I have been a councillor at Circular Head for 29 years. In the year 2000 I was elected Deputy Mayor a position I held before being elected as Mayor in 2007, a position I still hold.
I am passionate about education and literacy both for young and adults as I am aware many business people struggle to find people with this skill to employ. Circular Head, through many successful partnerships with Council, Rural health, CHAC and 26TEN, has done some great work which should be duplicated in other areas of our State. This work began after an audit was done in our district which revealed a shortage in these skills.
The audit led to a novel project, "Hatching of the Reading bug", aimed at supporting family literacy. Parents, especially fathers, were encouraged to read books to their children, something that has unfortunately been let slip over recent times.
Part of my role on the 26TEN Coalition has been to speak regularly with colleagues in the Local Government Association of Tasmania about the importance of councils, other government agencies, community groups, businesses and individuals collaborate to support Tasmanians to get the skills they need for everyday life. It was particularly rewarding to speak at the LGAT Conference in 2019, and congratulate the councils already involved with 26TEN.
I look forward to encouraging this good work to continue and motivating others so they too can reap the benefits to their communities when they lift adult literacy and numeracy.
About being on the 26TEN Coalition
It’s inspiring to be part of the Coalition where my colleagues are dedicated, thought-provoking and smart. With their broad range of experience and skills they contribute to adult literacy and numeracy at both a strategic level in meetings, and at a practical level when out and about in their sectors. We are all working to make a difference for our fellow Tasmanians. If you like the sound of being involved in vital work that is also practical, and you work in a sector where you have influence, I encourage you to apply.