton
Hailing from a beef cattle grazing property north of Roma, Meryl Brumpton has nominated for Maranoa regional council as an independent candidate. Ms Brumpton has 35 years experience as a senior manager in state government roles, has a masters in public administration, and has received two Queensland Government Australia Day Medals for service to the community.
Brendan Seawright
Wallumbilla local, Brendan Seawright has announced his nomination for the Maranoa regional council in 2024, as an independent candidate.
Amber Davis
Mother of two and owner of Bessie’s Ice Cream Bus, Amber Davis has announced her nomination for local councillor for Maranoa. Ms Davis has 13 years experience in local government, and experience as an education consultant to help place people in apprentice roles and traineeships.
Jane Vincent
With a background in rural business and government administration experience, Jane Vincent has nominated for the Maranoa regional council in 2024 as an independent candidate.
Charles Weyman-Jones - Unity Maranoa
Peter Flynn
WESTERN DOWNS
Mayoral candidates
Andrew Smith
Glenn Strandquist
Sitting councillor candidates
Kylie Bourne
Kaye Maguire
George Moore
Peter Saxelby
Megan James
New councillor candidates
Greg Olm
Kathryn Prenzler
Sophie Bougoure
Sam Condon
Robert Ries
David Carvosso
BALONNE REGION
Mayoral candidates
Samantha O’Toole
Incumbent mayor Samantha O’Toole is running unopposed in the 2024 council election in the Balonne shire.
Sitting councillor candidates
Adam Osborne
Adam Osborne was appointed as councillor on the Balonne Shire Council on April 27 2023, after former councillor Richard Lomman’s resignation.
Robyn Fuhrmeister
Bill Winks
Scott Scriven
New Councillor candidates
Greg Kent
Andrew Dries
Jason Southern
Michaela Christensen
Greg Kent
Jim Nott
MURWEH REGION
Mayoral candidates
Shaun Radnedge
Mayor Shaun Radnedge will run unopposed for the position of mayor in the Murweh shire. He has been a councillor in the Murweh shire council since 2016, and was elected mayor in 2020.
Sitting councillor candidates
Peter (Red) Alexander
Robert Eckel
Robert Eckel has served on the Murweh shire council for 10 years, and has been the deputy mayor for the last two. Mr Eckel said in his time in council he has borne witness to many changes in the community and reflexively, the council.
“I have seen a lot of changes in local government especially with the expectations from the community. I am continually in contact with the public and able to manage my time to give this position my full commitment,” Mr Eckel said.
Mr Eckel said he enjoys being on council, and would like to be re-elected to see projects brought to completion.
“I would like to be part of the team again see the completion of unfinished projects. I enjoy the challenges put to Council and work together with good leadership and community vision for a sustainable future.”
Paul (Potter) Taylor
Michael McKellar
New councillor candidates
Glen (Wally) McLennan
Sandy Gurney
Michelle Ebsworth
Having lived in the Murweh region since 2002, Michelle Ebsworth has thrown her hat in the ring to run for local council for the first time in 2024. Ms Ebsworth said her bid for council has been spurred by indicators that residents in Charleville are looking for a new, feminine, perspective.
“I have been speaking to many residents about their hope for a more diverse Council representation, and particularly a woman’s perspective, and I have the energy and enthusiasm to put the required time into this role,” Ms Ebsworth said.
Her experience extends from involvement in an array of community activities to her business and financial background.
She has been involved in organisations including Show Society President, Rural Ambassador and Miss Showgirl for the South West, Girl Guide Leader, Treasurer for the St Mary’s P&F Association and Charleville Dance House.
Ms Ebsworth also has a background in finance and commerce, with a diploma of accounting, and business experience.
Ms Ebsworth said her three main priorities if elected as councillor are promoting livability in the region, opening communication channels, and supporting local businesses.
John (Redbuck) McKay
Sandra Currie
Evan Brassington
Teri Sommerfield
A fifth generation Murweh shire resident, Teri Sommerfield has joined the race to be a councillor in the region. Ms Sommerfield said her bid comes as she would like to see broader ranging interests represented on council.
“I wanted to see a wider array of interests represented on the council. I want to be a part of positive change and the future of our community,” Ms Sommerfield said.
Ms Sommerfield has experience ranging from agriculture to performing arts.
She grew up on a cattle property northwest of Charleville, and has extensive knowledge of the agriculture industry.
Professionally, Ms Sommergield worked for the Queensland government department of resources for almost five years.
Ms Sommerfield has also been president of the Charleville Performing Arts Association for the last four years, and has been a member for a total of eight.
PAROO REGION
Mayoral candidates
Suzette Beresford
Ethan Crumblin
Perry Higgins
William (Toonk) Carr
Sitting councillor candidates
Rick Brain
Patricia Jordan
Jo Woodcroft
James Clark
New Councillor candidates
Tomas King
Barbara Mason
Julianne Fox
Kerry Crumblin
Toni-Lou Pender
Corissa Jackson
Clare Steele
Geoff Rintoul
Brian (Jackson) Shillingsworth
Alistair Webb
Lawrence Anderson
QUILPIE SHIRE
Mayoral candidates
Benjamin (Ben) Hall
Dick Loveday
Sitting councillor candidates
Lyn Barnes
Roger Volz
New councillor candidates
Gerard Cooney
Anthony (Tony) Lander
Milan Milosevic
Corey Richards
Jake Bonsey
Janet Hennessy
BULLOO SHIRE
Mayoral Candidates
Vaughan Collins
Shirley Girdler
John Tractor Ferguson
Jimmy Abbot
Sitting councillor candidates
Glyn Dogga Dare
Stewart Morton
New councillor candidates
Moc Parker
Adam Klein
Deb Blackford
Dama Howard
Irene Woods
Russell Rusty Ferguson
Dan Czislowski
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Originally published as Maranoa, Western Downs, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo local government elections: Who is running in 2024