Michelle Dracoulis stands firm after series letters attacking her sent to businesses and ratepayers

A Tasmanian mayor has been rocked by a series of letters attacking her but is overwhelmed by the response from others in the community. Find out why.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis at New Norfolk. Picture: Chris Kidd

Derwent Valley mayor Michelle Dracoulis is standing firm in the face of a campaign of vile letters attacking her which are being investigated by police.

The latest letter sent to the Sunday Tasmanian and addressed to “boards, politicians and journos’ purports to be from a “concerned mum and ratepayer”.

It makes unsubstantiated and incorrect allegations about Ms Dracoulis and her husband.

The couple have been married for 20 years and have four children.

The attacks on Ms Dracoulis have been condemned by Local Government Association of Tasmania president and Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker describing is as “unacceptable”.

Ms Dracoulis said four letters in the past month had been sent to ratepayers and businesses in New Norfolk and as far afield as Brighton.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis. Picture: Linda Higginson

She said one was about her sister, another had details from a closed council meeting and one about the Derwent Valley Council’s general manager with details she said she had never seen.

“I’ve taken the letters to the police and they’ve made copies,” Ms Dracoulis said.

“I felt sick that anyone would go to those extremes to try and destroy another person.”

But Ms Dracoulis, who has been mayor for three years, has no plans to walk away from council.

“I’m doing a good job here,” she said.

“If people are willing to go to these extremes, then that’s the choice they’re making.

“But it doesn’t mean I have to stop doing the best I can.”

Ms Dracoulis said she was worried about the effect on her two children at school.

“Some parents will have received these letters, maybe their teachers and what kind of environment does that create for them.”

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis at New Norfolk. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms Dracoulis said she had been overwhelmed by support from people who had read the latest letter.

“This letter has backfired,” she said.

“It’s created an amazing level of community support.

“I have had people I’ve never met before ringing me to tell me they’re disgusted, that I’m doing a good job, and they hope I’m okay.

“People can see through this. So even though I’m very hurt, my community’s been very supportive.”

To counter the impact of the letters, Ms Dracoulis posted a photo of her and her husband in Hyde Park in Sydney in 2005 and explains she was 26 at the time and he was 18.

“We had an incredible summer and were married within the year,” she wrote.

“21 years on we’re deeply in love and share a rich history, genuine friends and children we are very proud of.

“Thank you for your support Derwent Valley, I have appreciated people reaching out

“I can also confirm that neither Raynor nor I have ever worked at McDonalds.”

Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker speaks to the media at Triabunna on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Meanwhile, Mr Tucker said he was “appalled” a small minority of people behaved so poorly towards elected members.

“These are vile attacks and we must be very clear that it’s unacceptable. “If there’s anybody who has got proof of any wrongdoing go to the police and let it be dealt with, but harassment and this sort of behaviour is unacceptable.

“If we want good elected members to put their hand up, they have to be able to do that in good faith without having anonymous people making assertions and accusations against them.”

Local government minister Kerry Vincent and Local Government Association of Tasmania Mick Tucker speak to the media on Wednesday November 27, 2024.