I left home at 18 and joined the Army. I graduated from RMC Duntroon when I was 23 and served for the best part of a decade in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). In the 1990s I changed careers and did a teaching degree. Over the past 25 years I have taught Mathematics and Religious studies in a number of local high schools. My wife Cath and I moved to Repentance Creek in 1997 to grow coffee and macadamia nuts. We have two daughters.

I joined the Labor Party twenty-four years ago, concerned about the way the Liberal and National parties were leading Australia with their little concern for the unemployed, Indigenous issues and affordable housing. I have been a candidate for the Labor Party for both state and federal elections.

My vision for Lismore is for a city and its villages to be vibrant, welcoming, creative and affordable. Council can be a part of bringing this vision to reality, by encouraging business, investment and the arts. And of course better maintenance of our roads! 

Together we can make Lismore the most liveable, best resourced and creative local government area on the North Coast.

My qualifications include BSc (UNSW), Dip Ed(ACU) and Masters of Education (SCU).

Why did you decide to stand for Mayor or Councilor for the Lismore LGA?

I now have the time and the energy to commit to work for our community. I also want to support our best candidate for mayor: Darlene Cook.

What is the biggest challenge facing the new Council?

Finding the resources to grow our LGA.

What are the biggest opportunities for Lismore City Council?

To be a part of the growth potential of the North Coast and for Lismore to be the epicenter of this growth.

What top three (3) priorities would you like to achieve if elected as Mayor or Councillor?

·      Balance our budget

·      Fix our infrastructure; especially roads

·      Address our housing crisis.

How can Lismore & surrounds return to prosperity during the next council period?

We need to be better at lobbying state and federal governments to get a better share of the grants on offer to build and maintain our infrastructure.