Jenny Dowell has been involved in Local Government since the late 1990’s. After two terms as Lismore’s Mayor and two more terms supporting mayors as a mentor, she has made the decision to step back.

Ms Dowell had a mayoral mentor when she became Mayor of Lismore, and found it very beneficial. She was invited by Local Government NSW to impart the knowledge she had gained in her time in office, and took on the mentoring mantle herself when she left Lismore City Council.

“I've been mentoring about 40 mayors and councillors around the state over the last two terms.

“I've just finished off at the election on Saturday with the mentors, because it seemed logical a change of cycle and the right time to stop being a mentor. 

“I really appreciated having a mentor, and I've enjoyed being a mentor.”

Ms Dowell feels that a mayor's mentor needs to be fresh to the role, and that is getting distant for her now. With another birthday coming up, the time to prioritise those aspects of life that hold personal meaning beckons.

Ms Dowell also teaches new councillors the ropes and is winding down obligations to about seven councils, “I'm also a trainer with Local Government New South Wales.

“I'm going to do training from when the elections are declared, right through until mid November, and then I'm retiring from that job as well.”

Most often, a mentor provides assistance to mayors when there are very few others to speak to objectively, or discussing an issue in confidence may have repercussions with other councillors.

“A mentor is an interested stranger if you like. Someone to discuss sensitive topics when it is impractical to call on others.”

Communication issues are the biggest problem, first with the General Manager, and secondly with difficult councillors. 

“A mayor needs to trust the GM and work closely with them. You are often in daily contact.”

Councillors, mayors and general managers have a lot of pressure on them at times. Ms Dowell says it is a good idea to give new councillors time to learn, “Members of the public need to give them time to adjust to a new role and all the things they have to learn about.

“It takes a lot of commitment from the people that have put their hands up. You might disagree with certain decisions, but you can be kind and respectful.

“People forget that you are a person with feelings, a family and relatives and a business. Particularly on social media - keyboard warriors can prove trying!

“You can’t understand the position of Mayor until you have taken it on. Yes you are a spokesperson for the council, and there are extra duties with that, but there is so much more.

“To be there for the community whenever they need you, discussing with the GM the community's appetite for different initiatives or ideas on engagement, to clarify issues and understand what feedback the elected council will be looking for.

“It’s all those unseen things that mayors do to keep things running smoothly. The way they should.”

On how much time a mayor devotes to the job, Ms Dowell says, “It’s a personal choice. It’s a 24/7 role, and while you are entitled to your private time and put in restrictions for when you are not available, which I think every councillor and mayor should do, there is an expectation.

“I worked 80 to 100 hours a week, but it was my choice. If the community wanted me to be at something, I would be there.  

“I loved it; I thrived on it.

“It was 16 years ago today that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, four days after I was first elected as mayor. Honestly, it was the ability to be engrossed in the job that helped me get through it.”

The person taking on these roles needs to be able to adapt to its demands, “It’s not one size fits all.

“Not everyone will agree with everything a mayor does, and there are always going to be challenges. It’s the ability of a mayor to separate personal from professional or social, not to take on people’s anger.

“Being committed to what you know and believe is the right thing to do and not try and please everyone.

“Most people are ok if with a difference of opinion if they’re given an explanation of why a decision was made.”

Ms Dowell is stepping back from more than these roles. She is making more time from other pursuits.  

It isn’t like she won't be seen around - when talking about the connection she has with Lismore, Ms Dowell says, “I love this place. I love this place.”

Rather, there will be a change of focus.

“My main activity next year, apart from bushwalking and running, which are two things I enjoy, will be doing a lot more volunteering work with the Red Cross.”

Ms Dowell is deputy team leader at Red Cross.

“There's always a lot happening with Red Cross. So that will be where I’ll do my major volunteering work.”